GAMBLING EXEMPTIONS H.B. 6114 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 6114 (Substitute S-1 as reported) Sponsor: Representative David Jaye House Committee: Regulatory Affairs
Senate Committee: Economic Development, International Trade and Regulatory Affairs
The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to specify that Chapter 44 of the Code, which regulates gambling, would not apply to recreational card playing, bowling games, and redemption games under certain conditions. The bill would take effect January 1, 1997.
Specifically, Chapter 44 would not apply to recreational card playing conducted at a senior citizen housing facility not licensed by the Liquor Control Commission by a senior citizens club or a group of residents of a senior citizen housing facility that consisted of at least 15 members who were 60 years of age or older only if the card playing were conducted after 9 a.m. and before midnight, the participating cardplayers did not bet more than $.25 per bet, the winnings from one hand of cards did not exceed $5, only bona fide members and employees of the club or group participated in the activity, the card playing were conducted solely for the amusement and recreation of the members and guests, and, except for winnings, no one received compensation for playing.
Chapter 44 also would not apply to a bowling game conducted in a bowling center if the total amount of the participation fee per person per game did not exceed $5 and the total prize payout per league per game did not exceed $1,000. These provisions would apply only to a game that was sponsored solely by one league and whose participants were members of the same league. The bill would prohibit the bowling center in which the bowling game was conducted from receiving a percentage of the participation fees or prize money.
In addition, Chapter 44 would not apply to a redemption game if the outcome of the game were determined through the player’s skill, the prize were based on the player’s success in achieving the object of the game or on the player’s score, only noncash prizes, toys, novelties, or coupons or other items of value redeemable for noncash prizes, toys, or novelties were awarded, and the wholesale value of a prize, toy, or novelty awarded were not more than $3.75. “Redemption game” would mean a single player or multiplayer mechanical, electronic, or manual amusement device involving a game, the object of which was throwing, rolling, bowling, shooting, placing, propelling, or stopping a ball or other object into, upon, or against a hole or other target.
MCL 750.310a Legislative Analyst: L. Burghardt
The State fiscal impact would be a decrease in revenue associated with the loss of penalties collected for the elimination of the specified violations. This bill would have no fiscal impact on local units of government.
Date Completed: 12-10-96 Fiscal Analyst: R. Ross
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.