Pennsylvania Lawmakers Will Weigh Nonprofit Raffle Rules
Fire companies and other nonprofits are pushing for legislative changes to digitize fundraising and boost operational revenue.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Pennsylvania nonprofits will gather at the state Capitol on September 28, 2026, to lobby for updates to Small Games of Chance laws. The House Gaming Oversight Committee is set to review two raffle-related bills the following morning.
Why it matters
Fire departments and other nonprofits depend on raffle revenue to fund equipment and operational costs, but current restrictions have forced some to suspend online fundraising. Legislators are evaluating whether to modernize these payment methods and expand raffle frequency to sustain these organizations.
Senate Bill 416 cleared the state Senate with a 49-0 vote in July 2025. Senate Bill 398 currently proposes a cap of 2 online raffles per year for fire companies.
The players
Good Intent Hose Company
A fire company in Schuylkill County that relies on fundraising to purchase equipment and cover operations.
House Gaming Oversight Committee
A legislative body responsible for evaluating gaming and small games of chance regulation in Pennsylvania.
The details
The proposed legislation seeks to amend Small Games of Chance laws to allow electronic payments for tickets and formalize the ability to conduct online raffles. Good Intent Hose Company, based in Schuylkill County, suspended its weekly online raffles in August 2026 while awaiting clearer regulatory guidance. The upcoming legislative committee hearing will determine if these electronic fundraising methods will be codified before existing temporary authorizations lapse.
Timeline
July 2025: Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 416.
August 2026: Good Intent Hose Company suspended online raffles.
September 28, 2026: Nonprofit rally at the state Capitol occurs.
September 29, 2026: House committee considers raffle legislation.
December 31, 2026: Proposed authorization for online raffles expires.
Market Landscape
The push to modernize Pennsylvania Small Games of Chance laws follows a pattern of state legislatures adapting historical fundraising regulations to the digital payments era. The debate reflects a broader shift as nonprofits seek to align state-level charity statutes with modern consumer financial habits.
Operators of nonprofits should monitor the House Gaming Oversight Committee hearings to see if they can resume online raffle operations using electronic payments. Organizations should prepare for the December 31, 2026 expiration date of current raffle authorizations, which may necessitate further legislative action or compliance adjustments.
The takeaway
The move toward electronic raffle payments highlights the ongoing necessity for nonprofits to lobby for policy updates that match their operational technology. Managers should track the outcome of the committee hearing on September 29, 2026, to determine if digital fundraising remains a viable revenue stream for the upcoming fiscal year.
Further reading
For more on the regulatory environment for charitable giving, see Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Skooknews.
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