2022 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 17: CRIMES
Chapter 62: GAMES OF CHANCE
17 §1838. Revenue and expenses

§1838. Revenue and expenses

1.  Compensation.  Those who conduct games of chance, card games, tournament games or raffles may not be paid for such services except according to this subsection.  

A. An organization including a fair licensed to operate beano, bingo or lucky seven games may use up to 20% of the gross revenue to compensate those who conduct the games.   [PL 2009, c. 487, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

B. Each person who conducts a game of chance licensed to an agricultural society may be paid at a rate that does not exceed 3 times the State's minimum wage as established in Title 26, section 664, subsection 1, unless the game is one for which the limit in paragraph A applies.   [PL 2009, c. 487, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

C. An Internet raffle operator may not be paid more than 10% of the Internet raffle proceeds to operate an Internet raffle on behalf of an eligible organization.   [PL 2021, c. 136, §12 (NEW).]

[PL 2021, c. 136, §12 (AMD).]

2.  Exception.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, a licensee or registrant may use the proceeds of a game of chance, card game, tournament game or raffle to:  

A. Defray the expenses or part of the expenses that further the purpose for which the organization is formed, except that the proceeds may not be:  

(1) Used to purchase alcohol or to defray the cost of activities where alcohol is served; or  

(2) Paid directly to organization members except as specifically allowed in this section; and   [PL 2009, c. 487, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

B. Defray the expenses or part of the expenses of a member, auxiliary member, officer or employee of the organization for a serious illness, injury or casualty loss if the licensee makes an application pursuant to this section and the application is approved by the Gambling Control Unit. An application must be made in the form and contain the information the Gambling Control Unit requires.  

(1) In the case of serious illness or injury, the unit may require certification by a licensed physician in support of the application.  

(2) In the case of a casualty loss, the unit may require statements or reports from a law enforcement agency, rescue or other emergency services personnel or an insurance agency to support the application.  

(3) The unit may deny an application if it appears that the person who would receive the proceeds has adequate means of financial support, including, but not limited to, insurance or workers' compensation benefits.   [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. KKKKK, §26 (AMD).]

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. KKKKK, §26 (AMD).]

3.  Rules.  The Gambling Control Unit shall adopt routine technical rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375 to carry out this section.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. KKKKK, §26 (AMD).]

4.  Posting.  An organization licensed to conduct a game of chance pursuant to section 1832 shall post in a conspicuous place in the room or hall where games of chance are conducted a sign that states the net revenue earned from the operation of the game in dollars and cents, the amount of charitable donations from that net revenue in dollars and cents, what percentage in dollars and cents of the net revenue that amount represents in donations to nonprofit activities and what percentage of the net revenue was distributed from licensed games for the previous calendar year and has been distributed in the current calendar year. For the purposes of this subsection, "calendar year" means January to December.  

[PL 2009, c. 487, Pt. A, §2 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2009, c. 487, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. KKKKK, §26 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 136, §12 (AMD).