Nonprofits would have online option
HARRISBURG — Fire companies, veterans organizations and other nonprofits would be permitted to conduct online fundraisers through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic under legislation that passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The bill, which passed by a 193-8 vote, attempts to address a problem that arose for nonprofit organizations following the onset of the pandemic when they could no longer hold in-person fundraising events such as raffles, drawings and Bingo, which are critical to their financial survival.
When some of these clubs and organizations tried to move their fundraising events online, questions arose over their legality since current regulations and procedures do not allow for online sales of small games of chance.
House Bill 290, which now goes to the Senate for consideration, authorizes holders of small games of chance licenses to conduct online raffles and drawings
and permits the use of a mobile payment service, such as PayPal or Venmo, for payment but not credit or debit cards. It also raises prize limits to $4,000 for a single game with a weekly prize limit for the organization of $50,000.
These changes would expire at the end of the COVID-19 disaster emergency or May 1, 2022, whichever is later.
Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Fayette County, who sponsored the bill along with the late Rep. Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland County, said many of the clubs and fire departments in their districts turned to online games of chance fundraisers after they were inhibited from doing them inperson and subsequently were told they couldn’t perform them online.
During his speech on the House floor, Mr. Warner called the bill a “fitting tribute” to Mr. Reese, who died on Jan. 2 from an apparent brain aneurysm.
“This bill is typical of Mike, as he was always looking for ways to help the community heroes — the men and women who volunteer their time to protect public safety and support our youth,” Mr. Warner said. “Mike would be the first to point out that all that really matters is we do everything to help the people who help our communities.”
Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon County, suggested there might a need to revisit this change to make it longer lasting.
A fire chief told him at its height, Bingo brought in $24,000 a year for his fire company, Mr. Diamond said. After the casinos opened, that amount was cut in half. But during the pandemic when casinos were closed at times, the fire company gave online raffles a try and in four months’ time raised $32,000.
“This could be an answer for a long-term non-COVID problem,” he said.