PRINTER'S NO. 513
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.520
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DELOZIER, PICKETT, CIRESI, GALLAGHER, ROAE AND
ROWE, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),
entitled "An act providing for the licensing of eligible
organizations to conduct games of chance, for the licensing
of persons to distribute games of chance, for the
registration of manufacturers of games of chance, and for
suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;
requiring records; providing for local referendum by
electorate; and prescribing penalties," providing for social
card games and tournaments.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),
known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, is amended
by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 8
SOCIAL CARD GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS
Section 801. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Nonbanking card game." A card game where players play
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 against one another rather than against the house. Nonbanking
card games may include any of the following:
(1) Poker games.
(2) Hearts.
(3) Rummy.
(4) Pinochle.
(5) Bid Whist.
"Nonbanking card game tournament" or "tournament." A series
of card games held by a licensed eligible organization during a
consecutive period of time of not more than 24 hours and not
held as part of any other games of chance.
"Pyramid or build-up." A card game in which a prize must be
returned in order to play another game or to be eligible for
another bigger prize, or a game in which the prize must be
forfeited if a later game is lost.
"Social card game" or "card game." A nonbanking card game
that is played by members at the licensed premises of an
eligible organization.
Section 802. Authorization to conduct social card games.
(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any provision of 18
Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses) or any regulation to
the contrary, social card games may be played at the licensed
premises of an eligible organization in accordance with the
requirements of this chapter.
(b) Conditions.--
(1) Card games may only be played by and between members
of the eligible organization.
(2) No eligible organization or other person may have an
interest, financial or otherwise, in the outcome of a card
game.
20250HB0520PN0513 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (3) Only nonbanking card games may be played with
members playing against each other.
(4) Wagering shall be entirely at the discretion of each
player.
(5) The maximum prize or payout for a card game shall be
limited to $100.
(6) No eligible organization may charge a fee for play.
(7) Not more than 10 members may play at a table in a
card game.
(8) Card games may only be played in a room set aside
for those activities at the licensed premises of the eligible
organization.
(9) Not more than five gaming tables may be made
available for the play of card games by the eligible
organization.
(10) No card games may be played between the hours of 1
a.m. and 1 p.m.
(11) No eligible organization or other person may
collect, obtain or charge a percentage of or collect or
obtain a portion of a wager or winnings of a player in a card
game, except that a player may collect the player's own
winnings.
(12) No eligible organization or other person may
collect or obtain any money from, or charge or impose a fee
upon, a person that either enables the person to play or
results in or from the person playing a card game. Nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to preclude the collection
of a membership fee by the eligible organization that is
unrelated to participation in the play of a card game
authorized under this chapter.
20250HB0520PN0513 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (13) An eligible organization that allows the use of the
organization's premises for the play of card games by the
organization's members in accordance with this chapter shall
submit a schedule of the proposed dates of the card games and
any card game tournaments to the licensing authority.
(c) Required postings.--An eligible organization that
permits the play of card games at the organization's licensed
premises shall prominently post the following in close proximity
of card game tables in the room designated to play card games:
(1) The wagering limits for each type of card game.
(2) The rules of play.
(3) Information on where a person can obtain help for
problem gambling, including the telephone number for the
Pennsylvania Compulsive Gambling Helpline.
(d) Prohibitions.--
(1) It shall be unlawful for an eligible organization
to:
(i) Obtain or collect any money or thing of value
from the conduct of card games at a licensed premises.
(ii) Knowingly permit a card game to be played in
violation of this chapter.
(iii) Fail to comply with the posting requirement in
accordance with subsection (c).
(iv) Engage in any act, practice or course of
conduct that would constitute fraud or deceit upon a
player in a card game.
(v) Allow a person under 21 years of age to play a
card game at the eligible organization's licensed
premises.
(vi) Knowingly allow a person to employ or attempt
20250HB0520PN0513 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 to employ a device, scheme or artifice to cheat or
defraud a player in a card game.
(vii) Advertise a card game in violation of section
704.
(2) A licensed organization that violates paragraph (1)
shall be subject to the penalties imposed under section
702(d).
(e) Applicability.--The requirements of sections 502 and 503
may not apply to social card games authorized under this
chapter.
Section 803. Authorization to conduct tournaments.
(a) Compliance.--An eligible organization may conduct
nonbanking card game tournaments. A tournament conducted by an
eligible organization shall comply with all of the following:
(1) Only nonbanking card games shall be played in the
tournament.
(2) Each card game shall be conducted in a fair and
honest manner and may not be operated on a pyramid or build-
up basis.
(3) Each player in the tournament shall be given the
same chance of winning the tournament. Second-chance entries
or multiple entries shall be prohibited.
(4) The eligible organization shall conduct the
tournament and shall not contract with nor permit another
person to conduct the tournament or a card game during the
tournament.
(5) Only the eligible organization may receive or have a
fixed or contingent right to receive, directly or indirectly,
any profit, remuneration or compensation from or related to a
card game in the tournament, except an amount that a person
20250HB0520PN0513 - 5 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 may win as a player on the same basis as the other players.
(6) No eligible organization may hold more than five
tournaments annually.
(7) The tournament may not be conducted within seven
calendar days of another tournament conducted by the eligible
organization.
(8) The eligible organization may hold only one
tournament during a period of 24 consecutive hours, starting
from the time the tournament begins.
(9) At the conclusion of the tournament, the eligible
organization shall announce the name of the winning player
and the amount of winnings.
(10) The eligible organization shall limit the number of
tables used in the tournament to a maximum of five, with a
maximum of 10 players at each table.
(11) The tournament shall only be held in a room at the
licensed premises designated by the eligible organization for
the conduct of card games.
(12) Players in the tournament shall be limited to the
members of the eligible organization.
(13) Players shall be at least 21 years of age.
(14) The tournament may not provide a direct financial
benefit to the eligible organization or other person, except
winning players in the tournament.
(15) The value of all prizes awarded for the tournament,
except for a Texas Hold'em tournament, may not exceed $200.
(16) If the tournament involves Texas Hold'em, all of
the following shall apply:
(i) The payment of an entry fee or other
consideration for participating is prohibited.
20250HB0520PN0513 - 6 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (ii) The value of all prizes awarded to an
individual winner of the tournament or contest at a
single table may not exceed $200 each day.
(17) The eligible organization shall ensure that
reasonable accommodations are made for players with
disabilities.
(b) Required postings.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the
eligible organization shall prominently post the tournament
rules on a sign in the tournament playing room at least 24 hours
before the tournament begins. The sign shall be at least 30
inches by 30 inches, and the rules shall be easily readable. The
sign shall include all of the following:
(1) In permanent letters three inches high, the words
"Tournament Rules."
(2) Card game or games to be played in the tournament
and the rules of each card game.
(3) The prize for each card game and tournament.
(4) How winners will be determined.
(5) Any other tournament rules.
(c) Prizes.--Cash or merchandise prizes may be awarded for a
tournament subject to the following:
(1) The eligible organization shall distribute the
prizes awarded on the day the prizes are won.
(2) Donated or merchandise prizes shall not be
repurchased by the eligible organization.
(3) Only prizes that can be won shall be displayed in
the room where the tournament is held.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20250HB0520PN0513 - 7 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28