BILL NUMBER: S6351B
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to electronic
bell jar games
 
PURPOSE OF BILL:
To authorize the use of electronic bell jar vending machines by author-
ized charitable organizations.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Establishes legislative findings and purpose.
Section 2: Authorizes and defines electronic bell jar vending machines
for the purpose of conducting bell jar games.
Section 3: Requires that electronic bell jar vending machines be
approved by the New York State Gaming Commission prior to being sold,
leased, distributed, installed, or operated.
Section 4: Prohibits charitable organizations from purchasing or leasing
electronic bell jar vending machines from any person or organization
other than those licensed as suppliers by the New York State Gaming
Commission.
Section 5: Establishes the license fee for manufacturers of electronic
bell jar vending machines.
Section 6: Establishes various operational, display, and technological
requirements for electronic bell jar vending machines, and sets limita-
tions on the number of machines an authorized organization may operate
based on membership levels and proximity to other gaming facilities.
Section 7: Prohibits any manufacturer from selling any electronic bell
jar vending machine to any distributor that is not licensed by the New
York State Gaming Commission and requires manufacturers to report to the
Commission on the sale or lease of such machines.
Section 8: Prohibits any distributor from purchasing any electronic bell
jar vending machine from any manufacturer that is not licensed by the
New York State Gaming Commission; requires distributors and manufactur-
ers to obtain Commission approval for contracts or agreements related to
the sale, lease, or distribution of such machines to authorized organ-
izations; and authorizes the Gaming Commission to promulgate related
rules and regulations.
Section 9: Establishes additional requirements for the operation of
electronic bell jar vending machines, including premises restrictions
and the need for specific authorization from the Commission.
Section 10: Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill seeks to modernize a popular and profitable fundraising mech-
anism utilized by charitable and fraternal organizations, including but
not limited to veterans organizations, across the state. By authorizing
the use of electronic bell jar vending machines, this bill would allow
such organizations to increase charitable gaming revenues and attract
new members, mirroring the technological advancements seen in other
areas of the gaming landscape. The electronic form of this game will
enhance integrity by providing state-of-the-art accounting and tracking
features, ensuring that the games are conducted in accordance with all
applicable rules and regulations, and allowing charitable organizations
to more efficiently manage their bell jar offerings. The bill includes
appropriate safeguards to ensure these devices remain a limited and
controlled fundraising tool, distinct in form and function from other
gaming devices.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.1959 - REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING
2022-23: S.1440 - REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING
2021-22: S.1440 - REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING
2020-21: S.284 - REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING
2019-20: S.6281 - REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING
2018-19: S.994 -PASSED THE SENATE; PASSED THE ASSEMBLY; VETOED BY GOVER-
NOR
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Potential for enhanced revenues to the state through licensing fees and
from charitable gaming.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6351: 186 general municipal law, 186(3-a) general municipal law, 188-a general municipal law, 188-a(9) general municipal law, 189 general municipal law, 189(3) general municipal law, 189(6) general municipal law, 189(10) general municipal law, 195-c general municipal law, 195-q general municipal law
S6351A: 186 general municipal law, 186(3-a) general municipal law, 188-a general municipal law, 188-a(9) general municipal law, 189 general municipal law, 189(3) general municipal law, 189-a general municipal law, 195-c general municipal law, 195-q general municipal law
S6351B: 186 general municipal law, 186(3-a) general municipal law, 188-a general municipal law, 188-a(9) general municipal law, 189 general municipal law, 189(3) general municipal law, 189-a general municipal law, 195-c general municipal law, 195-q general municipal law