S-0163.5  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5204

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senators T. Sheldon, Benton, Prentice, Shin, Winsley, Gardner, Hale, Horn, Heavey and Rasmussen

Read first time 01/15/1999.  Referred to Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions.

Regulating recreational gaming activities.

    AN ACT Relating to recreational gaming activities; and adding a new section to chapter 9.46 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:

    A bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization may conduct a recreational gaming activity in accordance with the following restrictions:

    (1) Gambling devices used for the activity must be rented or obtained from a licensed distributor of fund-raising event equipment or a licensee authorized to conduct fund-raising events.  This does not apply to homemade, nonprofessional devices.

    (2) An organization conducting a recreational gaming activity may use the services of a licensed recreational gaming contractor.  A licensed recreational gaming contractor may use paid personnel to run the gaming tables.  The recreational gaming contractor must provide services for a fixed price as agreed to between the contractor and the sponsoring organization.

    (3) Scrip or chips having no value must be used for each activity.

    (4) The organizer of the event may charge a fee of up to five hundred dollars per person for the opportunity to participate or enter the premises.

    (5) Participants may redeem their scrip or chips for a chance to win a prize or prizes.  All prizes must be donated to or provided by the sponsoring organization.  The value of all purchased prizes must not exceed ten percent of the gross revenue from the recreational gaming activity.  Participants may purchase additional scrip or chips from the sponsoring organization throughout the event.

    (6) All of the profits from the activity must be donated to a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization.

    (7) The activity is limited to eight hours.  The director may, for good cause shown, grant additional time.

    (8) The sponsoring organization must notify local law enforcement officials at least ten days before the commencement of the activity, and specify the date, time, and location of the activity.

    (9) The commission may adopt rules regulating recreational gaming activities and establishing reporting requirements.

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