An Act To Clarify the Laws on Licensing for Charitable and Fraternal OrganizatioEs 2nd Games of Chance
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2236
Committee Amendment CA_A-HA_A_H980 (House)
Amends: 17 MRSA §331, 17 MRSA §332

HOUSE AMENDMENT "If" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1597, 
L.D. 2236, Bill, "An Act To Clarify the Laws on Licensing for Charitable and Fraternal 
OrganizatioEs 2nd Games of Chance" 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of sections 1 and 2 and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §331, sub-§I, as amended by PL 1975, c. 740, §5, is further 
amended to read: 
1. License required. Ne A person, firm, corporation, association or organization 
shall may not hold, conduct or operate a game of chance within the State unless a license 
therefor is obtained from the Chief of the State Police, ef--tHe except that organizations 
may conduct or operate games of chance without a license when the total amount of 
money collected in entry fees, chances or wagers for anyone event is less than $10,000 
and the organization has collected no more than $30,000 in entry fees, chances or wagers 
in a calendar year. A game of chance that constitutes "social gambling" as that term is 
defined by Title 17-A, section 952, subsection 8 does not require a license or notification 
as required by this subsection. An organization wanting to conduct a game of chance that 
does not require a license and is within the limits described in this subsection shall notify 
the Chief of the State Police no less than 5 business days prior to conducting the game of 
chance and provide the name and tax identification number of the organization 
conducting the game and the time, date and location of the event and shall submit a $30 
registration fee. 
Sec. 2. 17 MRSA §332, sub-§I, as amended by PL 2005, c. 563, §14, is further 
amended to read: 
1. Organizations eligible. Notwithstanding any other provisions provision of law, 
and in accordance with section 331, subsection 1, the Chief of the State Police may issue 
a license to operate a game of chance to an agricultural society eligible for a stipend 
under Title 7, chapter 4, or to a bona fide nonprofit charitable, educational, political, 
civic, recreational, fraternal, patriotic or religious organization, or to a volunteer fire 
department or to an auxiliary of any of these organizations, any of which must be 
founded, chartered or organized in this State for a period of not less than 2 consecutive 
years before applying for a license.' 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
HOUSE AMENDMENT "If" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1597, L.D. 2236 
SUMMARY 
This amendment provides that organizations may conduct games of chance without a 
license unless they collect more than $30,000 in entry fees, chances or wagers in a 
calendar year. An unlicensed game of chance would be limited to $10,000 in entry fees, 
chances or wagers at anyone event. An organization conducting a game of chance 
without a license must still register its name and tax identification number and the time, 
date and location of the event. The registration fee is $30. 
SPONSOREDBY:~ ~ 
(Representative FITTS) 
TOWN: Pittsfield 
¥ISCAL :\on: J<F:QrlRED 
~~ee attached) 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/09/08 frac:.. 
LD 2236 
LR 3393(05) 
An Act To Clarify the Laws on Licensing for Charitable and Fraternal Organizations and Games of 
Chance 
Fiscal Note for House Amendment "f/" to Committee Amendment "A" 
Sponsor: Rep. Fitts of Pittsfield 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium revenue decrease - General Fund 
Potential current biennium revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
It is assumed that 135 of the 326 organizations that are currently licensed will no longer need to be licensed since they 
do not exceed the $30,000 in entry fees in any given year. Currently, these organizations pay a license fee of $15 per 
week, $60 per month, or $700 per calendar year. Under this amendment, these organizations would pay a $30 
registration fee per event. It is difficult to predict how these organizations will plan their events under this legislation. 
It is assumed that there will be a decrease in Other Special Revenue Funds revenue which cannot be accurately 
quantified. In addition, to the extent this legislation applies to the Texas Hold 'Em games of chance, there could be a 
decrease in General Fund revenue. 
LR3393(05) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I