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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Dante Santoni |
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House passes bill to aid local nonprofit fundraising efforts
HARRISBURG, May 4 – The state House today passed legislation that would allow nonprofit organizations that run small games of chance to realize more revenues from those fundraising efforts, according to state Rep. Dante Santoni, D-Berks.
House Bill 169 would allow eligible nonprofit organizations to increase the prize limit for daily drawings and raffles from $500 to $1,000; increase weekly prize limits from $5,000 to $25,000; hold monthly drawings and multiple daily drawings; and use some of what they take in through small games of chance for operating expenses.
Santoni said the types of organizations that would benefit from the bill include volunteer fire departments, veterans’ organizations, churches, and civic and service clubs. The 21-year-old Local Option Small Games of Chance Act allows these organizations to conduct such games to raise money for public interest purposes. Small games covered in the act include pull-tabs, punchboards, raffles (including lottery) and drawings.
"Enhancing the fundraising abilities of our local service clubs and nonprofit organizations is vital for their survival, and ensures there will be revenue available to these organizations for projects that significantly benefit our local communities," Santoni said.
Santoni is chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, which oversees legislation dealing with casino gaming, bingo and small games of chance.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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