Small Games of Chance

Small Games of Chance Information For Club Licensees and Eligible Organizations

Eligible organizations and club licensees are encouraged to review the updated Small Games of Chance Overview for information about the small games of chance law following enactment of Acts 90 and 92 of 2013.

Each club with proceeds of $20,000 or more is required to file an annual report by Feb. 1, for the preceding calendar year.

Questions?

  • Club licensees with questions regarding reporting requirements should contact the Department of Revenue at RA-SGOC@pa.gov.
  • Charitable organizations with questions about licensure for small games of chance should contact their local county treasurer.
  • Questions regarding operation and enforcement of games of chance should be directed to law enforcement officials, such as local or state police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, or county District Attorney’s Office.

In Pennsylvania, all forms of gambling are illegal unless specifically authorized by law. The Pennsylvania Lottery, bingo, slots, table games and small games of chance are forms of gaming authorized by law. 

The Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act was passed in 1988 and has been amended several times since enactment. The law authorizes club licensees and eligible organizations licensed by county treasurers to conduct small games of chance to offer the following types of gambling:

  • Pull-tab games
  • Punchboards 
  • Raffles, including raffle auctions and special permit raffles 
  • Daily drawings 
  • Weekly drawings 
  • 50-50 drawings
  • Race night games obtained from distributors licensed with the department 
  • Pools

Following are some examples of illegal forms of gambling:

  • Quarter auctions 
  • Monte Carlo/casino/poker nights (outside of authorized casinos) 
  • Numbers games (outside the Pennsylvania Lottery)

NOTE: This list is not exhaustive and is intended for illustrative purposes only. Ultimately, police and law enforcement officials are responsible for determining and prosecuting illegal gambling activity.