HARRISBURG, Pa. — New legislation would help volunteer fire companies, many of which have been unable to hold their normal fundraising events during the pandemic, legally hold those events online.
The Facebook pages of volunteer fire companies across the state advertise big prizes, from bikes to coffee machines to new laptops.
Yet the raffles aren’t legal, according to Pennsylvania state law.
The Pennsylvania Code allows nonprofits such as volunteer fire companies to host “Small Games of Chance” such as bingo or raffles. But payment can only come in the form of cash, which includes “checks and money orders but does not include the use of a type of credit or debit card.”
When the pandemic hit, many fire companies moved their small games of chance online, where payment portals often only accept credit or debit cards.
“Most fire departments are trying to follow as best they can the laws that are out there but they’re obviously antiquated,” said Chief John Fogg of Colonial Park Fire Company in Lower Paxton Twp.
State Rep. Ryan Warner (Fayette/Westmoreland) said he was made aware of several fire companies facing obstacles when they held online fundraisers during the pandemic.
“Unfortunately they received a letter notifying them that this was illegal, that they were not allowed to perform any of these small games of chance online,” Warner said.
House Bill 2764 was introduced in July 2020 to allow Small Games of Chance licensees to conduct games online during the pandemic.
Warner introduced the measure along with former State Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland), who died in early January of an apparent brain aneurism.
Warner said volunteer firefighters in particular deserve a hand up for all the sacrifice they make and service they give to communities.
“They do it for us, as volunteers. They do it for free. So I just don’t think this is a big ask that we allow them to do small games of chance online,” Warner said.
The bill would extend until at least May 2022 or until the emergency declaration ends.
Fire companies, however, argued the law should be passed on a permanent basis.
“Any opportunity volunteer fire companies have to raise money and lessen the burden on taxpayers is a benefit across the board for everybody,” Fogg said.
The bill will move out of committee for a vote in the House vote in early April, Warner said. He expects it will receive bipartisan support.