Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 311 - General and specific powers of board(a) General powers.-- (1) The board shall have general and sole regulatory authority over the conduct of fantasy contests and related activities as described in this chapter. The board shall ensure the integrity of fantasy contests offered in this Commonwealth.(2) The board may employ individuals as necessary to carry out the requirements of this chapter, who shall serve at the board's pleasure. An employee of the board shall be considered a state employee for purposes of 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV (relating to retirement for state employees and officers).(b)Specific powers.--The board shall have the following specific powers: (1) At the board's discretion, to issue, approve, renew, revoke, suspend, condition or deny issuance of licenses under this chapter.(2) At the board's discretion, to suspend, condition or deny the issuance or renewal of a license or levy fines for any violation of this chapter.(3) To publish each January on the board's publicly accessible internet website a complete list of all persons who applied for or held a fantasy contest license at any time during the preceding calendar year and the status of the application or fantasy contest license.(4) To prepare and, through the governor, submit annually to the general assembly an itemized budget consistent with Article VI of the act of April 9, 1929 ( P.L. 177, No.175), known as the Administrative Code of 1929, consisting of the amounts necessary to be appropriated by the General Assembly out of the accounts established under section 332 (relating to licensed operator deposits) required to meet the obligations under this chapter accruing during the period beginning July 1 of the following fiscal year.(5) In the event that, in any year, appropriations for the administration of this chapter are not enacted by June 30, any funds appropriated for the administration of this chapter which are unexpended, uncommitted and unencumbered at the end of a fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure by the board until the enactment of appropriation for the ensuing fiscal year.(6) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Except as provided in section 312 (relating to temporary regulations), regulations shall be adopted under the act of july 31, 1968 ( P.L. 769, No.240), referred to as the Commonwealth Documents Law, and the act of June 25, 1982 ( P.L. 633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review Act.(7) To administer oaths, examine witnesses and issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents and records or other evidence or to designate officers or employees to perform duties required by this chapter.(7.1) To require prospective and existing employees, independent contractors, applicants and licensees to submit to fingerprinting by the Pennsylvania State Police or an authorized agent of the Pennsylvania State Police. The Pennsylvania State Police or authorized agent of the Pennsylvania State Police shall submit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes or verifying the identity of the individual and obtaining records of criminal arrests and convictions.(7.2) To require prospective and existing employees, independent contractors, applicants and licensees to submit photographs consistent with the standards established by the board.(7.3) To require licensed operators to maintain an office or place of business within this Commonwealth.(7.4) To exempt certain prospective and existing employees or independent contractors from the requirements under paragraphs (7.1) and (7.2) that are not inconsistent with the proper regulation of fantasy contests under this chapter.(8) At the board's discretion, to delegate any of the board's responsibilities under this chapter to the executive director of the board or other designated staff.(9) To require licensed operators and applicants for a fantasy contest license to submit any information or documentation necessary to ensure the proper regulation of fantasy contests in accordance with this chapter.(10) To require licensed operators, except for a licensed operator operating season-long fantasy contests that generate less than $250,000 in season-long fantasy contest adjusted revenue, unless the board determines otherwise, to:(i) Contract with a certified public accountant to conduct an annual independent audit in accordance with standards adopted by the american institute of certified public accountants to verify compliance with the provisions of this chapter and board regulations;(ii) Contract with a testing laboratory approved by the board to annually verify compliance with the provisions of this chapter and board regulations; And(iii) Annually submit to the board and department a copy of the audit report required by subparagraph (I) and submit to the board a copy of the report of the testing laboratory required by subparagraph (II).(11) In conjunction with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or successor agency, to develop a process by which licensed operators provide participants with a toll-free telephone number that provides individuals with information on how to access appropriate treatment services.(12) To promulgate regulations regarding the placement and operation of fantasy contest terminals within licensed facilities and to ensure the integrity of fantasy contest terminals. (b.1) Licensed entity representative.-- (1) A licensed entity representative shall register with the board, in a manner prescribed by the board. The registration shall include the name, employer or firm, business address and business telephone number of both the licensed entity representative and any licensed operator, applicant for licensure or other person being represented.(2) A licensed entity representative shall have an affirmative duty to update its registration information on an ongoing basis. Failure to update a registration shall be punishable by the board.(3) The board shall maintain a list of licensed entity representatives which shall contain the information required under paragraph (1) and shall be available on the board's publicly accessible internet website.(c) Exceptions.--Except as provided under section 342 (relating to licensed gaming entities), nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the board to require any additional permits or licenses not specifically enumerated in this chapter.Added by P.L. TBD 2017 No. 42, § 1.4, eff. 4/28/2018.