Chapter 515

2013 -- H 6126

Enacted 07/18/13

A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

Introduced By: Representatives Baldelli-Hunt, Costantino, Fellela, San Bento, and Kennedy

Date Introduced: May 16, 2013

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:

11-19-32.2. Senior citizens' center -- Bingo allowed. -- (a) Notwithstanding any other

provision of this chapter to the contrary, any organization which operates a public senior citizens

center or senior center may obtain a permit approved by the department to conduct bingo games

in said senior citizens center or senior center for up to five (5) calendar days per week, excluding

Sundays.

(b) As used herein, the terms "senior citizens center" or "senior center" means an

organization whose goal is the promotion of various recreational and educational activities to

senior citizens and which receives a combination of federal, state, municipal and private funds to

provide such services at a community facility.

(c) A senior citizens center or senior center may conduct bingo games if it complies with

all of the following requirements:

(1) All bingo games are conducted only on the premises of the center’s facility;

(2) All participants are age fifty-five (55) years of age or older; provided, this shall not

prohibit a person who is less than fifty-five (55) years of age from assisting a senior citizen in

playing the game;

(3) All bingo game operators are sixty (60) years of age or older and receive no

compensation for serving as operators;

(4) The total daily prizes shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400); and

(5) All proceeds of the game shall be limited in use to the following:

(i) To pay winners monetary prizes;

(ii) To defray any costs directly related to conducting the games; and/or

(iii) To defray costs of services the center’s facility provides.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

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LC02590

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