An Act Regarding Gaming by Charitable Organizations
PART A
Sec. A-1. 17 MRSA c. 14, as amended, is repealed.
Sec. A-2. 17 MRSA c. 62 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 62
GAMES OF CHANCE
§ 1831. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
For the purposes of this subsection, "an event the result of which is determined by chance" includes but is not limited to a shuffle of a deck of cards, a roll of a die or dice or a random drawing or generation of an object that may include, but is not limited to, a card, a die, a number or simulations of any of these. A shuffle of a deck of cards, a roll of a die, a random drawing or generation of an object or some other event the result of which is determined by chance that is employed to determine impartially the initial order of play in a game, contest, scheme or device does not alone make a game, contest, scheme or device a game of chance. For purposes of this chapter, beano and bingo are not games of chance.
§ 1832. Licenses
§ 1833. License exceptions for games of chance
Notwithstanding section 1832, subsection 1, an organization that is eligible for a license to conduct games of chance may conduct games of chance without a license in accordance with this section.
§ 1834. Fees
The Chief of the State Police may issue any combination of weekly or monthly licenses for the operation of games of chance. Except for games of cards as provided in subsection 4, licenses to conduct any authorized game of chance may be issued for a period of up to 12 months on one application.
The Chief of the State Police may issue any combination of weekly or monthly licenses for the operation of electronic video machines. A license or combination of licenses to operate an authorized electronic video machine may not exceed a period of 6 months.
All fees required by this section must accompany the application for any license issued by authority of this chapter.
Fees submitted as license fees must be refunded if the license is not issued. Rebates may not be given for any unused license or portion of an unused license. If any license is suspended or revoked as provided by this chapter, fees paid for that license may not be refunded.
§ 1835. Conduct games of chance
(1) A $1 daily entry fee;
(2) Fifty cents per game; or
(3) Twenty-five cents per card received.
Prior to play of the game, the licensee shall determine which of the limits in subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3) is to be used and shall post the limit.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the tickets, tokens or other devices approved by the Chief of the State Police must be unique to the agricultural society and may be in denominations of 25¢, 50¢ or $1. The tickets, tokens or devices approved by the Chief of the State Police may be sold and redeemed only by a person who has been a member or active volunteer of the agricultural society for at least 2 fair seasons. The agricultural society has the burden of proof for demonstrating the qualification of members or active volunteers.
An agricultural society that uses tokens shall provide records and reports as required by section 1839.
Nothing in this subsection permits games of chance to be operated without a license.
A bona fide nonprofit organization may operate a licensed game of chance to which the general public has access once every 3 months for a period not to exceed 3 consecutive days. The licensed game of chance may be operated at any location described in the license and may be conducted only by members of the licensee. This subsection does not apply to raffles conducted in accordance with section 1837.
§ 1836. Tournament games
The Chief of the State Police may issue a license to conduct a tournament game as provided in this section to an organization eligible to conduct beano games under chapter 13A and games of chance under this chapter. For purposes of this section, "tournament game" means a game of chance played using a deck of cards with rules similar to poker or other card games. The Chief of the State Police may not issue a tournament game license to an organization more than once per month.
§ 1837. Raffles
Any exempt organization, department or class or combination listed in paragraph A, B, C or D may sponsor, operate and conduct a raffle without a license only for the exclusive benefit of that organization, department or class or combination, and that raffle may be conducted only by duly authorized members of the sponsoring organization, department or class or combination.
A state agency may not conduct or operate more than 2 raffles per year pursuant to paragraph D.
§ 1838. Revenue and expenses
(1) Used to purchase alcohol or to defray the cost of activities where alcohol is served; or
(2) Paid directly to organization members except as specifically allowed in this section; and
(1) In the case of serious illness or injury, the licensing division may require certification by a licensed physician in support of the application.
(2) In the case of a casualty loss, the licensing division may require statements or reports from a law enforcement agency, rescue or other emergency services personnel or an insurance agency to support the application.
(3) The licensing division may deny an application if it appears that the person who would receive the proceeds has adequate means of financial support, including, but not limited to, insurance or workers' compensation benefits.
§ 1839. Licensee records and reports
§ 1840. Distributors and printers; records and reports
The applicant for a printer's license, or, if the applicant is a firm, corporation, association or other organization, its resident manager, superintendent or official representative shall file an application with the Chief of the State Police on a form provided by the Chief of the State Police. The Chief of the State Police shall furnish to each applicant a current copy of this chapter and the rules adopted under section 1843 and to each licensee a copy of any changes or additions to this chapter and the rules adopted under section 1843.
A nonresident manufacturer or distributor of gambling apparatus or implements doing business in the State must have an agent in this State who is licensed as a distributor. A distributor may not sell, market or otherwise distribute gambling apparatus or implements to a person or organization, except to persons or organizations licensed to operate or conduct games of chance under section 1832, licensed to conduct a special raffle under section 1837, subsection 2 or eligible to conduct a raffle pursuant to section 1837, subsection 1. A distributor may not lease or loan or otherwise distribute free of charge any gambling apparatus or implements to an organization eligible to operate a game of chance, except that a distributor may lease gambling apparatus or implements to an agricultural society licensed to operate games of chance on the grounds of the agricultural society and during the annual fair of the agricultural society as long as the distributor does not charge the agricultural society an amount in excess of 50% of the gross revenue from any licensed game of chance.
A licensee shall acquire gambling apparatus and implements from a distributor licensed under this section, unless the gambling apparatus or implements are printed, manufactured or constructed by the licensed organization. At no time may any licensee print, manufacture or construct any gambling apparatus or implements for distribution to any other licensee. The applicant for a distributor's license, or, if the applicant is a firm, corporation, association or other organization, its resident manager, superintendent or official representative shall file an application with the Chief of the State Police on a form provided by the Chief of the State Police. The Chief of the State Police shall furnish to each applicant a current copy of this chapter and the rules adopted under section 1843 and to each licensee a copy of any changes or additions to this chapter and the rules adopted under section 1843.
Any change, modification or alteration of these agreements must be reported to the Chief of the State Police by the purchaser within 6 days of the change, modification or alteration.
Any change, modification or alteration of the agreement must be reported to the Chief of the State Police by the purchaser within 6 days of the change, modification or alteration.
§ 1841. Prohibited acts
§ 1842. Investigations and actions on licenses; evidence
(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), the Chief of the State Police shall give written notice of any violation to the distributor or printer who then has 14 days to comply. Failure to comply within the 14-day period is grounds for an action under this section.
(2) If a distributor or printer violates section 1840, subsection 1 or 2, the Chief of the State Police is not required to give the notice or allow the compliance period provided in subparagraph (1); or
(1) Convicted of a crime under this chapter or Title 17-A, chapter 39; or
(2) Convicted within the prior 10 years of any crime for which imprisonment for more than one year may be imposed.
A firm, corporation, association or organization licensed to conduct or operate a game of chance shall permit at any time the Department of Public Safety or the city or town fire inspectors of the municipality in which the licensed game is being conducted to enter and inspect the licensed premises.
§ 1843. Rules
The Chief of the State Police may adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2A necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and for the licensing, conduct and operation of games of chance. The Chief of the State Police may regulate, supervise and exercise general control over the operation of such games. In establishing such rules, the Chief of the State Police must, in addition to the standards set forth in other provisions of this chapter, set forth conduct, conditions and activity considered undesirable, including:
The Chief of the State Police shall provide a mechanism for individuals and businesses to request a determination from the State Police as to whether a particular game, contest, scheme or device qualifies as a game of chance or a game of skill.
§ 1844. Violations
A person who violates this chapter or rules adopted in accordance with this chapter commits a Class D crime.
§ 1845. Administration expenses
The expenses of administering this chapter must be paid out of the fees received in accordance with this chapter.
§ 1846. Vending machines
Nothing in this chapter applies to vending machines the primary purpose of which is to dispense beverages, candy, fruit or other food items when a coin or bills are inserted into the machine.
PART B
Sec. B-1. 7 MRSA §3972, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §41, is further amended to read:
The animal must be awarded in freezer-ready form.
Sec. B-2. 8 MRSA §1001, sub-§19, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 and affected by Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:
Sec. B-3. 8 MRSA §1016, sub-§2, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 and affected by Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:
Sec. B-4. 8 MRSA §1064, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 and affected by Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:
§ 1064. Applicability of Title 17, chapter 62
Except as expressly provided in this chapter, the provisions of Title 17, chapter 14 62 do not apply to the ownership, distribution or operation of slot machines in the State.
Sec. B-5. 17 MRSA §314, first ¶, as amended by PL 1999, c. 63, §1, is further amended to read:
The Chief of the State Police may issue licenses to operate beano or bingo games to any volunteer fire department or any agricultural fair association or bona fide nonprofit charitable, educational, political, civic, recreational, fraternal, patriotic, religious or veterans' organization that was in existence and founded, chartered or organized in the State at least 2 years prior to its application for a license, when sponsored, operated and conducted for the exclusive benefit of that organization by duly authorized members. The Chief of the State Police may also issue a license to any auxiliary associated with an organization, department or association qualified for a license under this section if the auxiliary was founded, chartered or organized in this State and has been in existence at least 2 years before applying for a license and the games are sponsored, operated and conducted for the exclusive benefit of the auxiliary by duly authorized members of the auxiliary. Proceeds from any game conducted by the auxiliary or the auxiliary's parent organization may not be used to provide salaries, wages or other remuneration to members, officers or employees of the auxiliary or its parent organization, except as provided in sections 326 and 335 1838. The 2 years' limitation does not apply to any organizations in this State having a charter from a national organization, or auxiliaries of those organizations, even though the organizations have not been in existence for 2 years prior to their application for a license. The 2 years' limitation does not apply to any volunteer fire department or rescue unit or auxiliary of that department or unit. A license may be issued to an agricultural fair association when sponsored, operated and conducted for the benefit of such agricultural fair association.
Sec. B-6. 17 MRSA §314-A, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 426, §3, is amended to read:
Sec. B-7. 17 MRSA §314-A, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. I, §4 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. B-8. 17 MRSA §324-A, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. I, §10 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. B-9. 17 MRSA §2306, as amended by PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. A, §46, is further amended to read:
§ 2306. Exemptions; lotteries
Any person, firm, corporation, association or organization licensed by the Chief of the State Police as provided in chapter 14 62 or authorized to conduct a raffle without a license as provided in section 331, subsection 6 1837, shall be is exempt from the application of this chapter insofar as the possession of raffle tickets, gambling apparatus and implements of gambling which that are permitted within the scope of said the license or licenses issued, and all persons shall be are exempt from this chapter insofar as gambling or possession of raffle tickets is concerned, if the gambling and possession is in connection with a game of chance licensed as provided in chapter 14 62 or a raffle conducted without a license as authorized by section 331, subsection 6 1837.
Sec. B-10. 17-A MRSA §951, as amended by PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. A, §48, is further amended to read:
§ 951. Inapplicability of chapter
Any person licensed by the Chief of the State Police as provided in Title 17, chapter 13-A or chapter 14 62, or authorized to operate or conduct a raffle pursuant to Title 17, section 331, subsection 6 1837, shall be is exempt from the application of the provisions of this chapter insofar as that person's conduct is within the scope of the license.
Sec. B-11. 17-A MRSA §952, sub-§5-A, ¶C, as amended by PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §6 and affected by Pt. B, §11, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-12. 26 MRSA §773, 6th ¶, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 353, §2, is amended to read:
Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, a minor under 16 years of age may be employed at a commercial place of amusement operating at a permanent location, except that minors under 16 years of age may not be employed at games of chance as defined in Title 17, chapter 14 62 or hazardous occupations as determined by the director.
Sec. B-13. 32 MRSA §1873, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 251, §2, is amended to read:
§ 1873. Glass-breaking games
A person, firm, corporation, association or organization may not hold, conduct or operate games of skill, as defined in Title 17, section 330 1831, subsection 2-A 6, that involve the breaking of glass. A violation of this section is a Class E crime.
Sec. B-14. 36 MRSA §691, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 437, §8, is further amended to read:
"Eligible business equipment" does not include:
(1) Office furniture, including, without limitation, tables, chairs, desks, bookcases, filing cabinets and modular office partitions;
(2) Lamps and lighting fixtures used primarily for the purpose of providing general purpose office or worker lighting;
(3) Property owned or used by an excluded person;
(4) Telecommunications personal property subject to the tax imposed by section 457;
(5) Gambling machines or devices, including any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity as that term is defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 15, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine. "Gambling machines or devices" includes, without limitation:
(a) Associated equipment as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 2;
(b) Computer equipment used directly and primarily in the operation of a slot machine as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 39;
(c) An electronic video machine as defined in Title 17, section 330 1831, subsection 1-A 4;
(d) Equipment used in the playing phases of lottery schemes; and
(e) Repair and replacement parts of a gambling machine or device;
(6) Property located at a retail sales facility and used primarily in a retail sales activity unless the property is owned by a business that operates a retail sales facility in the State exceeding 100,000 square feet of interior customer selling space that is used primarily for retail sales and whose Maine-based operations derive less than 30% of their total annual revenue on a calendar year basis from sales that are made at a retail sales facility located in the State. For purposes of this subparagraph, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) "Primarily" means more than 50% of the time;
(b) "Retail sales activity" means an activity associated with the selection and purchase of goods or services or the rental of tangible personal property. "Retail sales activity" does not include production as defined in section 1752, subsection 9-B; and
(c) "Retail sales facility" means a structure used to serve customers who are physically present at the facility for the purpose of selecting and purchasing goods or services at retail or for renting tangible personal property. "Retail sales facility" does not include a separate structure that is used as a warehouse or call center facility; or
(7) Property that is not entitled to an exemption by reason of the additional limitations imposed by subsection 2.
Sec. B-15. 36 MRSA §6652, sub-§1-B, ¶C, as repealed and replaced by PL 2005, c. 218, §61 and affected by §63, is amended to read:
(1) Associated equipment as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 2;
(2) Computer equipment used directly and primarily in the operation of a slot machine as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 39;
(3) An electronic video machine as defined in Title 17, section 330 1831, subsection 1-A 4;
(4) Equipment used in the playing phases of lottery schemes; and
(5) Repair and replacement parts of a gambling machine or device.