Brief Description: Regarding nondisclosure of certain information of gambling commission licensees.

Sponsors: By Representatives Condotta, Armstrong, Curtis, Orcutt and Dunn.

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

Background:

Gambling Commission.
Under the Washington Gambling Act of 1973, the Gambling Commission (Commission) has exclusive authority to license and regulate gambling activities, including house-banked card games. The Commission issues licenses for a one-year period. Those licensed to operate house-banked card games must prepare financial statements covering all financial activities of the establishment for each business year. The license application form and all supplemental information submitted at the Commission's request are public records.

The financial statements must be:

• prepared by an independent, certified public accountant who is licensed by the state of Washington; and
• submitted on a comparative basis (except that the first year may be submitted for the current business year only).

Gross revenues from each licensed activity should be reported by activity and separated from all other revenues.

Public Records Act.
The Public Records Act requires that all state and local government agencies make all public records available for disclosure unless they fall within certain statutory exemptions. The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally and the exemptions narrowly in order to effectuate a general policy favoring disclosure.

Summary:

Independent auditors' reports and financial statements filed as required with the Gambling Commission by house-banked social card game licensees are exempted from public disclosure.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   93   1
Senate   46   1   (Senate amended)
House   98   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007
         June 30, 2008 (Section 2)