The state's Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement Tuesday cited Amvets Post 19, 715 Fairview Ave., for violating the Pennsylvania Local Options Small Games of Chance Act.
According to State Police District Commander Sgt. Troy Lokhaiser, enforcement officers investigated the post as "a follow-up on a complaint."
The citation states that from April 3 through July 2, the club "offered and/or awarded more than $5,000 in cash or merchandise in any seven-day period."
The citation continues, asserting that "funds derived from the operations of games of chance were used for purposes other than those authorized by law."
The Local Options Small Games of Chance Act not only lists specific games clubs may use, but also stipulates that game payouts not exceed $5,000 in any seven-day period, and profits not exceed 20 percent of sales (less the cost to run the game.)
In addition, profits from the games must be donated to local charities and not put toward club operating expenses.
Lokhaiser, who said Post 19 "had pretty good record-keeping," said his office's audit found some profits "were going towards operating expenses."
The case now goes to an administrative law judge, who may impose fines from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses. More serious violations expose offenders to fines of up to $5,000 as well as suspension or loss of a liquor license.
A person who answered the phone at the club said the case "is not settled so we can't comment on anything."
Last November, Post 19 hosted a press conference to raise support for state House Bill 169, which would increase daily payout limits from $1,000 to $5,000, and weekly amounts to $20,000. It would also raise clubs' license fee from $100 a year to $300 every two.
The bill passed the House by a 173-27 vote in June but remains stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee by chairman Gib Armstrong. The Republican's 13th District encompasses York and Lancaster counties, and Armstrong is a staunch gambling opponent.
In a statement to the Sunday News earlier this year, Armstrong wrote, "My consistent and determined opposition to gambling expansion was a matter of public record long before this issue came to the forefront. Neither my pending retirement nor the concentrated push groups are making provide a reason to step back from principle."
Chip Smedley is a staff writer for the Sunday News. E-mail him at csmedley@lnpnews.com.
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