An Act Regarding the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 2007
Committee Amendment CA_A_S529 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §20006-B, 17-A MRSA §954

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to S.P. 825, L.D. 2007, "An Act Regarding the
Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games"
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the
following:
'See. 1. 5 MRSA §20006-B, sub-§l, as amended by PL 2011,c.657, Ft, AA, §24,
is further amended to read;
1. Fund established. The Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund,
referred to in this section as "the fund," is established for the purpose of supporting
gambling addiction analysis, prevention and treatment to be administered by the
- department. The fund is a dedicated, nonlapsing fund into which payments are received in
accordance with Title 8, section 1036, subsection 2 and Title 8. section 1352. subsection 1.
Sec. 2. 8 MRSA c. 38 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 38
ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES GAMES PROHIBITED
81351. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the followine terms
have the followine meaninas,
1. Board. "Board" means the Gambling Control Board established under section
1002.
2. Direct consideration. "Direct consideration" means a coin. token or other
representation of value that may be purchased by a person or received throueh a bonus or
promotion and that is used for plavins or Darticipatine in an online sweepstakes same,
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " A " to S.P. 825, L,D. 2007^.5 'S2<T
3. Dual-curreucy system of payment. "Dual-cutTencv system of payment" mean_s_a
system of payment that allows a person to play or oarticipate with direct consideration or
indirect consideration or that is otherwise designed in a manner that;
A. Prevents a person from directly purchasing coins, tokens or other representations
of value that are redeemable for any cash prize. cash award or cash eauivalents or the
chance to win any cash prize, cash award or cash equivalents; and
B. Encourages a person to purchase services, products, coins, tokens or other
representations of value that are not exchaneeable for a prize, award. cash__or_cash
equivalents or a chance to win a prize, award, cash or cash equivalents in order for that
person to obtain the coins, tokens or other representations of value that are
exchangeable for prizes. awards, cash or cash equivalents or a chance to win a prize.
award, cash or cash equivalents.
The unit may adopt rules to farther define what constitutes a dual-currencv system of
payment. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined
in Title 5. chapter 375. subchapter 2-A.
4. Indirect consideration. "Indirect consideration" means a coin. token or other
representation of value that;
A. Is provided for free throueh a promotion or bonus or with the purchase of a related
product, service or activity; and
B, May be exchanged for a prize, award, cash or cash equivalents or a chance town
a prize, award, cash or cash equivalents.
As used in this subsection, "related product, service or activity" includes a coin. token or
other representation of value that may be used for direct consideration.
5,. Licensee. "Licensee" means a person that holds any one of the foUQwinglicensesi
A. A license Issued under chapter 31;
B. A license issued under chapter 33;
C. A license issued under chapter 35:
D, A license issued under chapter 39; or
ELAHoense issued under Title 17. chapter 62.
6. Online sweepstakes eame. "Online sweepstakes game" means any game, contest
or promotion that:
A, Is available on the Internet and accessible on a mobile telephone, computer terminal
3 or similar access device;
B. Uses a dual-currency system ofnavment; and
5 C. Simulates casino-stvle gaming, including, but not limited to. slot machines, poker
and other table games. lottery eames. bingo or sports waeering.
7. Unit. "Unit" means the Gambline Control Unit established as a bureau within the
8 Department of Public Safety under Title 25. section 2902. subsection 12^
§1352. Online sweepstakes eames prohibited s fines; other penalties
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P, 825, L,D, 2007 (.0^
^tp
A person that operates or promotes an online sweepstakes game or supports the
operation or oromotion of an online sweepstakes game commits a civil violation.
/
1. Fine. A person that violates this section is subject to a fine of not less than $10.000
and not more than $ 100.000, All fines adiudeed pursuant to this section must be collected
by_the unit and distributed to the Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund
established in Title 5. section 20006-B.
2. Revocation of license. If a licensee is convicted of unlawful eambline under Title
17-A. section 954, subsection 1-B or is otherwise found to be in violation of this section
through the administrative process applicable to the license held by the licensee, the unit
or board, whichever is responsible for administering the license, shall revoke the licensee's
license.
3. Inelidble forjicens^ be m violation of this section is
inelisible to receive a license described in section 1351. subsection 5.
Sec. 3. 17-A MRSA §954, sub-§l-B is enacted to read:
1-B. A person is fiuiltvof'unlawful gambling if the Derson operates or oromotes an
onljne sweepstakes eame or supports the operation or Dromotion of an online sweepstakes
&ame. For ^^^ of this subsection, "online sweepstakes same" has the same
meanme as in Title 8. section 1351. subsection 6.'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment provides the same language as the
bill in a new chapter and new sections of the Maine Revised Statutes to avoid creating a
conflict with the recently enacted Public Law 2025, chapter 53 8. The amendment also adds
an Internet gaming license, established in Public Law 2025, chapter 538, to the definition
of "licensee" and corrects cross-references in the bill.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Page3-I32LR2873(02)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 02/24/26
L.RL
LD 2007 LR 2873(02)
An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "/^.'/ $^
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Fiscal Note Required; Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biemiium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require
additional funding at this time. The collection of additional fines will increase General Fund or other dedicated
revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill prohibits the operation or promotion of certain online sweepstakes games that utilize a dual-currency
payment system and simulate casino-style gaming. The bill establishes both civil and criminal penalties for violations.
The bill establishes new fines of $10,000 to $100,000 for civil violations and directs that fines collected be deposited
into the Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.
Any additional costs to the Gambling Control Unit within the Department of Public Safety to implement the
provisions of this bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources,
LR2873(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1