Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB666

Introduced
4/28/25  

Caption

In Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, further providing for regulatory authority of board and for number of slot machines.

Impact

If passed, the bill will have significant implications for the gaming industry within Pennsylvania. By modifying the operational limitations placed on slot machine licensees, it could lead to increased flexibility for gaming operators regarding the management of their slot machine offerings. This change is expected to foster a potentially more adaptive regulatory environment in response to market dynamics while continuing to uphold certain operational standards for licensing.

Summary

Senate Bill 666 aims to amend Title 4 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically regarding the regulatory powers of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the operational requirements for slot machine licensees. The bill proposes to allow an employee of the board to approve or deny requests for decreasing the number of slot machines permitted in licensed facilities, with the condition that the decrease does not exceed 2% of the total machines in operation. Furthermore, it maintains minimum requirements for the number of slot machines that must be operated at various categories of licensed facilities.

Sentiment

While specific commentary on the sentiment of this bill was not directly found in the document excerpts, implications around regulatory adjustments often attract mixed reactions. Industry supporters typically advocate for more operational flexibility, suggesting that it could enhance business viability and operational efficiency. On the contrary, concerns may arise regarding the potential impacts on local governance or the regulatory landscape, indicating a need for oversight despite the call for flexibility.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balance between ensuring adequate regulatory oversight by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and allowing gaming facilities the ability to adjust the number of machines based on their operational needs. Critics may argue that any increase in administrative discretion could lead to inequities in how licenses are managed across different facilities, potentially favoring larger operators over smaller, local businesses.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB696

In Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, further providing for regulatory authority of board and for number of slot machines.

PA SB840

In Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, further providing for regulatory authority of board and for number of slot machines.

PA SB756

In fantasy contests, further providing for definitions, for general and specific powers of board and for prohibitions; in general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions; in Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, further providing for Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board established, for general and specific powers, for license or permit application hearing process and public input hearings, for regulatory authority of board, for number of slot machines, for reports of board and for license or permit prohibition; in licensees, further providing for Category 4 slot machine license, for divestiture of disqualifying applicant, for manufacturer licenses, for gaming service provider, for nongaming service provider, for occupation permit application, for slot machine testing and certification standards, for slot machine accounting controls and audits and for renewals; in table games, further providing for regulatory authority and for table game device and associated equipment testing and certification standards; in interactive gaming, further providing for internal, administrative and accounting controls, for interactive games and interactive gaming devices and associated equipment testing and certification standards; in sports wagering, further providing for definitions; in revenues, further providing for slot machine licensee deposits and for transfers from State Gaming Fund; in administration and enforcement, repealing provisions relating to political influence, further providing for investigations and enforcement, for prohibited acts and penalties and for liquor licenses at licensed facilities; in fingerprinting, further providing for submission of fingerprints and photographs; in miscellaneous provisions relating to gaming, providing for live-streaming on casino floor and further providing for severability; in general provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for powers of board; in application and licensure, further providing for key employee licenses, for establishment licenses and for license or permit prohibition; in operation, further providing for video gaming limitations and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties; in revenues, further providing for fees; in ethics, repealing provisions relating to political influence; providing for skill gaming; establishing the Skill Gaming Fund; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in forfeiture of assets, further providing for asset forfeiture; making appropriations; making repeals; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1173

In Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, further providing for enforcement.

PA HB1823

In revenues, further providing for establishment of State Gaming Fund and net slot machine revenue distribution.

PA SB1235

In Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for Pennsylvania Parole Board.

PA HB2046

In revenues, further providing for establishment of State Gaming Fund and net slot machine revenue distribution; providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; and imposing a tax and criminal and civil penalties.

PA HB154

In voting machines, further providing for examination and approval of voting machines by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, for requirements of voting machines and for preparation of voting machines by county election boards.

PA HB735

In nomination of candidates, further providing for casting of lots for position of names upon the primary ballots or ballot labels and notice to candidates; in ballots, further providing for form of official election ballot and providing for order of candidates on the ballot; in voting machines, further providing for demonstration of voting machines; and, in Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board, providing for ballot order randomization study.

PA HB1587

Gaming - Operation of Electronic Instant Bingo Machines and Report by State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.