Pennsylvania veterans groups support push for charity gaming legislation
The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania is supporting proposed legislation that would provide an alternative source of revenue as Pennsylvania moves to remove skill-game machines from establishments.
Key Takeaways
- The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania is backing House Bill 1050, which would legalise electronic and progressive pull-tabs.
- The bill would raise the individual prize limit from US$ 2,000 to US$ 5,000, and increase the weekly prize limit from US$ 35,000 to US$ 70,000.
- The push follows a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that classified skill games as gambling machines, which must be unplugged and removed by October 13.
US.- The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania and PlayPA for Charity are supporting proposed legislation that would change the state’s charitable gaming rules. House Bill 1050 would broaden the games permitted under Pennsylvania’s Small Games of Chance Law.
The proposal would allow electronic pull-tabs, progressive pull-tabs and additional paper games, while increasing the maximum prize for an individual game from US$ 2,000 to US$ 5,000. The bill would also raise the weekly prize limit for eligible organisations to US$ 70,000, up from US$ 35,000. The number of electronic machines permitted would depend on the size of the venue, with facilities accommodating at least 250 people allowed to operate up to 10 machines and lower limits applying to smaller venues.
Another provision would change how charitable gaming proceeds are allocated. Current rules require at least 60 per cent of proceeds to be directed to public-interest purposes. HB1050 would lower that to 25 per cent, allowing organisations to retain up to 75 per cent for their own operations and programmes.
The push comes as Pennsylvania establishments prepare to remove thousands of skill-game machines following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that determined the machines fall under the state’s gambling laws. The machines must be unplugged and removed by October 13. That’s raised concerns among veterans’ posts, fraternal clubs and other organisations that have relied on the revenue.
The American Legion has more than 650 posts and approximately 120,000 members across Pennsylvania. Its posts use gaming proceeds to fund activities including veterans’ assistance, youth programmes, food distributions and donations to community organisations.
HB1050 was introduced in March 2025 and is to be discussed by the House Gaming Oversight Committee today, September 29.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What would HB1050 change in Pennsylvania’s charitable gaming rules? It would legalise electronic and progressive pull-tabs, raise the individual prize limit from US$ 2,000 to US$ 5,000 and the weekly limit from US$ 35,000 to US$ 70,000, and let organisations keep up to 75 per cent of proceeds instead of the current 40 per cent.
- Why are veterans’ groups and non-profits pushing for HB1050 now? Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruled that skill games fall under the state’s gambling laws, forcing their removal by October 13 and cutting off a revenue source many posts and clubs relied on.
- What is PlayPA for Charity? It’s a coalition of non-profit, social and fraternal organisations, including the Pennsylvania VFW and now the American Legion, that supports HB1050 as a way to offset lost skill-game revenue and expand community funding.
