Under Pennsylvania law, all forms of gambling are illegal unless the Pennsylvania legislature has specifically authorized the gambling activity by statute.
In addition to the common forms of gambling many of us are familiar with such as licensed casinos, horse race tracks, the state lottery, and bingo games, the legislature has also authorized small games of chance as explained on the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Small Games of Chance page.
The small games of chance law authorizes certain non-profit organizations and for-profit taverns to conduct limited types of gambling, provided that the are properly licensed.
In Monroe County, the county treasurer, Claudette Segear, is the exclusive agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the issuance of Small Games of Chance licenses.
Small Games of Chance Licenses
- Only qualifying eligible organizations which have been in existence at least one year may apply.
- Eligible organizations – charitable, religious, fraternal or veterans, club holding a liquor license and is an exempt organization under section 501 (c) or 527 of the IRS code.Games of chance license valid for one calendar year from issue.
- Individual prize limit not to exceed $2,000
- Aggregate prize limit not to exceed $35,000 in any seven-day period
- Raffle prize limit not to exceed $15,000 in any calendar month
- Special raffle permits are available for raffles in excess of raffle prize limit, but not to exceed $150,000
- Volunteer fire, ambulance or rescue organizations may, in addition to the $150,000 award up to $100,000 from raffles
- Regular small games of chance license fee – $125
- Monthly small games of chance license fee- $25
For more information, or to apply for a Small Games of Chance license, please visit the Monroe County Small Games of Chance page.