BELLEFONTE, Pa. – Centre County’s chief financial officer has warned fire companies that host online raffles that their gaming licenses could be revoked, a serious issue that could force them to choose between forgoing needed revenue and risking fines.

The recent notices from Treasurer Colleen Kennedy to at least two departments – Howard and Centre Hall fire companies – stem from a gap in Pennsylvania’s law covering small games of chance, which doesn’t explicitly address online raffles.

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