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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
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.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5513(b) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended and subsection (f) is amended
by adding definitions to read:
§ 5513. Gambling devices, gambling, etc.
* * *
(b) Confiscation of gambling devices or slot machines.--Any
gambling device or slot machine possessed or used in violation
of the provisions of subsection (a) shall be seized and
forfeited to the Commonwealth. The forfeiture shall be conducted
in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5803 (relating to asset
forfeiture), 5805 (relating to forfeiture procedure), 5806
(relating to motion for return of property), 5807 (relating to
restrictions on use), 5807.1 (relating to prohibition on
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adoptive seizures) and 5808 (relating to exceptions).
* * *
(f) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used
in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Amusement game." Any mechanical, electrical or computerized
contrivance, terminal, machine or other device which, upon
insertion of a coin, currency, ticket, token or similar object
therein, is available to play or operate exclusively for
recreational or amusement purposes and meets the following
criteria:
(1) The contrivance, terminal, machine or device does
not offer a cash prize or award or other thing which can be
redeemed for cash.
(2) The only prize offered, if any, is a noncash
merchandise prize, the value of which is less than or equal
to the cost of playing the game, or food or drink of de
minimis value.
* * *
"Slot machine."
(1) The term includes:
(i) Any mechanical, electrical or computerized
contrivance, terminal, machine or other device which,
upon insertion of a coin, bill, ticket, token or similar
object therein or upon payment of any consideration
whatsoever, including the use of any electronic payment
system, is available to play or operate, the play or
operation of which, whether by reason of skill or
application of the element of chance or both:
(A) May deliver or entitle the person or persons
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playing or operating the contrivance, terminal,
machine or other device to receive cash, billets,
tickets, tokens or electronic credits to be exchanged
for cash or to receive merchandise or anything of
value whatsoever, whether the payoff is made
automatically from the machine or manually.
(B) May utilize spinning reels or video displays
or both.
(C) May or may not dispense coins, tickets or
tokens to winning patrons.
(D) May use an electronic credit system for
receiving wagers and making payouts.
(ii) Associated equipment necessary to conduct the
operation of the contrivance, terminal, machine or other
device.
(2) The term does not include:
(i) A slot machine certified and approved for use by
the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board under 4 Pa.C.S.
(relating to amusements).
(ii) An antique slot machine under subsection (c).
(iii) An amusement game.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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