This bill provides municipalities with the option to vote on whether to prohibit games of chance, including keno, within their boundaries. It establishes a framework for the voting process, which includes public hearings and specific ballot wording. Under the new provisions, municipalities will automatically permit keno unless they choose to vote against it. If a municipality decides to prohibit games of chance, they can still allow a limited number of charitable gaming events each year. The bill also requires the lottery commission to maintain a list of municipalities that have opted to prohibit these games. Notably, it deletes the previous requirement for towns or cities to vote to allow gaming, shifting the focus to a vote for prohibition, thereby enhancing local control over gaming activities.

In addition to the voting provisions, the bill amends existing laws related to the licensing and operation of keno and other games of chance. It increases licensing fees for various gaming-related licenses, consolidating them into a three-year payment structure rather than annual payments. For example, the annual fee for a facility license is raised from $250 to $750 for three years, and the game operator employer license fee increases from $750 to $2,250 for the same period. The bill also mandates that licensees notify the commission of any changes to their information by the end of their birthday month and report any criminal arrests or convictions immediately. The effective dates for the bill's provisions are staggered, with some sections taking effect on June 1, 2027, and others on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the Senate: 284:42, 284:45, 287-D:7, 287-D:8, 287-D:9, 287-D:10, 287-D:13
Version adopted by both bodies: 284:42, 284:45, 287-D:7, 287-D:8, 287-D:9, 287-D:10, 287-D:13
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 284:42, 284:45, 287-D:7, 287-D:8, 287-D:9, 287-D:13