HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2147

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to the lottery.

Brief Description:  Restricting certain lottery activities.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Heavey and Wang.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, March 5, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Lisk, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Franklin; Jones; O'Brien; Prentice; and Vance.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives R. King and Wilson.

Staff:  Jim Kelley  (786-7166).

Background:  The Washington State Lottery is authorized by law to conduct lotteries using electronic or mechanical devices or video terminals that do not require the production of a printed ticket.  The lottery does not and has never used that kind of machine.  However, at all locations where "lotto" may be played, the lottery uses mechanical devices that print tickets and do not allow for individual play against the devices.

Summary of Bill:  The lottery is prohibited from using electronic or mechanical devices or video terminals which allow for individual play against the devices.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  This bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The lottery has never used this kind of machine.  It is possible that the authorization for this activity could be interpreted to allow the use of slot machines on Indian Reservations under federal law.  Note: Testimony provided on HB 2121, which contained a provision identical to the substantive portion of this bill.

Testimony Against:  None presented.

Witnesses:  No testimony was heard on this bill.