Accountability Begins this Monday (July 1) for PA Small Games of Chance Fraternal and Social Organizations

Beginning January 2, 2014 Small Games of Chance fraternal and social organizations with liquor licenses and now also known as ‘semi-annual’ SGOC filers will need to electronically submit their SGOC activity that occurs from July 1, 2013 thru December 31, 2013.
 

As most already know, keeping accurate SGOC records has been the law since 1988 but fraternal and social organizations did not have to produce the records unless they were one of the approximate 10-15% of fraternal and social organizations in the state that were audited. 

 

As part of PA House Bill 169 you will have to submit your activity with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in order to renew your SGOC license in 2014.

Fraternal and social organizations do have a choice on HOW they submit their activity:

 Option 1:

·         Gather all of your (up to 11) Schedules recommended by the PA Liquor Control Bureau

 

·         Group/Summarize by your business week each of the 6 legal gaming activities

·         Enter All of your Gaming activity summarized by business week into the PA Department of Revenue’s website

·         Hope you did not have any typing mistakes.  If you made a mistake and the mistake is not caught prior to your submitting the report (during that ONE online session), you will need to re-enter everything into the website in order to submit a corrected report.

Option 2:

·         Enter your gaming Activity into the Sienna Database System© (when convenient for you as your activity is saved on your computer) and have your gaming activity filed electronically via Myers Integrated Systems, LLC after receiving a pre-file Audit of your system.

If your organization is interested in an on-site demonstration of the Sienna Database System© please call me at 814.408.2158 or email me at DKellyMyers@gmail.com.  Also feel free to check out our website at www.myersintsystems.com.

Feel free to post questions and/or comments about PA Small Games of Chance.

Check out our new page on Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Myers-Integrated-Systems-LLC/538415996194030

 

Resources:

 

http://openstates.org/pa/bills/2011-2012/HB169/

 

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0169

 

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/2012/0/0002..HTM

 

http://www.lce.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/hide_-_liquor_control_enforcement/5900/small_games_of_chance/501941

 

https://www.doreservices.state.pa.us/SGOC/Report/EnterReportKeyInfo.aspx

 

 

PA SGOC HB290 Legislation Presented and re-Referred to Appropriations

Yesterday (June 19th), HB290 was presented for ‘First Consideration’ in the Senate.  This is the first step in moving the bill along (if amended it would of course pro-long the process). 

Today (June 20^th) – HB290 was re-Referred to APPROPRIATIONS.

 

Resource:
 

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=290

 

 

 

 

Update on current PA SGOC Legislation and 2014 Reporting Tips

Look for us (Myers Integrated Systems, LLC) at the 95^th Annual Department Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars State Convention (next week) Wednesday June 12-thru-15 at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster.

 As of June 7, 2013 (today) there have been no recent PA legislature actions involving Small Games of Chance recording and reporting laws.  Note; I’m not including any Major League Sports SGOC related legislation activity.

 

As you are probably aware by now, liquor license SGOC licensee will need to begin filing semi-annual reports with the state beginning on January 2, 2014.   Below are a few tips for you as we close in on the first reportable semi-annual start date of July 1.

·        Pull-tab and Punchboard games that are ‘in-play’ on July 1 will need to be reported when you file in January 2014.

 

·        The ‘date out-of-play’ is the date that drives when the game is reported.

 

·        You will need to group each of your gaming activities by reporting week when you report.  Any of the activities listed below will need to be grouped and itemized by week for Gross Revenue, Total Expenses, Total Prizes and Net Proceeds;

o   Pull-tab game

o   Punchboards

o   Raffles

o   Special Permit Raffles

o   Daily Drawings

o   Weekly Drawings

o   50/50 Drawings

·        The reporting week is determined by first business day established in your by-laws.  Note:  Your first business day is also listed on your SGOC license application.

·        Number of W-2G forms issued beginning July 1 thru December 31 and the total gross winnings from all W-2G forms issued from July 1 thru December 31.

·        Proceeds used for public interest purpose (70%).

·        Proceeds used for operational expenses (30%).

·        Amount of proceeds retained for a substantial purchase or project (including description and completion date).

 

The Sienna Database System©

Removes your struggles with the PA Reporting and Recording Laws

 

 

If you are accountable for your clubs SGOC recording and reporting or if you’re an officer of a club, you may want to join over a dozen liquor license clubs now using the Sienna Database System©.  Numerous VFW’s, Legions, Slovak, Polish, German and Sportsmen clubs are using the system.

·        Sienna does all of the grouping and reporting for you - including with the PA Department of Revenue!

·        Sienna is very easy to use and the cost of the system comes from your SGOC gross sales (before you do the 70-30 split).

·        Sienna produces all LCE “suggested” required reports in addition to many custom manager reports (most are produced by date ranges you supply).

·        User Level Security – Managers/Bartenders/Secretary

 

·        With Sienna, you can track, record and report your membership dues.

·        Sienna allows you to track, record and report your W-2G forms (to the PA Dept. of Revenue for SGOC activity).

 
Contact me at DKellyMyers@gmail.com if you would like more information OR head over to our website; www.myersintsystems.com.

  

Resources:

 

https://www.doreservices.state.pa.us/SGOC/Report/FAQ.aspx

http://www.myersintsystems.com/

Additional PA SGOC Proposed laws

Quickly wanted to mention that another SGOC Seminar event has been scheduled:
Representative Gary Haluska will be sponsoring another SGOC seminar at the Hope Fire Company in Northern Cambria on April 4th at 6pm.  1023 Philadelphia Avenue, Northern Cambria, PA 15714.  Additional details will be shared when they become available.

I found the following post by the PA VFW HQ site to be very informative and I wanted to share. 
I like that the PA legislature websites with the actual proposed bill(s) are listed for you to reference if you wish.

http://www.vfwpahq.org/small-games-of-chance-bills-moving-in-the-pa-legislature/

Resources:
Representative Haluska's office informed of the upcoming seminar at the Hope Fire Company and the website listed above

Upcoming SGOC Seminars

A quick note to let you know about upcoming currently scheduled SGOC Seminars in Pennsylvania.  If you have not yet attended a seminar, I strongly urge you to attend as they are extremely informational and you can ask practically any question (that is not an obvious question that involves advice on bypassing the SGOC laws).  The Local State Representatives/Senators sponsoring the events and the LCE Bureau's Representatives presenting do an excellent job in letting you know all about  the Small Games of Chance Laws in PA.

 

Feb 28 (this evening!)

6 – 9pm
Location: Chester Co. Public Safety Training Campus
137 Modena Rd.
Coatesville, Pa. 19320
Contact: Beau Crowding (610) 344-5148
Presenter: T. Merlina

March 5

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: RUSTIC LODGE
2199 Oakland Avenue Indiana, PA 15701
COST:Free (INCLUDES Diner)
CONTACT: Armstrong
Indiana-Clarion Drug and
Alcohol Commission, Inc.
724-354-2746.
Presenter: Sgt. James Jones

March 7

6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Community College of Philadelphia’s West Philadelphia Regional Center
4725 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, D-Phila., and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus
For more information, or to RSVP for the seminar, please contact Brown’s office at (215) 879-6615

March 14

1830 hrs.
Bloomsburg Fire Department
911 Market St Bloomsburg, PA
Contact: Lisa
570-387-0246

March 14

6 to 9 p.m
A.W. Beattie Career Center
9600 Babcock Boulevard
Allison Park, PA 15101
RSVP to Sen. Vulakovich at 412-487-6600 by Monday, March 11 if you plan to attend

March 20

6 – 9pm
Location: 1 Public Safety Drive, Carlisle Pa 17013
Contact: Curt Alleman 717 729-3633
Presenter: T. Merlina

April 11th

6 – 9pm
Representative Day
Location: Tek Park, 999 Hamilton Blvd. Breinigsville, Pa. 18031
Contact Person: Kathy McQuilken 610 760-7082
Presenter: T. Merlina

April 18

6 – 9pm
Representative Karen Boback
Location: Lemmond Theater at Walsh Hall on the campus of Misericordia University
Contact Person: Carol Sweeney 570 836-4777
Presenter: T. Merlina

Resources:

http://pine-richland.patch.com/articles/state-sen-vulakovich-to-host-seminar-about-changes-to-small-games-of-chance-law

http://www.pahouse.com/PAHouseNews.asp?doc=28873
 
http://www.lce.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/hide_-_liquor_control_enforcement/5900/small_games_of_chance_schedules/501941

PA House Bill HB290 may become the next round of SGOC law changes!

Yesterday some significant SGOC Revisions passed the PA House (186-10) and will now move on to the PA Senate for consideration.

A summary of the Bill (from the PA General Assembly website);

Subject: Small Games of Chance Revisions

 Since the passage of Act 2 of 2012 (Small Games of Chance), many of us have been contacted by the various clubs and organizations in our districts with concerns regarding some of the changes that were made.  

 Shortly, we plan to introduce legislation that should remedy some of these concerns and help our organizations.  We are proposing to:

• Clarify the definition of public interest purpose to make it clear that an entity operating solely in the public interest has the ability to retain the money for their own charitable purposes;

• Add new games such as Chinese auction (selective raffle), quarter auction, Night at the Races, Texas Hold ‘em (defining it in a manner that the game can only have an entrance fee to play and there is no award of money for the play of the game) and vertical wheel (chuck a luck, big wheel);

 • Permit Department of Revenue to approve new small games of chance per regulation with statutory guidelines;
 • Clarify when proceeds need to be expended for public interest by changing it from same calendar year to 12 months from when the proceeds were received;

 • Include that annual report form will be available in paper format and can be filed by mail;

 • Clarify that an organization may hold their small games at another organization’s licensed premise and each organization can operate games at the same time (For example, if a VFW wants to operate their games, they can still rent out their banquet room to another organization holding a fundraiser simultaneously);

 • Change secretary to treasurer for those who need background checks;

 • Eliminate the need for a limited occasion license (see below for new licenses);

 • Clarify the license process and requirements based on the amount of proceeds an organization receives from small games of chance.  There will be two licenses –

1.An organization making less than $40,000 a year in proceeds from games of chance will pay $25 for their license.  This license will allow them to operate all the current small games of chance, and also exempt them from annual reporting, background checks and separate bank accounts for their proceeds.

2. An organization making more than $40,000 a year in proceeds from games of chance will pay the current license fee of $100 for a license.  The license will allow them to operate all the current small games of chance, but will be required to report annually, submit to background checks and keep separate bank accounts for their proceeds.

 • Provide that club licensees may retain the first $40,000 in small games of chance proceeds for their own use.  Once the $40,000 has been retained by the organization, the current 70/30 split of proceeds between public interest purposes and general operating expenses begins;

 • Clarify that Liquor Control Enforcement (LCE) does not have enforcement powers over small games of chance violations with organizations that solely have a special occasion permit under the Liquor Code. LCE would retain enforcement power over any Liquor Code violations of these organizations;

 • Change the following regulation record keeping requirements:

-Increasing from $100 to $600, the requirement that an organization must record the name and address of a winner.  This will align with the $600 federal requirement for the organization and winner to report to the IRS.

 -Eliminating the requirement that an organization must obtain receipts for all donated items.

   The changes we are proposing are beneficial to all organizations, whether large or small.  We greatly value the contributions these organizations make to our communities.

-End of Bill 290 Summary-

Myers Integrated Systems, LLC is committed in providing you with up to date SGOC law changes.  Our Sienna Database System© will be updated with all recording and reporting law changes that may occur.

Sources:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20130&cosponId=11129

Pennsylvania Small Games of Chance Links

I’ve been asked to provide a list of some informative and good to know PA SGOC websites.  I am happy to oblige. 

The most important websites for any PA SGOC licensees are the PA LCE and PA Department of Revenue Sites;

PA Liquor Control Enforcement;

http://www.lce.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/hide_-_liquor_control_enforcement/5900/small_games_of_chance_schedules/501941

Pa Department of Revenue;

http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/small_games_of_chance/14500

 PA Department of Revenue - Online Report Filing (Beginning 1/2/2014)

https://www.doreservices.state.pa.us/SGOC/Report/Default.aspx

 For Background Checks;

https://epatch.state.pa.us/

 For W2G forms;

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw2g.pdf

 Below is a list of some recent SGOC articles that you may find interesting.  Some of the links below will let you know about amendments to the SGOC laws that lawmakers are trying to currently pass.  Please note that just because I list the article does not mean I believe the law will pass.  This is just information I'm passing on to you.

 http://canon-mcmillan.patch.com/articles/solobay-introduces-changes-to-small-games-regulations

On a side note regarding the article above in which Senator Solobay states;
“The law that went into place last year made it impossible for some small organizations to comply, threatening their existence,”
Senator Solobay apparently has not yet heard of the Sienna Database System©

The Chinese auction articles below provide you with some very good to know information (if you do benefits/fundraising via Chinese auctions). 

http://newsitem.com/news/chinese-auctions-illegal-but-tolerated-according-to-gambling-legislation-1.1432873

http://standardspeaker.com/news/taking-a-chance-chinese-auctions-technically-are-illegal-1.1428858

http://www.reptobash.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=16095

http://newsitem.com/news/noteworthy-wednesday-january-16-2013-1.1430206

http://canon-mcmillan.patch.com/articles/small-games-of-chance-changes-on-hold-for-2013

Please feel free to leave comments and/or questions on my blog, just click in the box below “Post a Comment”  underneath this blog.

Sources:

All links above