HB 1637

                                                PRINTER'S NO.   1987
                THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
                    HOUSE BILL
                    No. 1637
                                          Session of
                                            2025
INTRODUCED BY NEILSON, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, HADDOCK, FLEMING,
   GREEN AND BRIGGS, JUNE 23, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, JUNE 23, 2025
                               AN ACT
1 Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2    Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
3    related offenses, further providing for gambling devices,
4    gambling, etc.
5    The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7    Section 1.    Section 5513(b) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
8 Consolidated Statutes is amended and subsection (f) is amended
9 by adding definitions to read:
10 § 5513.    Gambling devices, gambling, etc.
11    * * *
12    (b)    Confiscation of gambling devices or slot machines.--Any
13 gambling device or slot machine possessed or used in violation
14 of the provisions of subsection (a) shall be seized and
15 forfeited to the Commonwealth. The forfeiture shall be conducted
16 in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5803 (relating to asset
17 forfeiture), 5805 (relating to forfeiture procedure), 5806
18 (relating to motion for return of property), 5807 (relating to
19 restrictions on use), 5807.1 (relating to prohibition on
1 adoptive seizures) and 5808 (relating to exceptions).
2    * * *
3    (f)   Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used
4 in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this
5 subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
6    "Amusement game."        Any mechanical, electrical or computerized
7 contrivance, terminal, machine or other device which, upon
8 insertion of a coin, currency, ticket, token or similar object
9 therein, is available to play or operate exclusively for
10 recreational or amusement purposes and meets the following
11 criteria:
12(1)   The contrivance, terminal, machine or device does
13    not offer a cash prize or award or other thing which can be
14    redeemed for cash.
15(2)   The only prize offered, if any, is a noncash
16    merchandise prize, the value of which is less than or equal
17    to the cost of playing the game, or food or drink of de
18    minimis value.
19    * * *
20    "Slot machine."
21(1)   The term includes:
22(i)   Any mechanical, electrical or computerized
23contrivance, terminal, machine or other device which,
24upon insertion of a coin, bill, ticket, token or similar
25object therein or upon payment of any consideration
26whatsoever, including the use of any electronic payment
27system, is available to play or operate, the play or
28operation of which, whether by reason of skill or
29application of the element of chance or both:
30(A)   May deliver or entitle the person or persons
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1playing or operating the contrivance, terminal,
2machine or other device to receive cash, billets,
3tickets, tokens or electronic credits to be exchanged
4for cash or to receive merchandise or anything of
5value whatsoever, whether the payoff is made
6automatically from the machine or manually.
7(B)   May utilize spinning reels or video displays
8or both.
9(C)   May or may not dispense coins, tickets or
10tokens to winning patrons.
11(D)   May use an electronic credit system for
12receiving wagers and making payouts.
13(ii)    Associated equipment necessary to conduct the
14      operation of the contrivance, terminal, machine or other
15      device.
16      (2)   The term does not include:
17(i)    A slot machine certified and approved for use by
18      the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board under 4 Pa.C.S.
19      (relating to amusements).
20(ii)    An antique slot machine under subsection (c).
21(iii)    An amusement game.
22  Section 2.      This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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