HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 238        FILED ON: 1/11/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 418

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Mathew J. Muratore and Kathleen R. LaNatra

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the use of slot machines in veterans’ organizations for its members and invited guests.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 238        FILED ON: 1/11/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 418

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 530 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to the use of slot machines in veterans’ organizations for its members and invited guests.

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

SECTION 1. Section 2 of chapter 23K of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definitions of “Gaming establishment” and “Gaming license” and inserting in place thereof the following 2 definitions:-

“Gaming establishment”, the premises approved under a gaming license which includes a gaming area and any other nongaming structure related to the gaming area and may include, but shall not be limited to, hotels, restaurants or other amenities; provided however, that a “gaming establishment” shall not include an establishment owned or leased by a veterans’ organization issued a limited slot machine license pursuant to this chapter.

“Gaming license”, a license, not including a limited slot machine license, issued by the commission that permits the licensee to operate a gaming establishment.

SECTION 2. Said section 2 of said chapter 23K, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “License” the following definition:-

“Limited slot machine license”, a license issued by the commission that permits a veterans’ organization to operate no more than 5 slot machines in an establishment owned or leased by such veterans’ organization for use by its members and invited guests.

SECTION 3. Said section 2 of said chapter 23K, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Transfer” the following definition:-

“Veterans’ organization”, any veterans' organization incorporated by the Congress of the United States.

SECTION 4. Said chapter 23K is hereby amended by inserting after section 20, as so appearing, the following section:-

Section 20A. A veterans’ organization, on a form prescribed by the commission, may apply for, and the commission may issue, a limited slot machine license, which, once issued, shall not be transferrable or assignable.

A limited slot machine license issued pursuant to this section shall, unless otherwise revoked, be valid for a period of 5 years. The commission shall establish procedures for application and renewal and may establish a fee for application or renewal not to exceed $500. Application and renewal fees shall be deposited into the Gaming Revenue Fund. 

The commission shall register, inspect and test all slot machines used by a veterans’ organization issued a limited slot machine license pursuant to this section; provided, however, the commission may utilize the services of an independent testing laboratory qualified and approved by the commission pursuant to this chapter to perform the inspection and testing of such slot machines.

The commission shall promulgate any rules or regulations necessary to carry out this section.