HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2489
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
February 7, 2008
Title: An act relating to raffle ticket prices.
Brief Description: Increasing raffle ticket prices.
Sponsors: By Representatives Moeller and Chase.
Brief History:
Commerce & Labor: 1/22/08, 1/29/08 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/7/08, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
Washington's Gambling Act authorizes charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct
raffles to raise funds for the organizations' stated purposes. The organization must be
organized for one of the purposes specified in statute, which include agricultural, charitable,
educational, political, fraternal, or athletic purposes, and meet other requirements.
A raffle may be conducted as a licensed or unlicensed raffle. A license is required if: (1) the
gross revenue from all gambling fundraising conducted by the organization is more than
$5,000 per year; (2) tickets are sold by someone other than a member of the organization; (3)
tickets are sold at a discount; (4) firearms are awarded as prizes; and (5) in certain other
cases. By rule, if the retail value of a prize is $40,000 or more or the total value of raffle
prizes offered in a year exceeds $80,000, Gambling Commission approval is required in
addition to a license.
The maximum price of a raffle ticket is $25.
Summary of Bill:
The maximum price of a raffle ticket is raised from $25 to $100. The Gambling Commission
may raise the maximum amount above $100 by rule.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill will make it easier for nonprofit, faith-based, and charitable
organizations to raise funds and support their good work. The price has not been looked at in
over 10 years. Trying to raffle large items means hundreds of tickets have to be sold.
(Neutral) Arguments in favor are that receipts may go up and raffles may be more interesting.
Arguments against are that higher prices will expose the organization and purchasers to more
risk and accounting errors may increase.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; and Julie Burger,
Congregation Kol Ami.
(Neutral) Amy Hunter, Washington State Gambling Commission.