Bill Summaries: H894 (2015-2016 Session)

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  • Summary date: Apr 17 2015 - View summary

    Enacts Part 4 in Article 37 of GS Chapter 14 authorizing and regulating "game nights" held by nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit organization operating a game night must first obtain a permit by submitting an application with complete information including a $250 fee to either the central office or district office of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Section of the Department of Public Safety. Nonprofit organizations are prohibited from operating more than four game night events per year and each event must not exceed 5 hours. Regulates the timing of the events and sets out other limitations on the games. Limits the costs of prizes and expenses to 50% of the event proceeds. Cash prizes are prohibited and prizes are required to be awarded by raffles. Games are limited to roulette, blackjack, poker, craps, keno, and merchandise wheel of fortune. Violations of game night regulations constitute gambling. Limits the applicability of the Part to areas of the state located east of I-26 as it was located on November 28, 2011. Does not prohibit an employer from holding an annual game night event for employees and guests or a trade association from holding an annual game night for its members and guests, so long as there is no charge to the attendees. 

    Makes conforming changes to GS 14-292.

    Amends GS 18B-1000 defining a qualified facility as a facility that has an on-premises malt beverage permit, an on-premises unfortified wine permit, and on-premises fortified wine permit, or a mixed beverage permit.

    Enacts GS 18B-1010 authorizing simulated game nights at qualified facilities. Allows serving and selling alcohol at game nights. Also prohibits a qualified facility from hosting a game night if the qualified facility has been convicted of any ABC violation or its permits have been suspended or revoked within the past two years. A qualified facility or exempt organization that violates this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor and game nights are disallowed for one year.

    Requires the Department of Public Safety to report to the 2019 Regular Session of the General Assembly on game night permits.

    Effective October 1, 2015.