2021 -- H 5565

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LC000805

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2021

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-19 of the General Laws entitled "Gambling and Lotteries" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     11-19-30.4. Nonprofit organizations gambling event fundraisers.

     (a) Nothing in this chapter or in any other existing law of this state shall authorize the

prosecution, arrest or conviction of any person for, or shall be construed to limit or prevent any

religious, charitable, fraternal, civic, educational or veterans' organization from promoting,

carrying on or conducting by its own members, serving without any compensation, any game of

chance authorized by the Rhode Island state police excepting the game commonly called "bingo"

or "beano," in connection with which prizes or prize monies are offered or awarded; provided that

the entire proceeds of the charges for admission to and participation in such game after deducting

expenses for rent, heat, light, prizes and equipment and other reasonable expenses, are applied and

expended exclusively for charitable purposes; and provided, further, a license is authorized to be

granted to any such organization for a fee of five dollars ($5.00) for a specific date or dates by any

city or town in which such games are to take place or be conducted upon application which shall

set forth the name of the organization, the names and residence addresses of the principal officers

and persons conducting such game, and upon such other additional terms and conditions as the said

city or town may prescribe in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section;

provided, further, that no person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be permitted to

participate in such game. Upon the issuance of said license by the city or town, a copy of said

license shall be forwarded to the state police. Application for such license shall be made at least

thirty (30) days before commencement of said gambling event fundraiser. Within sixty (60) days

of the completion of said gambling event fundraiser, the organization shall file a complete report

with the city or town and the Rhode Island state police. The report shall contain the money received,

a final statement of expenses, and the uses to which the net profit will be applied.

     (b) As a condition to issuance of any license by a city or town pursuant to the provisions

of subsection (a) of this section, the city or town may limit, restrict or condition the locations, hours

of operation, consumption of alcohol, use of an ATM onsite, and/or the number of gambling event

fundraisers conducted annually by any organization. A city or town may require the presence of a

police detail at any event approved pursuant to the provisions of this section.

     (c) Every organization conducting a gambling event fundraiser in accordance with the

provisions of this section shall comply with federal rules and regulations and procedures related to

W-2G withholdings.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

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     This act would authorize nonprofit organizations to conduct gambling event fundraisers

approved by the city or town in which the event is to be conducted and as authorized by the state

police.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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