An Act To Amend Seasonal Licenses for the Operation of Beano or Bingo Games

Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §315,  as enacted by PL 1975, c. 307, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§ 315.  Seasonal licenses

Notwithstanding sections 314 and 319, the Chief of the State Police may issue seasonal licenses to operate beano or bingo games, including those designed to attract players under 16 years of age, in bona fide resort hotels as long as the following conditions are met.

The fee for a license issued pursuant to this section is $10 and must be paid to the Treasurer of State to be credited to the General Fund. A hotel or liquor license of a resort hotel licensee may not be withheld because of the conducting by the resort hotel of the game of beano or bingo.

Nothing in this section permits the operation or conduct of beano or bingo games without a license.

summary

This bill amends the law regarding seasonal licenses to operate beano or bingo games without profit, which currently may be issued to resort hotels for their registered guests on the premises of the resort. Current law prohibits minors under 16 years of age from playing beano or bingo games or being in a place where the games are being operated without an adult.

The bill allows minors under 16 years of age, without being accompanied by an adult, to participate in bingo or beano games operated at the resort hotel as long as the prize is a nonmonetary prize, which may include a credit for food served on the premises of the resort, valued at no more than $10.