Maine § 1835-B. - Conduct of once-annual game night

§ 1835-B.. Conduct of once-annual game night

1.  Wagers or entry fees; definitions.  The following provisions apply to a game night registered under section 1832, subsection 2‑B. For purposes of this section, "eligible organization" means an organization described in section 1832, subsection 2 and "committee" has the same meaning as in section 1832, subsection 1.

A. An eligible organization or committee registered to conduct a game night under section 1832, subsection 2‑B may charge an entry fee to the game night, the proceeds of which must be used as described in section 1832, subsection 2‑B and to cover the costs of conducting the game night.   [PL 2023, c. 391, §8 (NEW).]

B. Card games and games of chance operated or conducted at a game night must use tokens or other devices approved by the Gambling Control Unit by rule. No money or thing of value may be wagered on a card game or game of chance operated or conducted at a game night.   [PL 2023, c. 391, §8 (NEW).]

C. An eligible organization or committee may award prizes to an individual as a result of that individual's participation in card games and games of chance operated or conducted during the game night. Prior to the game night, the eligible organization or committee shall determine the available prizes and shall identify those prizes in its application for registration. The Gambling Control Unit may establish, as necessary, rules regarding acceptable prizes.   [PL 2023, c. 391, §8 (NEW).]

2.  Conduct of once-annual game night.  A game night must be conducted by members or employees of the eligible organization or committee conducting the game night or by employees of a distributor licensed under section 1840 who leases gambling apparatus or implements for the purposes of the game night. Any gambling apparatus or any other implements of gambling that are used in the operation or conduct of card games or games of chance during the game night must be leased by the eligible organization or committee from a distributor licensed under section 1840.

3.  Persons under 18 years of age.  An eligible organization or committee conducting a game night or the employees of a distributor licensed under section 1840 authorized to conduct the game night pursuant to subsection 2 may not permit a person under 18 years of age to take part in the game night.

4.  Location; frequency.  A registration issued for a game night must specify the location where the eligible organization or committee may operate the game night. An eligible organization or committee may conduct no more than one game night in any 12-month period.

5.  "Donation" not to provide an exclusion.  The word "donation" printed on any item associated with a game night does not exclude the sponsoring organization or committee from complying with this chapter.