Press Release: PlayPA Coalition Launch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2025
Veterans, Service Organizations, and Legislators Launch Effort to Modernize Pennsylvania’s Charitable Gaming Law
Modernization could double funds raised for non-profits and charities while boosting membership in veterans and fraternal service organizations
Harrisburg, PA (March 25, 2025) – PlayPA for Charity, a coalition advocating to modernize charitable gaming, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Elks Association, and the Pennsylvania Moose Association joined a bipartisan group of legislators today to announce efforts to modernize the state’s Small Games of Chance Law.
Charitable gaming in Pennsylvania - authorized and regulated under the Local Option Small Games of Chance Law - permits VFWs, American Legions, Moose Clubs, Elks Clubs, and other non-profit organizations to offer limited types of paper-based games to support the clubs, their missions, and local charitable endeavors. All proceeds from small games of chance are required to go to non-profit organizations and local charities. Modernizing the law to allow new paper games and electronic pull-tabs will enable organizations to raise additional funds to sustain their missions.
“Modernization of the charitable gaming law will provide a significant boost to the long-term health and success to our local VFW Posts here in Pennsylvania,” said Barbara Loncar, VFW State Commander in Pennsylvania. “Following modernization efforts in Ohio, 97 percent of veteran and fraternal clubs reported that electronic pull-tabs resulted in increases in membership and revenue. In fact, many VFW posts saw their revenue from charitable gaming more than double, greatly enhancing their ability to support their own operations and other non-profits in their communities.”
“The experience of veteran and fraternal organizations in states that have modernized their charitable gaming laws has been universally positive,” said Thomas W. Helsel, Jr., Secretary, Pennsylvania Association of Nationally Chartered Organizations (PANCO), which consists of nationally chartered fraternal and veteran organizations such as the American Legion, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. “Service to the community is a core mission of many of these organizations and allowing them to expand their charitable gaming offerings will enable them to better support worthwhile causes across the Commonwealth.”
PlayPA for Charity is supporting legislative efforts to modernize state charitable gaming laws on behalf of veteran service organizations, fraternal clubs, and other non-profits to help them better serve their members and community.
“Across the country, veteran and fraternal clubs are facing a crisis due to declining membership and fundraising challenges,” said State Representative Robert E. Merski (D – Erie). “By modernizing Pennsylvania’s charitable gaming laws, we can help boost both membership and fundraising efforts for these organizations which seek to improve their local communities.”
Veteran service organizations and fraternal clubs in states like Ohio that have modernized charitable gaming have experienced significant increases in membership and revenue to support their missions and charitable initiatives in their local communities.
“Veteran and fraternal organizations are thriving in states that have modernized their charitable gaming laws,” said Senator Devlin J. Robinson (R – Allegheny). “Allowing clubs to offer electronic pull-tabs will greatly enhance their fundraising efforts, strengthening these pillars in our local communities and enabling them to increase their support for worthwhile causes such as youth sports leagues, student scholarships, and volunteer fire departments.”
Representatives Thomas Mehaffie and Robert Merski as well as Senator Devlin Robinson have announced legislation to authorize electronic pull-tabs and many other legislators have proposed other important updates to the Small Games of Chance Law. PlayPA for Charity supports updating and modernizing charitable gaming conducted at social clubs in Pennsylvania.
About PlayPA for Charity
PlayPA for Charity is a coalition advocating for the modernization of charitable gaming laws in the Commonwealth to allow for expanded paper gaming offering and electronic pull tabs. Learn more at www.playpaforcharity.org.
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