reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-20 - Cancellation, suspension, revocation, or termination of retail contracts

(a)
Any retail contract executed by the corporation pursuant to this chapter shall specify the reasons for which a contract may be canceled, suspended, revoked, or terminated by the corporation, which reasons shall include but not be limited to:
(1)
Commission of a violation of this chapter, a regulation, or a policy or procedure of the corporation;
(2)
Failure to accurately or timely account for lottery tickets, lottery games, revenues, or prizes as required by the corporation;
(3)
Commission of any fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;
(4)
Insufficient sales;
(5)
Conduct prejudicial to public confidence in the lottery;
(6)
The retailer filing for or being placed in bankruptcy or receivership;
(7)
Any material change as determined in the sole discretion of the corporation in any matter considered by the corporation in executing the contract with the retailer; or
(8)
Failure to meet any of the objective criteria established by the corporation pursuant to this chapter.
(b)
If, in the discretion of the chief executive officer or his designee cancellation, denial, revocation, suspension, or rejection of renewal of a lottery retailer contract is in the best interest of the lottery, the public welfare, or the State of Georgia, the chief executive officer or his designee may cancel, suspend, revoke, or terminate, after notice and a right to a hearing, any contract issued pursuant to this chapter. Such contract may, however, be temporarily suspended by the chief executive officer or his designee without prior notice pending any prosecution, hearing, or investigation, whether by a third party or by the chief executive officer. A contract may be suspended, revoked, or terminated by the chief executive officer or his designee for any one or more of the reasons enumerated in this Code section. Any hearing held shall be conducted by the chief executive officer or his designee. A party to the contract aggrieved by the decision of the chief executive officer or his designee may appeal the adverse decision to the board. Such appeal shall be pursuant to the regulations, policies, and procedures set by the board and is not subject to Chapter 13 of this title, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act."
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-21 - Preservation of lottery proceeds by retailers; accounting procedures; preference accorded proceeds of insolvent retailers

(a)
All proceeds from the sale of the lottery tickets or shares shall constitute a trust fund until paid to the corporation either directly or through the corporation's authorized collection representative. A lottery retailer and officers of a lottery retailer's business shall have a fiduciary duty to preserve and account for lottery proceeds and lottery retailers shall be personally liable for all proceeds. Proceeds shall include unsold instant tickets received by a lottery retailer and cash proceeds of the sale of any lottery products, net of allowable sales commissions and credit for lottery prizes sold to or paid to winners by lottery retailers. Sales proceeds and unused instant tickets shall be delivered to the corporation or its authorized collection representative upon demand.
(b)
The corporation shall require retailers to place all lottery proceeds due the corporation in accounts in institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation not later than the close of the next banking day after the date of their collection by the retailer until the date they are paid over to the corporation. At the time of such deposit, lottery proceeds shall be deemed to be the property of the corporation. The corporation may require a retailer to establish a single separate electronic funds transfer account where available for the purpose of receiving moneys from ticket or share sales, making payments to the corporation, and receiving payments for the corporation. Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the corporation, each lottery retailer shall establish a separate bank account for lottery proceeds which shall be kept separate and apart from all other funds and assets and shall not be commingled with any other funds or assets.
(c)
Whenever any person who receives proceeds from the sale of lottery tickets or shares in the capacity of a lottery retailer becomes insolvent, the proceeds due the corporation from such person shall have preference over all debts or demands.
(d)
Whenever any person who receives proceeds from the sale of lottery tickets or shares in the capacity of a lottery retailer dies insolvent, the proceeds due the corporation from such person's estate shall have preference over all debts or demands except the provision of year's support for such person's family.
Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 508,§ 2-27, eff. 1/1/2021.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-22 - Computation of rental payments of retailers

If a lottery retailer's rental payments for the business premises are contractually computed, in whole or in part, on the basis of a percentage of retail sales and such computation of retail sales is not explicitly defined to include sales of tickets or shares in a state operated or state managed lottery, only the compensation received by the lottery retailer from the corporation may be considered the amount of the lottery retail sale for purposes of computing the rental payment.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-23 - Restrictions on sale of tickets or shares; price; gifts and promotions

(a)
No person shall sell a ticket or share at a price other than established by the corporation unless authorized in writing by the chief executive officer. No person other than a duly certified lottery retailer shall sell lottery tickets, but this subsection shall not be construed to prevent a person who may lawfully purchase tickets or shares from making a gift of lottery tickets or shares to another. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the corporation from designating certain of its agents and employees to sell or give lottery tickets or shares directly to the public.
(b)
Lottery tickets or shares may be given by merchants as a means of promoting goods or services to customers or prospective customers subject to prior approval by the corporation.
(c)
No lottery retailer shall sell a lottery ticket or share except from the locations listed in his contract and as evidenced by his certificate of authorization unless the corporation authorizes in writing any temporary location not listed in his contract.
(d)
No lottery tickets or shares shall be sold to persons under 18 years of age, but this Code section does not prohibit the purchase of a lottery ticket or share by a person 18 years of age or older for the purpose of making a gift to any person of any age. In such case, the corporation shall direct payment of proceeds of any lottery prize to an adult member of the person's family or a legal representative of the person on behalf of such person. The person named as custodian shall have the same powers and duties as prescribed for a custodian pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 44.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-25 - Confidentiality of information; investigations; supervision and inspections; reports of suspected violations; assistance in investigation of violations; confidentiality

(a)
Except as authorized in this chapter, the corporation is subject to the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 18 of this title and Chapter 14 of this title. The corporation is specifically authorized to determine which information relating to the operation of the lottery is confidential. Such information includes trade secrets; security measures, systems, or procedures; security reports; information concerning bids or other contractual data, the disclosure of which would impair the efforts of the corporation to contract for goods or services on favorable terms; employee personnel information unrelated to compensation, duties, qualifications, or responsibilities; and information obtained pursuant to investigations which is otherwise confidential. Information deemed confidential pursuant to this Code section is exempt from the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 18 of this title. Meetings or portions of meetings devoted to discussing information deemed confidential pursuant to this Code section are exempt from Chapter 14 of this title.
(b)
The corporation shall perform full criminal background investigations prior to the execution of any vendor contract.
(c)
The corporation or its authorized agent shall:
(1)
Conduct criminal background investigations and credit investigations on all potential retailers;
(2)
Supervise ticket or share validation and lottery drawings;
(3)
Inspect at times determined solely by the corporation the facilities of any vendor or lottery retailer in order to determine the integrity of the vendor's product or the operations of the retailer in order to determine whether the vendor or the retailer is in compliance with its contract;
(4)
Report any suspected violations of this chapter to the appropriate district attorney or the Attorney General and to any law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over the violation; and
(5)
Upon request, provide assistance to any district attorney, the Attorney General, or a law enforcement agency investigating a violation of this chapter.
(d)
The corporation shall keep all information regarding the winner of awards of $250,000.00 or greater confidential upon the prize winner making a written request that his or her information be kept confidential.
Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 445,§ 1, eff. 5/7/2018.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-26 - Sales to minors; penalty; affirmative defense

Any person who knowingly sells a lottery ticket or share to a person under 18 years of age or permits a person under 18 years of age to play any lottery games shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for the first offense and for each subsequent offense not less than $200.00 nor more than $1,000.00. It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation under this Code section that the retailer reasonably and in good faith relied upon representation of proof of age in making the sale.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-27 - Penalty for falsely making, altering, forging, uttering, passing, or counterfeiting ticket; penalty for attempting to influence winning of prize

(a)
Any person who, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, alters, forges, utters, passes, or counterfeits a state lottery ticket shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50,000.00 or imprisonment for not longer than five years or both.
(b)
Any person who influences or attempts to influence the winning of a prize through the use of coercion, fraud, deception, or tampering with lottery equipment or materials shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50,000.00 or by imprisonment for not longer than five years or both.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-28 - Penalty for making false statements or false entries in books or records

No person shall knowingly or intentionally make a material false statement in any application for a license or proposal to conduct lottery activities or make a material false entry in any book or record which is compiled or maintained or submitted to the board pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any person who violates the provisions of this Code section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $25,000.00 or the dollar amount of the false entry or statement, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment for not longer than five years or both.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-29 - Agreements with agencies of other jurisdictions; restriction on release of records, documents, and information

(a)
The corporation may enter into intelligence sharing, reciprocal use, or restricted use agreements with the federal government, law enforcement agencies, lottery regulation agencies, and gaming enforcement agencies of other jurisdictions which provide for and regulate the use of information provided and received pursuant to the agreement.
(b)
Records, documents, and information in the possession of the corporation received pursuant to an intelligence-sharing, reciprocal use, or restricted use agreement entered into by the corporation with a federal department or agency, any law enforcement agency, or the lottery regulation or gaming enforcement agency of any jurisdiction shall be considered investigative records of a law enforcement agency and are not subject to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of this title and shall not be released under any condition without the permission of the person or agency providing the record or information.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-30 - Bidding requirements and procedures for contracts

(a)
The corporation shall enter into its contracts for major procurements after competitive bidding. The requirement for competitive bidding does not apply in the case of a single vendor having exclusive rights to offer a particular service or product. Procedures adopted by the board shall be designed to allow the selection of proposals that provide the greatest long-term benefit to the state, the greatest integrity for the corporation, and the best service and products for the public.
(b)
In any bidding process, the corporation may administer its own bidding and procurement or may utilize the services of the Department of Administrative Services or other state agency or subdivision thereof.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-31 - Appeals from actions of board

(a)
Any retailer, vendor, or applicant for a retailer or vendor contract aggrieved by an action of the board may appeal that decision to the Superior Court of Fulton County.
(b)
The Superior Court of Fulton County shall hear appeals from decisions of the board and based upon the record of the proceedings before the board may reverse the decision of the board only if the appellant proves the decision to be:
(1)
Clearly erroneous;
(2)
Arbitrary and capricious;
(3)
Procured by fraud;
(4)
A result of substantial misconduct by the board; or
(5)
Contrary to the United States Constitution or the Constitution of Georgia or the provisions of this chapter.
(c)
The superior court may remand an appeal to the board to conduct further hearings.
(d)
Any person who appeals the award of a major procurement contract for the supply of a lottery ticket system, share system, or an on-line or other mechanical or electronic system shall be liable for all costs of appeal and defense in the event the appeal is denied or the contract award upheld. Cost of appeal and defense shall specifically include but not be limited to court costs, bond, legal fees, and loss of income to the corporation resulting from institution of the appeal if, upon the motion of the corporation, the court finds the appeal to have been frivolous.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-32 - Corporation authorized to borrow money; validation of debt; restriction on use of money in state general fund; purchase or release of goods and services

(a)
The corporation may borrow, or accept and expend, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, such moneys as may be received from any source, including income from the corporation's operations, for effectuating its corporate purposes, including the payment of the initial expenses of initiation, administration, and operation of the corporation and the lottery.
(b)
Any debt of the corporation may be validated pursuant to the provisions of subsection (e) of Code Section
50-17-25
, and the provisions of such subsection relating to the State Financing and Investment Commission shall be deemed to apply to the corporation.
(c)
The corporation shall be self-sustaining and self-funded. Moneys in the state general fund shall not be used or obligated to pay the expenses of the corporation or prizes of the lottery, and no claim for the payment of an expense of the lottery or prizes of the lottery may be made against any moneys other than moneys credited to the corporation operating account.
(d)
The corporation may purchase, lease, or lease-purchase such goods or services as are necessary for effectuating the purposes of this chapter. The corporation may make procurements which integrate functions such as lottery game design, lottery ticket distribution to retailers, supply of goods and services, and advertising. In all procurement decisions, the corporation shall take into account the particularly sensitive nature of the state lottery and shall act to promote and ensure security, honesty, fairness, and integrity in the operation and administration of the lottery and the objectives of raising net proceeds for the benefit of educational programs and purposes.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-33 - Reports by corporation; audits; budget; fiscal year

To ensure the financial integrity of the lottery, the corporation through its board of directors shall:
(1)
Submit quarterly and annual reports to the Governor, state auditor, the state accounting officer, and the oversight committee created by Code Section
50-27-34
, disclosing the total lottery revenues, prize disbursements, operating expenses, and administrative expenses of the corporation during the reporting period. The annual report shall additionally describe the organizational structure of the corporation and summarize the functions performed by each organizational division within the corporation;
(2)
Adopt a system of internal audits;
(3)
Maintain weekly or more frequent records of lottery transactions, including the distribution of tickets or shares to retailers, revenues received, claims for prizes, prizes paid, prizes forfeited, and other financial transactions of the corporation;
(4)
Contract with a certified public accountant or firm for an annual financial audit of the corporation. The certified public accountant or firm shall have no financial interest in any vendor with whom the corporation is under contract. The certified public accountant or firm shall present an audit report not later than four months after the end of the fiscal year. The certified public accountant or firm shall evaluate the internal auditing controls in effect during the audit period. The cost of this annual financial audit shall be an operating expense of the corporation. The state auditor may at any time conduct an audit of any phase of the operations of the Georgia Lottery Corporation at the expense of the state and shall receive a copy of the annual independent financial audit. A copy of any audit performed by the certified public accountant or firm or the state auditor shall be transmitted to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the state auditor, the state accounting officer, and the oversight committee chairperson;
(5)
Submit to the Office of Planning and Budget, the state auditor, and the state accounting officer by June 30 of each year a copy of the annual operating budget for the corporation for the next fiscal year. This annual operating budget shall be approved by the board and be on such forms as prescribed by the Office of Planning and Budget;
(6)
For informational purposes only, submit to the Office of Planning and Budget on September 1 of each year a proposed operating budget for the corporation for the succeeding fiscal year. This budget proposal shall also be accompanied by an estimate of the net proceeds to be deposited into the Lottery for Education Account during the succeeding fiscal year. This budget shall be on such forms as prescribed by the Office of Planning and Budget; and
(7)
Adopt the same fiscal year as that used by state government.
Amended by 2005 Ga. Laws 140,§ 19, eff. 7/1/2005.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-34) › Section 50-27-34 - Legislative oversight committee

(a)
There is created as a joint committee of the General Assembly, the Georgia Lottery Corporation Legislative Oversight Committee, to be composed of the members of the House Committee on Regulated Industries and the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. The chairpersons of such committees shall serve as cochairpersons of the oversight committee. The oversight committee shall periodically inquire into and review the operations of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, as well as periodically review and evaluate the success with which the corporation is accomplishing its statutory duties and functions as provided in this chapter. The oversight committee may conduct any independent audit or investigation of the corporation it deems necessary.
(b)
The Georgia Lottery Corporation shall provide the oversight committee not later than December 1 of each year with a complete report of the level of participation of minority businesses in all retail and major procurement contracts awarded by the corporation.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 701,§ 6, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 609,§ 14-1, eff. 5/6/2024.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 74,§ 5, eff. 4/30/2009.
Amended by 2004 Ga. Laws 551, § 1, eff. 5/13/2004.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 2 - SETOFF OF DEBT COLLECTION AGAINST LOTTERY PRIZES (§§ 50-27-50 — 50-27-55) › Section 50-27-50 - Purpose

The purpose of this article is to establish a policy and to provide a system whereby all claimant agencies of this state in conjunction with the corporation shall cooperate in identifying debtors who owe money to the state through its various claimant agencies or to persons on whose behalf the state and its claimant agencies act and who qualify for prizes under Article 1 of this chapter from the corporation. It is also the purpose of this article to establish procedures for setting off against any such prize the sum of any debt owed to the state or to persons on whose behalf the state and its claimant agencies act. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this article be liberally construed to effectuate these purposes.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 2 - SETOFF OF DEBT COLLECTION AGAINST LOTTERY PRIZES (§§ 50-27-50 — 50-27-55) › Section 50-27-51 - Definitions

As used in this article, the term:
(1)
"Claimant agency" means any state agency, department, board, bureau, commission, or authority to which an individual owes a debt or which acts on behalf of an individual to collect a debt.
(2)
"Debt" means any liquidated sum due and owing any claimant agency, which sum has accrued through contract, subrogation, tort, or operation of law regardless of whether there is an outstanding judgment for the sum, or any sum which is due and owing any person and is enforceable by the state or any of its agencies or departments.
(3)
"Debtor" means any individual owing money to or having a delinquent account with any claimant agency, which obligation has not been adjudicated as satisfied by court order, set aside by court order, or discharged in bankruptcy.
(4)
"Prize" means the proceeds of any lottery prize awarded under Article 1 of this chapter.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 2 - SETOFF OF DEBT COLLECTION AGAINST LOTTERY PRIZES (§§ 50-27-50 — 50-27-55) › Section 50-27-52 - Collection remedy in addition to other remedies

The collection remedy authorized by this article is in addition to and not in substitution for any other remedy available by law.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 2 - SETOFF OF DEBT COLLECTION AGAINST LOTTERY PRIZES (§§ 50-27-50 — 50-27-55) › Section 50-27-54 - Information provided to claimant agency; confidentiality

(a)
Notwithstanding Code Section
50-27-29
, which prohibits disclosure by the corporation of the contents of prize winner records or information, and notwithstanding any other confidentiality statute, the corporation may provide to a claimant agency all information necessary to accomplish and effectuate the intent of this article.
(b)
The information obtained by a claimant agency from the corporation in accordance with this article shall retain its confidentiality and shall only be used by a claimant agency in the pursuit of its debt collection duties and practices. Any employee or prior employee of any claimant agency who unlawfully discloses any such information for any other purpose, except as otherwise specifically authorized by law, shall be subject to the same penalties specified by law for unauthorized disclosure of confidential information by an agent or employee of the corporation.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 2 - SETOFF OF DEBT COLLECTION AGAINST LOTTERY PRIZES (§§ 50-27-50 — 50-27-55) › Section 50-27-55 - Article applicable to prizes of $5,000.00 or more

The provisions of this article shall only apply to prizes of $5,000.00 or more and shall not apply to any retailers authorized by the board to pay prizes of up to $5,000.00 after deducting the price of the ticket or share; excepting that a claim for delinquent child support filed by the entity within the Department of Human Services authorized to enforce support orders shall apply to all prizes of $2,500.00 or more.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 242,§ 2-6, eff. 7/1/2017.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 102,§ 2-2, eff. 7/1/2009.
Amended by 2006 Ga. Laws 818,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2006.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-72 - Refund of license

(a)
No refund is allowed for a manufacturer, distributor, or master license except as follows:
(1)
The licensee makes a written request to the corporation for a refund prior to the beginning of the calendar year for which it was purchased;
(2)
The licensee makes a written request prior to the issuance of the license or registration certificate;
(3)
The licensee makes a written request for a refund claiming the license or registration certificate was mistakenly purchased due to reliance on incorrect information from the corporation;
(4)
The processing of the license is discontinued; or
(5)
The issuance of the license is denied.
(b)
Before a refund will be allowed if the renewal of a master license is denied, the corporation shall verify that the applicant has no machines in operation and does not possess any machines except those that are exempt from the fees. If a master license is not issued, the corporation may retain $100.00 to cover administrative costs.
(c)
No refund will be allowed if the owner has an existing liability for any other fees or taxes due. Any refund will be applied to the existing liability due.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 18,§ 3, eff. 4/8/2015.
Renumbered from §
48-17-3
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-75 - Delivery of order refusing application or imposing sanction

(a)
The corporation shall deliver to the applicant or licensee a written copy of the order refusing an application or renewal application, revoking a master license, or imposing any other sanction provided in this article issued after any required hearing provided by Code Section
50-27-74
.
(b)
Delivery of the corporation's order may be given by:
(1)
Personal service upon an individual applicant or licensee;
(2)
Personal service upon any officer, director, partner, trustee, or receiver, as the case may be;
(3)
Personal service upon the person in charge of the business premises, temporarily or otherwise, of the applicant or licensee;
(4)
Sending such notice by United States certified mail or statutory overnight delivery addressed to the business premises of the applicant or licensee; or
(5)
Posting notice upon the outside door of the business premises of the applicant or licensee.
(c)
Notice shall be deemed complete upon the performance of any action authorized in this Code section.
Renumbered from §
48-17-6
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-76 - Judicial review of action by corporation or chief executive officer

(a)
Appeal by an affected person from all actions of the corporation or chief executive officer shall be to the Superior Court of Fulton County. The review shall be conducted by the court and shall be confined to the record.
(b)
The court shall not substitute its judgment for that of the corporation or chief executive officer as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact committed to the discretion of the corporation or chief executive officer. The court may affirm the decision of the corporation or chief executive officer in whole or in part; the court shall reverse or remand the case for further proceedings if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the corporation's or chief executive officer's findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:
(1)
In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;
(2)
In excess of the statutory authority of the corporation or chief executive officer;
(3)
Made upon unlawful procedures;
(4)
Affected by other error of law;
(5)
Not reasonably supported by substantial evidence in view of the reliable and probative evidence in the record as a whole; or
(6)
Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.
Renumbered from §
48-17-7
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-77 - Appeal from superior court

Appeal from any final judgment of the Superior Court of Fulton County may be taken by any party, including the corporation, in the manner provided for in civil actions generally.
Renumbered from §
48-17-8
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-79 - Refund of annual permit fee

No refund shall be allowed for the annual permit fee assessed on each bona fide coin operated amusement machine registered with the corporation except as follows:
(1)
The owner makes a written request to the corporation for a refund prior to the beginning of the calendar year for which the permit sticker was purchased and returns the permit sticker;
(2)
The owner makes a written request for a refund prior to the issuance of the permit sticker;
(3)
The owner makes a written request for a refund claiming the permit sticker was mistakenly purchased for a machine not subject to the permit fee and returns the permit sticker; or
(4)
The owner provides the corporation with a sworn affidavit that a machine was sold, stolen, or destroyed prior to the beginning of the calendar year for which the permit was purchased and returns the sticker unless it was attached to the stolen or destroyed machine.
Renumbered from §
48-17-10
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-80 - Permit fees for additional machines; penalty fee

If an owner purchases or receives additional bona fide coin operated amusement machines during the calendar year, the applicable annual permit fee shall be paid to the corporation and the sticker shall be affixed to the machine before the machine may be legally operated. A penalty fee equal to twice the applicable annual permit fee shall be assessed by the corporation for every machine in operation without a permit sticker.
Renumbered from §
48-17-11
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-81 - Administration of article

(a)
The chief executive officer shall provide for the proper administration of this article and is authorized to act on behalf of the corporation for such purpose. The chief executive officer may initiate investigations, hearings, and take other necessary measures to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article or to determine whether violations exist. If the chief executive officer finds evidence of any criminal violations, he or she shall notify the appropriate prosecuting attorney in the county in which such violation occurred.
(b)
The chief executive officer is authorized to provide for the enforcement of this article and the board shall provide for collection of the revenues under this article by rule and regulation.
(c)
The chief executive officer may delegate to an authorized representative any authority given to the chief executive officer by this article, including the conduct of investigations, imposing of fees and fines, and the holding of hearings.
Renumbered from §
48-17-12
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-81.1 - [Regulatory guidance letter]

The corporation shall by rule and regulation create a process whereby any person may request an official interpretation of any rule or regulation through a regulatory guidance letter. A regulatory guidance letter shall be issued within 60 days of a request seeking guidance on a rule or regulation and shall only be used to interpret or clarify existing rules and regulations. A regulatory guidance letter shall remain in effect and be valid unless it is superseded by a subsequently adopted state law or a rule or regulation of the corporation, a subsequently issued regulatory guidance letter, or a court order. The corporation shall incorporate relevant portions of any regulatory guidance letter in subsequent rules and regulations as may be applicable and necessary to ensure clarity in such rules and regulations.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 586,§ 7, eff. 5/6/2024.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-83 - Validity of prior existing obligations to state

(a)
All taxes, fees, penalties, and interest accruing to the State of Georgia under any other provision of Title 48 as it existed prior to July 1, 2010, shall be and remain valid and binding obligations to the State of Georgia for all taxes, penalties, and interest accruing under the provisions of prior or preexisting laws and all such taxes, penalties, and interest now or hereafter becoming delinquent to the State of Georgia prior to July 1, 2010, are expressly preserved and declared to be legal and valid obligations to the state.
(b)
The enactment and amendment of this article shall not affect offenses committed or prosecutions begun under any preexisting law, but any such offenses or prosecutions may be conducted under the law as it existed at the time of the commission of the offense.
(c)
Nothing in this article shall be construed or have the effect to license, permit, authorize, or legalize any machine, device, table, or bona fide coin operated amusement machine the keeping, exhibition, operation, display, or maintenance of which is in violation of the laws or Constitution of this state.
Renumbered from §
48-17-14
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-85 - Penalties for violations by location owners or operators

(a)
Except as specifically provided in this article, for single or repeated violations of this article by a location owner or location operator who offers one or more bona fide coin operated amusement machines for play by the public, the corporation may impose the following penalties on such a location owner or location operator:
(1)
A civil fine in an amount specified in rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with this article; or
(2)
For a third or subsequent offense, a suspension or revocation of the privilege of offering one or more bona fide coin operated amusement machines for play by the public.
(b)
Before a penalty is imposed in accordance with this Code section, a location owner or location operator shall be entitled to at least 30 days' written notice and, if requested, a hearing as provided in Code Section
50-27-74
. Such written notice shall be served in the manner provided for written notices to applicants and holders of licenses in subsection (b) of Code Section
50-27-74
, and an order imposing a penalty shall be delivered in the manner provided for delivery of the corporation's orders to applicants for licenses and holders of licenses in Code Section
50-27-75
.
(c)
In the case of a suspension or revocation in accordance with this Code section, the corporation shall require the location owner or location operator to post a notice in the business location setting out the period of the suspension or revocation. No applicant or holder of a license or permit shall allow a bona fide coin operated amusement machine under the control of such applicant or holder of a license or permit to be placed in a business location owned or operated by a location owner or location operator who has been penalized by a suspension or revocation during the period of the suspension or revocation.
Renumbered from §
48-17-16
and amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 1 - GENERALLY (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-89) › Section 50-27-88 - Establishment of rules and policies; application for license

(a)
The corporation shall establish rules or policies, with the advice of the Bona Fide Coin Operated Amusement Machine Operator Advisory Board, to establish or create:
(1)
Forms and information reasonably required for the submission of a license application; and
(2)
Procedures to ensure that applicants for a license provide the identical name and address of the applicant as stated in the application for a license required by local governing authorities and specify the premises where the licensee shall have its place of business.
(b)
Any legal entity, including but not limited to all partnerships, limited liability companies, and domestic or foreign corporations, lawfully registered and doing business under the laws of Georgia or the laws of another state and authorized by the Secretary of State to do business in Georgia which seeks to obtain a license for bona fide coin operated amusement machines may be permitted to apply for a license in the name of the legal entity as it is registered in the office of the Secretary of State; provided, however, that:
(1)
In its application for any bona fide coin operated amusement machine license, the legal entity shall provide the corporation with the name and address of its agent authorized to receive service of process under the laws of Georgia, together with a listing of its current officers and their respective addresses;
(2)
Any change in the status of licensee's registered agent, including but not limited to change of address or name, shall be reported to the corporation within ten business days of such occurrence;
(3)
In the event that a legal entity shall fail to appoint or maintain a registered agent in Georgia as required by law, or whenever its registered agent cannot with due diligence be found at the registered office of the business as designated in its application for license, the chief executive officer shall be appointed agent to receive any citation for violation of the provisions of this article;
(4)
Process may be served upon the chief executive officer by leaving with the chief executive officer duplicate copies of such citations;
(5)
In the event that the notice of citation is served upon the chief executive officer or one of the chief executive officer's designated agents, the chief executive officer shall immediately forward one of the copies to the business at its registered office;
(6)
Any service made upon the chief executive officer shall be answerable within 30 days; and
(7)
The corporation shall keep a record of all citations served upon the chief executive officer under this article and shall record the time of service and the disposition of that service.
Added by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 2 - ACCOUNTING (§§ 50-27-100 — 50-27-104) › Section 50-27-100 - Legislative findings

The General Assembly finds that:
(1)
There is a compelling state interest in ensuring the most efficient, honest, and accurate regulation of the bona fide coin operated amusement machine industry in this state; and
(2)
The most efficient, accurate, and honest regulation of the bona fide coin operated amusement machine industry in this state can best be facilitated by establishing a Class B accounting terminal to which all Class B machines will be linked by a communications network to provide superior capability of auditing, reporting, and regulation of the coin operated amusement machine industry.
Added by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 27 - LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION (§§ 50-27-1 — 50-27-104) › Article 3 - COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES (§§ 50-27-70 — 50-27-104) › Part 2 - ACCOUNTING (§§ 50-27-100 — 50-27-104) › Section 50-27-104 - Penalties

The penalties provided for in this article shall be in addition to any criminal penalties that may otherwise be provided by law.
Added by 2013 Ga. Laws 15,§ 1-1, eff. 4/10/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT (§§ 50-1-1 — 50-40-84) › Chapter 29 - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (§§ 50-29-1 — 50-29-23) › Article 1 - GEORGIA TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY (§§ 50-29-1 — 50-29-12) › Section 50-29-1 - Georgia Technology Authority successor in interest to Georgia Information Technology Policy Council

The Georgia Technology Authority shall be the successor in interest to the Georgia Information Technology Policy Council created by Ga. L. 1995, p. 761, as amended, and all debts, obligations, and liabilities of said council shall become the debts, obligations, and liabilities of said authority.