The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania has joined a coalition pushing for changes to Pennsylvania’s charitable gaming regulations, including the legalization of electronic pull-tabs.
American Legion Joins Push to Expand Pennsylvania Charitable Gaming
The organization’s executive committee unanimously approved the move on September 19. Now it joins the list of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Pennsylvania and other fraternal and social organizations that support PlayPA for Charity.
The coalition is seeking to expand the games allowed under Pennsylvania’s Small Games of Chance Law for nonprofit organizations. Its campaign comes as efforts are underway to remove thousands of skill-game machines following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision.
The court said the state’s gambling laws cover skill games. The machines must be unplugged and hauled out by October 13, prompting concerns from veterans’ posts, fraternal clubs and other groups that have relied on the revenue they generate.
The American Legion says it has more than 650 posts and about 120,000 members in Pennsylvania. These posts use proceeds from gaming for a wide range of community activities, including assistance for veterans, youth programs, food distributions, and donations to local organizations.
PlayPA for Charity is backing House Bill 1050 as an alternate revenue stream. The bill would allow both electronic pull-tabs and a broader range of paper games.
HB1050 also would raise the maximum prize for a single game from $2,000 to $5,000. The maximum amount of weekly prizes an eligible club can win would be doubled to $70,000 from $35,000.
Pennsylvania Bill Would Change Charitable Gaming Rules and Revenue
The proposal is going to restrict the electronic products. It would also allow for progressive pull-tabs, so jackpots could increase between games.
Another significant provision would alter the distribution of gaming proceeds. Under existing rules, at least 60% of the proceeds from charitable gaming must be spent on public-interest purposes. HB1050 would reduce that requirement to 25%, allowing organizations to retain up to 75% of the proceeds for their own operations and programs.
The number of machines permitted would depend on the size of the venue. Halls with a minimum capacity of 250 persons could have up to 10 machines installed, with reduced limits applying to smaller halls.
The bill was introduced in March 2025 and is still before the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Skill games are slated to come before the committee on September 29, perhaps reigniting focus on the legislation as the October deadline approaches.
The American Legion’s action means another big veterans’ organization is joining the effort to change charitable gaming rules. PlayPA for Charity already had the Pennsylvania VFW and other nonprofit and fraternal groups on board.
The debate follows earlier calls from Pennsylvania groups for lawmakers to create a legal framework for skill games before the October deadline. And those proposals — including separate legislation to regulate the machines — have been focused on protecting revenue for small businesses, veterans’ groups and community organizations.
PlayPA for Charity stated that legal charitable gaming could bring in more money for nonprofits and fill revenue gaps when skill games leave Pennsylvania establishments.