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HB 362

AN ACT relating to charitable gaming.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jared Bauman

HB 362 sets licensing, oversight, and transparency requirements for Kentucky charitable gaming to ensure proceeds benefit charities and activities comply with rules.

to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
#charitableandnonprofitorganizations #gamingandwagering #licensing
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 362

Bill Overview

HB 362 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky) is titled “AN ACT relating to charitable gaming.” The bill appears in the legislative action history as having been introduced in the House on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee (and to the Committee on Committees earlier in the process). The available action history does not include final passage or committee amendments, so this summary focuses on the stated purpose and the typical scope of charitable gaming legislation.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary aim is to regulate charitable gaming activities within Kentucky. Charitable gaming typically encompasses activities such as raffles, bingo, and other gaming events conducted for charitable purposes.
  • The bill is framed as an act to establish or adjust laws governing how charitable organizations may conduct gaming activities, including licensing, oversight, and compliance requirements.

Key Provisions and Changes (as commonly found in charitable gaming legislation)

Note: The actual text of HB 362 is not provided here, but typical provisions in Kentucky charitable gaming bills include:

  • Licensing and Registration

    • Requirements for charitable organizations to obtain a license or registration to conduct gaming events.
    • Minimum qualifications for organization directors, officers, or responsible parties.

  • Event Rules and Conduct

    • Standards for permissible gaming activities (e.g., types of games allowed, hours of operation, locations).
    • Rules governing the conduct of games (randomness, fairness, prize rules).

  • Financial Reporting and Recordkeeping

    • Requirements to maintain financial records of gaming activities.
    • Annual or quarterly reporting to a state licensing authority.
    • Allocation of proceeds to charitable purposes and limitations on profit or administrative costs.

  • Prizes and Payouts

    • Limits on prize values or payout percentages.
    • Assurance that a substantial portion of proceeds benefits charitable programs.

  • Fees and Taxes

    • Licensing or permit fees, renewal fees, and potential tax implications for proceeds.
    • Allocation of fees to the state or a designated regulatory body.

  • Compliance and Enforcement

    • Inspections, audits, and enforcement mechanisms for violations.
    • Penalties for noncompliance, including fines or license suspension/revocation.

  • Public Transparency and Accountability

    • Public disclosure requirements for events, locations, schedules, and charitable recipients.
    • Provisions to prevent fraud and misuse of charitable gaming proceeds.

  • Local Regulation and Conflicts

    • Interaction with local ordinances and potential preemption or coordination with county/city authorities.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Charitable organizations that conduct gaming activities (e.g., charitable bingo, raffles, and other permitted games).
  • Individuals serving in leadership or governance roles of these organizations (e.g., officers, board members, volunteers).
  • Event managers, hall facilities hosting gaming events, and vendors supplying gaming equipment.
  • Lawful gaming vendors and service providers subject to licensing or registration requirements.
  • The general public participating in charitable gaming events, with increased oversight and potentially more transparency.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction: January 13, 2026.
  • Referral: Initially assigned to the Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee (H), with an additional referral to the Committee on Committees (H) at an early stage.
  • Pending status: No final floor action or enactment date provided in the available history.
  • Next steps (typical for such bills): Committee hearings, potential amendments, floor debate, and votes in the House, followed by Senate actions if the bill advances.

Practical Implications

  • For organizations: Potential new or revised licensing requirements, ongoing reporting duties, and stricter oversight of charitable gaming activities.
  • For regulators: Expanded framework for monitoring compliance, enforcement, and accountability in charitable gaming.
  • For participants: Greater assurance of fairness, transparency, and alignment of proceeds with charitable purposes.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary further once the bill’s full text or committee amendments are available, enabling precise details on the provisions, definitions, and numerical thresholds (e.g., fee amounts, prize limits, or reporting timelines).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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