HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2917

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to amusement games.

Brief Description:  Eliminating a limitation on sites on which amusement games may be conducted.

Sponsors:  Representatives Robertson, Romero and Cairnes.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  1/31/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives McMorris, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Romero, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cairnes; Cody; Cole; Fuhrman; Goldsmith; Horn and Lisk.

Staff:  Pam Madson (786-7166).

Background:  Amusement games are games played for entertainment where the person actively participates and the outcome depends on the player's skill and is not controlled by the operator of the game.  Amusement games include, among others, dart games, ring games, games requiring hand/eye coordination, and mechanical crane games.  Only merchandise may be awarded as prizes.

Amusement game operators must be licensed by the Gambling Commission and must conduct the games according to rules adopted by the commission.  Current law requires games to be conducted in connection with certain events or at certain locations such as agricultural fairs, amusement parks, and regional shopping centers.  Games may also be licensed for operation at premises of any liquor licensee whose license restricts access by minors, and at businesses that primarily serve food and offer family entertainment, including at least three activities such as amusement devices, theatrical productions, mechanical rides, motion pictures and slide show presentations.

Summary of Bill:  Businesses that primarily serve food may be licensed by the Gambling Commission to operate amusement games.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Amusement games should be allowed in a family restaurant whether or not the restaurant has a liquor license.  These games should be accessible to children and their families.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Eric Robertson, prime sponsor; T. K. Bentler, Northwest Toys; and (for questions) John Fiori, Northwest Toys.