SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5772

                              AS OF MARCH 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Requiring legislative approval for lottery or electronic gambling devices.

SPONSORS:Senators Hayner, Bluechel, Thorsness, McDonald, Metcalf, Cantu, Roach, Craswell, Bailey and McCaslin.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Traci Anderson (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates:March 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, the Lottery Commission is authorized to establish lottery games and to utilize electronic or mechanical devices or video terminals in the operation of these games.

Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations are authorized to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games and fund raising events, and to utilize punch boards and pull tabs. A fund raising event is an event conducted during any 72 consecutive hours which exceeds 24 consecutive hours and is held not more than once a year or an event conducted for not more than 24 consecutive hours, and is held not more than twice a year.  Bingo, amusement games, contests of chance, lotteries and raffles may be conducted at fund raising events.

SUMMARY:

The Lottery Commission is prohibited from establishing and operating lottery games involving the use of electronic or mechanical devices or video terminals which allow for individual play against such devices or terminals.

Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations are prohibited from conducting fund raising events.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 27, 1991