This bill amends existing laws regarding the operation of charitable gaming at gaming facilities, specifically limiting the number of game dates available to charities. The key changes include reducing the maximum number of game dates a charitable organization can participate in from 10 to 7 within a 12-month period. Additionally, each licensee conducting historic horse race wagering must contract with two licensed charitable organizations for each game date. The bill also stipulates that game operator employers must operate a minimum of 7 game dates annually for the benefit of the local municipality, and it allows for the hosting of multiple charities on the same game dates.

Further amendments include the issuance of only one license per applicant per year for 7 days of operation, and the charitable gaming license fee remains at $50, entitling the charity to 7 game dates per calendar year. The bill also clarifies that the game operator employer must equally distribute 35 percent of daily gross revenues from games of chance to the licensed charitable organizations or host community partnering with them. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 284:23, 284-D:4-a, 287-D:6, 287-D:13
As Amended by the Senate: 284:23, 284-D:4-a, 287-D:6, 287-D:13
SB542 text: 284:23, 284-D:4-a, 287-D:6, 287-D:13