Increases the total awards of the Senator Patricia K. McGee nursing faculty scholarship program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Jensen

Authorize licensees under Bingo and Raffles laws to accept electronic payments (credit/debit cards and other devices) for participation in raffles, bingo, penny auctions, and simil

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Legislative bill summary: Assembly Bill A-4589

Note: The bill’s title in the provided information references a nursing faculty scholarship program, but the bill text and actions concern electronic payments for legalized games of chance. The summary below reflects the actual provisions and status of the bill as introduced and as captured in the document content.

Overview

Bill number: A-4589

Purpose (as enacted in the text): Authorize the use of credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic payment devices to purchase shares, tickets, or rights to participate in raffles, bingo, penny auctions, and other legalized games of chance under the jurisdiction of the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission.

Primary sponsor: Josh Jensen (principal sponsor)

Companion/related bills: S-3436 (companion); A-7311 and A-3372 (prior-session counterparts)

What the bill would do

The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission would adopt regulations permitting licensees to accept electronic payments (credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic devices) for:

Participation in raffles (Raffles Licensing Law)
Bingo games (Bingo Licensing Law)
Penny auctions
Any other legalized games of chance the Commission deems appropriate

Regulations would be adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act.

The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Key provisions

Regulatory authority: The Commission must promulgate regulations authorizing electronic payments for purchases of chances or rights to participate in raffles, bingo, penny auctions, and similar games.

Scope of applicability: Applies to licensees under the Bingo Licensing Law (P.L.1954, c.6) and the Raffles Licensing Law (P.L.1954, c.5).

Effective date: Immediate effect upon enactment.

Affected parties

Licensees and operators under the Bingo Licensing Law and Raffles Licensing Law, who would be authorized to accept electronic payments.

Participants/ patrons purchasing shares, tickets, or rights through electronic means.

Legalized games oversight body: Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission, which would regulate and implement the new payment option.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Introduced: June 17, 2024

Initial committee: Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee (the committee reported favorably).

Subsequent actions (as listed):

February 4, 2025: Referred to Higher Education
March 6, 2025: Reported and referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee

Note: The bill’s movement indicates standard committee review, public consideration, and potential floor action in the relevant assembly committees. The immediate effective date suggests the change would apply as soon as the bill is enacted.

Potential impact

Convenience and accessibility: Easier payment options for participants may increase participation in raffles, bingo, and penny auctions.

Revenue implications: Potential changes in sales dynamics due to easier payment methods; actual fiscal impact would depend on implementation, consumer adoption, and regulatory safeguards.

Regulatory considerations: The Commission would need to establish compliance controls, payment processor requirements, security standards, and anti-fraud measures in the regulations.

Bill