Bill Text: NJ A2635 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes skill-based games to be played at horse racetracks in this State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-01 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee [A2635 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A2635-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes skill-based games to be played at horse racetracks in this State.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act authorizing skill-based games to be played at horse racetracks in this State and supplementing P.L.1940, c.17 (C.5:5-22 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Legislature finds and declares that skill-based games are not a form of gambling that is restricted by the New Jersey Constitution and may, therefore, be played at racetracks in this State.
b. As used in this section, "skill-based game" means any game with a skill-based component that allows the player to play against another player, or against a computerized or skilled house sponsored opponent, with the outcome of the game dependent in whole or in part on the player's physical dexterity or mental ability, that the Division of Gaming Enforcement has approved to be played at casinos or gambling houses in Atlantic City; and
"skill-based game area" means any area at a running or harness horse racetrack in this State where skilled-based games are played.
c. The holder of a permit to conduct a horse race meeting may establish a skill-based game area at a running or harness horse racetrack where skill-based games are conducted with a portion of amounts wagered retained by the permit holder.
d. A skill-based game player shall be at least 21 years of age.
e. The Division of Gaming Enforcement shall have jurisdiction over the conduct of skill-based games played in a skill-based game area at a racetrack in this State. The division shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), that: establish the rules of the games; provide for the licensing of a permit holder and its employees who conduct skill-based games; and establish standards for the size and arrangement of a skill-based game area. The division shall approve the amount that a permit holder may retain as compensation from the conduct of skill-based games. The New Jersey Racing Commission shall have no jurisdiction over skill-based games conducted pursuant to this section.
f. Skill-based games, as conducted and played in a skill-based game area at a racetrack in this State, pursuant to this section, shall not constitute a violation of any criminal law of this State that addresses gambling.
2. This act shall take effect
immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes skill-based games to be played in skill-based game areas at horse racetracks in this State. The bill states that the Legislature finds and declares that skill-based games are not restricted by the gambling provisions of the State Constitution. Accordingly, skill-based games as conducted under the bill will not violate any criminal law of this State that addresses gambling. The Division of Gaming Enforcement will have jurisdiction over skill-based games at racetracks. The division may allow any such game that allows a player to play against another player or against a computerized or skilled house-sponsored opponent with the outcome dependent in whole or in part on the player's physical dexterity or mental ability, and that the division has approved to be played at casinos or gambling houses in Atlantic City. The division will promulgate rules and regulations establishing the rules of the games, providing for the licensing of racetrack permit holders to conduct skill-based games, and establishing standards for the size and arrangement of skill-based game areas. The division will also approve the amount that a permit holder may retain as compensation from the conduct of skill-based games. The New Jersey Racing Commission will have no jurisdiction over skill-based games at racetracks. Skill-based game players must be at least 21 years of age.
