SubTitle7-186k-1_7-186k-19. Operation and Conduct of Games of Chance, Title7 Municipalities, Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023)

SubTitle7-186k-1_7-186k-19. Operation and Conduct of Games of Chance

Sec. 7-186k-1. Qualifications for sponsorship participation

Latest version.

(a) Any nonprofit organization, association or corporation may promote and operate games of chance to raise funds for the purposes of the organization, association or corporation, provided the sponsoring organization shall have been organized in good faith and actively functioning as a nonprofit organization in this state for a period of not less than two years prior to its application. If such organization is a charitable organization as defined in section 21a-176 of the Connecticut General Statutes, other than a church or religious organization, it shall be registered with the department of consumer protection under the provisions of chapter 419d of the general statutes.

(b) The promotion and operation of games of chance shall be confined solely to the qualified members of the sponsoring organization, except as provided in section 7-186c of the general statutes and excluding any such qualified member who is a dealer in gambling devices or equipment or an agent or employee of any dealer in such devices or equipment.

(c) No qualified member may receive remuneration in any form for time or effort devoted to the promotion or operation of such games of chance.

(d) No person under the age of eighteen years shall promote, conduct, operate or work at events featuring, or play, such games nor shall any sponsoring organization permit any person under the age of eighteen to so promote, conduct, operate or play such games of chance.

(e) All funds derived from any such games of chance shall be used exclusively for the purpose stated in the application of the sponsoring organization.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-2. Registration, identification number

Latest version.

(a) No organization shall conduct games of chance until it has registered with, and secured an identification number from the executive director of the division of special revenue.

(b) Said executive director shall provide the requesting organization with an identification number within seven days after receipt of a request for such number. Any refusal to provide such number shall be in writing, shall state the reason therefor and be sent to such organization by prepaid first class mail within such seven days.

(c) All applications for permits, amendments of permits, reports, verified statements, agreements between the sponsoring organization and the operator and any other papers relating to games of chance shall bear the identification number of the organization involved. Copies of such applications, reports, agreements and other papers shall be forwarded to the executive director at least fifteen days before the event at which such games of chance are to be played.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-3. Permit and fee, prizes

Latest version.

(a) A permit under the provisions of sections 7-186a to 7-186p, inclusive, of the general statutes, shall allow the operation of games of chance by the sponsoring organization on the date or dates specified in the permit. The fee for such permit shall be twenty dollars.

(b) Any prizes to be awarded for the playing of such games shall be merchandise or goods. Cash prizes shall not be given nor shall any prize be redeemed or redeemable for cash. Coupons or certificates for goods may be issued by the sponsoring organization only. Such coupons or certificates shall contain a notation that such coupons or certificates may not be redeemed for cash money and that redemption of any such coupon or certificate for cash money by any person or organization shall, pursuant to the provisions of section 7-186d of the general statutes, constitute a class A misdemeanor. No person may be awarded a coupon or gift certificate which is redeemable at any business or mercantile establishment where such person is employed or affiliated. Any person or organization who redeems coupons or certificates evidencing a right to receive goods or merchandise issued by a games of chance sponsoring organization for cash or consideration, other than goods or merchandise, shall, pursuant to the provisions of section 7-186d of the general statutes, be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

(Effective March 17, 1988; Amended December 8, 1998)

Sec. 7-186k-4. Application for permit

Latest version.

(a) Any organization desiring to operate games of chance at an event to be sponsored by such organization shall make application in duplicate, duly executed and verified, to the chief of police of the municipality in which the event is to be held, if such municipality has a police department, or to the first selectman of the town, if there is no police department. Such chief of police or first selectman, as the case may be, shall, at least fifteen business days prior to the date of such event, forward the original copy of such application to the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue.

(b) Games of chance shall be conducted within the town in which the sponsoring organization is located, provided a sponsoring organization may apply to the executive director of the division to conduct such games of chance in another town or municipality. The executive director may approve such application upon satisfactory proof that the town or municipality in which the organization is located lacks facilities adequate for the suitable conduct of such games of chance.

(Effective March 17, 1988; Amended December 8, 1998)

Sec. 7-186k-5. Investigation of applicants, limitations on permits

Latest version.

(a) Upon receiving an application, such chief of police or first selectman, as the case may be, shall make or cause to be made an investigation of the qualifications of the applicant and the facts stated in the application and, if he determines that the applicant is qualified to operate and conduct games of chance, that members of the applicant, one of whom shall be an officer of such applicant, designated in the application to operate or conduct such games of chance are bona fide active members of the applicant and have been such for a period of at least one year prior to the date of the application and are persons of good moral character and have never been convicted of a felony or of a violation of sections 53-278b to 53-278f, inclusive, of the general statutes and that such games of chance are to be operated and conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 7-186a to 7-186l, inclusive, of the general statutes, he shall issue a permit to such applicant.

(b) No more than four permits shall be issued to the same applicant in any twelve month period and no permit shall be issued to the same applicant within two months from the issuance of a prior permit. No game of chance shall be conducted at the same location more than twice within a period of three weeks.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-6. Application, change in facts

Latest version.

If there is any change in the facts set forth in the application for a permit subsequent to the making of such application, the applicant shall immediately notify the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue of such change, and the executive director may, if he deems such action advisable in the public interest, revoke such permit.

(Effective March 17, 1988; Amended December 8, 1998)

Sec. 7-186k-7. Operation for compensation

Latest version.

No person, firm or organization shall contract to operate or conduct any games of chance for an organization for compensation unless it (1) has a principal place of business in the state; (2) is registered with the executive director of the division of special revenue in such manner and on such form as he may prescribe, which form shall be accompanied by an annual fee of three hundred dollars payable to the treasurer of the state of Connecticut; and (3) enters into a written agreement, certified under penalty of false statement, for each event with each organization with which it contracts. Such agreement shall set forth the anticipated expenses of the sponsoring organization and such agreement shall provide for a fixed fee for the operator which shall not be dependent on any percentage of the proceeds or profits from any games of chance.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-8. Listing of workers

Latest version.

Any person, firm or organization which has contracted to operate or conduct any games of chance for an organization for compensation shall provide the executive director of the division of special revenue, on a form prescribed by the executive director, with a listing of workers employed by such person, firm or organization who will operate games of chance for an event for compensation. Such listing shall be submitted to the executive director at least ten days prior to each games of chance event.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-9. Investigation of operators for compensation

Latest version.

The executive director of the division of special revenue shall have the authority to investigate the qualifications of any person, firm or organization which has contracted to operate or conduct games of chance or agreed to operate or conduct such games of chance for compensation. Said executive director may investigate the facts stated in the registration form submitted by such person, firm or organization. No person shall be permitted to operate games of chance at an event if such person has been convicted of a felony or of a violation of sections 53-278b to 53-278f, inclusive, of the general statutes.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-10. Equipment, equipment dealer, registration, investigation

Latest version.

(a) No game of chance shall be conducted with any equipment except such as is owned absolutely or used without payment of any compensation therefor by the permittee or as is rented at a fixed fee under a written contract, certified under penalty of false statement, and only from a dealer in such equipment who has his principal place of business in this state, who has not been convicted of a felony or of a violation of sections 53-278b to 53-278f, inclusive, and who has registered with the division of special revenue in such manner and on such form as the executive director of said division prescribes.

(b) The executive director shall have the authority to investigate the qualifications of such dealer and the facts stated in the registration form.

(c) No equipment may be rented or leased by a games of chance equipment dealer to any organization which has not obtained a permit to conduct games of chance in accordance with the provisions of sections 7-186a to 7-186p, inclusive, of the general statutes.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-11. Conduct of games

Latest version.

At authorized games of chance, no individual bet or wager shall be made in money. No bet shall be made or accepted using any representation of money which exceeds twenty-five dollars. Only cash, checks or credit cards approved by the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue shall be used for the purchase of chips or any other representation of money to be used at an event and no other form of credit or representation of credit shall be extended to players at such event. All chips or representations of money to be used at an event shall be counted prior to the event and at the termination of such event with an accounting thereof certified to under penalty of false statement by the three persons designated in the permit application as being responsible for such games of chance. The three persons so designated shall be responsible for supervising those persons who sell or dispense chips or any other representation of money and those persons who redeem such chips or representations of money for prizes or merchandise or goods or for coupons or certificates for such merchandise or goods.

(Effective March 17, 1988; Amended December 8, 1998)

Sec. 7-186k-12. Financial transactions

Latest version.

All financial transactions made by a sponsoring organization for an event shall be made by check. Such checks and records of such financial transactions shall be preserved for at least two years from the date of submission of the verified statement required under the provisions of section 7-186i of the general statutes and section 7-186k-17 of these administrative regulations governing games of chance.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-13. Policemen required

Latest version.

Each applicant shall reimburse the municipality for the costs of assigning a policeman to be present at the time games of chance are conducted.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-14. Advertising

Latest version.

No games of chance to be conducted under any permit issued shall be advertised as to location, the time to be held or the prizes to be awarded, by means of television or sound truck or by means of billboards, provided one sign, not exceeding twelve square feet, may be displayed on the premises where the games of chance are to be conducted and also where the prizes are or will be exhibited.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-15. Permissible games, equipment

Latest version.

(a) The following are permissible games of chance and games of chance equipment to be registered in the state:

(1) Blackjack and blackjack equipment

(2) Poker and poker tables

(3) Dice and dice tables

(4) Money-wheels

(5) Roulette and roulette wheels and tables

(6) Baccarat

(7) Chuck-a-Luck and Chuck-a-Luck tables

(8) Pan Game

(9) Over and Under

(10) Horse race game and equipment including miniature horses and oval track

(11) Acey-Ducey and Acey-Ducey tables

(12) Beat the Dealer

(13) Bouncing Ball

(14) Such other games and equipment as may be approved by the executive director of the division upon the written request of a games of chance equipment dealer registered with the division

(b) Equipment may include balls, cards, card shoes, tables, accessories, and any item directly involved with the conduct of a game of chance.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-16. Verified statement, books and records

Latest version.

(a) Any sponsoring organization which holds, operates or conducts any games of chance, and its members who were in charge thereof, shall furnish to the executive director and to the chief of police of the municipality or to the first selectman, as the case may be, a verified statement, showing (1) the amount of the gross receipts derived from each event of such games of chance, (2) each item of expense incurred or paid and each item of expenditure made or to be made and the name and address of each person to whom each such item has been or is to be paid, (3) the net profit derived from each event of such games of chance and the uses to which the net profit has been or is to be applied and (4) a list of prizes of a retail value of fifty dollars or more offered or given with the amount paid for each prize purchased or the retail value for each prize donated and the names and addresses of the persons to whom the prizes were given.

Such report shall be furnished during the next succeeding month.

(b) The sponsoring organization shall maintain and keep any books and records that may be necessary to substantiate the particulars of such report, which books and records shall be preserved for at least two years from the date of such report and shall be available for inspection by the executive director and the chief of police of the municipality or first selectman, as the case may be, upon request.

(c) Such report shall be certified to under penalty of false statement by the three persons designated in the permit application as being responsible for such games of chance.

(Effective March 17, 1988; Amended December 8, 1998)

Sec. 7-186k-17. Accounting of receipts

Latest version.

(a) At the close of the operation of games of chance an accounting of the receipts for the event shall be made and witnessed by the three designated persons responsible for such games of chance, and a representative of the chief of police, first selectman or executive director of the division.

(b) A full disclosure of all receipts and expenditures shall be made, including an accounting of the amount to be paid as a fixed fee to the dealer in gaming equipment used at such event, all operating expenses prior to and during the event, the names and address of all prize winners and the value of such prizes listed individually.

(c) A copy of the written agreement made under the provisions of subsection (e) of section 7-186c of the general statutes and section 7-186k-11 of these regulations governing games of chance shall be produced at such public accounting by the sponsoring organization to insure that such agreement has been honored.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-18. Gaming equipment, identifying numbers

Latest version.

(a) The executive director of the division shall issue identifying numbers for all equipment used by operators and dealers of gaming equipment. No gaming equipment which is not identified by such numbers shall be used or operated at an event.

(b) An operator or dealer of gaming equipment shall send the executive director a list of all gaming equipment, including identifying numbers of such equipment to be used at an event, at least ten days prior to such event.

(Effective March 17, 1988)

Sec. 7-186k-19. Suspension, revocation, hearing, penalty

Latest version.

(a) Whenever it appears to the executive director of the division of special revenue after an investigation that any person is violating or is about to violate any provision of section 7-170 to 7-185, inclusive, or administrative regulations issued pursuant thereto, the executive director may in his discretion, to protect the public welfare, order that any registration or permit issued pursuant to said sections be immediately suspended or revoked and that the person cease and desist from the actions constituting such violation or which would constitute such violation. After such an order is issued, the person named therein may, within fourteen days after receipt of the order, file a written request for a hearing. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(b) Whenever the executive director of the Division of Special Revenue finds as the result of an investigation that any person has violated any provision of sections 7-186a to 7-186p, inclusive, or administrative regulations issued pursuant thereto or made any false statement in an application for a permit or in any report required by the provisions of said sections, the executive director may send a notice of a hearing to such person by certified mail, return receipt requested. Any such notice shall include (1) a reference to the section or regulation alleged to have been violated or the application or report in which an alleged false statement was made, (2) a short and plain statement of the matter asserted or charged, (3) the fact that any registration or permit issued pursuant to sections 7-186a to 7-186p, inclusive, may be suspended or revoked for such violation or false statement and the maximum penalty that may be imposed for such violation or false statement, and (4) the time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be fixed for a date not earlier than fourteen days after the notice is mailed.

(c) The executive director shall hold a hearing upon the charges made unless such person fails to appear at the hearing. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If such person fails to appear at the hearing or if, after the hearing, the executive director finds that such person committed such a violation or made such a false statement, the executive director may, in his discretion, suspend or revoke such registration or permit and order that a civil penalty of not more than two hundred dollars be imposed upon such person for such violation or false statement. The executive director shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, to any person named in such order.

(d) Whenever the executive director revokes a permit issued pursuant to sections 7-186a to 7-186p, inclusive, he shall not issue any permit to such permittee for three years after the date of the violation.

(Effective March 17, 1988; Amended December 8, 1998)