SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESHB 1317

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Commerce & Labor, April 3, 1997

Title:  An act relating to amusement games.

Brief Description:  Regulating amusement games.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Honeyford, Sheldon, Crouse and McMorris).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  4/3/97 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Anderson and Newhouse.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Franklin and Heavey.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786-7452)

Background:  Amusement games are games played for entertainment where the person actively participates and the outcome depends on the player's skill.  Amusement games include dart games, ring games, games requiring hand/eye coordination, and mechanical crane games.  Only merchandise may be awarded as prizes for these games.

Amusement game operators must be licensed by the Gambling Commission.  Amusement games may be conducted only in connection with certain events or at certain locations.

For locations open to the public where school-aged children are allowed to play, the Gambling Commission, by rule, limits the value of  a merchandise prize and the amount that may be charged a player to play.  Prizes may cost the licensed operator of the game no more than $100 and he or she may charge a player no more than 50 cents.

Grocery stores qualify as an authorized amusement game location if the store area, excluding parking area, exceeds 12,000 square feet.  Restaurants qualify if family entertainment activities are offered in addition to serving food.

Summary of Bill:  Authorized locations for amusement games are expanded to include restaurants whether or not family entertainment events are offered.  Department stores and grocery stores that exceed 10,000 square feet in store area, and combination department and grocery stores may also offer amusement games.

The prize allowance and price per chance are increased for those public locations where school-aged children are allowed to play.  Prizes may cost the licensee no more than $200 and the licensee may charge a player no more than $1.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill is a modest expansion of existing law allowing amusement game devices to be located in new locations.  This is needed because of the growing competition in the gaming industry.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Honeyford, prime sponsor; John Woodring and O.K. Johnson, Washington Amusement & Music Operators Association.