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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 863H.P. 549 House of Representatives, March 4, 2025
An Act to Exempt Internet Raffles Conducted by Certain
Organizations with Prizes of $2,500 or Less from Registration and
Licensing Requirements
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative WHITE of Guilford.
Cosponsored by Senator FARRIN of Somerset and
Representatives: ANKELES of Brunswick, BISHOP of Bucksport, MASON of Lisbon,
MONTELL of Gardiner, PARRY of Arundel, RAY of Lincolnville, RUDNICKI of Fairfield,
WHITE of Ellsworth. Page 1 - 132LR1444(01)
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2 as amended by PL 2021, c. 136, §8, is further
3 amended to read:
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5 organization under subsection 7, a A person or organization is not required to register with
6 the Gambling Control Unit to conduct a raffle in which the total value of the prize offered
7 to the holder of the winning chance does not exceed $2,500. If the raffle is conducted in a
8 manner in which there are multiple winning chances, the total value of all prizes offered
9 may not exceed a value of $2,500.
10 as amended by PL 2021, c. 636, §2, is further
11 amended to read:
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13 subsection 2 may conduct a raffle described in subsection or subsection 4 in which the
14 total value of the prize offered to the holder of the winning chance may not exceed $2,500
15 or, if there are multiple winning chances, the total value of all prizes offered may not exceed
16 a value of $2,500 as an Internet raffle if the eligible organization registers with the
17 Gambling Control Unit and the Internet raffle is operated in accordance with the
18 requirements of this chapter by an Internet raffle operator identified on the registration
19 form. Notwithstanding subsection 6, an eligible organization may not conduct more than
20 one Internet raffle at the same time. The eligible organization and Internet raffle operator
21 may not permit a person under 18 years of age to purchase a chance or ticket for an Internet
22 raffle and may not advertise or market the Internet raffle in a manner that has a high
23 likelihood of reaching persons under 18 years of age or that is specifically designed to
24 appeal particularly to persons under 18 years of age.
25 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 136, §11, is amended
26 to read:
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28 the person is licensed as an Internet raffle operator under subsection 2, the Internet raffle is
29 conducted on behalf of an eligible organization registered under section subsection
30 7, each payment for a chance or ticket for the Internet raffle is made through an Internet
31 raffle system approved under subsection 4 and the winning chance or chances are selected
32 by an Internet raffle system approved under subsection 4. This subsection does not apply
33 to an Internet raffle conducted by an eligible organization in which the total value of the
34 prize offered to the holder of the winning chance may not exceed $2,500 or, if there are
35 multiple winning chances, the total value of all prizes offered may not exceed a value of
36 $2,500.
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38 This bill removes the prohibition on an agricultural society, nonprofit organization,
39 volunteer fire department or their auxiliaries to conduct Internet raffles in which the total
40 value of the prize offered to the holder of the winning chance does not exceed $2,500 or, if
41 there are multiple winning chances, the total value of all prizes offered do not exceed a
42 value of $2,500 without being required to register with the Department of Public Safety,
43 Gambling Control Unit.
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