Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB626

Introduced

4/14/25

Refer

4/14/25

Caption

Providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; providing for issuance of licenses for skill video gaming; imposing a tax and criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

Impact

The passage of SB 626 would significantly alter the landscape of gaming regulation in Pennsylvania. It establishes taxation on gross profits generated by skill video gaming, with a set tax rate of 16%. The revenue generated from this tax will be allocated to various funds, including the Clean Streams Fund and counties and municipalities where the games are operated. Ultimately, this law seeks to create a regulated market for skill video games, ensuring compliance and safety for both players and operators.

Summary

Senate Bill 626, also known as the Skill Video Gaming Act, aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for skill video gaming within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The bill mandates the issuance of licenses for the operation of skill video game systems, imposing duties on the Department of Revenue for regulation and enforcement. It defines key terms, sets forth licensing requirements, and outlines the procedures for application, renewal, and potential revocation of licenses. The act intends to ensure lawful operation while supporting consumer protections and promoting responsible gaming practices.

Sentiment

The general sentiment regarding SB 626 appears to be supportive among proponents who argue that it will create a more structured and economically beneficial environment for skill gaming. However, there exists a degree of contention, primarily revolving around local control issues, as municipalities may feel their authority to regulate gaming within their boundaries is diminished by state-imposed regulations. Economic development advocates view this framework as a step towards modernization in the gaming sector, while local governance advocates express reservations about state overreach.

Contention

Key points of contention in this legislation include concerns about the implications of preempting local regulations regarding zoning and business operations related to skill video game systems. Critics argue that while the intent to regulate and tax is clear, local governments could be stripped of the ability to tailor regulations to meet the specific needs of their communities. Additionally, the financial burdens associated with obtaining a license—such as the substantial application fees—raise concerns over potential monopolization of the skill gaming market by larger operators, potentially sidelining smaller businesses.

Latest PA SB626 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session SB626

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2075

PA SB706

PA HB2520

Providing for nonbanking games; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs; and imposing penalties.

PA HB2551

Providing for nonbanking poker games; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs; and imposing penalties.

PA SB1142

In revenues, further providing for establishment of State Gaming Fund and net slot machine revenue distribution; adding provisions relating to local gaming terminals by providing for general provisions, for application and licensure, for operation, for enforcement and for revenue; imposing the local gaming terminal tax; establishing the Local Gaming Fund; providing for ethics; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in Commonwealth services, establishing the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Programs Fund; prescribing penalties; and making appropriations.

PA SB806

In general provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for definitions; and, in operation, further providing for video gaming limitations and for compulsive and problem gambling.

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 HB1140

Providing for access to contraceptives; imposing duties on the Insurance Department and the Department of Human Services; and imposing penalties.

PA SB969

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

PA HB715

Providing for departmental powers and duties as to small personal care homes; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

PA HB2075

PA SB706

VA SB212

Virginia Small Business Economic Development Act; established.

PA HB1619

Providing for regulation of skill gaming; imposing duties on Department of Revenue; establishing a regulatory program within Department of Revenue governing skill gaming; providing for issuance of licenses; imposing criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

MO SB1021

Authorizes the Video Lottery Control Act

MO SB16

Phases out the corporate income tax

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 HB1750

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, further providing for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores; in licenses and regulations, liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for heading of article, for authority to issue liquor licenses to hotels, restaurants and clubs, for sales by liquor licensees and restrictions, for secondary service area, for sale of malt or brewed beverages by liquor licensees, for public service liquor licenses, for liquor importers' licenses, fees, privileges and restrictions, for public venue license, for performing arts facility license, for continuing care retirement community retail licenses, for casino liquor license, for malt and brewed beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, for sales by manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages and minimum quantities and for distributors' and importing distributors' restrictions on sales, storage, etc; adding provisions relating to fees and taxation of ready-to-drink cocktails for off-premises consumption; and further providing for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees.