HB 1637 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for gambling devices, gambling, etc.

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
23            contrivance, terminal, machine or other device which,
24            upon insertion of a coin, bill, ticket, token or similar
25            object therein or upon payment of any consideration
26            whatsoever, including the use of any electronic payment
27            system, is available to play or operate, the play or
28            operation of which, whether by reason of skill or
29            application of the element of chance or both:
30                        (A)   May deliver or entitle the person or persons

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 1              playing or operating the contrivance, terminal,
 2              machine or other device to receive cash, billets,
 3              tickets, tokens or electronic credits to be exchanged
 4              for cash or to receive merchandise or anything of
 5              value whatsoever, whether the payoff is made
 6              automatically from the machine or manually.
 7                     (B)   May utilize spinning reels or video displays
 8              or both.
 9                     (C)   May or may not dispense coins, tickets or
10              tokens to winning patrons.
11                     (D)   May use an electronic credit system for
12              receiving 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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