Bill
LD 863
Maine law allows rafflers to use an approved payment management system for raffle payments, revising non‑internet raffle rules and expanding GCU oversight and funding.
Title (as introduced): An Act To Exempt Internet Raffles Conducted By Certain Organizations With Prizes Of $2,500 Or Less From Registration And Licensing Requirements
Title (as enacted, as engrossed with Committee Amendment A / H‑226): An Act To Allow a Person or Organization Conducting a Raffle To Use an Approved Payment Management System
Status and timeline
- Introduced: March 4, 2025 (referred to Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs)
- Committee work, amendment (H‑226) adopted: May 22–27, 2025
- Passed to be enacted (in concurrence): May 28, 2025
- Became law without the Governor’s signature: June 10, 2025
Purpose and intent
- The bill’s initial stated purpose (per the title as introduced) was to exempt certain internet raffles (prize value $2,500 or less) from registration and licensing requirements. During committee action the bill was amended; the engrossed/enacted version focuses on permitting people or organizations conducting raffles to use an approved payment management system and modifies related administrative requirements.
Key provisions (as enacted / engrossed)
- Authorizes a person or organization conducting a raffle to use an approved payment management system for handling raffle payments.
- Revises statutory requirements governing the use of payment management systems for raffles that are not internet raffles (i.e., affects non-internet raffles).
- Amendment H‑226 (adopted in committee and by both chambers) is the operative change reflected in the engrossed bill.
Who is affected
- Charitable, veterans’, nonprofit, civic and other organizations that conduct raffles in Maine (both internet and non-internet raffles to the extent payment systems or registration rules are involved).
- Individuals who purchase raffle entries via approved payment management systems.
- The Gambling Control Unit (GCU), Department of Public Safety — responsible for administration, oversight and enforcement of raffle/raffle-payment requirements.
- Payment processors and platforms that may seek approval or compliance with state requirements.
Fiscal impact and administrative effects
- The Gambling Control Unit advised that the bill’s administrative changes create additional workload. The Legislature approved ongoing Other Special Revenue Fund allocations to the GCU for one Office Specialist II position and associated costs:
- FY 2025‑26: $102,024
- FY 2026‑27: $105,478
- FY 2027‑28: $109,185
- FY 2028‑29: $112,837
Notes and uncertainties
- The original exemption in the bill title (internet raffles ≤ $2,500 exempt from registration/licensing) was superseded by the enacted amendment emphasizing approved payment management systems; readers should consult the final enacted statute text for precise operative language and any exemptions or definitions (e.g., which organizations qualify, definitions of “internet raffle,” and any prize thresholds).
- The effective date of the statutory changes was not specified in the documents provided; consult the enrolled law for the effective date and full statutory text.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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