Press Release: American Legion Department of Pennsylvania Joins VFW, Fraternal Club Organizations in Supporting Small Games of Chance Modernization, Electronic Pull Tabs
HARRISBURG, PA - The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania Executive Committee voted unanimously on Saturday, September 19 to join PlayPA for Charity, a coalition advocating for the modernization of Pennsylvania’s Small Games of Chance Law. The Legion joins the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Association of Nationally Chartered Organizations, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Fraternal and Social Organizations as supporters of Play PA for Charity.
Currently, Pennsylvania law limits the types of games available to support veteran service organizations and other non-profits to just a handful of paper-based games. Modernizing the law to allow new paper games and electronic pull-tabs will enable organizations to contribute more to charitable causes in their communities. With skill games ruled illegal by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and a looming October 13 deadline for their required disconnection and removal, veteran and fraternal clubs like American Legion Posts need new revenue sources such as those proposed in House Bill 1050.
“Small games of chance are a vital resource for our posts in Pennsylvania, helping sustain their operations and support the communities they serve,” said Jon A. Hosfeld, State Commander, American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. “Electronic pull tabs represent a critical opportunity give our posts another way to raise funds for the programs, services, and charitable initiatives their communities depend on. We support PlayPA for Charity's efforts to modernize charitable gaming and bring e-tabs to Pennsylvania. We've seen the tremendous impact this work has had on American Legion Departments in neighboring states, and we know it will help here as well.”
The American Legion is the country’s largest veterans service organization and has 120,000 Legionnaires from The Department of Pennsylvania, making up more than 650 posts across the Commonwealth. Their support for small games of chance modernization and electronic pull tabs is a strong signal to legislators as legislative efforts move forward.
The mission of the American Legion is rooted in supporting strong national security, taking care of veterans, mentoring youth, and promoting patriotism and honor. With revenue from small games of chance, American Legion posts across Pennsylvania give back to their communities through wraparound services for our Veterans, donations to families in need, local youth programs, food pantries, volunteer fire departments, youth sports, and honor guards, among other worthy causes.
Modernizing Pennsylvania’s small games of chance law and authorizing electronic pull tabs will allow even more proceeds to be distributed to deserving charities in need and support the long-term health and success of hundreds of American Legion posts.
About PlayPA for Charity
PlayPA for Charity is a coalition advocating for the modernization of the Small Games of Chance law in the Commonwealth to allow for expanded paper gaming offerings and electronic pull tabs. Learn more at www.playpaforcharity.org.
###