Dec. 14, 2017
HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, the Senate passed Rep. Kate Klunk’s (R-York) legislation to bring much-needed updates to the state’s Bingo Law.
“The current bill was enacted in 1981, a year before I was born. Since then, a lot has changed and
House Bill 411 brings the Bingo Law in line with the times,” Klunk said. “A quirk in the current law forbids community organizations from advertising the dollar value of cash prizes. My legislation would remove that. Organizations would also be permitted to advertise bingo games on the internet and through social media.”
Klunk’s bill would also make sweeping changes to prize limits to help organizations to better attract players. Under the bill, prize limits would be increased from $250 to $500 for any one game of bingo; from $2,000 to $4,000 for jackpot games; and from $4,000 to $8,000 for the total amount of prizes awarded in a calendar day.
“These organizations provide valuable funding to communities across the Commonwealth. Increased prize limits mean increased revenue, which equals more funding for charitable endeavors,” Klunk said.
Klunk’s legislation would remove restrictions on the number of days a licensed association may conduct bingo games, permit pre-draw bingo, allow for guest callers and for new members of an organization to assist with bingo.
The legislation also includes a provision that allows a volunteer fire company created from the merger of two or more companies to be immediately eligible for a bingo license. Under current law, the fire company must wait two years before becoming eligible.
Klunk’s bill now goes to the governor for his approval.
Representative Kate A. Klunk
169th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepKlunk.com /
Facebook.com/RepKlunk