HB 24-1326

House Bill 24-1326, which has been signed into law, extends the regulation of charitable gaming like bingo and raffles in Colorado for another seven years until September 1, 2031. It also increases fines for violations to $250 per incident and changes how the advisory board overseeing these activities operates by reducing its size and changing membership requirements. The new board will study and advise on charitable gaming practices and submit annual reports to help improve regulations. This bill took effect immediately upon being signed by the governor on June 5, 2024.

Official Summary

The act implements certain recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies (department), as specified in the department's sunset review of the "Bingo and Raffles Law" (law), as follows: Continues the regulation of charitable gaming under the law for 7 years, until September 1, 2031; Modifies the secretary of state's (secretary's) fining authority by increasing the maximum fine amount to $250 per violation and eliminating the provision for a fine in lieu of license suspension or revocation; and Makes technical changes to the law, including the use of gender-neutral language. The act also modifies the structure, powers, and duties of the Colorado bingo-raffle advisory board, recreated in the act as the Colorado charitable gaming board (board). The board's membership is reduced and one member must be the secretary's designee. All members who are licensees under the law are appointed by the governor. In addition to the secretary's designee, the secretary must appoint the member who is a registered elector with no connection to charitable gaming. The board must meet at least 6 times each year and fulfill the following duties: Conduct a continuous study of charitable gaming in Colorado to improve such gaming and ascertain any defects in existing laws or rules; Advise the secretary regarding subjects such as licensing requirements, qualifications, and special conditions; license revocations, suspensions, and summary suspensions; a schedule of fines and the amounts of fees to be imposed pursuant to the "Bingo and Raffles Law"; criteria and training for licensees, games managers, and other individuals involved in the conduct of charitable gaming; and standard licensee audit procedures; and At the board's discretion, submit an annual report to the general assembly including recommendations for legislation related to charitable gaming. The secretary is encouraged to collaborate with the board on proposals developed by the board related to existing and potential future types of charitable gaming activities and all charitable gaming rules. The act also clarifies the requirements and limitations for a strip bingo game. The act appropriates $226,445 for the 2024-25 state fiscal year from the department of state cash fund to the department of state for implementation of the act. APPROVED by Governor June 5, 2024 EFFECTIVE June 5, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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