Adds new Part 2A to Article 37 in GS Chapter 14 to allow an exempt organization, as defined, to have a casino night, which is a specific night on which persons play games of chance and receive prizes. Requires an exempt organization to obtain a license from the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety (Department) before conducting a casino night for an annual fee of $400. Requires a copy of the application and license to be submitted to the local law enforcement agency in the applicable local government. Requires the organization to pay one member, as detailed, to conduct the casino night and to be responsible for all revenues received. Prohibits compensation for any other person from casino night funds and prohibits an organization from contracting with any person to conduct a casino night. Details the process for an organization to apply for a limited occasion permit to conduct casino nights annually or semiannually. Specifies the location where an organization may hold a casino night.
Limits the number of casino nights sponsored or conducted by an organization to four sessions a year, with each session limited to five hours. Sets out additional restrictions on casino nights. Limits the prize amount for any one game winner to $500 and limits the total prize amount to $1,500 a session. Limits the games that may be played, as listed, and requires the organization to designate a special committee to oversee the games. Requires all funds from a casino night to be deposited in a separate bank account, which is annually audited, and details how the funds must be spent. Makes any person who willfully provides false information on an audit guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Prohibits the use of funds on social functions for organization members. States that a casino night conducted outside the provisions of Part 2A is gambling and subject to penalty under GS Chapter 19.
Makes any licensed exempt organization that conducts a casino night in violation of Part 2A guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and prohibits a person convicted of the offense from conducting a casino night for one year. Makes it a Class I felony to (1) operate a casino night without a license, (2) operate a casino night while license is suspended or revoked, (3) willfully misuse money received from a casino night, (4) allow bingo to be played at the casino night, (5) allow the operation of a slot machine, or (6) contract with or provide consulting services to a licensee.
Prohibits any person, who is not a licensed Gaming Table Dealer, from operating, selling, or leasing any gaming tables or casino games to any person or organization that is not a licensed nonprofit organization purchasing the games to own and use at the organization’s casino night. Makes a violation of the provision a Class I felony. Provides for application to the Department for the license and imposes an annual $1,000 application fee.
Enacts new GS 18B-1002.1 to allow a licensed exempt organization to obtain a special one-time permit to allow the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages at a single casino night. Imposes a permit fee of $500 and requires the organization to apply for the permit for each casino night held where alcoholic beverages will be sold or consumed. Disqualifies an organization from applying or receiving a permit for one year if a violation of GS Chapter 18B occurs at a casino night.
Effective July 1, 2012.