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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Dan Deasy |
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Deasy bill would allow organizations to raise more money
HARRISBURG, March 12 – State Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would allow charities to increase their maximum jackpot in order to provide those organizations with much needed revenue.
Specifically, Deasy's bill, H.B. 2330, would amend the state Bingo Law to allow for progressively larger jackpots. The bill includes provisions for electronic and Bonanza Bingo, which would allow players to play a larger number of cards than traditional paper cards and allow charities to play to smaller crowds, in turn lessening their financial risk and need for larger facilities.
"This bill would address an important need for our local charitable organizations as they continue to try and stay viable during a very bad economy," Deasy said. "This bill would help them expand their fundraising capacity. These groups have taken a hit now that gaming has been expanded in Pennsylvania. And while that expansion has helped and will help with property tax relief and other programs, we need to help our local volunteer organizations as they try and maintain things like emergency and fire services for our neighborhoods."
The bill would, among other things, increase the maximum allowable bingo jackpots from $4,000 to $10,000 per day, up to a limit of $50,000.
"Bigger jackpots may bring more people, and that helps raise more money in a shorter amount of time for these groups," Deasy said. "These groups spend hours upon hours raising money and, the bottom line is – they should be able to spend more time focusing on the organization and its needs. This bill, hopefully, help them do that."