Bill H.4065

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2300 FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4065

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act Establishing Casinos in Massachusetts..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

The General Laws are hereby further amended by Inserting after chapter 128C the following chapter: Chapter 128D. Establishing Casinos in Massachusetts.

SECTION 1. General Provisions.

(a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “Casinos in Massachusetts Act”

(b) No applicant for a gaming license, or a manufacturer's or distributor's license or other affirmative commission approval has any right to a license or the granting of the approval sought. Any license issued or other commission approval granted pursuant to the provisions of this act is a revocable privilege, and no holder acquire any vested right therein or there under.

(d) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other provision of the General Laws, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.

SECTION 2. Definitions.

The following words as used in this chapter shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

(a) "Affiliate", means any person which a licensee or applicant directly or indirectly controls or in which an applicant or licensee possesses an interest. For the purposes of this section "controls" means either (i) directly or indirectly holding more than ten percent of voting membership rights or voting stock or partnership interests, or (ii) that a majority of the directors, general partners, trustees, or members of an entity's governing body or representatives of, or are directly or indirectly controlled by, the licensee or applicant. For the purposes of this subsection, "possesses an interest in" means either (i) directly or indirectly holding more than five percent of voting membership rights or voting stock, or (ii) that at least twenty-five percent of the directors, general partners, trustees, or members of an entity's governing body or representatives of, or are directly or indirectly controlled by, the licensee or applicant;

(b) “Applicant”, means any person who on his own behalf or on behalf of another has applied for permission to engage in any act or activity which is regulated by the provisions of this act or regulations promulgated there under.

(c) “Application”, means a written request for permission to engage in any act or activity which is regulated under the provisions of this act.

(d) “Bidder”, means an individual, corporation, partnership, organization or association of two or more persons, or other legal entity, that proposes to apply for a state gaming license and has been found suitable by the Commission.

(e) "Authority", means the state gaming control authority as established by this act"

(f) “Chairman", means the chairman of the state gaming commission.

(g) "Commission", means the Massachusetts state gaming commission;

(h) "Commissioner", means a member of the state gaming commission.

(i)"Committee", means the state gaming policy committee. (j) "Competitive bidding process", means a process whereby the commission seeks potential bidders who desire to obtain a state gaming license, the winner which shall be chosen by competitive standards which are determined and established by the commission.

(k) "Controlled game" or "controlled gaming", any game of chance played for currency, check, credit, or any other thing of value that is not prohibited and made unlawful by chapter two hundred and seventy-one of the General Laws, or any other general or special laws, or by local ordinance except:

(1) The game of bingo conducted pursuant to section seven A of chapter two hundred and seventy-one and 961 C.M.R. 3.00.

(2) Parimutuel wagering on horse and dog races, whether live or simulcast, regulated by the state racing commission.

(3) Any lottery game conducted by the state lottery commission, in accordance with section twenty-four of chapter 10 of the General Laws.

(4) Games played with cards in private homes or residences in which no person makes money for operating the game, except as a player.

(l) "Electronic Gaming Device", means any mechanical, electrical or other device, contrivance or machine, including any so-called video wagering terminal, video lottery terminal or video poker machine, which, upon insertion of a coin, token or similar object, or upon payment of any consideration, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of the skill of the operator in playing a gambling game which is presented for play by the machine or application of the chance, or both, may deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens or any thing of value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner.

(m) "Establishment", means any building, room, place or other indoor or outdoor premises where any controlled gaming occurs, including all public and non-public areas of any such establishment;

(n) "Executive Director", the executive director of the state gaming control bureau;

(o) "Game" and "gambling game", means any game approved by the commission and played with cards, dice, equipment or any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic device or machine, including slot machine as defined by this act, for money, property, checks, credit or any representative of value, but does not include games played with cards in private homes or residences in which no person makes money for operating the game, except as a player, or games defined within chapter ten or chapter two-hundred seventy-one of the General Laws.

(p) "Gaming", "gambling", and "gaming operations", means to deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain or expose for play any game as defined in this section.

(q) "Gaming device", means any equipment or mechanical, electromechanical or electronic contrivance, component or machine used remotely or directly in connection with gaming or any game which affects the result of a wager by determining “Win or loss”.

(r) "Gaming employee", means any person employed in a properly licensed gaming facility including, without limitation, boxmen; dealers or croupiers; floormen; machine mechanics; security employees; count room personnel; cage personnel; slot machine and slot booth personnel; collection personnel; surveillance personnel; and data processing personnel; or any other person whose employment duties predominantly involves the maintenance or operation of gaming activity or equipment and assets associated therewith or who, in the judgment of the commission, is so regularly required to work in a restricted area that licensure as a gaming employee is appropriate.

(s) "Gaming establishment", means any establishment licensed to conduct gaming operations in the commonwealth under this chapter.

(t) "Gaming license" or "license", means any license or work permit issued by the commission under this chapter that authorizes the person named therein to engage or participate in controlled gaming, including, work permits and licenses issued to gaming establishments, to gaming suppliers, to parties in interest, to gaming schools, and to officers and directors of licensed persons or entities;

(u) "Gaming establishment", any establishment licensed to conduct gaming operations in the commonwealth under this chapter;

(v) "Gaming service industry", means any form of enterprise which provides more than one hundred thousand dollars per annum in goods or services regarding the realty, construction, maintenance, or business of a proposed or existing gaming facility on a regular or continuing basis which directly relate to gaming activities or indirectly relate to gaming operations including, without limitation, junket enterprises, security businesses, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and servicers of gaming devices or equipment; waste disposal companies; maintenance companies; schools teaching gaming and either playing or dealing techniques; suppliers of alcoholic beverages, food and nonalcoholic beverages; vending machine providers; linen suppliers; shopkeepers located within the approved hotels; limousine services; and construction companies contracting with gaming applicants or licensees or their employees or agents, or any other enterprise which purchases more than fifty thousand dollars per annum in goods or services from or which does more than fifty thousand dollars worth of business per annum with licensed gaming facilities, provided that professional services such as accountants, auditors, attorneys, and broker dealers, or other professions which are regulated by a public agency, are exempt from the provisions of this subsection.

(w) "Holding company", means any corporation, firm, partnership, trust, or other form of business organization not a natural person that, directly or indirectly, owns, has the power or right to control, or holds with power to vote, all or any part of the limited partnership interests or outstanding voting securities of a corporation or any other business entity that holds or applies for a state gambling license. In addition, a holding company indirectly has, holds, or owns any power, right, or security mentioned herein if it does so through any interest in a subsidiary or successive subsidiaries, however many of these subsidiaries may intervene between the holding company and the corporate licensee or applicant.

(x) "Intermediary company", means any corporation, firm partnership trust or other form of business organization other than a natural person that is both of the following: (1) a holding company with respect to a corporation or limited partnership that holds or applies for a gaming license and (2) a subsidiary with respect to a holding company.

(y) "Land-based licensed gaming facility" means any licensed gaming facility that is principally located on land.

(z) "License" means a gaming license" or a manufacturer's or distributor's license.

(aa) "License fees" means any money required by law to be paid to obtain or renew a gaming license manufacturer's or distributor's license.

(bb) "Licensed gaming facility" means any facility wherein all gaming is sanctioned and regulated by the Commission and fully taxed by the commonwealth.

(cc) "Licensee" means any person to whom a valid gaming license manufacturer's or distributor's license has been issued.

(dd) "Manufacturer" means a person who: (1) manufactures, assembles, programs or makes modifications to a gaming device or cashless wagering system; or (2) designs, controls the design or assembly or maintains a copyright over the design of a mechanism, electronic circuit or computer program which cannot be reasonably demonstrated to have any application other than in a gaming device or in a cashless wagering system, for use or play in this state or for distribution outside of this state

(ee) "Manufacturer's, seller's or distributor’s license", means a license issued pursuant to this act.

(ff) "Party in interest”, means any corporation, firm, partnership, trust, or other entity or person with any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a licensed gaming establishment, or a person who owns any interest in the premises of a licensed gaming establishment, or land upon which such premises is licensed, whether he leases the property directly or through an affiliate.

(gg) "Person" or "party" means a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, trustee, holding company, joint venture, association, or any business entity.

(hh) “Request for proposals” means a written document issued by the commission to potential bidders which invites bidders to submit proposals outlining their qualifications and desire to obtain a gaming license from the commission.

(ii) "Skimming", means the intentional excluding of or the taking of any monies, chips, or any other items in an attempt to exclude any monies, chips, or any other items or their value from the deposit, counting, collection, or computation of gross revenues from gaming operations or activities, net gaming proceeds, or amounts due the commonwealth pursuant to this act.

(jj) "Slot machine", means any mechanical, electrical or other device, contrivance or machine, including any so-called video wagering terminal, video lottery terminal or video poker machine, which, upon insertion of a coin, token or similar object, or upon payment of any consideration, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of the skill of the operator in playing a gambling game which is presented for play by the machine or application of the element of chance, or both, may deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens or any thing of value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner.

(kk) "Substantial party in interest”, means any person holding a greater than five percent direct or indirect pecuniary interest, whether as owner, mortgagor or otherwise, in an operating entity, premises, or any other licensee or applicant.

(ll) "Water-based licensed gaming facility", means any licensed gaming facility that is principally located on the water.

(mm) "Work permit", means any card, certificate, or permit issued by the commission authorizing the holder to be employed in a licensed gaming facility.

(nn) “Gross gaming revenue”, the total, prior to the deduction of any operating, capital or other expenses whatsoever, less only the total of all sums paid out as winnings, of all gaming establishment revenue generated by the gaming establishment of any casino licensed under this chapter derived from the conduct of any game conducted at a licensed casiono.

SECTION 3. Gaming Control Commission: Composition, Powers and Duties.

(a) There shall be established a Massachusetts Gaming Control Commission consisting of five members. Each member shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the commonwealth. No person holding any elective office in state, county, or local government; nor any officer or official of any political party, nor any person who was formerly a licensee or an unlicensed employee of a gaming licensee within the five years prior to any appointment shall be eligible for appointment to the commission. The commission shall be composed of the most qualified persons available; but no person actively engaged or having a direct pecuniary interest in gaming activities shall be a member of the commission. The governor shall appoint three members of the commission and designate one member to serve as chairman of the commission. The attorney general of the commonwealth shall appoint one member of the commission. The attorney general’s appointee shall have experience in legal issues with respect to gaming establishments and be a member in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar Association. The auditor of the commonwealth shall appoint one member of the commission. The auditor’ appointee shall have experience in accounting and possess a Massachusetts license as a Certified Public Accountant.

(b) Members of the commission shall serve a term coterminous with that of the elected Governor and serve until a successor is appointed. Any member shall be eligible for reappointment but no member shall serve more than 2 terms of 4 years each. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of a member of the commission shall be appointed in a like manner and shall serve for only the unexpired term of such member. Any commissioner may be removed by the governor for just cause, and shall be removed immediately upon conviction of any felony.

(c) Four of the members shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at a duly called meeting where a quorum is present shall be necessary for any action to be taken by the commission. The commission annually may elect 1 of its members as vice-chairperson, shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, and may elect or appoint other officers as it may deem necessary, none of whom, other the vice-chairperson, are required to be members of the commission. The secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the commission and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed by the commission and of its minute book and seal. The secretary shall cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the commission and shall certify that such copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the commission may rely upon such certification. The treasurer shall be the chief financial and accounting officer of the commission and shall be in charge of its funds, books of account and accounting records. The officers of the commission shall be subject to the same requirements as the members of the commission.

(d) Meetings of the commission shall be subject to Sections 11A and 11A1/2 of Chapter 30A, provided, however, that any discussion or consideration of law enforcement or investigatory information, trade secrets or commercial or financial information may be held by the commission in executive session closed to the public notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11A1/2 of Chapter 30A, but the purpose of any such executive session shall be set forth in the official minutes of the commission and no business which is not directly related to such purpose shall be transacted nor shall any vote be taken during such executive session. A public record of every vote shall be maintained at the commission. The commission may maintain any other files and records as it deems appropriate. Regular and special meetings of the commission may be held, at the discretion of the commission, at such times and places as it may deem convenient.

(e) The commission members shall devote that time to the business of the commission as may be necessary to the discharge of their duties. The members of the commission shall be compensated for work performed for the commission at fifty thousand dollars per annum, with the chairman receiving ten thousand dollars per annum in addition to his compensation. Before entering upon the duties of his or her office each member shall swear that he or she is not pecuniary interested in any business or organization holding a gaming license under this act, or doing business with any gaming service industry, as defined by this act and shall submit to the governor, attorney general and state auditor, a statement of financial interest required by chapter two-hundred sixty-eight B of the General Laws listing all assets and liabilities, property and business interests, and sources of income of said commissioner and his spouse. Such statement shall be under oath and shall be filed at the time of employment and annually thereafter. No commission member shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in any applicant or in any person licensed by or registered with the commission during his term of office. Regular and special meetings of the commission may be held, at the discretion of the commission, at such times and places as it may deem convenient.

(f) The commission shall make an annual report of its activities to the general court by March thirty-one, for the prior calendar year.

(g) The commission shall have general responsibility for the implementation of this act, as hereinafter provided, including, the right to hear and decide promptly and in reasonable order all license, registration, certificate, and permit applications and causes affecting the granting, suspension, revocation, or renewal thereof; to conduct all hearings pertaining to civil violations of this act or regulations promulgated hereunder; the method and form of application which any applicant for a gaming license or for a manufacturer's, sellers or distributor's license must follow and complete before consideration of his application by the commission; the information to be furnished by any applicant or licensee concerning his antecedents, habits, character, associates, criminal history or record, business activities and financial affairs, past or present; the information to be furnished by a licensee relating to his gaming employees; the fingerprinting of an applicant or licensee or employee of a licensee or other methods of identification; the manner and procedure of all hearings conducted by the State Gaming Control Authority, as defined by this act, or commission or any hearing examiner of the authority or commission, including special rules of evidence applicable thereto and notices thereof; the issuance and revocation of work permits for employment of persons in licensed gambling facilities; the manner in which winnings, compensation from games and gaming devices, and gross revenue must be computed and reported by the licensee; the minimum procedures for adoption by each licensee to exercise effective control over its internal fiscal affairs; the payment by any applicant of all or any part of the fees and cost of investigation of such applicant as may be determined by the bureau or the commission; governing the manufacture, sale and distribution of gambling devices and equipment; licensee bonding requirements; monitoring of licensee requirements; investigations both civil and criminal; the method and operation of gambling operations including the type and manner of gambling, record keeping, accounting, audit requirements and safeguarding of assets; the testing and inspection of gambling equipment; the licensing of corporations, limited partnerships, holding companies and intermediary companies; the limitations of security contracts and agreements; the sale of securities of affiliated companies; emergency proceedings; setting forth those persons to be excluded or ejected from gambling establishments including the type of conduct prohibited thereat; to collect all license and registration fees, taxes and penalties imposed by this act and the regulation issued pursuant thereto; to be present through its inspectors and agents at all times during the operation of any licensed gaming facility for the purpose of certifying the revenue thereof and receiving complaints from the public; and to review and rule upon any complaint by a licensed gaming facility licensee regarding any investigative procedures of the bureau which are unnecessarily disruptive of licensed gaming facility operations; and a code of conduct for employees of the bureau. The need to inspect and or investigate a licensed gaming facility shall be presumed at all times. The commission shall adopt an official seal and alter same at pleasure.

(h) The commission shall conduct hearings in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 30A. The commission may, by a majority vote, issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses or the production of any records, books, memoranda, documents, or other papers, or things, at or prior to any hearing as is necessary to enable the commission to effectually discharge its duties, and may administer oaths or affirmations as necessary in connection therewith. The commission may petition a superior court for an order requiring compliance with a subpoena. The commission and the bureau shall have the authority to propound written interrogatories and may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, propound written interrogatories, require testimony under oath, report same, and fashion recommended decisions upon the recommendation of said commission.

(i) The commission may require any person to apply for a license as provided in this act and approve or disapprove, transactions, events, and processes as provided in this act. The commission may grant or deny any application for a license or approval; may limit, condition, restrict, suspend, or revoke any license or approval for any cause deemed reasonable by the commission, consistent with this act or any general or special. The commission may also impose a civil fine of not more than fifteen thousand dollars upon any person licensed, registered or otherwise approved under this act, for any violation of this act or of any general or special law related to gambling. The commission may, as further provided in regulations approve or disapprove transactions, events, and processes as provided in this act, take actions reasonably designed to ensure that no unsuitable persons are associated with controlled gambling activities. The commission may expend for legal, investigative, clerical and other assistance such as may be appropriated therefore. Investigators employed by the commission shall have access to all records maintained by the all licensees and registrants hereunder, whether maintained at the licensed gambling establishment or other location as may be pertinent to the investigatory powers of the commission.

(j)The commission shall assure, to the extent required by this act, that licenses, approvals, certificates, or permits shall not be issued to nor held by, nor shall there be any material involvement, directly or indirectly, with the licensed gaming facility operation or the ownership thereof by, unqualified or disqualified persons or persons whose operations are conducted in a manner not conforming with the provisions of this act. In enforcing the provisions of this act, the commission shall have the power and authority to deny any application; limit or restrict any license, registration, certificate, permit or approval; suspend or revoke any license, registration, certificate, permit or approval; and, impose a penalty on any person licensed, registered, or previously approved for any cause deemed reasonable by the commission pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated thereby.

(k) No commission member or person employed by the commission shall represent any person or party other than the commonwealth before or against the commission for a period of two years from the termination of his office or employment with the commission.

(l) The commission shall initiate proceedings or actions appropriate to enforce statutory and regulatory requirements mandated of license-holders.

(m) The commission shall have the power to acquire, lease, use, hold and mortgage real, personal or mixed property or any interest, easements or rights therein, as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this act; to enter into agreements or other transactions with the commonwealth or any political subdivision or public instrumentalities thereof, the United States government or any federal, state or other governmental agency; to formulate plans for the projects involving the acquisition and operation of facilities pursuant to the provisions of this act, and to construct or reconstruct, expand, remodel, to fix and revise from time to time, and to charge and collect rates, fees, rentals and other charges for the use of any building, structure, other property or portion thereof under its control; and to acquire in the name of the commission by purchase or otherwise,

(n) The commission may investigate, civilly or criminally, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or violations of law by any person licensed or registered under this act, or the occurrence of any such activity within or involving any licensed gambling establishment or gambling operation. If the commission has reasonable basis to believe that any person licensed or registered under this act is engaged in criminal behavior or that criminal activity is occurring within or involving any licensed gaming facility or licensed gambling operation said commission shall report same to the attorney general of the commonwealth and the district attorney of the county within which the gaming facility is located and make available to the attorney general and said district attorney all relevant information on such activity. The commission, as it deems appropriate, may ask the attorney general and/ or said district attorney to restrain a violation of this act or enforce any provision thereof. An action brought against a person pursuant to this act does not preclude any other criminal or civil proceeding as may be authorized by law.

(o) No person shall transfer a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a licensed operating entity or premises, or enter into an option contract or other agreement providing for such transfer in the future, without having notified the commission. No person shall transfer a greater than five percent direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a licensed operating entity or premises without the issuance by the commission to the transferee of an operating license or an affirmative statement that the transferee has met the operating license standards, as the commission may require.

SECTION 4. State Gaming Control Authority: Composition, Powers and Duties.

(a) There shall be established a State Gaming Control Authority. The authority may acquire such furnishings, equipment, supplies, stationery, books, motor vehicles and other things as it may deem necessary or desirable in carrying out its functions; incur such other expenses, within the limit of money available to it, as it may deem necessary. The authority shall furnish to the commission such administrative and clerical services and such furnishings, equipment, supplies, stationery, books, motor vehicles and all other things as the commission may deem necessary or desirable in carrying out its functions. Except as otherwise provided in this act, all costs of administration incurred by the authority must be paid out on claims from the state general fund in the same manner as other claims against the state are paid.

(b) The position of Executive Director of the state gaming control authority is hereby created. The Gaming Control Commission shall appoint the executive director for a term of five years. The executive director shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. The executive director may be removed by the governor for cause. The executive director shall be responsible for the conduct of the commission's administrative matters. The executive director shall be the executive secretary of the commission and shall carry out and execute the duties as specified by law and the commission. The executive director shall employ such professional, technical, and clerical assistants and employees as necessary, subject to appropriation; provided, however, that such assistants and employees shall not be subject to chapter thirty-one or section nine A of chapter thirty of the General Laws. The executive director shall devote his entire time and attention to the business of his office and shall not pursue any other business or occupation or hold any other office of profit.

(c) The authority shall, within the limits of legislative appropriations or authorizations, employ and fix the salaries of or contract for the services of such professional, technical and operational personnel and consultants as the execution of its duties and the operation of the authority and commission may require. The authority and the commission shall, by suitable regulations, establish a comprehensive plan governing employment, job classifications and performance standards, and retention or discharge of employees to assure that termination or other adverse action is not taken against such employees except for cause. The authority may employ the services of such persons as it considers necessary for the purposes of consultation or investigation. (d) Each employee of the authority shall file with the state ethics commission a statement of financial interest as defined in chapter two-hundred sixty-eight B of the General Laws listing all assets and liabilities, property and business interests, and sources of income of said employee and his spouse. Such statement shall be under oath and shall be filed at the time of employment and annually thereafter.

(e) No employee of the authority shall be permitted to gamble in any establishment licensed by the Commission except in the course of his duties. Each employee or agent of the bureau shall devote his entire time and attention to his duties and shall not pursue any other business or occupation or other gainful employment; provided, however, that secretarial and clerical personnel may engage in such other gainful employment as shall not interfere with their duties to the commission or bureau, unless otherwise directed; and provided further, however, that other employee and agents of the authority may engage in such other gainful employment as shall not interfere or be in conflict with their duties to the authority, upon approval by the commission and the director of the authority.

(f) No person employed by the authority shall represent any person or party other than the commonwealth before or against the authority or the commission for a period of one year from the termination of his office or employment with the authority.

(g) Before the beginning of each legislative year, the authority shall submit to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on state administration and oversight a report defining, for the preceding twelve month period, the gross revenue, net revenue, and average depreciation of each licensee; the number of persons employed by each licensee, and related payroll information; and the assessed valuation of each Massachusetts licensed gaming facility as listed on the assessment rolls.

(h) Employees of the authority and their agents may inspect and examine all premises wherein gaming is conducted or gambling devices or equipment are manufactured, sold or distributed; inspect all equipment and supplies in, upon or about such premises; summarily seize and remove from such premises and impound any equipment, supplies, documents or records for the purpose of examination and inspection; demand access to and inspect, examine, photocopy and audit all papers, books and records of any applicant or licensee, on his premises, or elsewhere as practicable, and in the presence of the applicant or licensee, or his agent, respecting the gross income produced by any gaming business, and require verification of income, and all other matters affecting the enforcement of the policy or any of the provisions of this act; demand access to and inspect, examine, photocopy and audit all papers, books and records of any affiliate of a licensee whom the authority or commission knows or reasonably suspects is involved in the financing, operation or management of the licensee. Licensees must retain all books, papers, and records necessary for audits for three years after the date of the surrender or revocation of his gaming license.

(i) The authority may place expert accountants, technicians, and any other persons, as it may deem necessary, in the office, gambling area, or other place of business of any person licensed or registered under this act for the purpose of determining compliance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act.

(j) The authority may investigate, for purposes of prosecutions any suspected criminal violation of this act; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit the investigatory and prosecutorial powers of other state and local officials and agencies, including district attorneys and police departments.

(k) The authority may recommend to the commission the denial of any application, the limitation, conditioning, restriction, suspension, or revocation of any license, permit, registration or approval, or the imposition of any fine upon any person licensed or approved by the commission.

(l) The executive director of the authority and employees of the authority so designated by the director shall have and exercise throughout the commonwealth, subject to the rules and regulations as the director, with the approval of the commission, may from time to time adopt, all the authority of police officers and constables, except the service of civil process, to effectuate the purposes of this act.

(m) No official, member, employee, or agent of the commission or authority, having obtained access to confidential records or information in the performance of duties pursuant to this act, unless otherwise provided by law, shall knowingly disclose or furnish the records or information, or any part thereof, to any person who is not authorized by law to receive it. Violation of this provision shall be punishable by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more then one year, or by both such fine or imprisonment.

(n) The authority shall make a continuous study and investigation of gaming throughout the commonwealth in order to ascertain defects in state gaming law, or in rules and regulations issued thereunder; to formulate recommendations for changes in said law and the rules and recommendations promulgated thereunder. The authority shall make a continuous study and investigation of the operation and administration of similar laws in other states or countries; of any literature or reports on the subject which from time to time may be published or available to licensed gaming facilities; of any federal laws which may affect the operation of gaming in the commonwealth; and of the reaction of citizens of the commonwealth to existing and potential features of gaming with a view to recommending or effecting changes that will tend to better serve and implement the purposes of state gaming law. The authority shall make a continuous study of state gaming policy, including gaming, as defined by this act; the state lottery, as defined by chapter ten; and pari-mutual racing, as defined by chapter one-hundred twenty-eight; and the impact of said policy on the Commonwealth.

(o) The executive director of the authority shall petition the commission to initiate proceedings or actions appropriate to enforce statutory and regulatory requirements mandated of license-holders, and the commission shall grant or deny such petitions expeditiously.

SECTION 5. Records of Commission and Authority Proceedings.

(a) The commission shall cause to be made and kept a record of all proceedings at regular and special meetings of the commission. These records shall be open to public inspection.

(b) Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary all files, records, reports, and other information in possession of any state or local governmental agency including tax filings and related information that are relevant to an investigation by the bureau conducted pursuant to this act shall be made available to the authority as requested. However, any tax or financial information received from a governmental agency shall be used solely for effectuating the purposes of this act. To the extent that these files, records, reports, or information are confidential or otherwise privileged from disclosure under any law they shall not lose that confidential or privileged status for having been disclosed to the authority.

(c) No statement, and no publication of any document, described in this section shall impose liability for defamation or constitute a ground for recovery in any civil action. If any document or communication described above contains any information that is privileged or exempt from public disclosure that privilege or exemption is not waived or lost because the document or communication is disclosed to the authority or the commission or any of their agents or employees.

(d) The attorney general, every district attorney, and every state and local law enforcement agency shall notify the authority of any investigation or prosecution of any person if it appears that a violation of any law related to gambling had occurred.

SECTION 6. Finding of Suitability. License Approval.

(a) The commission and the authority shall investigate the qualifications of each applicant under this act before any license is issued or any registration, finding of suitability or approval of acts or transactions for which commission approval is required or permission is granted, and shall continue to monitor the conduct of all licensees and registrants and other persons having a material involvement, directly or indirectly with a licensed gaming facility or holding company to ensure that licenses are not issued or held by, nor is there any material involvement directly or indirectly with a licensed gaming facility or holding company by unqualified, disqualified or unsuitable persons, or persons whose operations are conducted in an unsuitable manner or in unsuitable or prohibited places or locations, as provided in commission regulations. All expenses associated with the licensing of any applicant shall be borne by the applicant. Pursuant to its regulations, the commission shall require each applicant for a gambling license to deposit with the commission, together with the application therefore, an application fee. Such fee shall constitute the anticipated costs and charges incurred in the investigation and processing of the application, and any additional sums as are required by the commission to pay final costs and charges.

(b) The commission and the authority may require a finding of suitability or the licensing of any person who owns any interest in the premises of a licensed establishment; owns any interest in real property used by a licensed establishment whether he leases the property directly to the licensee or through an intermediary; repairs, rebuilds or modifies any gaming device; manufactures or distributes chips or gaming tokens for use in this state.

(c) The commission and the authority may require a finding of suitability or the licensing of any person who furnishes services or property to a state gaming licensee under any arrangement pursuant to which the person receives payments based on earnings, profits or receipts from gaming.

d) No person shall operate a gaming establishment without having obtained all necessary operating licenses from the commission. There shall be a single licensed operator for each gaming establishment. The licensing standards must be met at all times by each officer, director, partner, and trustee of the operating entity, by each substantial party in interest of the operating entity or of the premises on which such establishment is located, and by such other party in interest of the operating entity, the premises, or any holding company or intermediary company of the operating entity or the premises as the commission may require. In no event shall the commission permit person or entity previously convicted of a felony to be a party in interest of the operating entity or of the premises or of any holding or intermediary company of the operating entity or the premises. A separate license shall be required for any person described above, unless the commission specifically determines otherwise.

(e) The commission is authorized to award no more the 3 casino licenses in the Commonwealth, with no more than 1 license awarded per region, as follows: -

Region 1 – Suffolk, Middlesex and Essex counties;

Region 2 – Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Nantucket, Dukes and Barnstable counties; and

Region 3 – Worcester, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.

(f) Each license approved by the Commission pursuant to Section 6(e) shall be awarded as the result of a competitive bidding process to be designed and established by said commission in which the successful applicant shall bid not less than $100 million.

(g) No casino license shall issue to an applicant who is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in the Commonwealth or an applicant who is partnered with a federally recognized Native American tribe located in the Commonwealth unless the Native American tribe has entered into a contractual agreement with the Commonwealth in which the Native American tribe agrees to waive any and all of its rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. Sections 2701 et seq., and be subject to the civil and criminal laws, statutes, ordinances, and jurisdiction of the Commonwealth with respect to all activities relating to the development and operation of the resort casino and the applicable rules and regulations prescribed by the commission.

(h) No application for any gaming license established under this act shall be granted without a majority vote of those voting in a local referendum of the host community in accordance with the procedures established under the general laws.

(i) A person may apply to be a licensed operator by filing an application with the commission, in the form and with such accompanying application fees as the commission may establish. Information on the application will be used as the basis for a thorough background investigation which the bureau shall conduct with respect to each applicant. Each application shall disclose the identity of each party in interest, each holding company and intermediary company, and each affiliate of the operating entity. The application shall disclose, in the case of a privately held corporation, the names and addresses of all directors, officers, and stockholders; in the case of a publicly traded corporation, the names and addresses of all directors, officers, and persons holding at least one percent of the total capital stock issued and outstanding; in the case of a partnership, the names and addresses of all partners, both general and limited; and in the case of a trust, the names and addresses of all trustees and beneficiaries.

(j) Each operating entity shall identify, in its application, the premises containing the establishment where it proposes to conduct its gaming operations. The application shall contain such information regarding the physical location and condition of the premises and the potential impact of the proposed gaming operations upon adjacent properties and the municipality and region within which the premises are located, as the commission may require. The application shall disclose the identity of all parties in interest regarding the premises; and provided, further, except as otherwise permitted herein, no person other than a licensee hereunder shall have any right to or interest in net gaming revenue or adjusted net gaming revenue in the form of a percentage of any sums payable hereunder. (k) No licensed operator shall obtain any gaming equipment from a person who does not hold a license. No licensed operator shall enter into any agreement for the receipt of goods or services, of any form and in any amount, from a person who does not hold a license, when a license is required for such agreement under this act or under regulations promulgated by the commission or authority.

(l) No licensed operator shall employ any person in a gaming establishment who does not hold a work permit, when a work permit is required for such position under regulations promulgated by the commission or authority.

(m) Licensed operators shall provide all full time employees and part time employees working a minimum of twenty hours a week with health insurance coverage.

(n) Any person who the commission determines is qualified to receive a license or be found suitable under the provisions of this act, may be issued a state gaming license or found suitable, as appropriate. The burden of proving his qualification to receive any license or be found suitable is on the applicant. A license to operate a gaming establishment must not be granted unless the applicant has satisfied the commission that he or she has adequate business probity, competence and experience, in gaming; and the proposed financing of the entire operation is adequate for the nature of the proposed operation; and, from a suitable source. All applications to receive a license or be found suitable constitutes a request for a determination of the applicant's general character, integrity, and ability to participate or engage in, or be associated with gaming, as appropriate. The commission may limit the license or place such conditions thereon as it may deem necessary in the public interest. The commission may, if it considers necessary, issue a probationary license. No state gaming license may be assigned either in whole or in part. The commission may limit or place such conditions as it may deem necessary in the public interest upon any registration, finding of suitability or approval for which application has been made. A licensee may be granted a temporary gaming license to operate a gaming facility during the construction phase of any licensed gaming facility, provided that no more than one temporary license be awarded for any licensed gaming facility, and provided further that no temporary license remain in force for a period in excess of twenty-four months.

(o) Any state license in force is renewable every 10 years, from the date of first issuance. The commission shall adopt regulations to establish standards and the process concerning the renewability of licenses.

(p) If satisfied that an applicant is eligible to receive a state gaming, manufacturing, selling, or distributing license, and upon tender of all license fees and taxes as required by law and regulation of the commission; and a bond executed by the applicant as principal, and by a corporation qualified under the laws of the commonwealth as surety, payable to the commonwealth, and conditioned upon the payment of license fees and taxes and the faithful performance of all requirements imposed by law or regulation or the conditions of the license, the commission shall issue and deliver to the applicant a license entitling him to engage in the gaming, manufacturing, selling, or distributing operation for which he is licensed, together with an enumeration of the specific terms and conditions of the license.

(q) A license issued pursuant to the provisions of this act must be posted by the licensee and kept posted at all times in a conspicuous place in the area where gaming is conducted in the establishment for which the license is issued until it is replaced by a succeeding license.

(r) If the commission is not satisfied that an applicant is qualified to be licensed under this act, the commission may cause to be made such investigation into and conduct such hearings concerning the qualifications of the applicant in accordance with its regulations as it may deem necessary.

(s) The commission has full and absolute power and authority to deny any application for any cause it deems reasonable. If an application is denied, the commission shall prepare and file its written decision upon which its order denying the application is based.

(t) A person who has had his application for a license denied or who has been found unsuitable by the commission shall not retain his interest in a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited-liability company or joint venture beyond that period prescribed by the commission; and shall not accept more for his interest in a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited-liability company or joint venture than he paid for it or the market value on the date of the denial of the license or the finding of unsuitability.

(u) The voluntary surrender of a license by a licensee does not become effective until accepted in the manner provided in the regulations of the commission. The surrender of a license does not relieve the former licensee of any penalties, fines, fees, taxes or interest due.

(v) The authority shall promptly and in reasonable order investigate all applications, enforce the provisions of this act and any regulations promulgated hereunder. The authority shall provide the commission with all information necessary for all actions requested of it under this act and for all proceedings involving enforcement of the provisions of this act or any regulations promulgated hereunder.

(w) The authority shall investigate the qualifications of each applicant before any license, certificate, or permit is issued pursuant to the provisions of this act; investigate the circumstances surrounding any act or transaction for which commission approval is required; investigate violations of this act and regulations promulgated hereunder; initiate, prosecute and defend such proceedings before the commission, or appeals there from, as the authority may deem appropriate; provide assistance upon request by the commission in the consideration and promulgation of rules and regulations; conduct continuing reviews of licensed gaming facility operations through on-site observation and other reasonable means to assure compliance with this act and regulations promulgated hereunder; conduct audits of licensed gaming facility operations at such times, under such circumstances, and to such extent as the director shall determine, including reviews of accounting, administrative and financial records and management control systems, procedures and records utilized by a licensed gaming facility licensee; and be entitled to request information, materials and any other data from any licensee or registrant, or applicant for a license or registration under this act.

(x) Each licensee or registrant, or applicant for a license or registration under this act shall cooperate with the commission and the authority in the performance of their duties.

(y) The authority and its employees and agents, upon approval of the director, shall have the authority, without notice and without warrant to inspect and examine all premises wherein gaming is conducted; or gaming devices or equipment are manufactured, sold, distributed, or serviced, or wherein any records of such activities are prepared or maintained; to inspect all equipment and supplies in, about, upon or around such premises; to seize summarily and remove from such premises and impound any such equipment or supplies for the purposes of examination and inspection; to inspect, examine and audit all books, records, and documents pertaining to a gaming licensee's operation; to seize, impound or assume physical control of any book, record, ledger, game, device, cash box and its contents, counting room or its equipment, or licensed gaming facility operations; and to inspect the person, and personal effects present in a licensed gaming facility licensed under this act, of any holder of a license or registration issued pursuant to this act while that person is present in a licensed gaming facility.

(z) Every licensed gaming facility must, upon receipt of criminal or civil process compelling testimony or production of documents in connection any criminal investigation, immediately disclose such information to the authority.

SECTION 7. Right to Hearing.

Any person aggrieved by a determination by the commission to issue, deny, modify, revoke or suspend any license or approval, or to issue an order, under the provisions of this act, may request an adjudicatory hearing before the commission under the provisions of chapter thirty A of the General Laws. Any such determination shall contain a notice of this right to request a hearing and may specify a time limit, not to exceed twenty-one days, within which said person shall request said hearing. If no such request is timely made, the determination shall be deemed assented to. If a timely request is received, the commission shall within a reasonable time act upon a request in accordance with the provisions of said Chapter 30 A. A person aggrieved by a final decision in an adjudicatory hearing held under the provisions of this section may obtain judicial review thereof pursuant to the provisions of chapter thirty A.

SECTION 8. Criminal Acts and Penalties; Age Restrictions.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this act or in chapter ten or in Section 7A of Chapter 271 of the General Laws, it is unlawful for any person to deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain or expose for play in the commonwealth of Massachusetts any gambling game, gaming device, or slot machine as defined by this act; to receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation or reward or any percentage or share of the money or property played, for keeping, running or carrying on any gambling game, gaming device, or slot machine; to permit any gambling game, gaming device, or slot machine to be conducted, operated, dealt or carried on in any house or building or other premises owned by him, in whole or in part; to lend, let, lease or otherwise deliver or furnish any equipment of any gambling game, including any slot machine, for any interest, percentage or share of the money or property played, under guise of any agreement whatever; to lend, let, lease or otherwise deliver or furnish, except by a bona fide sale or capital lease, any slot machine under guise of any agreement whereby any consideration is paid or is payable for the right to possess or use that slot machine, whether the consideration is measured by a percentage of the revenue derived from the machine or by a fixed fee or otherwise; to furnish services or property, real or personal, on the basis of a contract, lease or license, pursuant to which that person receives payments based on earnings or profits from any gambling game, including any slot machine, without having first procured a state gaming license from the commission.

(b) Any person included on the list of persons to be excluded or ejected from a gambling establishment pursuant to regulations promulgated pursuant to this act who knowingly enters or remains on the premises of a licensed gambling establishment shall be punished by a fine to be determined by the commission, in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law.

(c) Any person under the age of twenty-one years who plays, places wagers at, or collects winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, any controlled game, or who is employed as an employee in a licensed gaming establishment shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine any licensee, or other person, who knowingly allows a person under the age of twenty-one to play, place wagers at or collect winnings, whether personally or through an agent, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for a term of not more than one year or pay a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine. A subsequent violation of this section shall subject the licensee to imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than two years or pay a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars or by both such imprisonment and fine. In any prosecution or other proceeding for the violation of this subsection, it shall not be a defense for the licensee or his agent to plead that he believed the person to be twenty-one years of age or older.

(d) Any person who willfully fails to report, pay, or truthfully account for and pay over any license registration fee, penalty, fine, or interest thereon imposed by this act, or willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat the license fee, penalty, fine, or interest thereon or payment thereof shall be punished by a fine to be determined by the commission.

(e) Any person who willfully resists, prevents, impedes, or interferes with the commission or the authority or any of their agents or employees in the performance of duties pursuant to this act shall be punished by a fine to be determined by the commission, in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law.

(f) Any person who willfully violates, attempts to violate, or conspires to violate any provision of a regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be punished by a fine to be determined by the commission, in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law.

(g) Any person, as owner, lessee, or employee, whether for hire or not, either solely or in conjunction with others, who shall do any of the following without having first procured and thereafter maintained in effect all licenses required by law:

(1) to deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain, or expose for play in this state any controlled game or gaming equipment used in connection with any controlled game;

(2) to receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation or reward or any percentage or share of the revenue, for keeping, running, or carrying on any controlled game, or owning the real property or location in which any controlled game occurs;

(3) to manufacture or distribute within the territorial boundaries of the commonwealth any gaming equipment to be used in connection with controlled gaming shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years, or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.

(h) Any person who knowingly permits any controlled game to be conducted, operated, dealt, or carried on in any house or building or other premises that he or she owns or leases, in whole or in part, if that activity is undertaken by a person who is not licensed as required by state law shall be punished by imprisonment in a state prison for not more than five years, or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.

(i) Any former commission member who, within three years after his employment on said commission has ceased, solicits or accepts employment with or provides consultant services to any licensee or at any licensed gaming facility shall be deemed to have violated chapter two hundred sixty-eight B of the General Laws. Any licensed gaming facility which employs a former commission member in violation of this subsection shall be punishable by a fine to be determined by the commission.

(j) It is unlawful for any person:

(1) to alter or misrepresent the outcome of a game or other event on which wagers have been made after the outcome is determined but before it is revealed to the players;

(2) knowingly to entice or induce another to go to any place where gaming is being conducted or operated in violation of the provisions of this chapter, with the intent that the other person play or participate in that gaming;

(3) to manipulate, with the intent to cheat, any component of a gaming device in a manner contrary to the designed and normal operational purpose for the component, including but not limited to, varying the pull of the handle of a slot machine, with knowledge that the manipulation affects or reasonably may tend to affect the outcome of the game or with knowledge of any event that affects the outcome of the game. As used in this section, "cheat" means to alter the selection of criteria which determine: (a) the results of a game; or (b) the amount or frequency of payment in a game. (4) to have on his person or in his possession on or off the premises of any licensed gaming establishment any key or device known to have been designed for the purpose of and suitable for opening, entering or affecting the operation of any gaming or equipment, or for removing money or other contents there from, except where such person is a duly authorized employee of a licensee acting in furtherance of his employment within a licensed gaming establishment.

(k) A violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.

(l) Any individual who commits, attempts, or conspires to commit skimming, as defined by this act, for a total value of less than one thousand dollars against a gaming licensee or upon the premises of a licensed gaming facility shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than five years and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than ten years and by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars if the total value is more than one thousand dollars.

(m) In addition to any other penalty imposed under this section, a violation of this section by a licensed gaming establishment shall subject to forfeiture to the commonwealth any or all of the gaming equipment related to the violation. A district attorney may petition the superior court in the name of the commonwealth in the nature of a proceeding in rem to order forfeiture of any such gaming equipment subject to forfeiture under the provisions of this paragraph. Such petition shall be filed in the court having jurisdiction over said gaming equipment or having final jurisdiction over any related criminal proceedings brought under any provision of this chapter. In all such suits where the property is claimed by any person, other than the commonwealth, the commonwealth shall have the burden of proving to the court the existence of probable cause to institute the action, and any such claimant shall then have the burden of proving that the gaming equipment is not forfeitable. The court shall order the commonwealth to give notice by certified or registered mail to the owner of said gaming equipment and to such other persons as appear to have an interest therein, and the court shall promptly, but not less than two weeks after notice, hold a hearing on the petition. Upon the motion of the owner of said gaming equipment the court may continue the hearing on the petition pending the outcome of any criminal trial related to the violation of this chapter. At such hearing the court shall hear evidence and make conclusions of law, and shall thereupon issue a final order, from which the parties shall have a right of appeal. In all such suits where a final order results in a forfeiture, said final order shall provide for disposition of said gaming equipment, by the commonwealth in any manner not prohibited by law, including official use by an authorized law enforcement or in other public agency, or sale at public auction or by competitive bidding. The proceeds of any such sale shall be used to pay the reasonable expenses of the forfeiture proceedings, seizure, storage, maintenance of custody, advertising, and notice, and the balance thereof shall be deposited in the gaming regulatory account established by this chapter.

SECTION 9. Revenues. License Fees. Penalties.

(a) Each gaming establishment shall pay to the commission a minimum sum equal to 27% of gross gaming revenues, post payout and pre-expenses, from all table games, slot machines or video gaming devices.

(b) There is hereby established a gaming investigative account. Any and all expenses associated with the licensing of any applicant and monitoring of any licensee shall be borne by the applicant or licensee. Pursuant to its regulations, the commission shall require each applicant to deposit with the commission, together with the application therefore, an application fee which shall be deposited in the gaming investigative account. Such fee shall constitute the anticipated costs and charges incurred in the investigation and processing of the application, and any additional sums as required by the commission and the authority to pay final costs and charges. Expenses may be advanced from the gaming investigative account by the commission to the authority. Any money received from an applicant in excess of the costs and charges incurred in the investigation or the processing of the application shall be refunded pursuant to regulations adopted by the commission. At the conclusion of the investigation the bureau shall provide the applicant a written accounting of the costs and charges so incurred.

(c) Two-thirds all fees, revenue, and penalties collected pursuant to this act, with the exception of those revenues collected as stated in Section 9 (a) of this act, shall be deposited in the general fund. Funds deposited in the general fund, pursuant to this act, shall, subject to appropriation, be expended for the support of the commission and the bureau in carrying out their duties and responsibilities under this act. One-third of all fees, revenue, and penalties collected pursuant to this act, with the exception of those revenues collected as stated in section nine (a) of this act, shall go directly to cities and towns in the form of local aid toward general operations using the lottery formula.

(d) All revenue received from any game or gaming device which is leased for operation on the premises of the licensee-owner to a person other than the owner thereof, or located in an area or space on the premises which is leased by the licensee-owner to any such person, must be attributed to the owner for the purposes of this section and be counted as part of the gross revenue of the owner. The lessee is liable to the owner for his proportionate share of the license fees.

(e) In addition to any other tax or fee imposed by this act, there is also hereby imposed an annual fee of 5 million dollars for gaming license holders, and an annual license fee of $1,000 upon every slot machine maintained for use or in use in any licensed gaming facility in the commonwealth.

(f) All gaming license fees and penalties imposed by the provisions of this act must be paid to the state treasurer, two-thirds to be deposited into the general fund and the remaining third directly to a special account to be distributed to the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. Fees shall be paid annually on or before June twentieth. Penalties imposed under this act shall be paid within thirty days of the final determination of the commission of the violation.

(g) There is hereby imposed upon each slot machine operated in this state an annual excise tax of five hundred dollars. If a slot machine is replaced by another, the replacement is not considered a different slot machine for the purpose of imposing this tax. The commission shall collect the tax annually on or before June twentieth, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a state gaming license to operate any slot machine for the ensuing fiscal year beginning July first, from a licensee whose operation is continuing; collect the tax in advance from a licensee who begins operation or puts additional slot machines into play during the fiscal year prorated monthly after July thirty-first; include the proceeds of the tax in its reports of state gaming taxes collected. The commission shall pay over not less than one half of the tax as collected to the treasurer of the municipality within which the gaming facility is located to be deposited to the general fund of said municipality. Not more than one half of the tax as collected shall go to communities surrounding the host community for the purposes of traffic and public safety concerns resulting from the operation of the gaming facility as prescribed according to the commission.

(h) If the growth in lottery receipts is less than the average of the prior five years, the difference in revenues will be provided to the lottery from the fees, revenue and penalties collected pursuant to this act, for the purpose of local aid to the municipalities in the Commonwealth, provided the lottery payout percentages do not change and the number of games remains the same or greater. This provision will be applicable for the first 5 years for each gaming facility licensed by the commission.

SECTION 10. Reporting Violations of Act.

All licensees, all registrants, all persons required to be qualified under this act, and all persons employed by a gaming service industry licensed pursuant to this act, shall have a duty to inform the commission or authority of any action which they believe would constitute a violation of this act. No person who so informs the commission or the authority shall be discriminated against by an applicant licensee or registrant because of the supplying of such information.

SECTION 11. Licensing of Gaming Service Industries.

(a) All gaming service industries as defined in this act offering goods or services which directly relate to gaming activities or indirectly relate to gaming operations shall be licensed in accordance with rules of the commission and prior to conducting any business whatsoever with a gaming applicant or licensee, its employees or agents, and in the case of a school prior to enrollment of any students or offering of any courses to the public whether for compensation or not. Gaming service industries that directly relate to gaming activities shall include gaming and wagering equipment manufacturers, suppliers and repairers, schools teaching gaming and either playing or dealing techniques, and gaming security services. Gaming service industries that indirectly relate to gaming operations shall include junket enterprises; suppliers of alcoholic beverages, food and nonalcoholic beverages; garbage handlers; vending machine providers; linen suppliers; maintenance companies; shopkeepers located within the approved hotels; limousine services and construction companies contracting with gaming applicants or licensees or their employees or agents.

(b) Each gaming service industry, as well as its owners, management and supervisory personnel and other principal employees must qualify under standards promulgated by the commission.

(c) The commission may exempt any person or field of commerce from the licensing requirements of this subsection if the person or field of commerce demonstrates that it is regulated by a public agency or that it will provide goods or services in insubstantial or insignificant amounts or quantities, or provides professional services such as accountants, auditors, attorneys, or broker dealers, and that licensing is not deemed necessary in order to protect the public interest or to accomplish the policies established by this act. Upon granting an exemption or at any time thereafter, the commission may limit or place such restrictions thereupon as it may deem necessary in the public interest, and shall require the exempted person to cooperate with the commission and the authority and, upon request, to provide information in the same manner as required of a gaming service industry licensed pursuant to this section.

(d) Licensure pursuant to this section of any gaming service industry may be denied to any applicant disqualified in accordance with the criteria contained in section six of this act.

SECTION 12. Problem Gambling. Education and Treatment.

The department of public health is hereby authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study to measure the prevalence of compulsive, obsessive behaviors in Massachusetts; to measure the prevalence of problem gambling in Massachusetts; to measure the prevalence of underage problem gambling in Massachusetts; and, to measure the social cost of problem gambling in Massachusetts; and to develop appropriate treatment modalities and public education strategies that address the findings of said study.

SECTION 13. Disclosure Requirements.

Every licensed gaming establishment shall disclose clearly and conspicuously on each electronic gaming device the numerical odds of winning or if the odds cannot be calculated, the manner by which a person may be notified of all previous winnings on each electronic gaming device, and the number of previous winners.

SECTION 14. Recovery of Gaming Debts by Patrons.

(a) Whenever a licensee refuses payment of alleged winnings to a patron, the licensee and the patron are unable to resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of the patron and the dispute involves:

1) at least five hundred dollars, the licensee shall immediately notify the authority;

2) less than five hundred dollars, the licensee shall inform the patron of his right to request that the authority conduct an investigation.

The authority shall conduct whatever investigation it deems necessary and shall determine, in its sole discretion and without need for a hearing whether payment should be done. In the event the authority determines that payment should be made, all costs of the investigation shall be borne by the licensee. Failure of the licensee to notify the authority or inform the patron as provided herein shall subject the licensee to disciplinary action.

(b) Any party aggrieved by the determination of the authority may file a petition for reconsideration with the commission setting forth the basis of the request for reconsideration. Any hearing for reconsideration shall be conducted pursuant to regulations adopted by the commission.

SECTION 15. Severability.

The invalidity of any section, sections or subsections or parts of this act shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this act.