BILL REQ. #:  H-2965.1 

Read first time 04/17/2003.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to limiting house-banked cardrooms; amending RCW 9.46.0282; adding a new section to chapter 9.46 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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:
     After the effective date of this act, the gambling commission shall neither accept nor consider any new application from any entity for a license to operate a house-banked cardroom.

Sec. 2   RCW 9.46.0282 and 1997 c 118 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     "Social card game" as used in this chapter means a card game ((that constitutes gambling and is authorized by the commission under RCW 9.46.070. Authorized card games may include a house-banked or a player-funded banked card game. No one may participate in the card game or have an interest in the proceeds of the card game who is not a player or a person licensed by the commission to participate in social card games. There shall be two or more participants in the card game who are players or persons licensed by the commission. The card game must be played in accordance with the rules adopted by the commission under RCW 9.46.070, which shall include but not be limited to rules for the collection of fees, limitation of wagers, and management of player funds. The number of tables authorized shall be set by the commission but shall not exceed a total of fifteen separate tables per establishment)), including but not limited to the game commonly known as "mah-jongg," which constitutes gambling and contains each of the following characteristics:
     (1) There are two or more participants, and each of them are players. The number of card tables is set by the commission but does not exceed a total of fifteen separate tables per establishment;
     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a player's success at winning money or other thing of value by overcoming chance is in the long run largely determined by the skill of the player;
     (3) A cardroom may serve as the custodian of a player-supported progressive prize contest, in any card game authorized by the commission;
     (4) No organization, corporation, or person, other than one licensed by the commission to operate a cardroom, collects or obtains any money or thing of value from, or charges or imposes any fee upon, any person which either enables him or her to play or results in or from his or her playing;
     (5) The type of card game is one specifically approved by the commission pursuant to RCW 9.46.070; and
     (6) The extent of wagers, money, or other thing of value which may be wagered or contributed by any player does not exceed the amount or value specified by the commission pursuant to RCW 9.46.070.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2016.