HB 44 — An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, in tavern gaming, further providing for definitions.

PRINTER'S NO.   23

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 44
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY CONKLIN, SANCHEZ, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS AND HARKINS,
        JANUARY 10, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, JANUARY 10, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),
 2      entitled "An act providing for the licensing of eligible
 3      organizations to conduct games of chance, for the licensing
 4      of persons to distribute games of chance, for the
 5      registration of manufacturers of games of chance, and for
 6      suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;
 7      requiring records; providing for local referendum by
 8      electorate; and prescribing penalties," in tavern gaming,
 9      further providing for definitions.
10      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
11   hereby enacts as follows:
12      Section 1.    The definitions of "restaurant licensee" and
13   "tavern" in section 902 of the act of December 19, 1988
14   (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of
15   Chance Act, are amended and the section is amended by adding a
16   definition to read:
17   Section 902.    Definitions.
18      The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
19   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
20   context clearly indicates otherwise:
21      * * *
 1      "Restaurant licensee."    A for-profit hotel, restaurant,
 2   privately owned public golf course, brewpub [or], microbrewery
 3   or winery licensed to sell liquor under the act of April 12,
 4   1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code. The term does
 5   not include any of the following:
 6          (1)     A grocery store.
 7          (2)     A premises where the sale of liquid fuels or oil is
 8      conducted.
 9          (3)     A winery that holds a license other than a limited
10      winery license.
11      "Tavern."    A for-profit hotel, restaurant, privately owned
12   public golf course or brewpub [or], microbrewery or winery with
13   a valid license to sell liquor, malt or brewed beverages under
14   the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor
15   Code. The term does not include any of the following:
16          (1)     A grocery store.
17          (2)     A restaurant where the sale of liquid fuels or oil
18      is conducted.
19          (3)     A hotel or restaurant whose place of business is
20      located in a licensed facility as defined in 4 Pa.C.S. § 1103
21      (relating to definitions).
22          (4)     A business on the grounds of a facility where a
23      Major League sports team conducts games or races.
24          (5)     A winery that holds a license other than a limited
25      winery license.
26      * * *
27      "Winery."    The term shall mean the same as under section 102
28   of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the
29   Liquor Code.
30      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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