Bill would permit credit card & mobile payments for small games of chance

A House committee vote is scheduled for today.

Volunteer fire departments and other nonprofits across the Mon Valley could gain a new way to raise money through raffles under legislation that would allow them to accept credit cards and mobile payments instead of relying on cash or checks.

Senate Bill 416, sponsored by state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, and developed with Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, is scheduled for a House committee vote today.

The measure passed the Senate 49-0 in July 2025.

On Monday, Robinson joined state Reps. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, and Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, along with representatives of volunteer fire departments, youth sports leagues and other nonprofits at the state Capitol to urge the House to move the proposal forward.

“Pennsylvania’s nonprofits and volunteer organizations work hard to support and serve their communities, and our laws should reflect the way people make purchases today,” Robinson said. “Senate Bill 416 is a common sense update that gives these organizations fundraising options without changing the safeguards already in place.” Under current law, eligible organizations generally are limited to accepting cash or checks for raffle tickets.

SB 416 would allow licensed eligible organizations to accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile payment services such as PayPal or Venmo and other electronic payment methods for raffle ticket purchases.

Organizations would still be required to verify that purchasers are at least 18 years old. The legislation does not authorize online gaming or online drawings.

The proposal has support from lawmakers in both parties.

Fontana joined Robinson in circulating the proposal before it was formally introduced and lists SB 416 on his Senate website as “Mobile Payment for Small Games of Chance (with Robinson).”

The bill’s other Senate co-sponsors are Republicans Michele Brooks of Mercer County, Tracy Pennycuick of Montgomery County, Scott Hutchinson of Venango County, Rosemary Brown of Monroe County, Scott Martin of Lancaster County, Judy Ward of Blair County, Patrick Stefano of Fayette County, Frank Farry of Bucks County, Camera Bartolotta of Washington County and Kristin Phillips- Hill of York County; and Democrats Jay Costa of Allegheny County, Marty Flynn of Lackawanna County and Timothy Kearney of Delaware County.

Robinson said the change is particularly important for organizations that depend on small fundraisers to support community services.

Volunteer fire departments were among the groups represented at Monday’s Capitol event.

“In rural Pennsylvania we rely on our volunteer fire companies to keep our neighbors safe,” Twardzik said. “Fire companies count on fundraising to keep our ‘Hosies’ open and ready to serve.”

Twardzik said online fundraising has become a proven way for communities to support volunteer fire companies and that residents increasingly expect electronic payment options.

Youth sports organizations also joined the push for the legislation as well as other nonprofit groups that offer various services and outreach.

Veterans organizations and arts groups also said electronic payments could help expand their fundraising reach.

Jessica King Jr., vice commander of the VFW Department of Pennsylvania, said VFW posts and other nonprofits depend on small games of chance to support their work.

“Senate Bill 416 makes fundraising safer, more accessible, and more convenient, so VFW posts can increase participation and strengthen the support we provide to veterans, military families, and communities throughout Pennsylvania,” King said.

SB 416 is not the first attempt to change the payment rules.

Robinson and Fontana backed similar legislation during the previous legislative session. Senate Bill 667 passed the Senate 47-1 in 2024 but did not receive final House approval before the two-year session ended.

The current proposal has faced no opposition in recorded Senate votes. It was approved 14-0 by the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and 22-0 by the Senate Appropriations Committee before winning final Senate passage 49-0 on July 16, 2025.

It was referred to the House on July 17, 2025.

SB 416 is scheduled for a vote Today by the House State Government Committee, according to the House’s current committee schedule.

If the committee advances the bill without amendment, it would still need approval from the full House before it could be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“It’s time to bring Pennsylvania’s fundraising laws into the modern era,” Robinson said. “I will continue working with my legislative colleagues to get Senate Bill 416 across the finish line before the end of the legislative session and support those great organizations serving our communities.”