Pennsylvania House Bill HB1340

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/6/25
• Refer: 5/6/25
• Refer: 6/3/25
• Report Pass: 6/4/25
• Engrossed: 6/4/25
• Refer: 6/6/25
• Refer: 6/25/25
• Report Pass: 6/26/25
• Enrolled: 6/27/25
• Chaptered: 6/27/25
• Passed: 6/27/25

Caption

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

Summary

HB 1340 is the annual appropriations measure for Pennsylvania’s gaming-related restricted revenue accounts. It authorizes spending from the State Gaming Fund, Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026, and also covers payment of prior-year bills that remained unpaid at the close of fiscal year 2024-2025. The bill is structured as a funding vehicle for agencies that regulate, enforce, and administer gaming laws in the Commonwealth. Under the bill, money is allocated to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The largest appropriations go to the Gaming Control Board and State Police from the State Gaming Fund, with additional funding for Department of Revenue and Attorney General gaming-related work. The bill also includes appropriations for fantasy contest administration and, notably, separate line items for “skill games administration” and “skill games operations” from the Video Gaming Fund, indicating support for oversight of that sector as well. The bill’s impact on state law is primarily fiscal rather than regulatory: it does not create new gaming rules, but it directs how restricted gaming revenues may be spent and bars transfers among the listed appropriations. It reinforces the existing statutory framework in Title 4 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by funding enforcement, oversight, and administrative functions tied to slot machines, fantasy contests, video gaming, and related gaming activity. Overall sentiment appears generally supportive but not unanimous. The bill advanced through committee and both chambers, with the Senate passage especially strong, while the House showed closer margins earlier in the process and on final passage. That pattern suggests broad agreement on the need to fund gaming oversight, but some legislative division over the size, structure, or policy implications of the appropriations. The main point of contention appears to be the inclusion and funding of skill games administration and operations, along with the broader use of gaming-related restricted revenues. Those items likely drew attention because skill games remain a politically sensitive and evolving issue in Pennsylvania. The votes indicate that, while the bill ultimately passed, there was meaningful opposition from some members who may have objected to the spending levels, the treatment of skill games, or the overall gaming funding approach.

Impact

HB 1340 appropriates restricted revenues from the State Gaming Fund, Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund to fund gaming-related operations of the Attorney General, Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for FY 2025-2026, while also paying prior-year outstanding bills. It does not amend substantive gaming law, but it directs the use of existing gaming revenues and prohibits transfers among the listed appropriations, thereby shaping how Pennsylvania’s gaming regulatory system is financed and administered.

Sentiment

The bill’s sentiment was generally favorable, as reflected by successful committee action and eventual passage in both chambers. However, the House votes were relatively close at earlier stages, indicating some hesitation or disagreement, while the Senate and final House concurrence were more decisive. Overall, lawmakers appeared to agree on the need to fund gaming oversight, even if not all members supported the bill’s specific allocations or policy choices.

Contention

The most notable contention centered on the appropriations for skill games administration and operations, which are politically sensitive because skill games occupy a disputed space in Pennsylvania’s gaming landscape. Some members also appeared to question the broader use of restricted gaming revenues for agency operations and enforcement. The closer House votes suggest opposition from legislators concerned about spending levels, the scope of gaming regulation, or the inclusion of skill games-related funding.