PA Small Games of Chance Reporting Law pushed to 2014

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The PA Small Games Of Chance (SGOC) gaming laws had 2 rounds of changes in 2012.   SGOC record keeping requirements have been in place since 1988 and they are impacted for the first time since then with the changes.  The changes introduced in 2012 now require licensees to also adhere to State Reporting requirements including filing electronically with the PA Department of Revenue. 

Originally the State initial reporting period was to begin January 1, 2013 and the deadline was Feb 1, 2013, however the State recently extended the reporting deadline to Feb 1, 2014 in order to give clubs more time to be ready.  The delay by a year of the reporting deadline applies only to annual and semi-annual reporting Licensees. 

Licensees have and always will be required to maintain SGOC records as outlined in the law. 

As mentioned above, for the first time since 1988 the Record Keeping requirements were also impacted with 2012 law changes with the addition of the 50-50 drawing game as it was added to the list of legal SGOC games.  Of course 50-50 drawings like other legal SGOC games must adhere to specific guidelines.  Additional 30% Expense categories for licensees were also added which also impacts Record keeping as well as the new Reporting requirements that kick in January 2014.
There is a good chance additional law changes will be introduced in 2013. 

You can be certain when the SGOC law changes again, The Sienna Database System© will make changes to keep you up-to-date, compliant and accountable for your SGOC Activity.

Myers Integrated Systems, LLC commentary

The 2012 law changes benefit those licensed to sell SGOC, or has it?  That would depend on who you asked.  Both sides that argue the good and bad of the changes have valid points.  However, if you have ever heard the song made famous by Bobby Fuller Four in 1966 “I Fought the Law” then you know there is only one side that counts.

The LCE says that Clubs have been given the opportunity to use 30% of the net proceeds towards costs to operate the club.  Previously, they were supposed to give 100% of the net proceeds to public interest, so the governing factions feel that the Clubs are coming out ahead as they are allowed to use a portion of the money (30%) they previously were not allowed to use.  

I believe the licensees should be required to do a 60-40 split instead of 70-30.  Some clubs with a large enough member base will  survive with the 70-30 split, but many smaller clubs with a limited number of members may not survive unless it changes to at least 60-40.  If the smaller clubs do not survive then public loses.  I have yet to visit a club that did not give back generously to the public and its members.  Social and Fraternal Clubs throughout Pennsylvania have been a blessing to many communities.  My apologies if I did not mention and/or include Licensees that also give back to their communities.