2021 -- H 5961

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LC000579

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - VIDEO-LOTTERY GAMES,

TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING

     Introduced By: Representative William W. O'Brien

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2021

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-61.2 of the General Laws entitled "Video-Lottery Games, Table

Games and Sports Wagering" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-61.2-14.1. Player self-exclusion program.

     (a) Pursuant to the provisions of § 42-61.2-14, the director shall establish a list of self-

excluded persons from gaming establishments. A person may request that their name be placed on

the list of self-excluded persons by filing a statement with the director acknowledging that the

person is a problem gambler. The director shall adopt further regulations for the self-excluded

persons list including procedures for placement, removal and transmittal of the list to gaming

establishments. The director may revoke, limit, condition, suspend or fine a gaming establishment

if the establishment knowingly or recklessly fails to exclude or eject from its premises any person

placed on the list of self-excluded persons.

     (b) Gaming establishments shall not market to persons on any excluded persons list and

shall deny access to complimentaries, check cashing privileges, club programs and other similar

benefits to persons on the self-excluded persons list.

     (c) Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, the self-excluded

persons list shall not be open to public inspection. Nothing in this section, however, shall prohibit

a gaming establishment from disclosing the identity of persons on the self-excluded persons list

under this section to affiliated gaming establishments in this state or other jurisdictions for the

limited purpose of assisting in the proper administration of responsible gaming programs operated

by affiliated gaming establishments.

     (d)(1) A person who is prohibited from gaming in a gaming establishment under this

section shall not collect any winnings or recover losses arising as a result of prohibited gaming

activity by the person. Any winnings shall be forfeited to the division and forwarded to the Rhode

Island council on problem gambling as set forth in subsection (d)(2) of this section.

     (2) The winnings collected pursuant to subsection (d)(1) of this section shall be made

available to the Rhode Island council on problem gambling for its use for research, education and

prevention of teenage gambling addiction.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - VIDEO-LOTTERY GAMES,

TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING

***

     This act would establish the player self-exclusion program within the state lottery division

with any winnings collected from the self-excluded person to be used by the Rhode Island council

on problem gambling (RICPG) for its use for research, education and prevention of teenage

gambling addiction.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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