The definitions of "off sale" and "on sale", gaming site authorization and licensure, and the authorization of employees to provide limited assistance related to gaming; and to declare an emergency.
Impact
The bill significantly impacts the North Dakota Century Code concerning gaming and charitable fundraising. By delineating the definitions and operational management of gaming licenses, it facilitates organizations' access to conduct fundraising via games of chance, ensuring they are compliant with the state's regulations. It also seeks to simplify the administration of licensure by removing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, potentially leading to an increase in community-based fundraising activities.
Summary
House Bill 1484, introduced in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly, seeks to amend existing laws regarding the definitions of 'off sale' and 'on sale', as well as the licensing and authorization of gaming activities conducted by eligible organizations. The bill aims to provide clarity in the definitions related to these activities and to streamline the process by which eligible organizations can receive permission to conduct games of chance, such as pull tabs and raffles. An emergency measure, this bill underscores the need for immediate regulatory updates in response to current practices in gaming and fundraising by nonprofits.
Sentiment
Overall, the sentiment around HB 1484 appears to be supportive among nonprofit organizations and those involved in community fundraising activities. Advocates have voiced their approval, citing the need for laws that recognize the evolving landscape of gaming while balancing regulatory compliance. However, there are concerns raised by some groups about the potential for increased competition among organizations and the overall integrity of gaming in North Dakota.
Contention
Notably, some lawmakers expressed apprehensions regarding the bill, fearing that it could lead to a reduction in regulations that safeguard against potential misuse of gaming licenses. Concerns about ensuring fairness in licensing and maintaining the public interest are central to discussions surrounding this bill, especially regarding how the law may affect smaller nonprofits that rely on gaming for fundraising. The bill’s emergency clause has also sparked debate, as some question the urgency of its passage in the legislative calendar.
The definitions of alcoholic beverage establishment and manufacturer, approval for a gaming site authorization and licensure, the maximum number of gaming sites allowed, the maximum number of pull tab devices allowed at a site, gaming licenses for alcoholic beverage establishments, electronic fifty-fifty raffles, rent limits for electronic pull tab devices, and the imposition of monetary fines for violations by third-party businesses; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
The maximum number of gaming sites allowed and the maximum number of electronic pull tab devices allowed at a site; and to provide for a legislative management study .
The structure of the state gaming commission and the administration and regulation of games of chance; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for application.
The gaming commission, gaming stamp requirements, and the attorney general's regulation of gaming; to provide a penalty; and to provide an appropriation.