Requires a New York state legend to be located on all bell jar tickets sold in this state

Summary of provisions

Amends General Municipal Law § 195-n to require that licensed manufacturers of bell jar tickets imprint an approved New York State legend on all bell jar tickets sold in New York State. Amends § 186 of the General Municipal Law to require that licensed distributors who purchase bell jar tickets for resale in New York purchase and resell only tickets with the approved New York State legend. An exception is created for bell jar tickets that are banded single-sided single-tabbed, double-sided single-tabbed or folded bell jar tickets.

Existing law

There is no statutory requirement for a New York State symbol or legend on bell jar tickets.

Prior legislative history

This bill (with different text) was introduced in 2003 as S.3797 and referred to Racing, Gaming and wagering.

2010: S.5671A - Held in Codes 2011: S.3689A - Referred to Racing, Gaming & Wagering 2012: S.3689A 01/04/12 - Referred to Racing, Gaming & Wagering 01/23/12 - Amend and Recommit to Racing, Gaming & Wagering 01/23/12 - Print Number 3689A

Statement in support

A New York State legend would relieve administrative burdens on volunteer organizations who conduct games of chance, licensed bell jar ticket distributors and local governments who license games of chance. All bell jar tickets sold in New York State must be approved by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board prior to sale in New York State to ensure that the game complies with games of chance statutes and the rules and regulations of the Board. There are literally thousands of different types of bell jar games that have been approved over the last fifteen years, and hundreds more that are submitted every year to the Board. In many cases, there are bell jar games that are very similar in name and appearance to an approved game when, in fact, the game has not been approved. Licensed authorized organizations may only sell bell jar tickets that have been approved by the Board. It is often difficult for such organizations, which are comprised of volunteers, to keep track of the thousands of approved bell jar tickets and discern between an approved bell jar game and an unapproved one. By requiring an approved New York State legend on approved bell jar tickets, organizations and New York State distributors could simply look at a ticket to determine if it has been approved for sale in New York, thereby reducing their respective paperwork load and erroneous purchases of unapproved tickets.

Furthermore, an approval legend would be a valuable tool for law enforcement, local municipal inspectors and licensing officials who regulate games of chance. The presence of the legend would facilitate the tracking of tickets and the absence of the legend would be PRIMA FACIE evidence that the ticket is unlawful for sale. Several states have adopted the requirement of a state logo or approval statement. An exception to the requirement is created for bell jar tickets that are banded single-sided single-tabbed, double-sided single-tabbed or folded because their size makes the requirement impracticable. This exception is consistent with Hoard Rule (9 N.Y.C.R.R.) 5608.3(e), which excludes such tickets from certain construction standards applicable to other bell jar tickets.

The Board would prescribe a unique seal, such as a letters "NYSRWB" configured in a unique shape or the geographic shape of New York State.

Budget implications

None.

Effective date

January 1 of the year following enactment.