Sec.7-185-1b. Definitions

When used in sections 7-185-1b to 7-185-17b, inclusive, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning herein allocated to them:

(a) "Aggregate value of prizes offered" means the amount paid by the applicant for the prize or prizes, or the retail value of the same if donated.

(b) "Applicant" means the sponsoring organization.

(c) "Bazaar and raffle act" means sections 7-170 to 7-186, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.

(d) "Chance", by which it is determined that certain tickets entitle the holders to prizes at a raffle, means the drawing from a container having therein counterparts or stubs of all tickets sold, or, in the case of a cow-chip raffle authorized pursuant to subsection (d) of section 7-185a of the Connecticut General Statutes, a drawing utilizing an adequately marked land area with consecutively numbered plots which correspond to the consecutively numbered raffle tickets, or, in the case of a "duck-race raffle" authorized pursuant to subsection (f) of section 7-185a of the Connecticut General Statutes, or a "frog-race raffle" authorized pursuant to subsection (g) of section 7-185a of the Connecticut General Statutes, a drawing utilizing a naturally moving stream of water at a designated starting point and in which the ticket corresponding to the number of the first duck or frog to pass a designated finishing point is the winning ticket.

(e) "Executive director" means the executive director of the division of special revenue.

(f) "Dealer" means any supplier of equipment used in a bazaar or raffle for a rental fee therefor, or without charge, if the free use of such equipment carries with it an agreement or condition that the gifts, wares or merchandise will be purchased or obtained from the supplier, or who for the loan of such equipment receives consideration, compensation or reward directly or indirectly in any form.

(g) "Equipment" means any implement, instrument, device, wheel or machine designed or intended to be used, or used, in the conduct of a bazaar or raffle, and includes coupons, tickets or other evidence of right to participate in a bazaar or raffle.

(h) "Gift certificate" means a certificate, ticket, or coupon which entitles the holder to exercise his option in the choice of an article of merchandise or any item of service; provided, in the case of a raffle, an order for a specific item of merchandise describing such merchandise in detail shall not come within the term "gift certificate." Such certificates, tickets, or coupons may be used as a medium of exchange, barter or purchase in any transaction, and are not refundable in money or cash, or redeemable or convertible into cash, directly or indirectly.

(i) "Goods, wares and merchandise" means all prizes, articles, supplies and commodities necessary to the conduct of a bazaar or raffle.

(j) "Means of chance," by which merchandise may be disposed of at a bazaar, means a game, sport, amusement, diversion, scheme, plan, project, contest, undertaking or enterprise wherein chance, fortune, luck or lot is the predominating factor or element in the winning or awarding of a prize, including the drawing for a prize or prizes from a container or containers having therein tickets, counterparts or stubs of tickets sold, but shall not include any game, sport, amusement, diversion, scheme, plan, project, contest or undertaking where the skill, accomplishment, art or adroitness of the operator or participant is the primary factor in the winning or awarding of a prize.

(k) "Net profit" means the gross income from the sale of tickets or shares of rights to participate in a bazaar or raffle, less only actual expenses incurred for bona fide items in reasonable amounts for goods, wares or merchandise furnished or services rendered which are reasonably necessary to be purchased or furnished for the holding, operating or conducting of a bazaar or raffle.

(l) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization of which any officer, member or employee does not receive, and shall not receive, any pecuniary profit from the operations thereof, except reasonable compensation for services rendered in the conduct of its affairs.

(m) "Organization" or "sponsoring organization" means a nonprofit organization.

(n) "Services rendered" means janitorial services, purchase, construction and repair of equipment, rental of premises, utilities, rental of tents, booths, tables, wheels and games of chance, permit fees, accounting fees, necessary police or security service, necessary fire service, insurance protection and advertising, which services rendered shall not be an authorized expense unless rendered solely in and for the conduct of the bazaar or raffle.

(Effective June 17, 1992; Amended April 5, 1999; Amended January 2, 2007)