New legislation will allow sports fans to participate in small betting pools as they get ready to gather at their favorite local bar later this month to watch the college football bowl games.
Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Wednesday legislation allowing commercial bars, restaurants and taverns to have small games of chance and places with a license to hold sports betting pools.
House Bill 209 was introduced by state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, and state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18, and allows places with a small games of chance license to participate in betting pools if the entry is $20 or less, there are no more than 100 participants and all proceeds are awarded to the contestants.
"Many veterans' organizations, volunteer fire companies and social clubs across Schuylkill County allow small betting pools in conjunction with special sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and NCAA basketball tournament," Goodman said Monday in a press release. "Many of them are struggling financially, and these pools help them increase patronage."
Boscola first introduced legislation to legalize small betting pools in 2011. Most of the provisions of her bill, called Senate Bill 483, and one introduced by Goodman earlier this year, were amended into House Bill 290.
"I am pleased that our law finally recognizes the legitimacy of this harmless and leisurely activity that so many Pennsylvanians have taken part in for so many years," Boscola said in a press release.
House Bill 1098 allows commercial bars, restaurants and taverns to apply for small games of chance licenses. Small games of chance are defined by a set cap in total prize payout and include pull-tab games, daily drawings and raffles. After several amendments, the bill allows non-profit groups that net less than $40,000 annually from small games to keep the first $20,000 they make. For other qualifying clubs, 60 percent of small game proceeds need to me set aside for community or charitable purposes after hitting $20,000.
Bob Dittmar, co-owner of Maroons Sports Bar & Grill in Pottsville with his wife, Karen, said the legislation can help local businesses.
"It's a good opportunity for more establishments to get more people to fill the seats, so I think it's a good thing," Dittmar said Monday.
For more information about House Bills 209 and 1098, visit www.legis.state.pa.us.