2013 -- S 0581

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LC01906

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

     Introduced By: Senators Cote, and Picard

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-19 of the General Laws entitled "Gambling and Lotteries" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     11-19-32.2. Senior citizens' center -- Bingo allowed. -- (a) Notwithstanding any other

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provision of this chapter to the contrary, any organization which operates a public senior citizens

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center or senior center may obtain a permit approved by the department to conduct bingo games

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in said senior citizens center or senior center for up to five (5) calendar days per week, excluding

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Sundays.

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     (b) As used herein, the terms "senior citizens center" or "senior center" means an

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organization whose goal is the promotion of various recreational and educational activities to

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senior citizens and which receives a combination of federal, state, municipal and private funds to

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provide such services at a community facility.

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     (c) A senior citizens center or senior center may conduct bingo games if it complies with

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all of the following requirements:

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     (1) All bingo games are conducted only on the premises of the center’s facility;

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     (2) All participants are age fifty-five (55) years of age or older; provided, this shall not

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prohibit a person who is less than fifty-five (55) years of age from assisting a senior citizen in

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playing the game;

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     (3) All bingo game operators are sixty (60) years of age or older and receive no

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compensation for serving as operators;

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     (4) The total daily prizes shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400); and

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     (5) All proceeds of the game shall be limited in use to the following:

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     (i) To pay winners monetary prizes;

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     (ii) To defray any costs directly related to conducting the games; and/or

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     (iii) To defray costs of services the center’s facility provides.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

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LC01906

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES

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     This act would permit a senior citizens center to obtain a permit approved by the division

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of state police to conduct bingo in the senior citizens center.

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     This act would take effect on July 1, 2013.

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LC01906

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