Virginia 2018 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 799 — Virginia Gaming Commission; established.

Last action — Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

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    Introduced
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    In Committee
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    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

213 added · 1547 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to SB 799 simplifies the regulation of charitable gaming in Virginia by shifting oversight to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and establishing a Charitable Gaming Board. This change replaces an earlier proposal to create a Virginia Gaming Commission, which would have managed a wider range of gaming activities. The new structure aims to streamline processes and potentially improve accountability in charitable gaming, making it easier for organizations to adhere to regulations while ensuring that the gaming activities benefit charitable causes.

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SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version 18104481D SENATE BILL NO.
SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version 18106409D SENATE BILL NO.
799 Offered January 10, 2018 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-340.15 through 18.2-340.25, 18.2-340.26:2, 18.2-340.29 through 18.2-340.34, 18.2-340.35, 18.2-340.36, 18.2-340.37, 58.1-3, 59.1-556 through 59.1-565, 59.1-567, and 59.1-568 of the Code of Virginia;
799 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology on February 5, 2018) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Cosgrove) A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2456 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 52, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-571 through 59.1-581, relating to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;
to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 25 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-5237 through 2.2-5240;
Charitable Gaming Board;
and to repeal Article 19 (§ 2.2-2455 et seq.) of Chapter 24 of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Gaming Commission;
electronic gaming devices;
regulation of charitable gaming and fantasy contests.
registration required;
---------- Patron-- Cosgrove ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology ---------- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
conditions of registration;
penalty.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
That §§ 18.2-340.15 through 18.2-340.25, 18.2-340.26:2, 18.2-340.29 through 18.2-340.34, 18.2-340.35, 18.2-340.36, 18.2-340.37, 58.1-3, 59.1-556 through 59.1-565, 59.1-567, and 59.1-568 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 25 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-5237 through 2.2-5240, as follows:
That § 2.2-2456 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 52, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-571 through 59.1-581, as follows:
Article 10.
§ 2.2-2456.
Virginia Gaming Commission.
Duties of the Charitable Gaming Board.
§ 2.2-2537.
The Board shall:
Virginia Gaming Commission;
membership;
terms;
quorum;
compensation;
staff.
A.
The Virginia Gaming Commission (the Commission) is hereby established as a policy commission within the meaning of § 2.2-2100 in the executive branch of state government.
The Commission is vested with jurisdiction and supervision over all charitable gaming as set forth in Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 and the administration of fantasy contests as set forth in Chapter 51 (§ 59.1-556 et seq.) of Title 59.1.
B.
The Commission shall consist of 11 nonlegislative citizen members who shall be appointed as follows:
Six nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the General Assembly as follows:
Promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) not inconsistent with the laws of Virginia necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and, the provisions of Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, and the provisions of Chapter 52 (§ 59.1-571 et seq.) of Title 59.1.
four members who are members of a charitable organization subject to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 in good standing with the Commission, one member who is a charitable gaming supplier registered and in good standing with the Commission, and one member who is or has been a law-enforcement officer in Virginia but who is not a charitable gaming supplier registered with the Commission;
2.
Three nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates as follows:
two members who are members of a charitable organization subject to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 in good standing with the Commission and one member who does not have an interest in or is not affiliated with a charitable organization, charitable gaming supplier, or owner, lessor, or lessee of premises where charitable gaming is conducted;
and 3.
Two nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules who are members of a charitable organization subject to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 in good standing with the Commission.
To the extent practicable, the Commission shall consist of individuals from different geographic regions of the Commonwealth.
Each member of the Commission shall have been a resident of the Commonwealth for a period of at least three years next preceding his appointment, and his continued residency shall be a condition of his tenure in office.
Members shall be appointed for four-year terms.
Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.
Each Commission member shall be eligible for reappointment for a second consecutive term at the discretion of the appointing authority.
Persons who are first appointed to initial terms of less than four years shall thereafter be eligible for reappointment to two consecutive terms of four years each.
The members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
C.
The Commission shall elect from among its members a chairman who is a member of a charitable organization subject to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2.
The Commission shall elect a vice-chairman from among its members.
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D.
A quorum shall consist of six members.
The decision of a majority of those members present and voting shall constitute a decision of the Commission.
E.
For each day or part thereof spent in the performance of his duties, each member of the Commission shall receive such compensation and reimbursement for his reasonable expenses as provided in § 2.2-2104.
F.
The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its business, including a provision that Commission members shall abstain or otherwise recuse themselves from voting on any matter in which they or a member of their immediate family have a personal interest in a transaction as defined in § 2.2-3101.
The Commission shall meet at least four times a year, and other meetings may be held at any time or place determined by the Commission or upon call of the chairman or upon a written request to the chairman by any two members.
Except for emergency meetings and meetings governed by § 2.2-3708 requiring a longer notice, all members shall be duly notified of the time and place of any regular or other meeting at least 10 days in advance of such meeting.
§ 2.2-2538.
Duties of the Commission.
The Commission shall have the power and duty to:
1.
Promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) not inconsistent with the laws of Virginia necessary to carry out the provisions of this article, the provisions of Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, and the provisions of Chapter 51 (§ 59.1-556 et seq.) of Title 59.1.
Appoint every agent and employee required for its operations, including the appointment of any marketing or business development staff as the Commission deems necessary to promote and expand charitable gaming in Virginia;
Advise the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on the conduct of charitable gaming in Virginia and recommend changes to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2;
require any or all of them to give bonds payable to the Commonwealth in such penalty as shall be fixed by the Commission;
and 3.
and engage the services of experts and professionals;
3.
Hold and conduct hearings, issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of records, memoranda, papers, and other documents before the Commission or any agent of the Commission, and administer oaths and take testimony thereunder.
The Commission may authorize any Commission member or agent of the Commission to hold and conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, administer oaths and take testimony thereunder, and make summary decisions, subject to final decision by the Commission, on application of any party aggrieved;
4.
Make a reasonable charge for preparing and furnishing statistical information and compilations to persons other than (i) officials, including court and police officials, of the Commonwealth and of its subdivisions if the information requested is for official use and (ii) persons who have a personal or legal interest in obtaining the information requested if such information is not to be used for commercial or trade purposes;
5.
Grant, suspend, and revoke permits for the conduct of charitable gaming in accordance with Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 and registrations in accordance with Chapter 51 (§ 59.1-556 et seq.) of Title 59.1;
6.
A copy of such record and any other public records not exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) shall be available for public inspection and copying during regular office hours;
A copy of such record and any other public records not exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) shall be available for public inspection and copying during regular office hours at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
and 7.
CHAPTER 52.
Do all acts necessary or advisable to carry out the purposes of this article, Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, and Chapter (§ 59.1-556 et seq.) of Title 59.1.
ELECTRONIC GAMING DEVICES ACT.
§ 2.2-2539.
§ 59.1-571.
Virginia Gaming Fund.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Gaming Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller.
Moneys appropriated to the Fund by the General Assembly, all permit and registration fees, and all audit and administration fees collected by the Commission in accordance with Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 and Chapter (§ 59.1-556 et seq.) of Title 59.1 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund.
Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it.
Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.
Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for (i) administering and enforcing charitable gaming laws and Commission regulations in accordance with Article 1.1:1 of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 and Chapter of Title 59.1, (ii) educating charitable organizations and players, and (iii) promoting charitable gaming in Virginia.
Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the chairman or vice-chairman of the Commission.
§ 2.2-2540.
Commission to adjust fees.
Following the close of any biennium, when the account for the Commission shows expenses allocated to it for the past biennium to be more than 10 percent greater or less than moneys collected by the Commission, the Commission shall revise the fees levied by it for issuing charitable gaming permits and supplier registrations, or renewal thereof, so that the fees are sufficient but not excessive to cover expenses.
§ 18.2-340.15.
State control of charitable gaming.
A.
Charitable gaming as authorized herein shall be permitted in the Commonwealth as a means of funding qualified organizations but shall be conducted only in strict compliance with the provisions of this article.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Virginia Gaming Commission is vested with control of all charitable gaming in the Commonwealth.
The Charitable Virginia Gaming Board Commission shall have the power to prescribe regulations and conditions under which such gaming shall be conducted to ensure that it is conducted in a manner consistent with the purpose for which it is permitted.
B.
The conduct of any charitable gaming is a privilege that may be granted or denied by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Virginia Gaming Commission or its duly authorized representatives in its discretion in order to effectuate the purposes set forth in this article.
§ 18.2-340.16.
As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
As used in this chapter:
"Bingo" means a specific game of chance played with (i) individual cards having randomly numbered squares ranging from one to 75, (ii) Department-approved Commission-approved electronic devices that display facsimiles of bingo cards and are used for the purpose of marking and monitoring players' cards as numbers are called, or (iii) Department-approved Commission-approved cards, in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers on such cards conforming to a predetermined pattern of numbers selected at random.
"Approved electronic gaming device" means an electronic gaming device that has been approved by the Board.
"Board" means the Charitable Gaming Board created pursuant to § 2.2-2455.
"Board" means the Charitable Gaming Board.
"Bona fide member" means an individual who participates in activities of a qualified organization other than such organization's charitable gaming activities.
"Charitable organization" means any nonstock corporate or other entity that has been granted tax-exempt status under § 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
"Charitable gaming" or "charitable games" means those raffles and games of chance explicitly authorized by this article.
"Club" means any private nonprofit corporation or association that is the owner, lessee, or occupant of an establishment operated solely for a national, social, patriotic, political, athletic, or other like purpose, but not for pecuniary gain, the advantages of which belong to all of the members.
"Charitable gaming supplies" includes bingo cards or sheets, devices for selecting bingo numbers, instant bingo cards, pull-tab cards and seal cards, and any other equipment or product manufactured for or intended to be used in the conduct of charitable games.
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services "Establishment" means any place where alcoholic beverages of one or more varieties are lawfully manufactured, sold, or used.
However, for the purposes of this article, charitable gaming supplies shall not include items incidental to the conduct of charitable gaming such as markers, wands, or tape.
"Gambling device" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-325.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
"Game of skill" means a game in which the skill of the player, rather than chance, is the dominant factor in affecting the outcome of the game as determined over a period of continuous play.
"Commission" means the Virginia Gaming Commission.
"Electronic gaming device" means an electronic or mechanical device that is used to play a game of skill.
"Conduct" means the actions associated with the provision of a gaming operation during and immediately before or after the permitted activity, which may include, but not be limited to, (i) selling bingo cards or packs, electronic devices, instant bingo or pull-tab cards, or raffle tickets, (ii) calling bingo games, (iii) distributing prizes, and (iv) any other services provided by volunteer workers.
"Place of play" means the club, establishment, restaurant, social quarters, or bingo hall in which the approved electronic gaming device is made available for the entertainment of members or patrons.
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
"Restaurant" means any establishment provided with special space and accommodation where, in consideration of payment, meals or other foods prepared on the premises are regularly sold.
"Fair market rental value" means the rent that a rental property will bring when offered for lease by a lessor who desires to lease the property but is not obligated to do so and leased by a lessee under no necessity of leasing.
"Skill" means the knowledge, dexterity, or any other ability or expertise of a natural person.
"Gaming expenses" means prizes, supplies, costs of publicizing gaming activities, audit and administration or permit fees, and a portion of the rent, utilities, accounting and legal fees and such other reasonable and proper expenses as are directly incurred for the conduct of charitable gaming.
§ 59.1-572.
"Gross receipts" means the total amount of money generated by an organization from charitable gaming before the deduction of expenses, including prizes.
Applicability.
"Instant bingo," "pull tabs," or "seal cards" means specific games of chance played by the random selection of one or more individually prepacked cards, including Department-approved Commission-approved electronic versions thereof, with winners being determined by the preprinted or predetermined appearance of concealed letters, numbers or symbols that must be exposed by the player to determine wins and losses and may include the use of a seal card which conceals one or more numbers or symbols that have been designated in advance as prize winners.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any electronic games of chance systems regulated by the Department pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2.
Such cards may be dispensed by electronic or mechanical equipment.
§ 59.1-573.
"Jackpot" means a bingo game that the organization has designated on its game program as a jackpot game in which the prize amount is greater than $100.
Regulations of the Board.
"Landlord" means any person or his agent, firm, association, organization, partnership, or corporation, employee, or immediate family member thereof, which owns and leases, or leases any premises devoted in whole or in part to the conduct of bingo games, and any person residing in the same household as a landlord.
The Board shall adopt regulations that:
"Management" means the provision of oversight of a gaming operation, which may include, but is not limited to, the responsibilities of applying for and maintaining a permit or authorization, compiling, submitting and maintaining required records and financial reports, and ensuring that all aspects of the operation are in compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations.
"Network bingo" means a specific bingo game in which pari-mutuel play is permitted.
"Network bingo provider" means a person licensed by the Department Commission to operate network bingo.
"Operation" means the activities associated with production of a charitable gaming activity, which may include, but not be limited to (i) the direct on-site supervision of the conduct of charitable gaming;
(ii) coordination of volunteers;
and (iii) all responsibilities of charitable gaming designated by the organization's management.
"Organization" means any one of the following:
A volunteer fire department or volunteer emergency medical services agency or auxiliary unit thereof that has been recognized in accordance with § 15.2-955 by an ordinance or resolution of the political subdivision where the volunteer fire department or volunteer emergency medical services agency is located as being a part of the safety program of such political subdivision;
Establish a process for the approval or disapproval of electronic gaming devices and the individual games offered on such devices as games of skill.
An organization operated exclusively for religious, charitable, community or educational purposes;
Establish a program of periodic testing and inspection for all approved electronic gaming devices.
An athletic association or booster club or a band booster club established solely to raise funds for school-sponsored athletic or band activities for a public school or private school accredited pursuant to § 22.1-19 or to provide scholarships to students attending such school;
Require, as a condition of being granted a registration for the placement of an approved electronic gaming device in a club, establishment, or restaurant, that the applicant designate a charitable organization that has been registered by the Department to receive a predetermined percentage of the gross receipts generated by the electronic gaming device.
An association of war veterans or auxiliary units thereof organized in the United States;
Prescribe fees for processing applications for the registration of electronic gaming devices, charitable organizations, and suppliers and manufacturers of electronic gaming devices.
A fraternal association or corporation operating under the lodge system;
Require that electronic gaming devices include the capacity to provide full automatic daubing as numbers are called.
6.
§ 59.1-574.
A local chamber of commerce;
Approval of electronic gaming devices and games by Board;
or 7.
registration of electronic gaming devices required.
Any other nonprofit organization that raises funds by conducting raffles that generate annual gross receipts of $40,000 or less, provided such gross receipts from the raffle, less expenses and prizes, are used exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or community purposes.
"Pari-mutuel play" means an integrated network operated by a licensee of the Department Commission comprised of participating charitable organizations for the conduct of network bingo games in which the purchase of a network bingo card by a player automatically includes the player in a pool with all other players in the network, and where the prize to the winning player is awarded based on a percentage of the total amount of network bingo cards sold in a particular network.
"Qualified organization" means any organization to which a valid permit has been issued by the Department Commission to conduct charitable gaming or any organization that is exempt pursuant to § 18.2-340.23.
"Raffle" means a lottery in which the prize is won by (i) a random drawing of the name or prearranged number of one or more persons purchasing chances or (ii) a random contest in which the winning name or preassigned number of one or more persons purchasing chances is determined by a race involving inanimate objects floating on a body of water, commonly referred to as a "duck race." "Reasonable and proper business expenses" means business expenses actually incurred by a qualified organization in the conduct of charitable gaming and not otherwise allowed under this article or under Board Commission regulations on real estate and personal property tax payments, travel expenses, payments of utilities and trash collection services, legal and accounting fees, costs of business furniture, fixtures and office equipment and costs of acquisition, maintenance, repair or construction of an organization's real property.
For the purpose of this definition, salaries and wages of employees whose primary responsibility is to provide services for the principal benefit of an organization's members shall not qualify as a business expense.
However, payments made pursuant to § 51.1-1204 to the Volunteer Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Service Award Fund shall be deemed a reasonable and proper business expense.
"Supplier" means any person who offers to sell, sells or otherwise provides charitable gaming supplies to any qualified organization.
§ 18.2-340.18.
Powers and duties of the Commission.
The Department Commission shall have all powers and duties necessary to carry out the provisions of this article and to exercise the control of charitable gaming as set forth in § 18.2-340.15.
Such powers and duties shall include but not be limited to the following:
1.
The Department Commission is vested with jurisdiction and supervision over all charitable gaming authorized under the provisions of this article and including all persons that conduct or provide goods, services or premises used in the conduct of charitable gaming.
It may employ such persons as are necessary to ensure that charitable gaming is conducted in conformity with the provisions of this article and the regulations of the Board Commission.
The Department Commission shall designate such agents and employees as it deems necessary and appropriate who shall be sworn to enforce the provisions of this article and the criminal laws of the Commonwealth and who shall be law-enforcement officers as defined in § 9.1-101.
2.
The Department Commission, its agents and employees and any law-enforcement officers charged with the enforcement of charitable gaming laws shall have free access to the offices, facilities or any other place of business of any organization, including any premises devoted in whole or in part to the conduct of charitable gaming.
These individuals may enter such places or premises for the purpose of carrying out any duty imposed by this article, securing records required to be maintained by an organization, investigating complaints, or conducting audits.
3.
The Department Commission may compel the production of any books, documents, records, or memoranda of any organizations or supplier involved in the conduct of charitable gaming for the purpose of satisfying itself that this article and its regulations are strictly complied with.
In addition, the Department Commission may require the production of an annual balance sheet and operating statement of any person granted a permit pursuant to the provisions of this article and may require the production of any contract to which such person is or may be a party.
4.
The Department Commission may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses before it, administer oaths, and compel production of records or other documents and testimony of such witnesses whenever, in the judgment of the Department Commission, it is necessary to do so for the effectual discharge of its duties.
5.
The Department Commission may compel any person conducting charitable gaming to file with the Department Commission such documents, information or data as shall appear to the Department Commission to be necessary for the performance of its duties.
6.
The Department Commission may enter into arrangements with any governmental agency of this or any other state or any locality in the Commonwealth or any agency of the federal government for the purposes of exchanging information or performing any other act to better ensure the proper conduct of charitable gaming.
7.
The Department Commission may issue a charitable gaming permit while the permittee's tax-exempt status is pending approval by the Internal Revenue Service.
8.
The Department Commission shall report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly, which report shall include a financial statement of the operation of the Department Commission and any recommendations for legislation applicable to charitable gaming in the Commonwealth.
9.
The Department Commission, its agents and employees may conduct such audits, in addition to those required by § 18.2-340.31, as they deem necessary and desirable.
10.
The Department Commission may limit the number of organizations for which a person may manage, operate or conduct charitable games.
11.
The Department Commission may report any alleged criminal violation of this article to the appropriate attorney for the Commonwealth for appropriate action.
In addition, the Commission may request the Attorney General to investigate alleged criminal violations of this article.
§ 18.2-340.19.
Regulations of the Commission.
The Board Commission shall adopt regulations that:
No electronic gaming device or game shall be offered for play in the Commonwealth unless such electronic gaming device or game has first been approved by the Board as a game of skill.
1.
Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the Board to approve the play of video poker or keno.
Require, as a condition of receiving a permit, that the applicant use a predetermined percentage of its gross receipts for (i) those lawful religious, charitable, community or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (ii) those expenses relating to the acquisition, construction, maintenance or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community or educational purposes.
The regulation may provide for a graduated scale of percentages of gross receipts to be used in the foregoing manner based upon factors the Board finds appropriate to and consistent with the purpose of charitable gaming.
2.
Specify the conditions under which a complete list of the organization's members who participate in the management, operation or conduct of charitable gaming may be required in order for the Board Commission to ascertain the percentage of Virginia residents in accordance with subdivision A 3 of § 18.2-340.24.
Membership lists furnished to the Board or Department Commission in accordance with this subdivision shall not be a matter of public record and shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).
3.
Prescribe fees for processing applications for charitable gaming permits.
Such fees may reflect the nature and extent of the charitable gaming activity proposed to be conducted.
4.
Establish requirements for the audit of all reports required in accordance with § 18.2-340.30.
5.
Define electronic and mechanical equipment used in the conduct of charitable gaming.
Board Commission regulations shall include capacity for such equipment to provide full automatic daubing as numbers are called.
For the purposes of this subdivision, electronic or mechanical equipment for instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards shall include such equipment that displays facsimiles of instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards and are used solely for the purpose of dispensing or opening such paper or electronic cards, or both;
but shall not include (i) devices operated by dropping one or more coins or tokens into a slot and pulling a handle or pushing a button or touchpoint on a touchscreen to activate one to three or more reels marked into horizontal segments by varying symbols, where the predetermined prize amount depends on how and how many of the symbols line up when the rotating reels come to rest, or (ii) other similar devices that display flashing lights or illuminations, or bells, whistles, or other sounds, solely intended to entice players to play.
6.
Prescribe the conditions under which a qualified organization may (i) provide food and nonalcoholic beverages to its members who participate in the management, operation or conduct of bingo;
(ii) permit members who participate in the management, operation or conduct of bingo to play bingo;
and (iii) subject to the provisions of subdivision 13 of § 18.2-340.33, permit nonmembers to participate in the conduct of bingo so long as the nonmembers are under the direct supervision of a bona fide member of the organization during the bingo game.
7.
Prescribe the conditions under which a qualified organization may sell raffle tickets for a raffle drawing that will be held outside the Commonwealth pursuant to subsection B of § 18.2-340.26.
8.
Prescribe the conditions under which persons who are bona fide members of a qualified organization or a child, above the age of 13 years, of a bona fide member of such organization may participate in the conduct or operation of bingo games.
9.
Prescribe the conditions under which a person below the age of 18 years may play bingo, provided such person is accompanied by his parent or legal guardian.
10.
Require all qualified organizations that are subject to Board Commission regulations to post in a conspicuous place in every place where charitable gaming is conducted a sign which bears a toll-free telephone number for "Gamblers Anonymous" or other organization which provides assistance to compulsive gamblers.
11.
Prescribe the conditions under which a qualified organization may sell network bingo cards in accordance with § 18.2-340.28:1 and establish a percentage of proceeds derived from network bingo sales to be allocated to (i) prize pools, (ii) the organization conducting the network bingo, and (iii) the network bingo provider.
The regulations shall also establish procedures for the retainage and ultimate distribution of any unclaimed prize.
In addition to the powers and duties granted pursuant to § 2.2-2456 § 2.2-2538 and this article, the Board Commission may, by regulation, approve variations to the card formats for bingo games, provided that such variations result in bingo games that are conducted in a manner consistent with the provisions of this article.
No operator of a place of play shall make available or offer to make available for play by patrons or customers any approved electronic gaming devices without first registering the device with the Board.
Board-approved Commission-approved variations may include, but are not limited to, bingo games commonly referred to as player selection games and 90-number bingo.
§ 18.2-340.20.
Denial, suspension or revocation of permit;
hearings and appeals.
A.
The Department Commission may deny, suspend or revoke the permit of any organization found not to be in strict compliance with the provisions of this article and the regulations of the Board only after the proposed action by the Department has been reviewed and approved by the Board Commission.
The action of the Department Commission in denying, suspending or revoking any permit shall be subject to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).
B.
Except as provided in §§ 18.2-340.25, 18.2-340.30 and 18.2-340.36, no permit to conduct charitable gaming shall be denied, suspended or revoked except upon notice stating the proposed basis for such action and the time and place for the hearing.
At the discretion of the Department Commission, hearings may be conducted by hearing officers who shall be selected from the list prepared by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court.
After a hearing on the issues, the Department Commission may refuse to issue or may suspend or revoke any such permit if it determines that the organization has not complied with the provisions of this article or the regulations of the Board Commission.
Any person aggrieved by a refusal of the Board Commission to issue any permit, the suspension or revocation of a permit, or any other action of the Board Commission may seek review of such action in accordance with Article 4 (§ 2.2-4025 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.
 For purposes of this chapter, electronic or mechanical equipment for instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards electronic gaming devices as defined in subdivision A 1 of § 18.2-340.19 shall be deemed approved electronic gaming devices.
§ 18.2-340.22.
§ 59.1-575.
Only raffles, bingo, network bingo, and instant bingo games permitted;
Registration of charitable organizations.
prizes not gaming contracts.
This article permits qualified organizations to conduct raffles, bingo, network bingo, and instant bingo games.
Every charitable organization that intends to be a charitable sponsor to receive qualified proceeds from approved electronic gaming devices shall first register with the Department.
All games not explicitly authorized by this article or Board Commission regulations adopted in accordance with § 18.2-340.18 are prohibited.
Only properly registered charitable organizations shall be eligible to receive proceeds from approved electronic gaming devices.
The award of any prize money for any charitable game shall not be deemed to be part of any gaming contract within the purview of § 11-14.
The Department may develop a roster of all registered charitable organizations.
C.
§ 59.1-576.
Nothing in this article shall prohibit an organization from using the Virginia Lottery's Pick-3 number or any number or other designation selected by the Virginia Lottery in connection with any lottery, as the basis for determining the winner of a raffle.
Suppliers and manufacturers of electronic gaming devices;
§ 18.2-340.23.
Organizations exempt from certain permits and fees.
A.
No organization that reasonably expects, based on prior charitable gaming annual results or any other quantifiable method, to realize gross receipts of $40,000 or less in any 12-month period shall be required to (i) notify the Department Commission of its intention to conduct charitable gaming or (ii) comply with Board Commission regulations.
If any organization's actual gross receipts for the 12-month period exceed $40,000, the Department Commission may require the organization to file by a specified date the report required by § 18.2-340.30.
B.
Any volunteer fire department or volunteer emergency medical services agency or auxiliary unit thereof that has been recognized in accordance with § 15.2-955 by an ordinance or resolution of the political subdivision where the volunteer fire department or volunteer emergency medical services agency is located as being part of the safety program of such political subdivision shall be exempt from the payment of application fees required by § 18.2-340.25 and the payment of audit fees required by § 18.2-340.31.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as exempting volunteer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical services agencies from any other provisions of this article or other Board Commission regulations.
C.
Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department Commission from conducting any investigation or audit it deems appropriate to ensure an organization's compliance with the provisions of this article and, to the extent applicable, Board Commission regulations.
§ 18.2-340.24.
Eligibility for permit;
exceptions;
where valid.
A.
To be eligible for a permit to conduct charitable gaming, an organization shall:
1.
Have been in existence and met on a regular basis in the Commonwealth for a period of at least three years immediately prior to applying for a permit.
The three-year residency requirement shall not apply (i) to any lodge or chapter of a national or international fraternal order or of a national or international civic organization which is exempt under § 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and which has a lodge or chapter holding a charitable gaming permit issued under the provisions of this article anywhere within the Commonwealth;
(ii) to booster clubs which have been operating for less than three years and which have been established solely to raise funds for school-sponsored activities in public schools or private schools accredited pursuant to § 22.1-19;
(iii) to recently established volunteer fire and rescue companies or departments, after county, city or town approval;
or (iv) to an organization which relocates its meeting place on a permanent basis from one jurisdiction to another, complies with the requirements of subdivision 2 of this section, and was the holder of a valid permit at the time of its relocation.
2.
Be operating currently and have always been operated as a nonprofit organization.
3.
Have at least 50 percent of its membership consist of residents of the Commonwealth;
however, if an organization (i) does not consist of bona fide members and (ii) is exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the Board Commission shall exempt such organizations from the requirements of this subdivision.
B.
Any organization whose gross receipts from all charitable gaming exceeds or can be expected to exceed $40,000 in any calendar year shall have been granted tax-exempt status pursuant to § 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
At the same time tax-exempt status is sought from the Internal Revenue Service, the same documentation may be filed with the Department Commission in conjunction with an application for a charitable gaming permit.
If such documentation is filed, the Department Commission may, after reviewing such documentation it deems necessary, issue a charitable gaming permit.
C.
A permit shall be valid only for the locations, dates, and times designated in the permit.
§ 18.2-340.25.
Permit required;
application fee;
form of application.
A.
Except as provided for in § 18.2-340.23, prior to the commencement of any charitable game, an organization shall obtain a permit from the Department Commission.
B.
All complete applications for a permit shall be acted upon by the Department Commission within 45 days from the filing thereof.
Upon compliance by the applicant with the provisions of this article, and at the discretion of the Department Commission, a permit may be issued.
All permits when issued shall be valid for the period specified in the permit unless it is sooner suspended or revoked.
No permit shall be valid for longer than two years.
The application shall be a matter of public record.
All permits shall be subject to regulation by the Department Commission to ensure the public safety and welfare in the operation of charitable games.
The permit shall only be granted after a reasonable investigation has been conducted by the Department Commission.
The Department Commission may require any prospective employee, permit holder or applicant to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with employee's, licensee's or applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purposes of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such prospective employee, permit holder or applicant.
The Central Criminal Records Exchange upon receipt of a prospective employee, licensee or applicant record or notification that no record exists, shall forward the report to the Commissioner of the Department or his designee, who shall belong to a governmental entity Commission.
However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the routine fingerprinting of volunteer bingo workers.
C.
In no case shall an organization receive more than one permit allowing it to conduct charitable gaming;
however, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit granting special permits pursuant to § 18.2-340.27:1.
D.
Application for a charitable gaming permit shall be made on forms prescribed by the Department Commission and shall be accompanied by payment of the fee for processing the application.
E.
Applications for renewal of permits shall be made in accordance with Board Commission Regulations.
If a complete renewal application is received 45 days or more prior to the expiration of the permit, the permit shall continue to be effective until such time as the Department Commission has taken final action.
Otherwise, the permit shall expire at the end of its term.
F.
The failure to meet any of the requirements of § 18.2-340.24 shall cause the automatic denial of the permit, and no organization shall conduct any charitable gaming until the requirements are met and a permit is obtained.
§ 18.2-340.26:2.
Sale of instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards by certain booster clubs.
As a part of its annual fund-raising event, any qualified organization that is an athletic association or booster club or a band booster club may sell instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards provided that (i) the sale is limited to a single event in a calendar year and (ii) the event is open to the public.
The Department Commission may require organizations authorized under this section to make such financial reporting as it deems necessary.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as exempting organizations authorized to sell instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards under this section from any other provisions of this article or other Board Commission regulations.
§ 18.2-340.29.
Joint operation of bingo games;
written reports;
joint permit required.
A.
Any two or more qualified organizations may jointly organize and conduct bingo games provided both have fully complied with all other provisions of this article.
B.
Any two or more qualified organizations jointly conducting such games shall be (i) subject to the same restrictions and prohibitions contained in this article that would apply to a single organization conducting bingo games and (ii) required to furnish to the Department Commission a written report setting forth the location where such games will be held, the division of manpower, costs, and proceeds for each game to be jointly conducted.
Upon a finding that the division of manpower and costs for each game bears a reasonable relationship to the division of proceeds, the Department Commission shall issue a joint permit.
C.
No bingo game shall be jointly conducted until the joint permit issued pursuant to subsection B is obtained by the organizations.
§ 18.2-340.30.
Reports of gross receipts and disbursements required;
form of reports;
failure to file.
A.
Each qualified organization shall keep a complete record of all inventory of charitable gaming supplies purchased, all receipts from its charitable gaming operation, and all disbursements related to such operation.
Except as provided in § 18.2-340.23, each qualified organization shall file at least annually, on a form prescribed by the Department Commission, a report of all such receipts and disbursements, the amount of money on hand attributable to charitable gaming as of the end of the period covered by the report and any other information related to its charitable gaming operation that the Department Commission may require.
In addition, the Board Commission, by regulation, may require any qualified organization whose net receipts exceed a specified amount during any three-month period to file a report of its receipts and disbursements for such period.
All reports filed pursuant to this section shall be a matter of public record.
B.
All reports required by this section shall be filed on or before the date prescribed by the Department Commission.
The Board Commission, by regulation, shall establish a schedule of late fees to be assessed for any organization that fails to submit required reports by the due date.
C.
Except as provided in § 18.2-340.23, each qualified organization shall designate or compensate an outside individual or group who shall be responsible for filing an annual, and, if required, quarterly, financial report if the organization goes out of business or otherwise ceases to conduct charitable gaming activities.
The Department Commission shall require such reports as it deems necessary until all proceeds of any charitable gaming have been used for the purposes specified in § 18.2-340.19 or have been disbursed in a manner approved by the Department Commission.
D.
Each qualified organization shall maintain for three years a complete written record of (i) all charitable gaming sessions using Department Commission prescribed forms or reasonable facsimiles thereof approved by the Department Commission;
(ii) the name and address of each individual to whom is awarded any charitable gaming prize or jackpot that meets or exceeds the requirements of Internal Revenue Service Publication 3079, as well as the amount of the award;
and (iii) an itemized record of all receipts and disbursements, including operating costs and use of proceeds incurred in operating bingo games.
E.
The failure to file reports within 30 days of the time such reports are due shall cause the automatic revocation of the permit, and no organization shall conduct any bingo game or raffle thereafter until the report is properly filed and a new permit is obtained.
However, the Department Commission may grant an extension of time for filing such reports for a period not to exceed 45 days if requested by an organization, provided the organization requests an extension within 15 days of the time such reports are due and all projected fees are paid.
For the term of any such extension, the organization's permit shall not be automatically revoked, such organization may continue to conduct charitable gaming, and no new permit shall be required.
§ 18.2-340.31.
Audit of reports;
exemption;
audit and administration fee.
A.
All reports filed pursuant to § 18.2-340.30 shall be subject to audit by the Department Commission in accordance with Board Commission regulations.
The Department Commission may engage the services of independent certified public accountants to perform any audits deemed necessary to fulfill the Department's Commission's responsibilities under this article.
B.
The Department Commission shall prescribe a reasonable audit and administration fee to be paid by any organization conducting charitable gaming under a permit issued by the Department Commission unless the organization is exempt from such fee pursuant to § 18.2-340.23.
Such fee shall not exceed one and one-quarter percent of the gross receipts which an organization reports pursuant to § 18.2-340.30.
The audit and administration fee shall accompany each report for each calendar quarter.
C.
The audit and administration fee shall be payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
All such fees received by the Treasurer of Virginia shall be separately accounted for and shall be used only by the Department Commission for the purposes of auditing and regulating charitable gaming.
§ 18.2-340.33.
Prohibited practices.
In addition to those other practices prohibited by this article, the following acts or practices are prohibited:
1.
No part of the gross receipts derived by a qualified organization may be used for any purpose other than (i) reasonable and proper gaming expenses, (ii) reasonable and proper business expenses, (iii) those lawful religious, charitable, community or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized, and (iv) expenses relating to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in the real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community or educational purposes.
For the purposes of clause (iv), such expenses may include the expenses of a corporation formed for the purpose of serving as the real estate holding entity of a qualified organization, provided (a) such holding entity is qualified as a tax exempt organization under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and (b) the membership of the qualified organization is identical to such holding entity.
2.
Except as provided in § 18.2-340.34:1, no qualified organization shall enter into a contract with or otherwise employ for compensation any person for the purpose of organizing, managing, or conducting any charitable games.
However, organizations composed of or for deaf or blind persons may use a part of their gross receipts for costs associated with providing clerical assistance in the management and operation but not the conduct of charitable gaming.
The provisions of this subdivision shall not prohibit the joint operation of bingo games held in accordance with § 18.2-340.29.
3.
No person shall pay or receive for use of any premises devoted, in whole or in part, to the conduct of any charitable games, any consideration in excess of the current fair market rental value of such property.
Fair market rental value consideration shall not be based upon or determined by reference to a percentage of the proceeds derived from the operation of any charitable games or to the number of people in attendance at such charitable games.
4.
No building or other premises shall be utilized in whole or in part for the purpose of conducting charitable gaming more frequently than two calendar days in any one calendar week.
However, no building or other premises owned by (i) a qualified organization which is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) any county, city or town shall be utilized in whole or in part for the purpose of conducting bingo games more frequently than four calendar days in any one calendar week.
The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the playing of bingo games pursuant to a special permit issued in accordance with § 18.2-340.27:1.
5.
No person shall participate in the management or operation of any charitable game unless such person is and, for a period of at least 30 days immediately preceding such participation, has been a bona fide member of the organization.
For any organization that is not composed of members, a person who is not a bona fide member may volunteer in the conduct of a charitable game as long as that person is directly supervised by a bona fide official member of the organization.
The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to (i) persons employed as clerical assistants by qualified organizations composed of or for deaf or blind persons;
(ii) employees of a corporate sponsor of a qualified organization, provided such employees' participation is limited to the management, operation or conduct of no more than one raffle per year;
(iii) the spouse or family member of any such bona fide member of a qualified organization provided at least one bona fide member is present;
or (iv) persons employed by a qualified organization authorized to sell pull tabs or seal cards in accordance with § 18.2-340.16, provided (a) such sales are conducted by no more than two on-duty employees, (b) such employees receive no compensation for or based on the sale of the pull tabs or seal cards, and (c) such sales are conducted in the private social quarters of the organization.
6.
No person shall receive any remuneration for participating in the management, operation or conduct of any charitable game, except that:
a.
Persons employed by organizations composed of or for deaf or blind persons may receive remuneration not to exceed $30 per event for providing clerical assistance in the management and operation but not the conduct of charitable games only for such organizations;
b.
Persons under the age of 19 who sell raffle tickets for a qualified organization to raise funds for youth activities in which they participate may receive nonmonetary incentive awards or prizes from the organization;
c.
Remuneration may be paid to off-duty law-enforcement officers from the jurisdiction in which such bingo games are played for providing uniformed security for such bingo games even if such officer is a member of the sponsoring organization, provided the remuneration paid to such member is in accordance with off-duty law-enforcement personnel work policies approved by the local law-enforcement official and further provided that such member is not otherwise engaged in the management, operation or conduct of the bingo games of that organization, or to private security services businesses licensed pursuant to § 9.1-139 providing uniformed security for such bingo games, provided that employees of such businesses shall not otherwise be involved in the management, operation, or conduct of the bingo games of that organization;
d.
A member of a qualified organization lawfully participating in the management, operation or conduct of a bingo game may be provided food and nonalcoholic beverages by such organization for on-premises consumption during the bingo game provided the food and beverages are provided in accordance with Board Commission regulations;
e.
Remuneration may be paid to bingo managers or callers who have a current registration certificate issued by the Department Commission in accordance with § 18.2-340.34:1, or who are exempt from such registration requirement.
Such remuneration shall not exceed $100 per session;
and f.
Volunteers of a qualified organization may be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary travel expenses, not to exceed $50 per session.
7.
No landlord shall, at bingo games conducted on the landlord's premises, (i) participate in the conduct, management, or operation of any bingo games;
(ii) sell, lease or otherwise provide for consideration any bingo supplies, including, but not limited to, bingo cards, instant bingo cards, or other game pieces;
or (iii) require as a condition of the lease or by contract that a particular manufacturer, distributor or supplier of bingo supplies or equipment be used by the organization.
The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any qualified organization conducting bingo games on its own behalf at premises owned by it.
8.
No qualified organization shall enter into any contract with or otherwise employ or compensate any member of the organization on account of the sale of bingo supplies or equipment.
9.
No organization shall award any bingo prize money or any merchandise valued in excess of the following amounts:
a.
No bingo door prize shall exceed $50 for a single door prize or $250 in cumulative door prizes in any one session;
b.
No regular bingo or special bingo game prize shall exceed $100;
c.
No instant bingo, pull tab, or seal card prize for a single card shall exceed $1,000;
d.
Except as provided in subdivision 9, no bingo jackpot of any nature whatsoever shall exceed $1,000, nor shall the total amount of bingo jackpot prizes awarded in any one session exceed $1,000.
Proceeds from the sale of bingo cards and the sheets used for bingo jackpot games shall be accounted for separately from the bingo cards or sheets used for any other bingo games;
and e.
No single network bingo prize shall exceed $25,000.
Proceeds from the sale of network bingo cards shall be accounted for separately from bingo cards and sheets used for any other bingo game.
10.
The provisions of subdivision 9 shall not apply to:
Any progressive bingo game, in which (a) a regular or special prize, not to exceed $100, is awarded on the basis of predetermined numbers or patterns selected at random and (b) a progressive prize, not to exceed $500 for the initial progressive prize and $5,000 for the maximum progressive prize, is awarded if the predetermined numbers or patterns are covered when a certain number of numbers is called, provided (i) there are no more than six such games per session per organization, (ii) the amount of increase of the progressive prize per session is no more than $100, (iii) the bingo cards or sheets used in such games are sold separately from the bingo cards or sheets used for any other bingo games, (iv) the organization separately accounts for the proceeds from such sale, and (v) such games are otherwise operated in accordance with the Department's Commission's rules of play.
11.
No organization shall award any raffle prize valued at more than $100,000.
The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a raffle conducted no more than three times per calendar year by a qualified organization qualified as a tax-exempt organization pursuant to § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code for a prize consisting of a lot improved by a residential dwelling where 100 percent of the moneys received from such a raffle, less deductions for the fair market value for the cost of acquisition of the land and materials, are donated to lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational organizations specifically chartered or organized under the laws of the Commonwealth and qualified as a § 501(c) tax-exempt organization.
No more than one such raffle shall be conducted in any one geographical region of the Commonwealth.
12.
No qualified organization composed of or for deaf or blind persons which employs a person not a member to provide clerical assistance in the management and operation but not the conduct of any charitable games shall conduct such games unless it has in force fidelity insurance, as defined in § 38.2-120, written by an insurer licensed to do business in the Commonwealth.
13.
No person shall participate in the management or operation of any charitable game if he has ever been convicted of any felony or if he has been convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years.
No person shall participate in the conduct of any charitable game if, within the preceding 10 years, he has been convicted of any felony or if, within the preceding five years he has been convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes.
In addition, no person shall participate in the management, operation or conduct of any charitable game if that person, within the preceding five years, has participated in the management, operation, or conduct of any charitable game which was found by the Department Commission or a court of competent jurisdiction to have been operated in violation of state law, local ordinance or Board Commission regulation.
14.
Qualified organizations jointly conducting bingo games pursuant to § 18.2-340.29 shall not circumvent any restrictions and prohibitions which would otherwise apply if a single organization were conducting such games.
These restrictions and prohibitions shall include, but not be limited to, the frequency with which bingo games may be held, the value of merchandise or money awarded as prizes, or any other practice prohibited under this section.
15.
A qualified organization shall not purchase any charitable gaming supplies for use in the Commonwealth from any person who is not currently registered with the Department Commission as a supplier pursuant to § 18.2-340.34.
16.
Unless otherwise permitted in this article, no part of an organization's charitable gaming gross receipts shall be used for an organization's social or recreational activities.
§ 18.2-340.34.
Suppliers of charitable gaming supplies;
manufacturers of electronic games of chance systems;
No person shall offer to sell, sell or otherwise provide charitable gaming supplies to any qualified organization and no manufacturer shall distribute electronic games of chance systems for charitable gaming in the Commonwealth unless and until such person has made application for and has been issued a permit by the Department Commission.
No person shall offer to sell, sell, or otherwise provide electronic gaming devices to any operator of a place of play, and no manufacturer shall distribute electronic gaming devices in the Commonwealth unless and until such person has made application for and has been issued a permit by the Department.
An application for permit shall be made on forms prescribed by the Department Commission and shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $1,000.
An application for a permit shall be made on forms prescribed by the Department and shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $1,000.
Application for renewal of a permit shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $1,000 and shall be made on forms prescribed by the Department Commission.
An application for renewal of a permit shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $1,000 and shall be made on forms prescribed by the Department.
The Board Commission shall have authority to prescribe by regulation reasonable criteria consistent with the provisions of this article for the registration of suppliers and manufacturers of electronic games of chance systems for charitable gaming.
The Board shall have authority to prescribe by regulation reasonable criteria for the registration of suppliers and manufacturers of electronic gaming devices.
The Department Commission may refuse to issue a permit to any supplier or manufacturer who has, or which has any officer, director, partner, or owner who has (i) been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to a felony in any state or federal court or has been convicted of any offense which, if committed in the Commonwealth, would be a felony;
The Department may refuse to issue a permit to any supplier or manufacturer that has, or that has any officer, director, partner, or owner who has, (i) been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to a felony in any state or federal court or has been convicted of any offense that, if committed in the Commonwealth, would be a felony;
(iii) had any license, permit, certificate or other authority related to activities defined as charitable gaming in the Commonwealth suspended or revoked in the Commonwealth or in any other jurisdiction;
(iii) had any license, permit, certificate, or other authority related to activities defined as charitable gaming in the Commonwealth suspended or revoked in the Commonwealth or in any other jurisdiction;
The Department Commission may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the permit of any supplier or manufacturer for any conduct described in subsection B or for any violation of this article or regulation of the Board Commission.
The Department may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the permit of any supplier or manufacturer for any conduct described in subsection B or for any violation of a regulation of the Department.
Before taking any such action, the Department Commission shall give the supplier or manufacturer a written statement of the grounds upon which it proposes to take such action and an opportunity to be heard.
Before taking any such action, the Department shall give the supplier or manufacturer a written statement of the grounds upon which it proposes to take such action and an opportunity to be heard.
Each supplier shall document each sale of charitable gaming supplies, including electronic games of chance systems, and other items incidental to the conduct of charitable gaming, such as markers, wands or tape, to a qualified organization on an invoice which clearly shows (i) the name and address of the qualified organization to which such supplies or items were sold;
Each supplier shall document each sale, lease, or otherwise providing of an electronic gaming device to an operator of a place of play on an invoice that clearly shows (i) the name and address of the club, establishment, or restaurant to which such supplies or items were sold, leased, or otherwise provided;
(ii) the date of the sale;
(ii) the date of the transaction;
(iii) the name or form and serial number of each deal of instant bingo cards and pull-tab raffle cards, the quantity of deals sold and the price per deal paid by the qualified organization;
and (iii) any other information with respect to electronic gaming devices as the Department may prescribe by regulation.
(iv) the serial number of the top sheet in each packet of bingo paper, the serial number for each series of uncollated bingo paper, and the cut, color and quantity of bingo paper sold;
§ 59.1-577.
and (v) any other information with respect to charitable gaming supplies, including electronic games of chance systems, or other items incidental to the conduct of charitable gaming as the Board Commission may prescribe by regulation.
Powers of the Department.
A legible copy of the invoice shall accompany the charitable gaming supplies when delivered to the qualified organization.
Each manufacturer of electronic games of chance systems shall document each distribution of such systems to a qualified organization or supplier on an invoice which clearly shows (i) the name and address of the qualified organization or supplier to which such systems were distributed;
(ii) the date of distribution;
(iii) the serial number of each such system;
and (iv) any other information with respect to electronic games of chance systems as the Board Commission may prescribe by regulation.
A legible copy of the invoice shall accompany the electronic games of chance systems when delivered to the qualified organization or supplier.
E.
Each supplier and manufacturer shall maintain a legible copy of each invoice required by subsection D for a period of three years from the date of sale.
Each supplier and manufacturer shall make such documents immediately available for inspection and copying to any agent or employee of the Department Commission upon request made during normal business hours.
This subsection shall not limit the right of the Department Commission to require the production of any other documents in the possession of the supplier or manufacturer which relate to its transactions with qualified organizations.
All documents and other information of a proprietary nature furnished to the Department Commission in accordance with this subsection shall not be a matter of public record and shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).
§ 18.2-340.35.
Assistance from Department of State Police;
memorandum of understanding to provide for investigation of illegal gaming.
The Department of the State Police, upon request of the Department Commission, shall assist in the conduct of investigations by the Department Commission under this article.
Whenever it appears to the Department that any person has violated any provision of this chapter, it may apply to the appropriate circuit court for an injunction against such person.
The order granting or refusing such injunction shall be subject to appeal as in other cases in equity.
The Commission and the Department of State Police shall enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the investigation by the Department of State Police of any illegal gaming or gambling activity prohibited by Article 1 (§ 18.2-325 et seq.).
Whenever the Department has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter may have occurred, the Department, upon its own motion or upon complaint of any person, may investigate any operator of a place of play to determine whether such operator has violated the provisions of this chapter.
All costs of such investigation conducted by the Department of State Police pursuant to the memorandum of understanding shall be borne by the Commission.
In the conduct of such investigation, the Department may:
§ 18.2-340.36.
Suspension of permit.
A.
When any officer charged with the enforcement of the charitable gaming laws of the Commonwealth has reasonable cause to believe that the conduct of charitable gaming is being conducted by an organization in violation of this article or the regulations of the Board Commission, he may apply to any judge, magistrate, or other person having authority to issue criminal warrants for the immediate suspension of the permit of the organization conducting the bingo game or raffle.
If the judge, magistrate, or person to whom such application is presented is satisfied that probable cause exists to suspend the permit, he shall suspend the permit.
Immediately upon such suspension, the officer shall notify the organization in writing of such suspension.
B.
Written notice specifying the particular basis for the immediate suspension shall be provided by the officer to the organization within one business day of the suspension and a hearing held thereon by the Department Commission or its designated hearing officer within 10 days of the suspension unless the organization consents to a later date.
No charitable gaming shall be conducted by the organization until the suspension has been lifted by the Department Commission or a court of competent jurisdiction.
§ 18.2-340.37.
Criminal penalties.
A.
Any person who violates the provisions of this article or who willfully and knowingly files, or causes to be filed, a false application, report or other document or who willfully and knowingly makes a false statement, or causes a false statement to be made, on any application, report or other document required to be filed with or made to the Department Commission shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B.
Each day in violation shall constitute a separate offense.
C.
Any person who converts funds derived from any charitable gaming to his own or another's use, when the amount of funds is less than $200, shall be guilty of petit larceny and, when the amount of funds is $200 or more, shall be guilty of grand larceny.
The provisions of this section shall not preclude the applicability of any other provision of the criminal law of the Commonwealth that may apply to any course of conduct that violates this section.
§ 58.1-3.
Secrecy of information;
penalties.
A.
Except in accordance with a proper judicial order or as otherwise provided by law, the Tax Commissioner or agent, clerk, commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, or any other state or local tax or revenue officer or employee, or any person to whom tax information is divulged pursuant to § 58.1-512 or 58.1-2712.2, or any former officer or employee of any of the aforementioned offices shall not divulge any information acquired by him in the performance of his duties with respect to the transactions, property, including personal property, income or business of any person, firm or corporation.
Such prohibition specifically includes any copy of a federal return or federal return information required by Virginia law to be attached to or included in the Virginia return.
This prohibition shall apply to any reports, returns, financial documents or other information filed with the Attorney General pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 (§ 3.2-4204 et seq.) of Chapter 42 of Title 3.2.
Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The provisions of this subsection shall not be applicable, however, to:
Matters required by law to be entered on any public assessment roll or book;
Require or permit any person to file a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise as the Department determines, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated;
2.
Acts performed or words spoken, published, or shared with another agency or subdivision of the Commonwealth in the line of duty under state law;
3.
Inquiries and investigations to obtain information as to the process of real estate assessments by a duly constituted committee of the General Assembly, or when such inquiry or investigation is relevant to its study, provided that any such information obtained shall be privileged;
4.
The sales price, date of construction, physical dimensions or characteristics of real property, or any information required for building permits;
5.
Copies of or information contained in an estate's probate tax return, filed with the clerk of court pursuant to § 58.1-1714, when requested by a beneficiary of the estate or an heir at law of the decedent;
6.
Information regarding nonprofit entities exempt from sales and use tax under § 58.1-609.11, when requested by the General Assembly or any duly constituted committee of the General Assembly;
7.
Reports or information filed with the Attorney General by a Stamping Agent pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 (§ 3.2-4204 et seq.), when such reports or information are provided by the Attorney General to a tobacco products manufacturer who is required to establish a qualified escrow fund pursuant to § 3.2-4201 and are limited to the brand families of that manufacturer as listed in the Tobacco Directory established pursuant to § 3.2-4206 and are limited to the current or previous two calendar years or in any year in which the Attorney General receives Stamping Agent information that potentially alters the required escrow deposit of the manufacturer.
The information shall only be provided in the following manner:
the manufacturer may make a written request, on a quarterly or yearly basis or when the manufacturer is notified by the Attorney General of a potential change in the amount of a required escrow deposit, to the Attorney General for a list of the Stamping Agents who reported stamping or selling its products and the amount reported.
The Attorney General shall provide the list within 15 days of receipt of the request.
If the manufacturer wishes to obtain actual copies of the reports the Stamping Agents filed with the Attorney General, it must first request them from the Stamping Agents pursuant to subsection C of § 3.2-4209.
If the manufacturer does not receive the reports pursuant to subsection C of § 3.2-4209, the manufacturer may make a written request to the Attorney General, including a copy of the prior written request to the Stamping Agent and any response received, for copies of any reports not received.
The Attorney General shall provide copies of the reports within 45 days of receipt of the request.
B.
1.
Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the publication of statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of particular reports or returns and the items thereof or the publication of delinquent lists showing the names of taxpayers who are currently delinquent, together with any relevant information which in the opinion of the Department may assist in the collection of such delinquent taxes.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or other law, the Department, upon request by the General Assembly or any duly constituted committee of the General Assembly, shall disclose the total aggregate amount of an income tax deduction or credit taken by all taxpayers, regardless of (i) how few taxpayers took the deduction or credit or (ii) any other circumstances.
This section shall not be construed to prohibit a local tax official from disclosing whether a person, firm or corporation is licensed to do business in that locality and divulging, upon written request, the name and address of any person, firm or corporation transacting business under a fictitious name.
Additionally, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner of revenue is authorized to provide, upon written request stating the reason for such request, the Tax Commissioner with information obtained from local tax returns and other information pertaining to the income, sales and property of any person, firm or corporation licensed to do business in that locality.
2.
This section shall not prohibit the Department from disclosing whether a person, firm, or corporation is registered as a retail sales and use tax dealer pursuant to Chapter 6 (§ 58.1-600 et seq.) or whether a certificate of registration number relating to such tax is valid.
Additionally, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department is hereby authorized to make available the names and certificate of registration numbers of dealers who are currently registered for retail sales and use tax.
3.
This section shall not prohibit the Department from disclosing information to nongovernmental entities with which the Department has entered into a contract to provide services that assist it in the administration of refund processing or other services related to its administration of taxes.
4.
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Action History

  1. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

  2. Presented and ordered printed 18104481D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 799?
SB 799 is sponsored by Cosgrove, John A., Jr..
What is the current status of SB 799?
This bill died with 2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
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