2023 -- H 6348 SUBSTITUTE A | |
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LC002864/SUB A/2 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- VIDEO LOTTERY GAMES, | |
TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Costantino, Shallcross Smith, Edwards, Ackerman, | |
Date Introduced: April 28, 2023 | |
Referred To: House Finance | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. The state, through the State Lottery Division of the Department of Revenue |
2 | (the "Division"), shall implement, operate, conduct, and control iGaming, at the Twin River and |
3 | the Twin River-Tiverton gaming facilities. In furtherance thereof, the Division is authorized to |
4 | enter into agreements with the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's Corporation, a Delaware |
5 | corporation ("Bally's"), in connection with iGaming. This act shall be liberally construed to |
6 | effectuate its purposes. |
7 | SECTION 2. Definitions. |
8 | (a) In this act, capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them |
9 | in § 42-61.2-1 of the General Laws as of the effective date of this act after giving effect to the |
10 | amendments thereto pursuant to Section 4 of this act. |
11 | (b) In this act: |
12 | (1) "Affiliate" means a Person who or that directly, or indirectly through one or more |
13 | intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a Person. |
14 | (2) "Bally's" means Bally's Corporation, a Delaware corporation. |
15 | (3) "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause |
16 | the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting |
17 | securities, by contract or otherwise. |
18 | (4) "iGaming Joint Venture" means a Delaware limited liability company to be owned in |
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1 | part by IGT Global Solutions Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("IGT") or Affiliates of IGT |
2 | and by Bally's or Affiliates of Bally's and controlled by Bally's or Affiliates of Bally's. |
3 | (5) "Person" means a natural person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership |
4 | (general or limited), joint venture, estate, trust or unincorporated association; any federal, state, |
5 | county, or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof; any fiduciary acting |
6 | in such capacity, on behalf of any of the foregoing; or any other legal or business entity or |
7 | organization. |
8 | SECTION 3. Authorization and Empowerment of State Lottery Division with respect to |
9 | the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's. Notwithstanding any provisions of the general laws of the |
10 | state or regulations adopted thereunder to the contrary, including, without limitation, the provisions |
11 | of chapter 2 of title 37, chapter 61 of title 42, and chapter 64 of title 42, the Division is hereby |
12 | authorized and empowered: |
13 | (a) To enter into a contract with the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to be the exclusive |
14 | iGaming game vendor ("iGaming Game Agreement") under the terms and conditions set forth in |
15 | this act, which shall, among other matters: |
16 | (1) Provide for a term that is coterminous with the UTGR Master Contract or Twin River- |
17 | Tiverton Master Contract, whichever agreement ends first; |
18 | (2) Provide that the state's maximum obligation of the payment service provider |
19 | transactions fees associated with the Division's operation of Gaming shall be thirty-three percent |
20 | (33%); |
21 | (3) Obligate the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to regularly update online slot games |
22 | offered to players in connection with the Division's operation of iGaming on schedules agreed to |
23 | by the Division; |
24 | (4) Provide the Division with the right to assess liquidated damages against Bally's or its |
25 | Rhode Island Affiliates if any iGaming games are not available to players in accordance with this |
26 | act as determined by the Division; |
27 | (5) Require the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to an enter into an assignment and |
28 | assumption agreement between the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's and the iGaming Joint |
29 | Venture (the "iGaming Assignment and Assumption Agreement"), the terms of which shall be |
30 | subject to the review and approval of the Division; |
31 | (6) Contain such other terms and conditions as the Division and the Rhode Island Affiliates |
32 | of Bally's may agree. |
33 | (b) To consent to: |
34 | (1) The irrevocable assignment by the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to the iGaming |
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1 | Joint Venture of: |
2 | (i) The right to be the exclusive iGaming game vendor providing online slot games and |
3 | online table games to the Division, such online slot games and online table games being games |
4 | owned or licensed by an owner or an Affiliate of an owner of the iGaming game vendor or games |
5 | owned or licensed by a third party, that (in either case) are licensed to the iGaming game vendor |
6 | for sublicense to the Division as authorized by the Division. |
7 | (2) The assumption by the iGaming Joint Venture of the obligations of the Rhode Island |
8 | Affiliates of Bally's under the iGaming Game Agreement pursuant to the iGaming Assignment and |
9 | Assumption Agreement, the terms of which shall be subject to the review and approval of the |
10 | Division. |
11 | (c) To enter into a contract with the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to be the exclusive |
12 | iGaming platform vendor ("iGaming Platform Agreement") under the terms and conditions set |
13 | forth in this act, which shall, among other matters: |
14 | (1) Provide for a term that is coterminous with the UTGR Master Contract and Twin River |
15 | Tiverton Master Contract; |
16 | (2) Obligate Bally's to regularly update and replace the server-based gaming system for |
17 | iGaming on schedules agreed to by the Division; |
18 | (3) Provide the Division with the right to assess liquidated damages against Bally's or its |
19 | Rhode Island Affiliates if iGaming wagers are not being accepted by the iGaming server-based |
20 | gaming system in accordance with this act as determined by the Division; |
21 | (4) Obligate the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to fund the Division's responsible |
22 | gambling programs to include prevention and educations services in addition to those funds |
23 | provided under § 42-61.2-14, as amended by this act; |
24 | (5) Require the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to host server-based gaming systems in |
25 | connection with online sports wagering as determined by the Division in the Division's sole |
26 | discretion; |
27 | (6) Require the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's to pay for the costs, including, but not |
28 | limited to, professional and project management fees, incurred by the Division in connection with |
29 | implementation of the Division's operation of iGaming; |
30 | (7) Provide financial protection to the state related to the impact on traditional lottery |
31 | products as a result of iGaming whereby Bally's or the Rhode Island Affiliates of Bally's make an |
32 | annual payment to the Division in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the first one |
33 | million dollars ($1,000,000) of any shortfall and fifty percent (50%) of any shortfall between one |
34 | million dollars ($1,000,000) and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in net revenue received by the |
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1 | Division from traditional lottery products, including online games and instant ticket games. For |
2 | purposes of this subdivision, a shortfall in net revenue from traditional lottery products shall mean |
3 | the difference between the net revenue in traditional lottery products in any given fiscal year and |
4 | the net revenue in traditional lottery products in the most recent full fiscal year before the start of |
5 | iGaming. |
6 | (8) Contain such other terms and conditions as the Division and Bally's may agree. |
7 | (d) Nothing in this act shall be deemed to affect the authority of the Division to regulate |
8 | Bally's, Affiliates of Bally's, or the iGaming Joint Venture in connection with state-operated casino |
9 | gaming (including iGaming). |
10 | SECTION 4. Sections 42-61.2-1, 42-61.2-4, 42-61.2-6, 42-61.2-9, 42-61.2-11, 42-61.2-14 |
11 | and 42-61.2-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-61.2 entitled "Video Lottery Games, Table |
12 | Games and Sports Wagering" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
13 | 42-61.2-1. Definitions. |
14 | For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall mean: |
15 | (1) "2017 Budget Act" means 2017 — H 5175 Substitute A, as amended, entitled "An Act |
16 | Relating to Making Appropriations for the Support of the State for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, |
17 | 2018," which Act was signed into law by the Governor of Rhode Island on August 3, 2017. |
18 | (2) "Casino gaming" means any and all table and casino-style games played with cards, |
19 | dice, or equipment, for money, credit, or any representative of value; including, but not limited to: |
20 | roulette, blackjack, big six, craps, poker, baccarat, paigow, any banking or percentage game, or any |
21 | other game or device included within the definition of Class III gaming as that term is defined in |
22 | Section 2703(8) of Title 25 of the United States Code and that is approved by the state through the |
23 | division of state lottery. |
24 | (3) "Central communication system" means a system approved by the Division, linking all |
25 | Video Lottery Terminals at a licensed video lottery retailer location to provide auditing program |
26 | information and any other information determined by the Division. In addition, the central |
27 | communications system must provide all computer hardware and related software necessary for the |
28 | establishment and implementation of a comprehensive system as required by the Division. |
29 | (4) "Collegiate sports or athletic event" shall not include a collegiate sports contest or |
30 | collegiate athletic event that takes place in Rhode Island or a sports contest or athletic event in |
31 | which any Rhode Island college team participates regardless of where the event takes place. |
32 | (5) "Consolidated promotional points program" means, collectively, the "Initial |
33 | Promotional Points Program" and the "Supplementary Promotional Points Program" applicable to |
34 | the Lincoln gaming facility and the "Initial Promotional Points Program" and the "Supplementary |
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1 | Promotional Points Program" applicable to the Tiverton gaming facility, with each of the terms |
2 | "Initial Promotional Points Program" and "Supplementary Promotional Points Program" having the |
3 | meanings given such terms in the 2017 Budget Act. |
4 | (6) "Credit facilitator" means any employee of a licensed video lottery retailer approved in |
5 | writing by the Division whose responsibility is to, among other things, review applications for |
6 | credit by players, verify information on credit applications, grant, deny, and suspend credit, |
7 | establish credit limits, increase and decrease credit limits, and maintain credit files, all in |
8 | accordance with this chapter and rules and regulations approved by the Division. |
9 | (7) "DBR" means the department of business regulation, division of gaming and athletics |
10 | licensing, and/or and any successor in interest thereto. |
11 | (8) "Director" means the director of the Division. |
12 | (9) "Division" means the state lottery division of the department of revenue and/or any |
13 | successor in interest thereto. |
14 | (10) "Hosting facility" refers to the Lincoln gaming facility and the Tiverton gaming |
15 | facility. |
16 | (11)(a) "iGaming" means casino gaming, inclusive of online slot games and online table |
17 | games as defined herein, and made available to players who have reached twenty-one (21) years of |
18 | age through the use of the Internet through computers, mobile applications on mobile devices, or |
19 | other interactive devices approved by the Division, which wagers are accepted by a server-based |
20 | gaming system located at the premises of a hosting facility. |
21 | (b) All wagers on iGaming games shall be deemed to be placed and accepted, and iGaming |
22 | games shall be deemed to be operated on the Division's behalf, at the premises of a hosting facility. |
23 | (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "iGaming" does not include the following: |
24 | (i) Sports wagering conducted under § 42-61.2-2.4; |
25 | (ii) Online sports wagering conducted under § 42-61.2-2.4 and regulated elsewhere |
26 | pursuant to the general laws, including in § 42-61.2-16; |
27 | (iii) Pari-mutuel betting on the outcome of thoroughbred or harness horse racing, or |
28 | greyhound dog racing, including, but not limited to, pari-mutuel wagering on a race that is |
29 | "simulcast" (as defined in § 41-11-1), as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general laws, including |
30 | in chapters 3, 3.1, 4, and 11 of title 41; |
31 | (iv) Off-track betting on racing events, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general laws, |
32 | including in chapter 10 of title 41; |
33 | (v) Wagering on the respective scores or points of the game of jai alai or pelota and the |
34 | sale of pari-mutuel pools related to such games, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general |
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1 | laws, including in chapter 7 of title 41; and |
2 | (vi) Lotteries, charitable gaming, games of chance, bingo games, raffles, and pull-tab |
3 | lottery tickets, to the extent permitted and regulated pursuant to chapter 19 of title 11. |
4 | (12) "iGaming game vendor" means any entity authorized to provide online slot games and |
5 | online table games, as approved by the Division in connection with iGaming, on the Division's |
6 | behalf in accordance with this chapter, such online slot games and online table games being games |
7 | owned or licensed by the iGaming game vendor (or by an entity controlling, controlled by or under |
8 | common control with such entity) or games owned or licensed by a third party, that (in either case) |
9 | are licensed to the iGaming game vendor for sublicense to the Division as authorized by the |
10 | Division. |
11 | (13) "iGaming platform vendor" means an entity that operates a hosting facility (or by an |
12 | entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with such an entity) and that is authorized |
13 | by the Division to conduct iGaming on the Division's behalf in accordance with this chapter. |
14 | (11)(14) "IGT" means IGT Global Solutions Corporation, a Delaware corporation. |
15 | (12)(15) "Licensed video lottery retailer" means a pari-mutuel licensee specifically |
16 | licensed by the Director subject to the approval of the Division to become a licensed video lottery |
17 | retailer. |
18 | (13)(16) "Lincoln gaming facility" means the gaming and entertainment facility located at |
19 | 100 Twin River Road in the town of Lincoln, Rhode Island (sometimes referred to as "Twin River" |
20 | or the "Twin River gaming facility"). |
21 | (14)(17) "Marketing Year" means the fiscal year of the state. |
22 | (15)(18) "Net table-game revenue" means win from table games minus counterfeit |
23 | currency. |
24 | (16)(19) "Net terminal income" means currency placed into a Video Lottery Terminal less |
25 | credits redeemed for cash by players. |
26 | (17)(20) "Newport Grand" means Newport Grand, LLC, a Rhode Island limited-liability |
27 | company, successor to Newport Grand Jai Alai, LLC, and each permitted successor to and assignee |
28 | of Newport Grand, LLC under the Newport Grand Master Contract, including, without limitation, |
29 | Premier (as defined in subsection (25) of this section) and/or Twin River-Tiverton (as defined in |
30 | subsection (40) of this section) provided it is a pari-mutuel licensee (as defined in this section); |
31 | provided, further, however, where the context indicates that the term is referring to the physical |
32 | facility, then it shall mean the gaming and entertainment facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus |
33 | Road, Newport, Rhode Island. |
34 | (18)(21) "Newport Grand Marketing Year" means each fiscal year of the state or a portion |
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1 | thereof between November 23, 2010, and the termination date of the Newport Grand Master |
2 | Contract. |
3 | (19)(22) "Newport Grand Master Contract" means that certain master video lottery |
4 | terminal contract made as of November 23, 2005, by and between the division of lotteries of the |
5 | Rhode Island department of administration and Newport Grand, as amended and extended from |
6 | time to time as authorized therein and/or as such Newport Grand Master Contract may be assigned |
7 | as permitted therein. |
8 | (20)(23) "Online gaming account" means an account opened by a patron that such patron |
9 | shall use for the deposit and withdrawal of funds used for online sports wagering, iGaming, or both. |
10 | An online gaming account may be used for both online sports wagering conducted under § 42-61.2- |
11 | 2.4 and iGaming, only if the patron is over twenty-one (21) years of age. A patron under the age of |
12 | twenty-one (21) is prohibited from having or using an online gaming account for iGaming. |
13 | (24) "Online slot game" means an online slot-machine-like game authorized by the |
14 | Division within the scope of the term iGaming. Online slot games include, but are not limited to, |
15 | online games involving digital versions of spinning reels or pay lines, and may include: |
16 | (i) An auto play feature; |
17 | (ii) An adjustable bet feature; |
18 | (iii) A random number generator to determine the game outcome; and |
19 | (iv) Games that can be played infinitely, using a nondepleting prize pool, offer prizes that |
20 | are all available with every play, and have odds that remain the same with every play. |
21 | (25) "Online slot gaming revenue" means: |
22 | (i) The total of cash or cash equivalents received from the operation of online slot games |
23 | minus the total of: |
24 | (A) Cash or cash equivalents paid to players as a result of the operation of online slot |
25 | games; |
26 | (B) Marketing expenses related to online slot games as agreed to by the Division, the |
27 | iGaming game vendor, and the iGaming platform vendor, as approved by the Division; and |
28 | (C) Any federal excise taxes (if applicable). |
29 | (ii) The term does not include any of the following: |
30 | (A) Counterfeit cash; |
31 | (B) Coins or currency of other countries received as a result of the operation of online slot |
32 | games, except to the extent that the coins or currency are readily convertible to cash; |
33 | (C) Cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against the iGaming platform vendor or |
34 | iGaming game vendor, for which the iGaming platform vendor or iGaming game vendor is not |
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1 | reimbursed; |
2 | (D) Free play provided by the iGaming platform vendor or iGaming game vendor as |
3 | authorized by the Division to a player and subsequently "won back" by the iGaming platform |
4 | vendor or iGaming game vendor, for which the iGaming platform vendor or iGaming game vendor |
5 | can demonstrate that it or its affiliate has not been reimbursed in cash. |
6 | (21)(26) "Online sports wagering" means engaging in the act of sports wagering by the |
7 | placing of wagers on sporting events or a combination of sporting events, or on the individual |
8 | performance statistics of athletes in a sporting event or a combination of sporting events, over the |
9 | internet through computers, mobile applications on mobile devices or other interactive devices |
10 | approved by the Division, which wagers are accepted by a server-based gaming system located at |
11 | the premises of a hosting facility authorized to accept sports wagers and administer payoffs of |
12 | winning sports wagers; all such wagers shall be deemed to be placed and accepted at the premises |
13 | of a such hosting facility. |
14 | (22)(27) "Online sports-wagering revenue" means: |
15 | (i) The total of cash or cash equivalents received from online sports wagering minus the |
16 | total of: |
17 | (I) Cash or cash equivalents paid to players as a result of online sports wagering; |
18 | (II) Marketing expenses related to online sports wagering as agreed to by the Division, the |
19 | sports-wagering vendor, and the host facilities, as approved by the Division; and |
20 | (III) Any federal excise taxes (if applicable). |
21 | (ii) The term does not include any of the following: |
22 | (I) Counterfeit cash. |
23 | (II) Coins or currency of other countries received as a result of online sports wagering, |
24 | except to the extent that the coins or currency are readily convertible to cash. |
25 | (III) Cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against a hosting facility or sports-wagering |
26 | vendor for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor is not reimbursed. |
27 | (IV) Free play provided by the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor as authorized by |
28 | the Division to a player and subsequently "won back" by the hosting facility or sports-wagering |
29 | vendor, for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor can demonstrate that it or its |
30 | affiliate has not been reimbursed in cash. |
31 | (28) "Online table game" means a casino-style table game authorized by the Division |
32 | within the scope of the term iGaming, where such games are conducted by one or more live persons |
33 | and made available to players through use of the Internet through computers, mobile applications |
34 | on mobile devices, or other interactive devices approved by the Division, which wagers are |
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1 | accepted by a server-based gaming system located at the premises of a hosting facility and played |
2 | with the digital representation of cards, dice or equipment |
3 | (29) "Online table gaming revenue" means: |
4 | (i) The total of cash or cash equivalents received from the operation of online table games |
5 | minus the total of: |
6 | (A) Cash or cash equivalents paid to players as a result of the operation of online table |
7 | games; |
8 | (B) Marketing expenses related to online table games as agreed to by the Division and the |
9 | iGaming platform vendor, as approved by the Division; and |
10 | (C) Any federal excise taxes (if applicable). |
11 | (ii) The term does not include any of the following: |
12 | (A) Counterfeit cash; |
13 | (B) Coins or currency of other countries received as a result of the operation of online table |
14 | games, except to the extent that the coins or currency are readily convertible to cash; |
15 | (C) Cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against the iGaming platform vendor or |
16 | iGaming game vendor for which the iGaming platform vendor or iGaming game vendor is not |
17 | reimbursed; |
18 | (D) Free play provided by the iGaming platform vendor or iGaming game vendor as |
19 | authorized by the Division to a player and subsequently "won back" by the iGaming platform |
20 | vendor or iGaming game vendor, for which the iGaming platform vendor or iGaming game vendor |
21 | can demonstrate that it or its affiliate has not been reimbursed in cash. |
22 | (23)(30) "Pari-mutuel licensee" means: |
23 | (i) An entity licensed pursuant to § 41-3.1-3; and/or and |
24 | (ii) An entity licensed pursuant to § 41-7-3. |
25 | (24)(31) "Payoff," when used in connection with sports wagering, means cash or cash |
26 | equivalents paid to a player as a result of the player's winning a sports wager. A "payoff" is a type |
27 | of "prize," as the term "prize" is used in chapters 61, 61.2, and 61.3 of this title. |
28 | (25)(32) "Premier" means Premier Entertainment II, LLC and/or and its successor in |
29 | interest by reason of the acquisition of the stock, membership interests, or substantially all of the |
30 | assets of such entity. |
31 | (26)(33) "Prior marketing year," means, with respect to a marketing year, the most recent |
32 | previous marketing year during which the Division operated a majority of the authorized video |
33 | lottery games at each of the Lincoln gaming facility and the Tiverton gaming facility for at least |
34 | 360 days (or 361 days in the case there are 366 days in such marketing year). For the avoidance of |
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1 | doubt, because the Division will not have operated a majority of the authorized video lottery games |
2 | at the Lincoln gaming facility and at the Tiverton gaming facility for at least 361 days during the |
3 | marketing year expiring on June 30, 2020, the prior marketing year with respect to the marketing |
4 | year expiring on June 30, 2021, shall be the marketing year expiring on June 30, 2019. |
5 | (27)(34) "Promotional points" has the meaning given such term in the 2017 Budget Act. |
6 | (28)(35) "Rake" means a set fee or percentage of cash and chips representing cash wagered |
7 | in the playing of a nonbanking table game assessed by a table games retailer for providing the |
8 | services of a dealer, gaming table, or location, to allow the play of any nonbanking table game. |
9 | (29)(36) "Server-based gaming system" means all hardware, software, and |
10 | communications devices that comprise a system utilized for the purpose of offering an electronic |
11 | platform used in connection with the process of placing and accepting sports wagers and/or |
12 | iGaming wagers (as applicable). |
13 | (30)(37) "Sporting event" means any professional sport or athletic event, any Olympic or |
14 | international sports competition event, and any collegiate sport or athletic event, or any portion |
15 | thereof, including, but not limited to, the individual performance statistics of athletes in a sports |
16 | event or combination of sports events, except "sporting event" shall not include a prohibited |
17 | sporting event. |
18 | (31)(38) "Sports wagering" means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events or |
19 | a combination of sporting events, or on the individual performance statistics of athletes in a sporting |
20 | event or combination of sporting events, by any system or method of wagering. The term includes, |
21 | but is not limited to, exchange wagering, parlays, over-under, moneyline, pools, and straight bets, |
22 | and the term includes the placement of such bets and wagers. However, the term does not include, |
23 | without limitation, the following: |
24 | (i) Lotteries, including video lottery games and other types of casino gaming operated by |
25 | the state, through the Division, as of June 22, 2018. |
26 | (ii) Pari-mutuel betting on the outcome of thoroughbred or harness horse racing, or |
27 | greyhound dog racing, including but not limited to, pari-mutuel wagering on a race that is |
28 | "simulcast" (as defined in § 41-11-1), as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general laws, including |
29 | in chapters 3, 3.1, 4, and 11 of title 41. |
30 | (iii) Off-track betting on racing events, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general laws, |
31 | including in chapter 10 of title 41. |
32 | (iv) Wagering on the respective scores or points of the game of jai alai or pelota and the |
33 | sale of pari-mutuel pools related to such games, as regulated elsewhere pursuant to the general |
34 | laws, including in chapter 7 of title 41. |
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1 | (v) Lotteries, charitable gaming, games of chance, bingo games, raffles, and pull-tab lottery |
2 | tickets, to the extent permitted and regulated pursuant to chapter 19 of title 11. |
3 | (iv) iGaming (as defined in this section). |
4 | (32)(39) "Sports-wagering device" means any mechanical, electrical, or computerized |
5 | contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device, apparatus, equipment, or supplies approved by the |
6 | Division and used to conduct sports wagering. |
7 | (33)(40) "Sports-wagering revenue" means: |
8 | (i) The total of cash or cash equivalents received from sports wagering minus the total of: |
9 | (I) Cash or cash equivalents paid to players as a result of sports wagering; |
10 | (II) The annual flat fee to the host communities as defined by § 42-61.2-5(c); |
11 | (III) Marketing expenses related to sports wagering as agreed to by the Division, the sports- |
12 | wagering vendor, and the host facilities, as approved by the Division; and |
13 | (IV) Any federal excise taxes (if applicable). |
14 | (ii) The term does not include any of the following: |
15 | (I) Counterfeit cash. |
16 | (II) Coins or currency of other countries received as a result of sports wagering, except to |
17 | the extent that the coins or currency are readily convertible to cash. |
18 | (III) Cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against a hosting facility or sports-wagering |
19 | vendor for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor is not reimbursed. |
20 | (IV) Free play provided by the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor as authorized by |
21 | the Division to a patron and subsequently "won back" by the hosting facility or sports-wagering |
22 | vendor, for which the hosting facility or sports-wagering vendor can demonstrate that it or its |
23 | affiliate has not been reimbursed in cash. |
24 | (34)(41) "Sports-wagering vendor" means any entity authorized by the Division to operate |
25 | sports betting on the Division's behalf in accordance with this chapter. |
26 | (35)(42) "Table game" or "Table gaming" means that type of casino gaming in which table |
27 | games are played for cash or chips representing cash, or any other representation of value that has |
28 | been approved by the Division, using cards, dice, or equipment and conducted by one or more live |
29 | persons. |
30 | (36)(43) "Table-game retailer" means a retailer authorized to conduct table gaming |
31 | pursuant to § 42-61.2-2.1 or § 42-61.2-2.3. |
32 | (37)(44) "Technology provider" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or |
33 | association that designs, manufactures, installs, maintains, distributes, or supplies Video Lottery |
34 | Terminals or associated equipment for the sale or use in this state. |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 11 of 20 |
1 | (38)(45) "Tiverton gaming facility" means the gaming and entertainment facility located at |
2 | the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road in the town of Tiverton, Rhode |
3 | Island (sometimes referred to as "Twin River-Tiverton"). |
4 | (39)(46) "Twin River" (sometimes referred to as "UTGR") means UTGR, Inc., a Delaware |
5 | corporation, and each permitted successor to and assignee of UTGR, Inc.; provided, however, |
6 | where the context indicates that the term is referring to a physical facility, then "Twin River" shall |
7 | mean the Lincoln gaming facility. |
8 | (40)(47) "Twin River-Tiverton" means Twin River-Tiverton, LLC and/or and its successor |
9 | in interest by reason of the acquisition of the stock, membership interests, or substantially all of the |
10 | assets of such entity; provided, however, where the context indicates that the term is referring to a |
11 | physical facility, then "Twin River-Tiverton" shall mean the Tiverton gaming facility. |
12 | (41)(48) "Twin River-Tiverton Marketing Year" has the same meaning as Marketing Year |
13 | (as defined in subsection (14) of this section). |
14 | (42)(49) "Twin River-Tiverton Master Contract" has the same meaning as Newport Grand |
15 | Master Contract (as defined in subsection (19) of this section). |
16 | (43)(50) "UTGR Master Contract" means that certain master video lottery terminal contract |
17 | made as of July 1, 2005, by and between the division of lotteries of the Rhode Island department |
18 | of administration (now the division of lotteries of the Rhode Island department of revenue) and |
19 | Twin River, as amended and extended from time to time as authorized therein and/or and as such |
20 | UTGR Master Contract may be assigned as permitted therein. |
21 | (44)(51) "Video Lottery Agreement" means that certain Video Lottery Central Computer |
22 | System Agreement dated as of December 20, 2001, by and between IGT and the Division, as |
23 | amended, extended, assigned, and assumed from time to time. |
24 | (45)(52) "Video lottery games" means lottery games played on Video Lottery Terminals |
25 | controlled by the Division. |
26 | (46)(53) "Video lottery terminal" means any electronic computerized video game machine |
27 | that, upon the insertion of cash or any other representation of value that has been approved by the |
28 | Division, is available to play a video game authorized by the Division, and that uses a video display |
29 | and microprocessors in which, by chance, the player may receive free games or credits that can be |
30 | redeemed for cash. The term does not include a machine that directly dispenses coins, cash, or |
31 | tokens. |
32 | (47)(54) "VLT Agreement" means that certain Video Lottery Terminal Technology |
33 | Provider License Agreement dated as of September 28, 2000, by and between IGT and the Division, |
34 | as amended, extended, assigned, and assumed from time to time. |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 12 of 20 |
1 | 42-61.2-4. Additional powers and duties of director and lottery division. |
2 | In addition to the powers and duties set forth in §§ 42-61-4 and 42-61.2-3, the director shall |
3 | have the power to: |
4 | (1) Supervise and administer the operation of video lottery games and, sports wagering, |
5 | and iGaming in accordance with this chapter and with the rules and regulations of the division; |
6 | (2) Suspend or revoke upon a hearing any license issued pursuant to this chapter or the |
7 | rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter; |
8 | (3) In compliance with the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37, enter into contracts for the |
9 | operation of a central communications system and technology providers, or any part thereof; |
10 | (4) In compliance with the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37, enter into contracts for the |
11 | provision of sports-wagering systems, facilities, and related technology necessary and/or desirable |
12 | for the state-operated sports wagering to be hosted at Twin River and the Tiverton gaming facilities, |
13 | including technology related to the operation of on-premises remote sports wagering, or any part |
14 | thereof; |
15 | (5) In compliance with the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37, enter into contracts for the |
16 | provision of server-based gaming systems, facilities, and related technology necessary and/or or |
17 | desirable for the state-operated online sports wagering; and |
18 | (6) In compliance with the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37, enter into contracts for the |
19 | provision of services and technology necessary or desirable for state-operated iGaming; |
20 | (6)(7) Certify monthly to the budget officer, the auditor general, the permanent joint |
21 | committee on state lottery, and to the governor a full and complete statement of lottery revenues, |
22 | prize disbursements, and other expenses for the preceding month; ensure that monthly financial |
23 | reports are prepared providing gross monthly revenues, prize disbursements, other expenses, and |
24 | net income for keno and for all other lottery operations; submit this report to the state budget officer, |
25 | the auditor general, the permanent joint committee on state lottery, the legislative fiscal advisors, |
26 | and the governor no later than the twentieth business day following the close of the month; at the |
27 | end of each fiscal year the director shall submit an annual report based upon an accrual system of |
28 | accounting that shall include a full and complete statement of lottery revenues, prize disbursements, |
29 | and expenses, to the governor and the general assembly, which report shall be a public document |
30 | and shall be filed with the secretary of state. The monthly report shall be prepared in a manner |
31 | prescribed by the members of the revenue estimating conference. |
32 | 42-61.2-6. When games may be played. |
33 | (a) Video lottery games authorized by this chapter may be played at the licensed video |
34 | lottery retailer's facilities with the approval of the division, even if that facility is not conducting a |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 13 of 20 |
1 | pari-mutuel event. |
2 | (b) Sports wagering authorized by this chapter, including accepting sports wagers and |
3 | administering payoffs of winning sports wagers, may be conducted at the Twin River and the |
4 | Tiverton gaming facilities, with the approval of the division, even if that facility is not conducting |
5 | a pari-mutuel event. |
6 | (c) Casino gaming (including iGaming) authorized by this chapter and including accepting |
7 | wagers and administering payoffs of winning wagers on casino gaming, online slot games and |
8 | online table games, may be conducted at the Twin River and the Tiverton gaming facilities, with |
9 | the approval of the Division, even if that facility is not conducting a pari-mutuel event. |
10 | 42-61.2-9. Unclaimed prize money, including unclaimed sports-wagering payoffs. |
11 | Unclaimed prize money for prizes in connection with the play of a video lottery game, |
12 | iGaming game, and an unclaimed payoff in connection with a sports wager shall be retained by the |
13 | director for the person entitled thereto for one year after, respectively, the completion of the |
14 | applicable video lottery game, iGaming game, or the determination of the result of the sporting |
15 | event that was the subject of the applicable sports wager. If no claim is made for the prize money |
16 | or payoff within that year, the prize money or payoff shall automatically revert to the lottery fund |
17 | and the winner shall have no claim thereto. |
18 | 42-61.2-11. Effect of other laws and local ordinances. |
19 | (a) No other law providing any penalty or disability for operating, hosting, maintaining, |
20 | supporting, or playing video lottery games, or any acts done in connection with video lottery games, |
21 | shall apply to operating, hosting, maintaining, supporting, or playing video lottery games pursuant |
22 | to this chapter. |
23 | (b) No other law providing any penalty or disability for conducting, hosting, maintaining, |
24 | supporting, or participating in sports wagering, or any acts done in connection with sports wagering, |
25 | shall apply to conducting, hosting, maintaining, supporting, or participating in sports wagering |
26 | pursuant to this chapter. |
27 | (c) No other law providing any penalty or disability for conducting, hosting, maintaining, |
28 | supporting, or participating in casino gaming, including iGaming, or any acts done in connection |
29 | with casino gaming, including iGaming, shall apply to conducting, hosting, maintaining, |
30 | supporting, or participating in casino gaming, including iGaming pursuant to this chapter. |
31 | (c)(d) The provisions of §§ 41-9-4 and 41-9-6 shall not apply to this chapter, and the |
32 | provisions of this chapter shall take precedence over any local ordinances to the contrary. It is |
33 | specifically acknowledged that the installation, operation, and use of video lottery terminals by a |
34 | pari-mutuel licensee, as authorized in this chapter, shall for all purposes be deemed a permitted use |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 14 of 20 |
1 | as defined in § 45-24-31. No city or town where video lottery terminals are authorized may seek to |
2 | prevent the installation and use of said video lottery terminals by defining such as a prohibited use. |
3 | 42-61.2-14. Compulsive and problem gambling programs. |
4 | The Division and the state acknowledge that the vast majority of gaming patrons can enjoy |
5 | gambling games responsibly, but that there are certain societal costs associated with gaming by |
6 | some individuals who have problems handling the product or services provided. The Division and |
7 | the State further understand that it is their duty to act responsibly toward those who cannot |
8 | participate conscientiously in gaming. Pursuant to the foregoing, Twin River and Twin River- |
9 | Tiverton, in cooperation with the State, shall offer compulsive and problem gambling programs |
10 | that include, but are not limited to (a) Problem gambling awareness programs for employees; (b) |
11 | Player self-exclusion program; and (c) Promotion of a problem gambling hotline; and (d) Education |
12 | on responsible gambling and prevention of problem gambling. Twin River and Twin River- |
13 | Tiverton shall modify their existing compulsive and problem gambling programs to include table |
14 | games, and sports wagering and iGaming to the extent such games are authorized at such facilities |
15 | or through the Internet or a mobile application. Twin River and Twin River-Tiverton shall |
16 | reimburse and pay to the Division no less than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in |
17 | aggregate annually for compulsive and problem gambling programs established by the Division |
18 | and no less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in the aggregate annually for education and |
19 | prevention programs. The contribution from each facility shall be determined by the Division. A |
20 | person who is prohibited from gaming in a gaming establishment due to the player self-exclusion |
21 | program shall not collect any winnings or recover losses arising as a result of prohibited gaming |
22 | activity by said person. Winnings from a self-excluded person, after the deduction of taxes and |
23 | other applicable withholdings, shall be forfeited to the division. The division shall forward such |
24 | forfeited winnings, up to one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) per year, to the Rhode |
25 | Island Council on Problem Gambling for its use for research, education, and prevention of teenage |
26 | gambling addiction, with the balance to be transferred by the division to the general fund. |
27 | 42-61.2-15. Table game and sports-wagering hours of operation Table game, sports- |
28 | wagering, and iGaming hours of operation. |
29 | (a) To the extent table games are authorized at the premises of a table-game retailer, such |
30 | table games may be offered at the premises of a table-game retailer for all or a portion of the days |
31 | and times that video lottery games are offered. |
32 | (b) To the extent sports wagering is authorized at the premises of a table-game retailer, |
33 | such sports wagering may be offered at the premises of such table-game retailer for all or a portion |
34 | of the days and times that video lottery games are offered. |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 15 of 20 |
1 | (c) To the extent online sports wagering is authorized at a hosting facility, such online |
2 | sports wagering may be offered without any restriction on hours of operation and shall not be |
3 | limited by the days and times that video lottery games and/or or table games are offered. |
4 | (d) To the extent iGaming is authorized at a hosting facility, such iGaming may be offered |
5 | without any restriction on hours of operation and shall not be limited by the days and times that |
6 | video lottery games or table games are offered. |
7 | SECTION 5. Chapter 42-61.2 of the General Laws entitled "Video Lottery Games, Table |
8 | Games and Sports Wagering" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: |
9 | 42-61.2-3.4. iGaming Regulation. |
10 | In addition to the powers and duties of the Division director under §§ 42-61-4, 42-61.2-3, |
11 | 42-61.2-3.1, 42-61.2-3.2, 42-61.2-3.3, and 42-61.2-4 and pursuant to §§ 42-61.2-2.1 and 42-61.2- |
12 | 2.3, the Division director shall promulgate rules and regulations relating to state-operated iGaming |
13 | and set policy for such gaming. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to: |
14 | (1) Standards, rules, and regulations to govern the conduct of iGaming, including, without |
15 | limitation: |
16 | (i) Procedures for investigation of patron complaints related to iGaming; |
17 | (ii) Terms and conditions for iGaming; |
18 | (iii) Internal controls for all aspects of iGaming, including procedures for system integrity, |
19 | system security, operations, accounting, and reporting of problem gamblers; |
20 | (iv) Operational controls for server-based gaming systems, software, and hardware utilized |
21 | for iGaming, including, but not limited to, appearance, functionality, contents, collection, storage, |
22 | and retention of data and security; |
23 | (v) Operational controls for online gaming accounts, including, but not limited to, |
24 | procedures for the establishment and closure of an online gaming account, funding of withdrawal |
25 | of funds from an online gaming account, and generation of an account statement for a patron's |
26 | online gaming account; and |
27 | (vi) Age restrictions for online iGaming patrons, which shall prohibited for players who |
28 | not reached twenty-one (21) years of age. |
29 | (2) Establishing the method for calculating online slot gaming revenue and online table |
30 | gaming revenue and standards for the daily counting and recording of cash and cash equivalents |
31 | received in the conduct of online slot games and online table games, and ensuring that internal |
32 | controls are followed and financial books and records are maintained and audits are conducted; |
33 | (3) Requiring the iGaming platform vendor to provide written information prominently |
34 | displayed on any electronic platform available to the patron through a server-based gaming system, |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 16 of 20 |
1 | regarding wagering rules, payoffs on winning wagers, deposits, withdrawals, and other information |
2 | as the Division may require; and |
3 | (4) Any other matters necessary for conducting iGaming. |
4 | 42-61.2-5.1. Allocation of online slot gaming revenue. |
5 | (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 42-61-15, the division of lottery is authorized to |
6 | enter into an agreement to allocate online slot gaming revenue among the state, the state's |
7 | authorized iGaming platform vendor, and the state's authorized iGaming game vendor. |
8 | (b) The allocation of online slot gaming revenue shall be as follows: |
9 | (1) To the state, sixty-one percent (61%) of online slot gaming revenue; |
10 | (2) To the state's authorized iGaming platform vendor twenty-two and fifty-five percent |
11 | (22.55%)of online slot gaming revenue; and |
12 | (3) To the state's authorized iGaming game vendor fifteen percent (15%) of online slot |
13 | gaming revenue; |
14 | (4) To the Town of Lincoln and the Town of Tiverton collectively, one and forty-five |
15 | hundredth percent (1.45%) of online slot gaming revenue, divided whereby the Town of Lincoln |
16 | receives seventy-seven (77%) of such allocation and the Town of Tiverton receives twenty-three |
17 | percent (23%) of such allocation; provided that the amounts received under this subsection shall be |
18 | credited towards the Lincoln Minimum and Tiverton Minimum, respectively, pursuant to § 42- |
19 | 61.2-7. |
20 | (c) Online slot gaming revenue allocated to the state shall be deposited into the state lottery |
21 | fund for administrative purposes and then the balance remaining into the general fund. |
22 | 42-61.2-5.2. Allocation of online table gaming revenue. |
23 | (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 42-61-15, the division of lottery is authorized to |
24 | enter into an agreement to allocate online table gaming revenue among the state, the state's |
25 | authorized iGaming platform vendor, and the state's authorized iGaming game vendor. |
26 | (b) The allocation of online table gaming revenue shall be: |
27 | (1) To the state, fifteen and one-half percent (15.5%) of online table gaming revenue; |
28 | (2) To the state's authorized iGaming platform vendor, thirty-five percent (35%) of online |
29 | table gaming revenue; |
30 | (3) To the state's authorized iGaming game vendor, forty-eight and one-half percent |
31 | (48.5%) of online table gaming revenue; and |
32 | (4) To the Town of Lincoln and the Town of Tiverton collectively, one percent (1%) of |
33 | online table game revenue, divided whereby the Town of Lincoln receives eighty percent (80%) of |
34 | such allocation and the Town of Tiverton receives twenty percent (20%) of such allocation; |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 17 of 20 |
1 | provided that the amounts received under this subsection shall be credited towards the Lincoln |
2 | Minimum and Tiverton Minimum, respectively, pursuant to § 42-61.2-7. |
3 | (c) Online table gaming revenue allocated to the state shall be deposited into the state |
4 | lottery fund for administrative purposes and then the balance remaining into the general fund. |
5 | 42-61.2-17. General requirements for iGaming. |
6 | (a) Wagers in connection with iGaming shall only be initiated, received or otherwise made |
7 | within the State of Rhode Island. The iGaming platform vendor shall only accept wagers in |
8 | connection with iGaming from players who have been affirmatively located as being physically |
9 | present in the State of Rhode Island at the time of their wager. |
10 | (b) The server-based gaming system shall employ a mechanism to detect the physical |
11 | location of a player at the time the player is wagering, and as frequently as specified in any |
12 | regulations promulgated by the state, through the Division. If the system detects that the physical |
13 | location of the patron at the time the player is wagering is in an area outside the State of Rhode |
14 | Island, or if it cannot detect the physical location of the patron, the system shall not accept that |
15 | patron's wagers until such time as the patron is determined to be physically located in the State of |
16 | Rhode Island. |
17 | (c) The server-based gaming system used to process wagers in connection with iGaming, |
18 | and all other hardware, software, and technology or equipment located on a hosting facility's |
19 | premises and used in connection with iGaming, shall be located in a restricted area on the hosting |
20 | facility's premises. This restriction shall not apply to online table games, which may be conducted |
21 | on the hosting facility's premises in a place and manner approved by the Division. |
22 | (d) Other than the server-based gaming system used for iGaming, the hardware, software |
23 | and other technology and equipment used by the iGaming game vendor and its suppliers do not |
24 | need to be located in the State of Rhode Island. |
25 | (e) iGaming shall only be engaged in by patrons who have established an online gaming |
26 | account pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Division. |
27 | 42-61.2-18. Acceptance of out-of-state iGaming. |
28 | (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, wagers may be accepted |
29 | under this chapter from persons who are not physically present in Rhode Island if the Division has |
30 | determined that: |
31 | (1) Accepting the wagers is not inconsistent with federal or Rhode Island constitutional |
32 | and statutory law and not inconsistent with the law of the jurisdiction in which the person placing |
33 | the wagers is located; or |
34 | (2) The wagering is conducted pursuant to a reciprocal agreement to which Rhode Island |
| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 18 of 20 |
1 | is a party that is not inconsistent with federal or state law, including Rhode Island constitutional |
2 | and statutory law. |
3 | (b) The Division may enter into an interactive gaming reciprocal agreement with a |
4 | regulatory agency of one or more other states or jurisdictions in which interactive gaming is |
5 | authorized to allow an interactive gaming operator to accept wagers from persons not physically |
6 | present in Rhode Island, and to allow persons physically present in Rhode Island to place wagers |
7 | with parties to the interactive gaming reciprocal agreement, if the Division has determined that the |
8 | reciprocal agreement is not inconsistent with federal and state law, including Rhode Island |
9 | constitutional and statutory law. |
10 | SECTION 6. This act shall take effect on March 1, 2024. |
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LC002864/SUB A/2 | |
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| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 19 of 20 |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- VIDEO LOTTERY GAMES, | |
TABLE GAMES AND SPORTS WAGERING | |
*** | |
1 | This act would legalize iGaming by patrons located in the State of Rhode Island. |
2 | This act would take effect on March 1, 2024. |
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LC002864/SUB A/2 | |
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| LC002864/SUB A/2 - Page 20 of 20 |