Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB44

Introduced
1/10/25  

Caption

In tavern gaming, further providing for definitions.

Impact

The impact of HB 44 on state laws centers around the licensing and regulation of establishments engaged in gaming. By refining the definitions, the bill aims to create clearer guidelines for what constitutes a tavern or restaurant licensee under the Liquor Code. This could lead to increased participation in tavern gaming for various business entities, thereby potentially enhancing revenue opportunities for these establishments while ensuring compliance with state gaming regulations.

Summary

House Bill 44, introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to clarify and expand the definitions of 'restaurant licensee' and 'tavern.' The bill seeks to provide a more precise legal framework regarding the entities qualified to conduct games of chance, particularly focusing on establishments that sell liquor. This amendment is significant as it impacts how various businesses, such as brewpubs and microbreweries, are categorized under state law, influencing their ability to engage in tavern gaming activities.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 44 appears to be generally positive among stakeholders within the gaming and hospitality industries, who view the bill as a necessary update to existing regulations that could foster growth and innovation in tavern gaming. However, there may be some concerns regarding the implications of the definitions on local businesses, particularly those that may not fit neatly into the newly defined categories. Overall, the discussions surrounding the bill suggest a supportive environment for the amendments it proposes.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention regarding HB 44 is the potential for misinterpretation of the new definitions, which may lead to disputes over licensing and gaming rights among various types of establishments. Critics may argue that the definitions should be more inclusive to accommodate a broader range of businesses, preventing possible hardships for those that do not meet the new criteria. As such, discussions in committee hearings could revolve around balancing regulatory clarity with the need to support a diverse array of businesses engaged in entertainment and dining.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2164

In tavern gaming, further providing for definitions.

PA HB2042

In revenues, providing for audits of Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund; in administration and enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for records and confidentiality of information; in application and licensure, further providing for establishment licenses, for license or permit prohibition, for issuance and renewal and for conditional licenses; in operation, further providing for testing and certification of terminals and for video gaming limitations, providing for hours of operation and further providing for terminal placement agreements and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in revenues, further providing for distribution of local share, for regulatory assessments and for transfers from Video Gaming Fund; in ethics, further providing for political influence; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; providing for implementation; and making a repeal.

PA HB829

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions;

PA HB2456

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions.

PA SB1263

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in games of chance, further providing for prize limits, for sales limited, for distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers and for regulations of department; in club licensees, further providing for club licensee and for distribution of proceeds; in enforcement, further providing for revocation of licenses, for local option and for advertising; in tavern gaming, further providing for licenses, for application, for approval, for prize limits, for distribution of net revenue, for tavern games tax, for invoice, for reports and for enforcement.

PA HB1657

Further providing for title of act, for definitions, for prohibition, for signage, for enforcement, for preemption of local ordinances and for repeal; and making editorial changes.

PA SB681

Further providing for title of act, for definitions, for prohibition, for signage, for enforcement, for administration, for preemption of local ordinances and for repeal; and making editorial changes.

PA SB688

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, further providing for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores; in licenses and regulations relating to liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for liquor importers' licenses, fees, privileges and restrictions, providing for ready-to-drink cocktail permit and for authority to acquire ready-to-drink cocktail permits and further providing for distributors' and importing distributors' restrictions on sales, storage, etc, for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees, for unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees; and, in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing for limited distilleries and distilleries.

PA HB874

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for interlocking business prohibited, for number and kinds of licenses allowed same licensee, for interlocking business prohibited, for brand registration and for breweries; in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing for limited wineries and for limited distilleries and distilleries, providing for farm cideries and further providing for license fees and for records to be kept; and making an editorial change.

PA SB969

In riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.