Fire companies and other charities can soon take card and app payments for raffles. Four House members voted no

Volunteer fire companies, veterans posts, churches and youth sports leagues will be able to sell raffle tickets online and accept card and app payments under a law Gov. Josh Shapiro signed on Oct. 22, PennLive reported on Friday.

For many small towns, that's a practical change. Raffles and 50/50 drawings pay for fire trucks, uniforms and post upkeep, and until now the groups running them could take only cash or checks, according to City & State Pennsylvania. The state's small games of chance law dates to 1988.

What changes

Senate Bill 416 amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act. According to City & State, licensed nonprofits can now accept credit cards, debit cards and other mobile or electronic payments, and the law keeps safeguards to make sure ticket buyers meet the legal age. The sponsor, Sen. Devlin Robinson, said it "provides nonprofits with more convenient, modern fundraising options," City & State reported.

Audacy's WILK News reported that the law also raises the weekly raffle prize limit from $35,000 to $60,000, a provision it attributed to Sen. Chris Gebhard, and that it takes effect 60 days after signing, which would put the start in late December.

The issue drew attention after a Lancaster County charity had to refund $20,000 in online raffle proceeds because electronic ticket sales weren't allowed, WILK reported.

What the records add

Sponsors from both parties. Robinson, an Allegheny County Republican, is the prime sponsor. The bill page lists 14 co-sponsors: 10 Republicans and four Democrats, including Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa.

No Senate opposition, twice. The Senate passed the bill 49-0 on July 16, 2025. After the House amended it, the Senate agreed to the House's version 50-0 on Oct. 21, 2026.

The long wait was in the House. The bill was referred to the House Gaming Oversight Committee on July 17, 2025, and wasn't reported out until Sept. 29, 2026, 439 days later. A House bill with the same goal, House Bill 107 from Rep. Anita Kulik, an Allegheny County Democrat, has been in that committee since Jan. 14, 2025, and never got a vote.

Four no votes. The House passed SB 416 199-4 on Oct. 20. All 103 Democrats and 96 Republicans voted yes. The four no votes were Republicans: Reps. Bryan Cutler, Eric Davanzo, Mindy Fee and John Lawrence. The roll call doesn't record their reasons.

Floor fights over amendments. On Oct. 7, the House took six roll calls on amendments and procedural motions to the bill, according to its vote list, before giving it second consideration.

What happens next

Nothing more is needed from lawmakers. Once the law takes effect, licensed organizations that choose to take electronic payments will have to follow its age-check rules.

SB 416 was signed the same day as dozens of other bills; our roundup of that day's signings lists the others we've covered.