Legislation by a local politician to help some non-profit organizations with fundraising problems as a result of COVID-19 is moving forward.
State Senator Joe Pittman’s Senate Bill 243 would temporarily allow organizations with small games of chance club licenses to offer games of chance online or through a mobile application.
“There is some questions to some loopholes in the law, and the legalities of those activities. But our volunteer fire companies have no choice at this point. So this legislation is designed to allow them to fundraise and enable them to continue to fundraise, and to do so only within the confines of the pandemic,” Sen. Pittman said.
This would permit first responders and veterans groups to conduct fundraisers that they need and receive payment electronically through credit or debit cards or other electronic mobile payment applications. They would be required to verify age and residency of those participating in the virtual games of chance.
This new policy would remain in effect for one year or as long as Governor Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency declaration remains in effect, whichever is later. The bill has been approved by the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and will next be considered by the full Senate.
