Pennsylvania Police Shut Down Alleged Illegal Gambling Operation

Agents of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement say they've shut down an illegal gambling operation that was being hosted at the Independent Political Club in Washington, PA. 

The authorities searched following a tip on May 12. During the search, they found more than $91,000 in cash and a "Queen of Hearts" game, which is considered an unlicensed game of chance and is prohibited under Pennsylvania law. 

This game involves placing all 52 cards on a table, and players buy a card. If you pick the Queen of Hearts, you win the jackpot. This game can continue over a longer period of time, and the one discovered during the investigation had been going on for 10 months. 

The Independent Political Club is a nonprofit and doesn't have a valid small games of chance license. Even if they did have a license, though, this game wouldn't qualify as these licenses, which are issued by the county, are limited to certain types of charities, nonprofit groups, and fraternal organizations. 

Pennsylvania Law Limits Approved Games of Chance

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, the following games of chance are considered "small games": pull-tab games, punchboards, raffles, daily drawings, weekly drawings, 50/50 drawings, Race Night Games, and pools. 

No arrests were made, but charges against the owners are pending, according to the Observer-Reporter.

As for the game, the Independent Political Club posted about it on their public Facebook profile. After the raid, all content related to the game was removed.

Additionally, the club had bingo and other skill games like slot machines, which were also unregulated. 

Illegal Gambling Charges Have Possible Consequences

In Pennsylvania, many illegal gambling offenses are classified as first-degree misdemeanors, which can carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

In December 2024, a father and son duo were arrested on illegal gambling operation charges in Michigan. They were sentenced to two years' probation and had to pay a couple of hundred dollars in fines.