HARRISBURG — State Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. said Monday he will co-sponsor legislation that would allow volunteer fire departments, veterans organizations and other nonprofits to hold card tournaments as fundraisers.

“The popularity of Texas Hold ‘em, blackjack and other card games has skyrocketed,” said Rep. Belfanti, D-107 of Mount Carmel.

“These represent an important potential source of fundraising revenue for nonprofit groups.”

Volunteer fire companies and other nonprofit organizations are already permitted to raise funds through raffles, drawings, punch cards, bingo and other small games of chance under Pennsylvania law.

Belfanti said the legislation he is co-sponsoring would add card games to Pennsylvania’s Local Option Small Games of Chance law.

Nonprofit groups already licensed to hold raffles and other small games of chance under the law would also be permitted to apply for a special permit to hold card game contests.

A permit would be required for each tournament, and would have to specify the location of the contest, the number of participants and the rules. The maximum cash prize for a card game would be $500.

Belfanti said the use of video poker machines or slot machines as fundraisers would not be permitted under the legislation.

“Fundraising pressure on nonprofits continues to grow every year,” Belfanti said. “The limited income brought in by bingos and raffles cannot keep up. That means volunteers are forced to spend more time holding more fundraisers. Adding card games of skill to the mix would give these organizations another option for raising funds, one that has the potential to bring in significant dollars.”