Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1053

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Raises the maximum price of a raffle ticket from $25 to $100 and allows the Washington State Gambling Commission to raise the maximum above $100.

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 must meet other requirements. The Washington State Gambling Commission (Gambling Commission) regulates raffles.A raffle may be conducted as a licensed or unlicensed raffle. A license is required: (1) if the gross revenue from all gambling fundraising conducted by the organization is more than $5,000 per year; (2) if tickets are sold by someone other than a member of the organization; (3) if tickets are sold at a discount; (4) if 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.

Rules Authority: The bill contains a provision authorizing the exercise of rule-making authority by the Gambling Commission.