Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB416

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/17/25
• Refer: 3/17/25
• Refer: 6/11/25
• Report Pass: 6/24/25
• Engrossed: 7/16/25
• Refer: 7/17/25

Caption

In games of chance, providing for payment; and abrogating a regulation.

Summary

SB 416 amends Pennsylvania’s Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to allow licensed eligible organizations to accept payment for raffle tickets using credit cards, debit cards, mobile payment services, and other electronic payment methods. The bill requires organizations to verify that a purchaser is at least 18 years old and bars acceptance of payment that would violate federal prohibitions on unlawful internet gambling. It also makes a specific exception for Chapter 9 licensees, who may not accept mobile payment services for the playing of games of chance. The bill also defines “mobile payment service” and expressly abrogates a state regulation, 61 Pa. Code § 901.506, to the extent it conflicts with the new statutory payment rules. The measure takes effect 60 days after enactment and would update how certain charitable and local gaming transactions can be conducted in Pennsylvania.

Impact

SB 416 would change the payment rules governing licensed small games of chance organizations in Pennsylvania by authorizing electronic and card-based payments for raffle ticket purchases, subject to age-verification and federal-law compliance requirements. It would supersede conflicting administrative regulation and therefore alter the Department of Revenue’s existing implementation framework for these gaming activities. The bill primarily affects licensed eligible organizations, raffle participants, and Chapter 9 licensees involved in games of chance.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the bill was reported from the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee 14-0, re-reported by Senate Appropriations 22-0, and passed the Senate floor 49-0. With no committee transcript available, the overall sentiment appears favorable and largely noncontroversial, suggesting broad agreement that modernizing payment options for raffle sales is acceptable if age and gambling-law safeguards remain in place.

Contention

There is little visible contention in the available record. The main policy issues embedded in the bill are whether electronic and mobile payments should be allowed for raffle ticket purchases, how to ensure buyers are at least 18 years old, and how to avoid conflicts with federal restrictions on unlawful internet gambling. The only explicit limitation is that Chapter 9 licensees may not use mobile payment services for games of chance, indicating a narrow carveout rather than a broader dispute.