Eases certain restrictions on the conducting of games of chance for charitable purposes; authorizes the payment, out of the net proceeds of games of chance, of reimbursement for reasonable expenses of volunteers working at the games; expands the frequency upon which games of chance may be held; authorizes auxiliary members of authorized organizations to operate games of chance; authorizes persons convicted of crimes to operate games of chance when participating in a rehabilitation program; authorizes conducting of games of chance on Sundays; expands advertising of games of chance.
This bill amends New York’s General Municipal Law provisions governing charitable “games of chance,” including raffles, bell jars, merchandise wheels, coin boards, and related fundraising games. It broadens who may participate by adding volunteer ambulance workers to the definition of authorized organizations, recognizing auxiliary members for management and operation purposes, and allowing certain individuals with criminal convictions to be involved if they are participating in a qualifying rehabilitation program. The bill also permits reimbursement of reasonable expenses for volunteers who help run the games, and defines those expenses to include items such as child care, transportation, meals, and other board-determined costs.
The bill also relaxes several operating restrictions. It increases the number of times games of chance may be conducted in a calendar year from 12 to 18, allows Sunday play if authorized by local law, expands advertising options to include electronic mail, electronic communications, internet, and television, and raises certain prize and aggregate prize limits for some game types. It further lowers the number of designated members required on a license application from four to three and permits limited participation by minors in raffle assistance under adult supervision in specified circumstances.
The bill would amend multiple sections of the General Municipal Law that regulate charitable gaming licenses, operations, prize limits, advertising, reporting, and who may manage or assist with games of chance. It would expand the pool of eligible participants and organizations, change expense rules to allow reimbursement of volunteer costs from net proceeds, and modify licensing and operational requirements for municipalities and the State Gaming Commission or local licensing authorities. Charitable organizations, volunteer fire and ambulance groups, auxiliary groups, and licensed manufacturers/distributors of gaming materials would all be affected by the revised rules.
The bill’s stated purpose and caption suggest a generally supportive posture toward charitable organizations by easing operational burdens and increasing fundraising flexibility. The changes appear designed to make charitable gaming more practical and accessible, especially for volunteer-based groups that rely on these events for revenue. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no documented recorded opposition or support beyond the bill’s text and caption.
The main points of contention are likely to be the loosening of restrictions on charitable gambling, including Sunday gaming, more frequent events, higher prize limits, and broader advertising, all of which could raise concerns about expanded gambling activity. Another potentially sensitive issue is the authorization of auxiliary members and certain rehabilitating individuals with prior convictions to participate in management or operation, which may prompt questions about oversight and integrity. The bill’s allowance for reimbursement of volunteer expenses and limited youth participation in raffle assistance may also draw scrutiny over whether these changes blur the line between volunteer service and compensated gaming operations.