Marion, Ill. – A new law regulates how charity poker runs are regulated in the state, making it cheaper for charities to organize the events.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the poker run bill into law Tuesday at Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in Marion. The new law caps the cost of a permit at $25, and allows county governments to issue the licenses. Previously, poker runs were regulated under the state’s charitable games act and a single permit could cost as much as $600. Under the new law poker runs will be treated like raffles.

State Sen. Gary Forby (D- Benton) says as many as 10 poker runs occur each week in Southern Illinois. He says those runs generate from $2,000 to $20,000 a piece for local causes. Poker runs typically involve five pre-determined stops where participants draw a playing card or a colored marble in an effort to build a winning poker hand.

The law takes effect immediately.