Did you know that only bowling and movies are totally exempt from the local amusement tax? Local governments and school districts can charge up to 10% on all local amusement events such as concerts, professional sporting events, go carts, skiing, roller skating, miniature golf, auto races, etc. but not on our sport! That is because your state organization, the BPAP, lobbied to pass a law over ten years ago to specifically exempt bowling centers from local amusement taxes.

Did you know that if your center has a liquor license, your bar area can almost automatically qualify to permit smoking?  The decision is still up to you, but the BPAP lobbied to allow us an exemption if our proprietor wants it.

Did you know that before 1997, you were prohibited from hiring anyone under 18 to work in your Center? Many, many of you did, but then the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry started to enforce an old law that “prohibited employment of minors under the age of 18 to work in coal mines, bowling alleys and billiard halls”! Thankfully we were able to change that law two years later.

Did you know that bowling centers are the only entity specifically permitted to sell alcoholic beverages in an unlicensed area (the bowling lanes) even when minors are present? That’s because of your state organization – again looking out for your best interests.

There are many ways to be involved in the BPAP, but one very important way is needed now: We need you to contribute today to BOWL PAC, the Political Action Committee of the Pennsylvania Bowling Proprietors Association. We need every proprietor to send a personal check (business checks are prohibited by PA law) made payable to “Bowl PAC”. A contribution of $100.00 or $200.00 would be very helpful for us to succeed in our current legislative endeavors.

The bowling industry has a great reputation with Pennsylvania legislators. We support our friends in their elections and they remember our concerns. You will be receiving information in the next few days about our current undertaking – a law that will help stop frivolous lawsuits against bowling center owners. Read it and act – but first please send us your check using the enclosed self-addressed envelope.

SEND PERSONAL CHECKS TO BOWL PAC AT:

BOWL PAC 200 North 3rd Street Harrisburg, PA 17101