Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN CATALANO
District 10 (Ocean)
Assemblyman GREGORY P. MCGUCKIN
District 10 (Ocean)
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Sawyer, Dunn, Assemblymen Rooney and Moriarty
SYNOPSIS
Permits conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the types of raffle games permitted to be conducted by licensed organizations in this State and supplementing the “Raffles Licensing Law,” P.L.1954, c.5 (C.5:8-50 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission shall adopt regulations, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), authorizing licensees to hold and conduct Queen of Hearts raffle games. The control commission may specify any requirement applicable to the conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games that the control commission may deem necessary in accordance with this section.
b. A “Queen of Hearts raffle” means a raffle game utilizing a Queen of Hearts raffle board onto which 54 playing cards can be placed facedown, side-by-side, and held securely by a locking, transparent cover, which playing cards shall be thoroughly shuffled and from which the participant holding the winning raffle ticket drawn at random from a raffle ticket drum or receptacle shall be entitled to “Search for the Queen of Hearts” by selecting one of the facedown playing cards.
When the playing card selected is not the Queen of Hearts, the card shall be placed out of play, and the holder of the winning raffle ticket selecting that card shall be immediately awarded a cash prize valued according to the schedule set forth in regulation by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission. The raffle drawings shall be conducted weekly until a person selects the Queen of Hearts. When the playing card selected is the Queen of Hearts, the holder of the winning raffle ticket selecting that card shall be awarded 50 percent of the prize, with the remainder of the prize retained by the licensee as proceeds from conducting the raffle.
c. The licensee may use the net proceeds derived from the conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games in any manner allowable by law and in accordance with State regulations.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits raffle licensees to conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games.
Under current law, municipalities where voters have approved a referendum to allow raffle games may license eligible organizations to conduct these games. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety regulates the conduct of these games.
Under Article IV, Section VII, paragraph 2, subparagraph B of the State Constitution, and under the Raffles Licensing Law, eligible organizations may apply for a license to conduct raffles. Bona fide organizations or associations of veterans; churches or religious congregations and religious organizations; charitable, educational, and fraternal organizations; civic and service clubs; senior citizen associations and clubs; officially recognized volunteer fire companies; and officially recognized volunteer first aid or rescue squads are eligible to apply for a license.
This bill permits eligible organizations to conduct Queen of Hearts raffle games. A “Queen of Hearts raffle” means a raffle game utilizing a Queen of Hearts raffle board onto which 54 thoroughly shuffled playing cards are placed facedown, side-by-side. Raffle tickets are placed into a ticket drum or other receptacle and a winning ticket is drawn at random. The participant holding the winning raffle ticket is entitled to “Search for the Queen of Hearts” by selecting one of the facedown playing cards. When the playing card selected is not the Queen of Hearts, the card is placed out of play, and the person is awarded a cash prize valued according to a certain schedule. The raffle drawings are conducted weekly until a person selects the Queen of Hearts. When a person selects the Queen of Hearts, that person will be awarded 50 percent of the prize, and the remainder of the prize will be retained by the licensee as proceeds from conducting the raffle.
The bill specifies that the licensee may use the net proceeds derived from the conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games in any manner allowable by law and in accordance with State regulations. The bill directs the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to adopt the necessary rules and regulations for the conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games.