Assembly Bill 284 would authorize licensed charitable and other eligible organizations in New Jersey to conduct a new type of raffle called a “Queen of Hearts” raffle. The game uses a board with 54 face-down playing cards, including the Queen of Hearts, and a winning ticket holder gets to select a card. If the card is not the Queen of Hearts, it is removed from play and the participant receives a cash prize set by regulation; drawings continue weekly until the Queen of Hearts is chosen.
When the Queen of Hearts is selected, the winning participant receives 50 percent of the prize pool, and the remaining 50 percent is retained by the licensee as raffle proceeds. The bill directs the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to adopt regulations governing the game and to set any additional requirements it deems necessary. The act would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would amend and supplement New Jersey’s Raffles Licensing Law by expanding the types of raffle games that licensed organizations may offer. It gives the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission authority to regulate Queen of Hearts raffles, including prize schedules and operational requirements, and it creates a new lawful fundraising mechanism for eligible nonprofit and community organizations such as veterans groups, churches, charitable and fraternal organizations, civic clubs, senior citizen associations, and volunteer emergency services groups.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, as it is sponsored by multiple Assembly members and appears aimed at providing a new fundraising option for licensed organizations. There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition or support beyond sponsorship can be identified. The bill’s structure also suggests an effort to keep the game within existing regulatory oversight rather than deregulating raffle activity broadly.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether to expand gambling-style fundraising by allowing a card-based raffle game that can continue over multiple weekly drawings until the Queen of Hearts is found. Potential concerns may include the game’s resemblance to a progressive jackpot or chance-based gaming format, the adequacy of regulatory controls, and whether the prize split and weekly play structure are appropriate for charitable raffles. No specific objections, amendments, or opposing viewpoints are included in the provided record.