Charitable Terms

Aiding and abetting

“Aiding and abetting” A person, firm, association or corporation may not aid or abet in violation of subsection 1.

Agricultural society

"Agricultural society" or "fair" means a nonprofit agricultural fair society eligible for a stipend under Title 7, chapter 4.

Application

This chapter may not be construed to apply to any other amusement or game

Beano (bingo)

"Beano" means a specific kind of group game of chance, regardless of whether such a game is characterized by another name.  Wherever the term "beano" is used, the word "bingo" or any other word used to characterize such a game may be interchanged. In "beano," each participant is given or sold one or more tally cards, so-called, each of which contains preprinted numbers or letters and may or may not be arranged in vertical or horizontal rows.  The participant covers or marks the numbers or letters as objects similarly numbered or lettered are drawn from a receptacle and the winner or winners are determined by the sequence in which those objects are drawn. The manner in which the winner is determined must be clearly announced or displayed before any game is begun.  For the purposes of this chapter, to hold, conduct or operate beano includes charging a fee or offering something of value to play in exchange for the opportunity to receive something of value for winning a game.

Blackout

“Blackout” also known as “coverall” means a bingo pattern that requires that every number on the tally card be covered.

Card game

"Card game" means a game of chance conducted using one or more decks of cards, such as poker, blackjack or cribbage.

Commercial beano hall permit

"Commercial beano hall permit" means written authority from the Gambling Control Unit issued to a permittee who rents or leases premises for profit to a licensee to hold, conduct or operate "beano."

Director

"Director" means the Executive Director of the Gambling Control Unit.

Distributor

"Distributor" means a person, firm, corporation, association or organization, other than an Internet raffle operator, that sells, markets or otherwise distributes sealed tickets, gambling apparatus or any other implements of gambling that may be used in the conduct of a game of chance. 17 M.R.S. § 1831(3)

Electronic Beano Card Dauber

"Electronic beano card dauber" (herein after referred to as "Electronic Dauber") is an electronic appliance used by a player to identify beano cards that contain numbers or symbols input by a player. This device electronically stores preprinted beano cards purchased by a player, provides a means for a player to input numbers or symbols called by the licensee, compares the numbers or symbols input by the player to beano cards previously stored in an electronic database, and identifies to the player those stored beano cards that contain the numbers or symbols input by the player: provided, that player-owned devices, which are not directly interfaced with or connected to equipment used to conduct beano games or the electronic database in which electronically generated beano cards are stored in any manner, are not "electronic beano card daubers" for purposes of these Rules and Regulations.

Electronic Beano Card Computer System

“Electronic beano card computer system” is the computer hardware and software system that loads the electronic beano cards purchased by each electronic beano card player into the electronic dauber.

Eligible Organization

“Eligible Organization” has the same meaning as set forth in 17 M.R.S. §313-C.

Eligible Organization FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBES

“Eligible Organization” has the same meaning as set forth in 17 M.R.S. §314-A.

Equipment

"Equipment" means the receptacle and numbered objects to be drawn from it; the master board upon which such objects are placed as drawn; the tally cards or sheets bearing such numbers to be covered and the objects used to cover them; the boards or signs, however operated, used to display the numbers as they are drawn; public address systems; and any other articles essential to the operation, conduct and playing of "Beano."

Electronic video machine

"Electronic video machine" means a machine, however operated, that has a video screen featuring an electronically simulated game and delivers or entitles the person playing or operating it to receive the privilege of playing the electronic video machine without charge, but does not deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the electronic video machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tickets or something of value other than the privilege of playing the electronic video machine without charge.  An electronic video machine is a machine that may be licensed in accordance with section 1832, subsection 8.  A machine that has a video screen featuring an electronically simulated slot machine as a game is not an electronic video machine, but is a machine as defined in subsection 9.

Gambling Control Unit

"Gambling Control Unit" or "unit" means the bureau within the Department of Public Safety under Title 25, section 2902, subsection 12 or an authorized representative of the Gambling Control Unit.

Game Night

“Game Night” is a once in a calendar year event authorized by 17 M.R.S. § 1832(2-B) and conducted according to 17 M.R.S. § 1835-B.

Game of chance

"Game of chance" means a game, contest, scheme or device in which:

A.  A person stakes or risks something of value for the opportunity to win something of value. 

B.  The rules of operation or play require an event the result of which is determined by chance, outside the control of the contestant or participant.

C.  Chance enters as an element that influences the outcome in a manner that cannot be eliminated through the application of skill.

Game of skill

"Game of skill" means any game, contest, scheme or device in which a person stakes or risks something of value for the opportunity to win something of value and that is not a game of chance.

Game Promotion

“Game promotion” includes, but is not limited to, any game, contest, sweepstakes, advertising scheme or plan, device, or promotion:

A. That is conducted in connection with the promotion of products or services.

B.  In which a person may enter to win or become eligible to receive a prize with or without payment of something of value; and

C.  Where the determination of a winner is based upon chance.

For the purpose of section 5, “operator” means any person, firm, corporation or association, or agent or employee thereof, who promotes, operates or conducts a game promotion.

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)

“Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)” See Non-Profit Appendix A (PDF)

Geolocation

“Geolocation” is the process of identifying a device's physical location using methods like GPS, cellular network signals, Wi-Fi, or IP address tracking.

Geolocation service provider

“Geolocation service provider” is an organization, company or corporation that provides a technology-based system that determines the geographic location of a device. Geolocation services use a variety of data sources, including GPS, cell towers, Wi-Fi, and IP addresses.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

“Global positioning system” (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides information about a device's location, velocity, and time. This data is used and verified each time the fantasy contestant seeks access from a mobile device or network when entering a fantasy contest or depositing funds.

Gross revenue

"Gross revenue" means the total amount wagered in a game of chance less the prizes awarded.

High-hand competition

"High-hand competition" means a game of chance conducted during a tournament game in which the winner is the person who plays the highest hand of cards, according to the rules of the tournament, during the tournament game.

Immediate family members

“Immediate family members” means spouse, parents and children.

Internet raffle

"Internet raffle" means a raffle in which a person purchases a raffle chance or ticket through, and a winner or winning chances are determined by, a digital platform that involves, at least in part, the use of the Internet. A raffle where a winner or winning chance is determined by drawing from a container is not an Internet raffle, even if some or all of the raffle chances or tickets are purchased through a digital platform.

Internet raffle operator

"Internet raffle operator" means a person, firm, corporation, association or organization licensed under section 1837‑B, subsection 2 to conduct an Internet raffle using an Internet raffle system.

Internet raffle system

"Internet raffle system" means a mobile application or other digital platform and the accompanying computer software approved by the Gambling Control Unit under section 1837‑B, subsection 4 for use in conducting an Internet raffle.

License

"License" means written authority from the Gambling Control Unit to hold, conduct or operate "Beano".

Licensee (bingo)

"Licensee" means any organization, including a federally recognized Indian tribe in the State, that has been granted a license by the Gambling Control Unit to hold, conduct or operate "Beano" or "Bingo."

Licensee (games of chance)

"Licensee" means a firm, corporation, association or organization licensed by the Gambling Control Unit to operate a game of chance.

License or registration required; restricted hours

A person, firm, association or corporation may not hold, conduct or operate "beano" within the State unless that person, firm, association or corporation has submitted a registration that was subsequently accepted by the Gambling Control Unit. A person may not conduct high-stakes beano under section 314‑A without a license issued by the Gambling Control Unit. A registration or license to conduct beano under this chapter may not be assigned or transferred.

Location permit

"Location permit" means that card issued by the Gambling Control Unit, describing the premises or area in which "Beano" may be conducted. Such location permit must be accompanied by a license. Only such locations expressly described in the location permit are used for the conduct of any game.

Lucky Seven or similar sealed ticket game

“Lucky Seven or similar sealed ticket game” means a game consisting of tickets or cards with preprinted symbols, numbers or other figures that are hidden by an opaque removable material. Each ticket or card represents a chance to win a specific single prize or specific single set of prizes. A winning ticket or card contains a predetermined winning configuration of symbols, numbers or other figures.

Machine

"Machine" means any machine, including electronic devices, however operated, the internal mechanism or components of which when set in motion or activated and by the application of the element of chance may deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tickets or something of value as defined in subsection 17.  A machine as defined by this subsection is not eligible to be licensed under this chapter.

Member

"Member" means a bona fide member of a firm, corporation, association, organization, department or class or a combination thereof who has been duly admitted as a member according to the laws, rules, regulations, ordinances or bylaws governing membership in the firm, corporation, association, organization, department, class or combination thereof.

Net revenue

"Net revenue" means gross revenue less allowable expenses as described in section 1838.

Occasion

“Occasion” means a single gathering or session at which a series of successive Beano games are played.

Organization

"Organization" means any firm, association or corporation authorized to conduct "Beano" in accordance with this chapter.

Organizations eligible for registration; fees

1. Registration eligibility. The Gambling Control Unit may accept registrations from the following organizations to conduct beano for the exclusive benefit of the organization:

A.  A volunteer fire department; [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7 (NEW).]

B.  An agricultural fair association; [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7   (NEW).]

C.  A bona fide nonprofit charitable, educational, political, civic, recreational, fraternal, patriotic, religious or veterans' organization that has been in existence and founded, chartered or organized in the State for at least 2 years prior to its registration; and [PL 2019, c. 24, §1 (AMD); PL 2019, c. 56, §2 (AMD).]

D. An auxiliary organization associated with an organization, department or association described in this subsection that has been in existence for at least 2 years prior to submitting a registration to conduct beano to the Gambling Control Unit. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7 (NEW).]

The Gambling Control Unit may accept a registration submitted by an organization described in paragraph C that has been in existence for less than 2 years in the State if the organization has a charter from a national organization. [PL 2019, c. 24, §1 (AMD); PL 2019, c. 56, §2 (AMD).]

2. Fees. Registration fees to conduct beano are as follows.

A.   For up to a calendar week, the fee is $12. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7 (NEW).]

B.   For up to a calendar month, the fee is $36. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7 (NEW).]

C.   For up to a calendar year, the fee is $400. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7 (NEW).]

D.   The fee for a single game is $5. An organization is limited to 6 single-game registrations in a calendar year. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §7 (NEW).]

Registration fees required by this subsection must accompany a registration submitted to the Gambling Control Unit and must be credited to the General Fund.

Penalty

A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged.

Period

"Period" means the number of calendar weeks authorized by a single license for the operation of "Beano" or "Bingo."

Permittee

"Permittee" means an individual, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association that rents or leases a building or facilities for profit to a licensee to hold, conduct or operate "beano."

Raffle

"Raffle" means a game of chance in which:

A.  A person pays or agrees to pay something of value for a chance, represented and differentiated by a number, to win a prize.

B.  One or more of the chances is to be designated the winning chance; and

C.  The winning chance is to be determined as a result of a drawing from a container holding numbers representative of all chances sold.

Registrant (bingo)

"Registrant" means a person or organization registered with the Gambling Control Unit to hold, conduct or operate beano games for which a license is not required.

Registrant (games of chance)

"Registrant" means a person or organization registered with the Gambling Control Unit to conduct a game of chance, a raffle or certain tournament games, for which a license is not required under this chapter.

Registration

Except for high-stakes beano under section 314‑A, and except as provided in section 313‑D, a person or organization that wishes to conduct beano shall register with the Gambling Control Unit pursuant to the provisions set forth in this section. The registration must be as determined by the director. A registration must be signed by the person or a duly authorized officer of the organization to be registered, must contain the full name and address of the person or organization and the location where it will conduct beano and must bear the consent of the municipal officers of the town or city in which it is proposed to operate beano

Roulette

"Roulette" means a game of chance in which players bet on the compartment of a revolving wheel into which a small ball will come to rest.

Sealed tickets

FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBES

The Gambling Control Unit may also accept a registration from a federally recognized Indian tribe licensed under this section to sell lucky seven or other similar sealed tickets in accordance with section 324‑A. The licensee may operate a dispenser to sell the lucky seven or other similar tickets. As used in this subsection, "dispenser" means a mechanical or electrical device or machine that, upon the insertion of money, credit or something of value, dispenses printed lucky seven or other similar tickets. The element of chance must be provided by the ticket itself, not by the dispenser. The Gambling Control Unit may adopt rules to facilitate the use of dispensers. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.

Slot machine

 "Slot machine" has the same meaning as provided under Title 8, section 1001, subsection 39

Social gambling

"Social gambling" means a contest of chance in which the only participants are players and from which no person or organization receives or becomes entitled to receive something of value or any profit whatsoever, directly or indirectly, other than as a player, from any source, fee, remuneration connected with gambling or such activity as arrangements or facilitation of the game, permitting the use of premises or selling or supplying for-profit refreshments, food, drink service or entertainment to participants, players or spectators.

Something of value

"Something of value" means:

A.  Any money or property.

B.  Any token, object or article exchangeable for money, property, amusement or entertainment; or

C.  Any form of credit or promise directly or indirectly contemplating transfer of money or property, or of any interest therein.

Tokens

"Tokens" means distinctive objects, chips, tickets or other devices of no intrinsic value used as a substitute for cash in accounting for revenue from a game of chance.

Wild Number Beano

"Wild Number Beano" means a beano occasion, game or series of beano games in which a number is picked or denoted as a wild number.

Winner-take-all

"Winner-take-all" means a beano game or series of beano games in which all the proceeds from the sale of the cards are paid to participants as prizes.