Title: An act relating to increasing the minimum age for gambling.

Brief Description: Increasing the minimum age for gambling.

Sponsors: Senators Hargrove, Stevens, Regala and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 1/29/08.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)

Background: The following activities are governed by statutes and rules relating to the Horse Racing Commission, Gambling Commission, and State Lottery Commission: parimutuel wagering on horse races, punch boards, pull tabs, amusement games, raffles, bingo, card games, dice or coin contests, sports pools, golfing and bowling sweepstakes, fishing derbies and turkey shoots, and scratch ticket and on-line lottery games.

Persons who are 18 years of age and older may wager on horse races, purchase lottery tickets, and participate in all activities regulated by the Gambling Commission.

Summary of Bill: The minimum age for engaging in a wagering activity regulated by the Gambling Commission, wagering on horse races, and purchasing lottery tickets is increased to 21 years of age.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: CON: This bill would harm the bingo industry and would have a significant negative effect on charities and nonprofits; these groups should be exempt from the scope of the bill. Not every card room allows persons who are 18 to 20 to gamble on their premises. These are business decisions that should be left to business. If 18- to 20-year olds can join the military, they should be allowed to participate in gambling activities.

Persons Testifying: CON: Ric Newgard, Washington Charitable & Civil Gaming Association; Dolores Chiechi, Recreational Gaming Association.