As Introduced

129th General Assembly Regular Session 2011-2012

H. B. No. 195

Representatives Anielski, Baker 

Cosponsors: Representatives Murray, McKenney, Slaby, Grossman, Blessing 

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A BILL

To amend sections 2915.01, 2915.03, 2915.06,

1

2915.061, 2915.08, 2915.09, 3772.01, 3772.02,

2

3772.03, 3772.032, 3772.033, 3772.04, 3772.06,

3

3772.07, 3772.10, 3772.17, 3772.21, 3772.23,

4

3772.30, 3772.31, and 3772.99 and to enact

5

sections 2915.062, 2915.063, 2915.064, 3772.34,

6

and 3772.35 of the Revised Code to provide

7

licensing of skill-based amusement machine

8

operators and distributors and sweepstakes

9

terminal device operators and distributors and to

10

make changes to bingo and other gambling law.

11

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That sections 2915.01, 2915.03, 2915.06, 2915.061,	12
2915.08, 2915.09, 3772.01, 3772.02, 3772.03, 3772.032, 3772.033,	13
3772.04, 3772.06, 3772.07, 3772.10, 3772.17, 3772.21, 3772.23,	14
3772.30, 3772.31, and 3772.99 be amended and sections 2915.062,	15
2915.063, 2915.064, 3772.34, and 3772.35 of the Revised Code be	16
enacted to read as follows:	17

Sec. 2915.01.  As used in this chapter:

18

(A) "Bookmaking" means the business of receiving or paying	19
off bets.	20

(B) "Bet" means the hazarding of anything of value upon the	21
result of an event, undertaking, or contingency, but does not	22
include a bona fide business risk.	23

(C) "Scheme of chance" means a slot machine, lottery, numbers	24
game, pool conducted for profit, or other scheme in which a	25
participant gives a valuable consideration for a chance to win a	26
prize, but does not include bingo, a skill-based amusement	27
machine, or a pool not conducted for profit.	28

(D) "Game of chance" means poker, craps, roulette, or other	29
game in which a player gives anything of value in the hope of	30
gain, the outcome of which is determined largely by chance, but	31
does not include bingo.	32

(E) "Game of chance conducted for profit" means any game of	33
chance designed to produce income for the person who conducts or	34
operates the game of chance, but does not include bingo.	35

(F) "Gambling device" means any of the following:

36

(1) A book, totalizer, or other equipment for recording bets;

37

(2) A ticket, token, or other device representing a chance,	38
share, or interest in a scheme of chance or evidencing a bet;	39

(3) A deck of cards, dice, gaming table, roulette wheel, slot	40
machine, or other apparatus designed for use in connection with a	41
game of chance;	42

(4) Any equipment, device, apparatus, or paraphernalia	43
specially designed for gambling purposes;	44

(5) Bingo supplies sold or otherwise provided, or used, in	45
violation of this chapter;	46

(6) Skill-based amusement machines, slot machines, or	47
sweepstakes terminal devices used in violation of this chapter.	48

(G) "Gambling offense" means any of the following:

49

(1) A violation of section 2915.02, 2915.03, 2915.04,	50
2915.05, 2915.06, 2915.062, 2915.063, 2915.07, 2915.08, 2915.081,	51
2915.082, 2915.09, 2915.091, 2915.092, 2915.10, or 2915.11 of the	52
Revised Code;	53

(2) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance	54
or law of this or any other state or the United States	55
substantially equivalent to any section listed in division (G)(1)	56
of this section or a violation of section 2915.06 of the Revised	57
Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996;	58

(3) An offense under an existing or former municipal	59
ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States,	60
of which gambling is an element;	61

(4) A conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in	62
committing, any offense under division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this	63
section.	64

(H) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, "charitable	65
organization" means any tax exempt religious, educational,	66
veteran's, fraternal, sporting, service, nonprofit medical,	67
volunteer rescue service, volunteer firefighter's, senior	68
citizen's, historic railroad educational, youth athletic, amateur	69
athletic, or youth athletic park organization. An organization is	70
tax exempt if the organization is, and has received from the	71
internal revenue service a determination letter that currently is	72
in effect stating that the organization is, exempt from federal	73
income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in	74
subsection 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or	75
501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, or if the organization is	76
a sporting organization that is exempt from federal income	77
taxation under subsection 501(a) and is described in subsection	78
501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify as a charitable	79
organization, an organization, except a volunteer rescue service	80
or volunteer firefighter's organization, shall have been in	81
continuous existence as such in this state for a period of two	82
years immediately preceding either the making of an application	83
for a bingo license under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code or	84
the conducting of any game of chance as provided in division (D)	85
of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code. A charitable organization	86
that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection	87
501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal	88
Revenue Code and that is created by a veteran's organization, a	89
fraternal organization, or a sporting organization does not have	90
to have been in continuous existence as such in this state for a	91
period of two years immediately preceding either the making of an	92
application for a bingo license under section 2915.08 of the	93
Revised Code or the conducting of any game of chance as provided	94
in division (D) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code.	95

(I) "Religious organization" means any church, body of	96
communicants, or group that is not organized or operated for	97
profit and that gathers in common membership for regular worship	98
and religious observances.	99

(J) "Educational organization" means any organization within	100
this state that is not organized for profit, the primary purpose	101
of which is to educate and develop the capabilities of individuals	102
through instruction by means of operating or contributing to the	103
support of a school, academy, college, or university.	104

(K) "Veteran's organization" means any individual post or	105
state headquarters of a national veteran's association or an	106
auxiliary unit of any individual post of a national veteran's	107
association, which post, state headquarters, or auxiliary unit is	108
incorporated as a nonprofit corporation and either has received a	109
letter from the state headquarters of the national veteran's	110
association indicating that the individual post or auxiliary unit	111
is in good standing with the national veteran's association or has	112
received a letter from the national veteran's association	113
indicating that the state headquarters is in good standing with	114
the national veteran's association. As used in this division,	115
"national veteran's association" means any veteran's association	116
that has been in continuous existence as such for a period of at	117
least five years and either is incorporated by an act of the	118
United States congress or has a national dues-paying membership of	119
at least five thousand persons.	120

(L) "Volunteer firefighter's organization" means any	121
organization of volunteer firefighters, as defined in section	122
146.01 of the Revised Code, that is organized and operated	123
exclusively to provide financial support for a volunteer fire	124
department or a volunteer fire company and that is recognized or	125
ratified by a county, municipal corporation, or township.	126

(M) "Fraternal organization" means any society, order, state	127
headquarters, or association within this state, except a college	128
or high school fraternity, that is not organized for profit, that	129
is a branch, lodge, or chapter of a national or state	130
organization, that exists exclusively for the common business or	131
sodality of its members.	132

(N) "Volunteer rescue service organization" means any	133
organization of volunteers organized to function as an emergency	134
medical service organization, as defined in section 4765.01 of the	135
Revised Code.	136

(O) "Service organization" means either of the following:

137

(1) Any organization, not organized for profit, that is	138
organized and operated exclusively to provide, or to contribute to	139
the support of organizations or institutions organized and	140
operated exclusively to provide, medical and therapeutic services	141
for persons who are crippled, born with birth defects, or have any	142
other mental or physical defect or those organized and operated	143
exclusively to protect, or to contribute to the support of	144
organizations or institutions organized and operated exclusively	145
to protect, animals from inhumane treatment or provide immediate	146
shelter to victims of domestic violence;	147

(2) Any organization that is described in subsection	148
509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code	149
and is either a governmental unit or an organization that is tax	150
exempt under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection	151
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is an	152
organization, not organized for profit, that is organized and	153
operated primarily to provide, or to contribute to the support of	154
organizations or institutions organized and operated primarily to	155
provide, medical and therapeutic services for persons who are	156
crippled, born with birth defects, or have any other mental or	157
physical defect.	158

(P) "Nonprofit medical organization" means either of the	159
following:	160

(1) Any organization that has been incorporated as a	161
nonprofit corporation for at least five years and that has	162
continuously operated and will be operated exclusively to provide,	163
or to contribute to the support of organizations or institutions	164
organized and operated exclusively to provide, hospital, medical,	165
research, or therapeutic services for the public;	166

(2) Any organization that is described and qualified under	167
subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that has been	168
incorporated as a nonprofit corporation for at least five years,	169
and that has continuously operated and will be operated primarily	170
to provide, or to contribute to the support of organizations or	171
institutions organized and operated primarily to provide,	172
hospital, medical, research, or therapeutic services for the	173
public.	174

(Q) "Senior citizen's organization" means any private	175
organization, not organized for profit, that is organized and	176
operated exclusively to provide recreational or social services	177
for persons who are fifty-five years of age or older and that is	178
described and qualified under subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal	179
Revenue Code.	180

(R) "Charitable bingo game" means any bingo game described in	181
division (S)(1) or (2) of this section that is conducted by a	182
charitable organization that has obtained a license pursuant to	183
section 2915.08 of the Revised Code and the proceeds of which are	184
used for a charitable purpose.	185

(S) "Bingo" means either of the following:

186

(1) A game with all of the following characteristics:

187

(a) The participants use bingo cards or sheets, including	188
paper formats and electronic representation or image formats, that	189
are divided into twenty-five spaces arranged in five horizontal	190
and five vertical rows of spaces, with each space, except the	191
central space, being designated by a combination of a letter and a	192
number and with the central space being designated as a free	193
space.	194

(b) The participants cover the spaces on the bingo cards or	195
sheets that correspond to combinations of letters and numbers that	196
are announced by a bingo game operator.	197

(c) A bingo game operator announces combinations of letters	198
and numbers that appear on objects that a bingo game operator	199
selects by chance, either manually or mechanically, from a	200
receptacle that contains seventy-five objects at the beginning of	201
each game, each object marked by a different combination of a	202
letter and a number that corresponds to one of the seventy-five	203
possible combinations of a letter and a number that can appear on	204
the bingo cards or sheets.	205

(d) The winner of the bingo game includes any participant who	206
properly announces during the interval between the announcements	207
of letters and numbers as described in division (S)(1)(c) of this	208
section, that a predetermined and preannounced pattern of spaces	209
has been covered on a bingo card or sheet being used by the	210
participant.	211

(2) Instant bingo, punch boards, and raffles.

212

(T) "Conduct" means to back, promote, organize, manage, carry	213
on, sponsor, or prepare for the operation of bingo or a game of	214
chance.	215

(U) "Bingo game operator" means any person, except security	216
personnel, who performs work or labor at the site of bingo,	217
including, but not limited to, collecting money from participants,	218
handing out bingo cards or sheets or objects to cover spaces on	219
bingo cards or sheets, selecting from a receptacle the objects	220
that contain the combination of letters and numbers that appear on	221
bingo cards or sheets, calling out the combinations of letters and	222
numbers, distributing prizes, selling or redeeming instant bingo	223
tickets or cards, supervising the operation of a punch board,	224
selling raffle tickets, selecting raffle tickets from a receptacle	225
and announcing the winning numbers in a raffle, and preparing,	226
selling, and serving food or beverages.	227

(V) "Participant" means any person who plays bingo.

228

(W) "Bingo session" means a period that includes both of the	229
following:	230

(1) Not to exceed five continuous hours for the conduct of	231
one or more games described in division (S)(1) of this section,	232
instant bingo, and seal cards;	233

(2) A period for the conduct of instant bingo and seal cards	234
for not more than two hours before and not more than two hours	235
after the period described in division (W)(1) of this section.	236

(X) "Gross receipts" means all money or assets, including	237
admission fees, that a person receives from bingo without the	238
deduction of any amounts for prizes paid out or for the expenses	239
of conducting bingo. "Gross receipts" does not include any money	240
directly taken in from the sale of food or beverages by a	241
charitable organization conducting bingo, or by a bona fide	242
auxiliary unit or society of a charitable organization conducting	243
bingo, provided all of the following apply:	244

(1) The auxiliary unit or society has been in existence as a	245
bona fide auxiliary unit or society of the charitable organization	246
for at least two years prior to conducting bingo.	247

(2) The person who purchases the food or beverage receives	248
nothing of value except the food or beverage and items customarily	249
received with the purchase of that food or beverage.	250

(3) The food and beverages are sold at customary and	251
reasonable prices.	252

(Y) "Security personnel" includes any person who either is a	253
sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal, township	254
constable, or member of an organized police department of a	255
municipal corporation or has successfully completed a peace	256
officer's training course pursuant to sections 109.71 to 109.79 of	257
the Revised Code and who is hired to provide security for the	258
premises on which bingo is conducted.	259

(Z) "Charitable purpose" means that the net profit of bingo,	260
other than instant bingo, is used by, or is given, donated, or	261
otherwise transferred to, any of the following:	262

(1) Any organization that is described in subsection	263
509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code	264
and is either a governmental unit or an organization that is tax	265
exempt under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection	266
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;	267

(2) A veteran's organization that is a post, chapter, or	268
organization of veterans, or an auxiliary unit or society of, or a	269
trust or foundation for, any such post, chapter, or organization	270
organized in the United States or any of its possessions, at least	271
seventy-five per cent of the members of which are veterans and	272
substantially all of the other members of which are individuals	273
who are spouses, widows, or widowers of veterans, or such	274
individuals, provided that no part of the net earnings of such	275
post, chapter, or organization inures to the benefit of any	276
private shareholder or individual, and further provided that the	277
net profit is used by the post, chapter, or organization for the	278
charitable purposes set forth in division (B)(12) of section	279
5739.02 of the Revised Code, is used for awarding scholarships to	280
or for attendance at an institution mentioned in division (B)(12)	281
of section 5739.02 of the Revised Code, is donated to a	282
governmental agency, or is used for nonprofit youth activities,	283
the purchase of United States or Ohio flags that are donated to	284
schools, youth groups, or other bona fide nonprofit organizations,	285
promotion of patriotism, or disaster relief;	286

(3) A fraternal organization that has been in continuous	287
existence in this state for fifteen years and that uses the net	288
profit exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific,	289
literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of	290
cruelty to children or animals, if contributions for such use	291
would qualify as a deductible charitable contribution under	292
subsection 170 of the Internal Revenue Code;	293

(4) A volunteer firefighter's organization that uses the net	294
profit for the purposes set forth in division (L) of this section.	295

(AA) "Internal Revenue Code" means the "Internal Revenue Code	296
of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1, as now or hereafter	297
amended.	298

(BB) "Youth athletic organization" means any organization,	299
not organized for profit, that is organized and operated	300
exclusively to provide financial support to, or to operate,	301
athletic activities for persons who are twenty-one years of age or	302
younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or	303
contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or	304
association.	305

(CC) "Youth athletic park organization" means any	306
organization, not organized for profit, that satisfies both of the	307
following:	308

(1) It owns, operates, and maintains playing fields that	309
satisfy both of the following:	310

(a) The playing fields are used at least one hundred days per	311
year for athletic activities by one or more organizations, not	312
organized for profit, each of which is organized and operated	313
exclusively to provide financial support to, or to operate,	314
athletic activities for persons who are eighteen years of age or	315
younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or	316
contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or	317
association.	318

(b) The playing fields are not used for any profit-making	319
activity at any time during the year.	320

(2) It uses the proceeds of bingo it conducts exclusively for	321
the operation, maintenance, and improvement of its playing fields	322
of the type described in division (CC)(1) of this section.	323

(DD) "Amateur athletic organization" means any organization,	324
not organized for profit, that is organized and operated	325
exclusively to provide financial support to, or to operate,	326
athletic activities for persons who are training for amateur	327
athletic competition that is sanctioned by a national governing	328
body as defined in the "Amateur Sports Act of 1978," 90 Stat.	329
3045, 36 U.S.C.A. 373.	330

(EE) "Bingo supplies" means bingo cards or sheets; instant	331
bingo tickets or cards; electronic bingo aids; raffle tickets;	332
punch boards; seal cards; instant bingo ticket dispensers; and	333
devices for selecting or displaying the combination of bingo	334
letters and numbers or raffle tickets. Items that are "bingo	335
supplies" are not gambling devices if sold or otherwise provided,	336
and used, in accordance with this chapter. For purposes of this	337
chapter, "bingo supplies" are not to be considered equipment used	338
to conduct a bingo game.	339

(FF) "Instant bingo" means a form of bingo that uses folded	340
or banded tickets or paper cards with perforated break-open tabs,	341
a face of which is covered or otherwise hidden from view to	342
conceal a number, letter, or symbol, or set of numbers, letters,	343
or symbols, some of which have been designated in advance as prize	344
winners. "Instant bingo" includes seal cards. "Instant bingo" does	345
not include any device that is activated by the insertion of a	346
coin, currency, token, or an equivalent, and that contains as one	347
of its components a video display monitor that is capable of	348
displaying numbers, letters, symbols, or characters in winning or	349
losing combinations.	350

(GG) "Seal card" means a form of instant bingo that uses	351
instant bingo tickets in conjunction with a board or placard that	352
contains one or more seals that, when removed or opened, reveal	353
predesignated winning numbers, letters, or symbols.	354

(HH) "Raffle" means a form of bingo in which the one or more	355
prizes are won by one or more persons who have purchased a raffle	356
ticket. The one or more winners of the raffle are determined by	357
drawing a ticket stub or other detachable section from a	358
receptacle containing ticket stubs or detachable sections	359
corresponding to all tickets sold for the raffle. "Raffle" does	360
not include the drawing of a ticket stub or other detachable	361
section of a ticket purchased to attend a professional sporting	362
event if both of the following apply:	363

(1) The ticket stub or other detachable section is used to	364
select the winner of a free prize given away at the professional	365
sporting event; and	366

(2) The cost of the ticket is the same as the cost of a	367
ticket to the professional sporting event on days when no free	368
prize is given away.	369

(II) "Punch board" means a board containing a number of holes	370
or receptacles of uniform size in which are placed, mechanically	371
and randomly, serially numbered slips of paper that may be punched	372
or drawn from the hole or receptacle when used in conjunction with	373
instant bingo. A player may punch or draw the numbered slips of	374
paper from the holes or receptacles and obtain the prize	375
established for the game if the number drawn corresponds to a	376
winning number or, if the punch board includes the use of a seal	377
card, a potential winning number.	378

(JJ) "Gross profit" means gross receipts minus the amount	379
actually expended for the payment of prize awards.	380

(KK) "Net profit" means gross profit minus expenses.

381

(LL) "Expenses" means the reasonable amount of gross profit	382
actually expended for all of the following:	383

(1) The purchase or lease of bingo supplies;

384

(2) The annual license fee required under section 2915.08 of	385
the Revised Code;	386

(3) Bank fees and service charges for a bingo session or game	387
account described in section 2915.10 of the Revised Code;	388

(4) Audits and accounting services;

389

(5) Safes;

390

(6) Cash registers;

391

(7) Hiring security personnel;

392

(8) Advertising bingo;

393

(9) Renting premises in which to conduct a bingo session;

394

(10) Tables and chairs;

395

(11) Expenses for maintaining and operating a charitable	396
organization's facilities, including, but not limited to, a post	397
home, club house, lounge, tavern, or canteen and any grounds	398
attached to the post home, club house, lounge, tavern, or canteen;	399

(12) Payment of real property taxes and assessments that are	400
levied on a premises on which bingo is conducted;	401

(13) Any other product or service directly related to the	402
conduct of bingo that is authorized in rules adopted by the	403
attorney general under division (B)(1) of section 2915.08 of the	404
Revised Code.	405

(MM) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the	406
Revised Code and includes any firm or any other legal entity,	407
however organized.	408

(NN) "Revoke" means to void permanently all rights and	409
privileges of the holder of a license issued under section	410
2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 of the Revised Code or a charitable	411
gaming license issued by another jurisdiction.	412

(OO) "Suspend" means to interrupt temporarily all rights and	413
privileges of the holder of a license issued under section	414
2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 of the Revised Code or a charitable	415
gaming license issued by another jurisdiction.	416

(PP) "Distributor" means any person who purchases or obtains	417
bingo supplies and who does either of the following:	418

(1) Sells, offers for sale, or otherwise provides or offers	419
to provide the bingo supplies to another person for use in this	420
state;	421

(2) Modifies, converts, adds to, or removes parts from the	422
bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale for use in this	423
state.	424

(QQ) "Manufacturer" means any person who assembles completed	425
bingo supplies from raw materials, other items, or subparts or who	426
modifies, converts, adds to, or removes parts from bingo supplies	427
to further their promotion or sale.	428

(RR) "Gross annual revenues" means the annual gross receipts	429
derived from the conduct of bingo described in division (S)(1) of	430
this section plus the annual net profit derived from the conduct	431
of bingo described in division (S)(2) of this section.	432

(SS) "Instant bingo ticket dispenser" means a mechanical	433
device that dispenses an instant bingo ticket or card as the sole	434
item of value dispensed and that has the following	435
characteristics:	436

(1) It is activated upon the insertion of United States	437
currency.	438

(2) It performs no gaming functions.

439

(3) It does not contain a video display monitor or generate	440
noise.	441

(4) It is not capable of displaying any numbers, letters,	442
symbols, or characters in winning or losing combinations.	443

(5) It does not simulate or display rolling or spinning	444
reels.	445

(6) It is incapable of determining whether a dispensed bingo	446
ticket or card is a winning or nonwinning ticket or card and	447
requires a winning ticket or card to be paid by a bingo game	448
operator.	449

(7) It may provide accounting and security features to aid in	450
accounting for the instant bingo tickets or cards it dispenses.	451

(8) It is not part of an electronic network and is not	452
interactive.	453

(TT)(1) "Electronic bingo aid" means an electronic device	454
used by a participant to monitor bingo cards or sheets purchased	455
at the time and place of a bingo session and that does all of the	456
following:	457

(a) It provides a means for a participant to input numbers	458
and letters announced by a bingo caller.	459

(b) It compares the numbers and letters entered by the	460
participant to the bingo faces previously stored in the memory of	461
the device.	462

(c) It identifies a winning bingo pattern.

463

(2) "Electronic bingo aid" does not include any device into	464
which a coin, currency, token, or an equivalent is inserted to	465
activate play.	466

(UU) "Deal of instant bingo tickets" means a single game of	467
instant bingo tickets all with the same serial number.	468

(VV)(1) "Slot machine" means either of the following:

469

(a) Any mechanical, electronic, video, or digital device that	470
is capable of accepting anything of value, directly or indirectly,	471
from or on behalf of a player who gives the thing of value in the	472
hope of gain;	473

(b) Any mechanical, electronic, video, or digital device that	474
is capable of accepting anything of value, directly or indirectly,	475
from or on behalf of a player to conduct bingo or a scheme or game	476
of chance.	477

(2) "Slot machine" does not include a skill-based amusement	478
machine or an instant bingo ticket dispenser.	479

(WW) "Net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant	480
bingo" means gross profit minus the ordinary, necessary, and	481
reasonable expense expended for the purchase of instant bingo	482
supplies, and in the case of instant bingo conducted by a	483
veteran's, fraternal, or sporting organization, the payment by	484
that organization of real property taxes and assessments levied on	485
the premises in which instant bingo is conducted.	486

(XX) "Charitable instant bingo organization" means an	487
organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under	488
subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the	489
Internal Revenue Code and is a charitable organization as defined	490
in this section. A "charitable instant bingo organization" does	491
not include a charitable organization that is exempt from federal	492
income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in	493
subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is	494
created by a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or	495
a sporting organization in regards to bingo conducted or assisted	496
by a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a	497
sporting organization pursuant to section 2915.13 of the Revised	498
Code.	499

(YY) "Game flare" means the board or placard that accompanies	500
each deal of instant bingo tickets and that has printed on or	501
affixed to it the following information for the game:	502

(1) The name of the game;

503

(2) The manufacturer's name or distinctive logo;

504

(3) The form number;

505

(4) The ticket count;

506

(5) The prize structure, including the number of winning	507
instant bingo tickets by denomination and the respective winning	508
symbol or number combinations for the winning instant bingo	509
tickets;	510

(6) The cost per play;

511

(7) The serial number of the game.

512

(ZZ) "Historic railroad educational organization" means an	513
organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under	514
subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the	515
Internal Revenue Code, that owns in fee simple the tracks and the	516
right-of-way of a historic railroad that the organization restores	517
or maintains and on which the organization provides excursions as	518
part of a program to promote tourism and educate visitors	519
regarding the role of railroad transportation in Ohio history, and	520
that received as donations from a charitable organization that	521
holds a license to conduct bingo under this chapter an amount	522
equal to at least fifty per cent of that licensed charitable	523
organization's net proceeds from the conduct of bingo during each	524
of the five years preceding June 30, 2003. "Historic railroad"	525
means all or a portion of the tracks and right-of-way of a	526
railroad that was owned and operated by a for-profit common	527
carrier in this state at any time prior to January 1, 1950.	528

(AAA)(1) "Skill-based amusement machine" means a mechanical,	529
video, digital, or electronic device that rewards the player or	530
players, if at all, only with merchandise prizes or with	531
redeemable vouchers redeemable only for merchandise prizes,	532
provided that with respect to rewards for playing the game all of	533
the following apply:	534

(a) The wholesale value of a merchandise prize awarded as a	535
result of the single play of a machine does not exceed ten	536
dollars;	537

(b) Redeemable vouchers awarded for any single play of a	538
machine are not redeemable for a merchandise prize with a	539
wholesale value of more than ten dollars;	540

(c) Redeemable vouchers are not redeemable for a merchandise	541
prize that has a wholesale value of more than ten dollars times	542
the fewest number of single plays necessary to accrue the	543
redeemable vouchers required to obtain that prize; and	544

(d) Any redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes are	545
distributed at the site of the skill-based amusement machine at	546
the time of play.	547

(2) A device shall not be considered a skill-based amusement	548
machine and shall be considered a slot machine if it pays cash or	549
one or more of the following apply:	550

(a) The ability of a player to succeed at the game is	551
impacted by the number or ratio of prior wins to prior losses of	552
players playing the game.	553

(b) Any reward of redeemable vouchers is not based solely on	554
the player achieving the object of the game or the player's score;	555

(c) The outcome of the game, or the value of the redeemable	556
voucher or merchandise prize awarded for winning the game, can be	557
controlled by a source other than any player playing the game.	558

(d) The success of any player is or may be determined by a	559
chance event that cannot be altered by player actions.	560

(e) The ability of any player to succeed at the game is	561
determined by game features not visible or known to the player.	562

(f) The ability of the player to succeed at the game is	563
impacted by the exercise of a skill that no reasonable player	564
could exercise.	565

(3) All of the following apply to any machine that is	566
operated as described in division (AAA)(1) of this section:	567

(a) As used in this section, "game" and "play" mean one event	568
from the initial activation of the machine until the results of	569
play are determined without payment of additional consideration.	570
An individual utilizing a machine that involves a single game,	571
play, contest, competition, or tournament may be awarded	572
redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes based on the results of	573
play.	574

(b) Advance play for a single game, play, contest,	575
competition, or tournament participation may be purchased. The	576
cost of the contest, competition, or tournament participation may	577
be greater than a single noncontest, competition, or tournament	578
play.	579

(c) To the extent that the machine is used in a contest,	580
competition, or tournament, that contest, competition, or	581
tournament has a defined starting and ending date and is open to	582
participants in competition for scoring and ranking results toward	583
the awarding of redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes that are	584
stated prior to the start of the contest, competition, or	585
tournament.	586

(4) For purposes of division (AAA)(1) of this section, the	587
mere presence of a device, such as a pin-setting, ball-releasing,	588
or scoring mechanism, that does not contribute to or affect the	589
outcome of the play of the game does not make the device a	590
skill-based amusement machine.	591

(BBB) "Merchandise prize" means any item of value, but shall	592
not include any of the following:	593

(1) Cash, gift cards, or any equivalent thereof;

594

(2) Plays on games of chance, state lottery tickets, bingo,	595
or instant bingo;	596

(3) Firearms, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages; or

597

(4) A redeemable voucher that is redeemable for any of the	598
items listed in division (BBB)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.	599

(CCC) "Redeemable voucher" means any ticket, token, coupon,	600
receipt, or other noncash representation of value.	601

(DDD) "Pool not conducted for profit" means a scheme in which	602
a participant gives a valuable consideration for a chance to win a	603
prize and the total amount of consideration wagered is distributed	604
to a participant or participants.	605

(EEE) "Sporting organization" means a hunting, fishing, or	606
trapping organization, other than a college or high school	607
fraternity or sorority, that is not organized for profit, that is	608
affiliated with a state or national sporting organization,	609
including but not limited to, the Ohio league of sportsmen, and	610
that has been in continuous existence in this state for a period	611
of three years.	612

(FFF) "Community action agency" has the same meaning as in	613
section 122.66 of the Revised Code.	614

(GGG)(1) "Sweepstakes terminal device" means a mechanical,	615
video, digital, or electronic machine or device, that is owned,	616
leased, or otherwise possessed by any person conducting a	617
sweepstakes, or by that person's partners, affiliates,	618
subsidiaries, or contractors, that is intended to be used by a	619
sweepstakes participant, and that is capable of displaying	620
information on a screen or other mechanism. A device is a	621
sweepstakes terminal device whether or not any of the following	622
apply:	623

(a) The device is server-based.

624

(b) The device uses a simulated game terminal as a	625
representation of the prizes associated with the results of the	626
sweepstakes entries.	627

(c) The device utilizes software such that the simulated game	628
influences or determines the winning of or value of the prize.	629

(d) The device selects prizes from a predetermined finite	630
pool of entries.	631

(e) The device utilizes a mechanism that reveals the content	632
of a predetermined sweepstakes entry.	633

(f) The device predetermines the prize results and stores	634
those results for delivery at the time the sweepstakes entry	635
results are revealed.	636

(g) The device utilizes software to create a game result.

637

(h) The device requires deposit of any money, coin, or token,	638
or the use of any credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or any	639
other method of payment to activate the electronic machine or	640
device.	641

(i) The device requires direct payment into the device, or	642
remote activation of the device.	643

(j) The device requires purchase of a related product.

644

(k) Any related product of which purchase is required has	645
legitimate value.	646

(l) The device reveals the prize incrementally, even though	647
the device does not influence the awarding of prize or the value	648
of any prize awarded.	649

(m) The device determines and associates the prize with an	650
entry or entries at the time the sweepstakes is entered.	651

(n) The device is a slot machine or other form of electrical,	652
mechanical, or computer game.	653

(2) As used in this division:

654

(a) "Enter" or "entry" means the act or process by which a	655
person becomes eligible to receive any prize offered in a	656
sweepstakes.	657

(b) "Prize" means any gift, award, gratuity, good, service,	658
credit, reward, or any other thing of value, which may be	659
transferred to a person, whether possession of the prize is	660
actually transferred, or placed on an account or other record as	661
evidence of the intent to transfer the prize.	662

(c) "Sweepstakes" means any game, contest, advertising scheme	663
or plan, or other promotion, but does not include bingo, whether	664
or not consideration is required for a person to enter to win or	665
become eligible to receive any prize, the determination of which	666
is based upon chance.	667

Sec. 2915.03.  (A) No person, being the owner or lessee, or	668
having custody, control, or supervision of premises, shall:	669

(1) Use or occupy such premises for gambling in violation of	670
section 2915.02, 2915.06, 2915.062, or 2915.063 of the Revised	671
Code;	672

(2) Recklessly permit such premises to be used or occupied	673
for gambling in violation of section 2915.02, 2915.06, 2915.062,	674
or 2915.063 of the Revised Code.	675

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of operating a	676
gambling house, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender	677
previously has been convicted of a gambling offense, operating a	678
gambling house is a felony of the fifth degree.	679

(C) Premises used or occupied in violation of this section	680
constitute a nuisance subject to abatement pursuant to sections	681
3767.01 to 3767.99 of the Revised Code.	682

Sec. 2915.06. (A) No person shall give to another person any	683
item described in division (BBB)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of section	684
2915.01 of the Revised Code in exchange for a noncash prize, toy,	685
or novelty received as a reward for playing or operating a	686
skill-based amusement machine or for a free or reduced-price game	687
won on a skill-based amusement machine.	688

(B) No person shall conduct a skill-based amusement machine	689
without first obtaining a license under Chapter 3772. of the	690
Revised Code.	691

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty	692
of skill-based amusement machine prohibited conduct. A violation	693
of division (A) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first	694
degree for each redemption of a prize that is involved in the	695
violation. If the offender previously has been convicted of a	696
violation of division (A) of this section, a violation of that	697
division is a felony of the fifth degree for each redemption of a	698
prize that is involved in the violation. The maximum fine	699
authorized to be imposed for a felony of the fifth degree shall be	700
imposed upon the offender.	701

(D) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty	702
of conducting an illegal skill-based amusement machine, a felony	703
of the fourth degree.	704

Sec. 2915.061. Any regulation of skill-based amusement	705
machines shall be governed by this chapter and Chapter 3772. and	706
not by Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code.	707

Sec. 2915.062.  (A) No person conducting a sweepstakes with	708
the use of a sweepstakes terminal device, including the entry	709
process or the reveal of a prize, shall do either of the	710
following:	711

(1) Give to another person any item or voucher redeemable for	712
any item described in division (BBB)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of	713
section 2915.01 of the Revised Code as a prize for playing or	714
participating in a sweepstakes;	715

(2) Conduct a sweepstakes through the use of a sweepstakes	716
terminal device without first obtaining a license under Chapter	717
3772. of the Revised Code.	718

(B) Whoever violates division (A)(1) or (2) of this section	719
is guilty of sweepstakes terminal device prohibited conduct. A	720
violation of division (A)(1) of this section is a misdemeanor of	721
the first degree for each redemption of a prize that is involved	722
in the violation. If the offender previously has been convicted of	723
a violation of division (A)(1) of this section, a violation of	724
that division is a felony of the fifth degree for each redemption	725
of a prize that is involved in the violation. The maximum fine	726
authorized to be imposed for a felony of the fifth degree shall be	727
imposed upon the offender.	728

(C) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is	729
guilty of conducting an illegal sweepstakes, a felony of the	730
fourth degree.	731

Sec. 2915.063.  (A) No person shall conduct a slot machine	732
without first obtaining a license pursuant to Chapter 3772. of the	733
Revised Code.	734

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of conducting	735
slot machine prohibited conduct. A violation of this section is a	736
felony of the fourth degree.	737

Sec. 2915.064.  A legislative authority of a municipal	738
corporation or an unincorporated area of a township may adopt an	739
ordinance or resolution to prohibit the operation of sweepstakes	740
terminal devices.	741

Sec. 2915.08.  (A)(1) Annually before the first day of	742
January, a charitable organization that desires to conduct bingo,	743
instant bingo at a bingo session, or instant bingo other than at a	744
bingo session shall make out, upon a form to be furnished by the	745
attorney general for that purpose, an application for a license to	746
conduct bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session, or instant bingo	747
other than at a bingo session and deliver that application to the	748
attorney general together with a license fee as follows:	749

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, for a	750
license for the conduct of bingo, two hundred dollars;	751

(b) For a license for the conduct of instant bingo at a bingo	752
session or instant bingo other than at a bingo session for a	753
charitable organization that previously has not been licensed	754
under this chapter to conduct instant bingo at a bingo session or	755
instant bingo other than at a bingo session, a license fee of five	756
hundred dollars, and for any other charitable organization, a	757
license fee that is based upon the gross profits received by the	758
charitable organization from the operation of instant bingo at a	759
bingo session or instant bingo other than at a bingo session,	760
during the one-year period ending on the thirty-first day of	761
October of the year immediately preceding the year for which the	762
license is sought, and that is one of the following:	763

(i) Five hundred dollars, if the total is fifty thousand	764
dollars or less;	765

(ii) One thousand two hundred fifty dollars plus one-fourth	766
per cent of the gross profit, if the total is more than fifty	767
thousand dollars but less than two hundred fifty thousand one	768
dollars;	769

(iii) Two thousand two hundred fifty dollars plus one-half	770
per cent of the gross profit, if the total is more than two	771
hundred fifty thousand dollars but less than five hundred thousand	772
one dollars;	773

(iv) Three thousand five hundred dollars plus one per cent of	774
the gross profit, if the total is more than five hundred thousand	775
dollars but less than one million one dollars;	776

(v) Five thousand dollars plus one per cent of the gross	777
profit, if the total is one million one dollars or more;	778

(c) A reduced license fee established by the attorney general	779
pursuant to division (G) of this section.	780

(d) For a license to conduct bingo for a charitable	781
organization that prior to the effective date of this amendment	782
July 1, 2003, has not been licensed under this chapter to conduct	783
bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session, or instant bingo other	784
than at a bingo session, a license fee established by rule by the	785
attorney general in accordance with division (H) of this section.	786

(2) The application shall be in the form prescribed by the	787
attorney general, shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant,	788
and shall contain all of the following:	789

(a) The name and post-office address of the applicant;

790

(b) A statement that the applicant is a charitable	791
organization and that it has been in continuous existence as a	792
charitable organization in this state for two years immediately	793
preceding the making of the application or for five years in the	794
case of a fraternal organization or a nonprofit medical	795
organization;	796

(c) The location at which the organization will conduct	797
bingo, which location shall be within the county in which the	798
principal place of business of the applicant is located, the days	799
of the week and the times on each of those days when bingo will be	800
conducted, whether the organization owns, leases, or subleases the	801
premises, and a copy of the rental agreement if it leases or	802
subleases the premises;	803

(d) A statement of the applicant's previous history, record,	804
and association that is sufficient to establish that the applicant	805
is a charitable organization, and a copy of a determination letter	806
that is issued by the Internal Revenue Service and states that the	807
organization is tax exempt under subsection 501(a) and described	808
in subsection 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8),	809
501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code;	810

(e) A statement as to whether the applicant has ever had any	811
previous application refused, whether it previously has had a	812
license revoked or suspended, and the reason stated by the	813
attorney general for the refusal, revocation, or suspension;	814

(f) A statement of the charitable purposes for which the net	815
profit derived from bingo, other than instant bingo, will be used,	816
and a statement of how the net profit derived from instant bingo	817
will be distributed in accordance with section 2915.101 of the	818
Revised Code;	819

(g) Other necessary and reasonable information that the	820
attorney general may require by rule adopted pursuant to section	821
111.15 of the Revised Code;	822

(h) If the applicant is a charitable trust as defined in	823
section 109.23 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it	824
has registered with the attorney general pursuant to section	825
109.26 of the Revised Code or filed annual reports pursuant to	826
section 109.31 of the Revised Code, and, if it is not required to	827
do either, the exemption in section 109.26 or 109.31 of the	828
Revised Code that applies to it;	829

(i) If the applicant is a charitable organization as defined	830
in section 1716.01 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether	831
it has filed with the attorney general a registration statement	832
pursuant to section 1716.02 of the Revised Code and a financial	833
report pursuant to section 1716.04 of the Revised Code, and, if it	834
is not required to do both, the exemption in section 1716.03 of	835
the Revised Code that applies to it;	836

(j) In the case of an applicant seeking to qualify as a youth	837
athletic park organization, a statement issued by a board or body	838
vested with authority under Chapter 755. of the Revised Code for	839
the supervision and maintenance of recreation facilities in the	840
territory in which the organization is located, certifying that	841
the playing fields owned by the organization were used for at	842
least one hundred days during the year in which the statement is	843
issued, and were open for use to all residents of that territory,	844
regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national	845
origin, for athletic activities by youth athletic organizations	846
that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,	847
religion, sex, or national origin, and that the fields were not	848
used for any profit-making activity at any time during the year.	849
That type of board or body is authorized to issue the statement	850
upon request and shall issue the statement if it finds that the	851
applicant's playing fields were so used.	852

(3) The attorney general, within thirty days after receiving	853
a timely filed application from a charitable organization that has	854
been issued a license under this section that has not expired and	855
has not been revoked or suspended, shall send a temporary permit	856
to the applicant specifying the date on which the application was	857
filed with the attorney general and stating that, pursuant to	858
section 119.06 of the Revised Code, the applicant may continue to	859
conduct bingo until a new license is granted or, if the	860
application is rejected, until fifteen days after notice of the	861
rejection is mailed to the applicant. The temporary permit does	862
not affect the validity of the applicant's application and does	863
not grant any rights to the applicant except those rights	864
specifically granted in section 119.06 of the Revised Code. The	865
issuance of a temporary permit by the attorney general pursuant to	866
this division does not prohibit the attorney general from	867
rejecting the applicant's application because of acts that the	868
applicant committed, or actions that the applicant failed to take,	869
before or after the issuance of the temporary permit.	870

(4) Within thirty days after receiving an initial license	871
application from a charitable organization to conduct bingo,	872
instant bingo at a bingo session, or instant bingo other than at a	873
bingo session, the attorney general shall conduct a preliminary	874
review of the application and notify the applicant regarding any	875
deficiencies. Once an application is deemed complete, or beginning	876
on the thirtieth day after the application is filed, if the	877
attorney general failed to notify the applicant of any	878
deficiencies, the attorney general shall have an additional sixty	879
days to conduct an investigation and either grant or deny the	880
application based on findings established and communicated in	881
accordance with divisions (B) and (E) of this section. As an	882
option to granting or denying an initial license application, the	883
attorney general may grant a temporary license and request	884
additional time to conduct the investigation if the attorney	885
general has cause to believe that additional time is necessary to	886
complete the investigation and has notified the applicant in	887
writing about the specific concerns raised during the	888
investigation.	889

(B)(1) The attorney general shall adopt rules to enforce	890
sections 2915.01, 2915.02, and 2915.07 to 2915.13 of the Revised	891
Code to ensure that bingo or instant bingo is conducted in	892
accordance with those sections and to maintain proper control over	893
the conduct of bingo or instant bingo. The rules, except rules	894
adopted pursuant to divisions (A)(2)(g) and (G) of this section,	895
shall be adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The	896
attorney general shall license charitable organizations to conduct	897
bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session, or instant bingo other	898
than at a bingo session in conformance with this chapter and with	899
the licensing provisions of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.	900

(2) The attorney general may refuse to grant a license to any	901
organization, or revoke or suspend the license of any	902
organization, that does any of the following or to which any of	903
the following applies:	904

(a) Fails or has failed at any time to meet any requirement	905
of section 109.26, 109.31, or 1716.02, or sections 2915.07 to	906
2915.11 of the Revised Code, or violates or has violated any	907
provision of sections 2915.02 or 2915.07 to 2915.13 of the Revised	908
Code or any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this	909
section;	910

(b) Makes or has made an incorrect or false statement that is	911
material to the granting of the license in an application filed	912
pursuant to division (A) of this section;	913

(c) Submits or has submitted any incorrect or false	914
information relating to an application if the information is	915
material to the granting of the license;	916

(d) Maintains or has maintained any incorrect or false	917
information that is material to the granting of the license in the	918
records required to be kept pursuant to divisions (A) and (C) of	919
section 2915.10 of the Revised Code, if applicable;	920

(e) The attorney general has good cause to believe that the	921
organization will not conduct bingo, instant bingo at a bingo	922
session, or instant bingo other than at a bingo session in	923
accordance with sections 2915.07 to 2915.13 of the Revised Code or	924
with any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this	925
section.	926

(3) For the purposes of division (B) of this section, any	927
action of an officer, trustee, agent, representative, or bingo	928
game operator of an organization is an action of the organization.	929

(C) The attorney general may grant licenses to charitable	930
organizations that are branches, lodges, or chapters of national	931
charitable organizations.	932

(D) The attorney general shall send notice in writing to the	933
prosecuting attorney and sheriff of the county in which the	934
organization will conduct bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session,	935
or instant bingo other than at a bingo session, as stated in its	936
application for a license or amended license, and to any other law	937
enforcement agency in that county that so requests, of all of the	938
following:	939

(1) The issuance of the license;

940

(2) The issuance of the amended license;

941

(3) The rejection of an application for and refusal to grant	942
a license;	943

(4) The revocation of any license previously issued;

944

(5) The suspension of any license previously issued.

945

(E) A license issued by the attorney general shall set forth	946
the information contained on the application of the charitable	947
organization that the attorney general determines is relevant,	948
including, but not limited to, the location at which the	949
organization will conduct bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session,	950
or instant bingo other than at a bingo session and the days of the	951
week and the times on each of those days when bingo will be	952
conducted. If the attorney general refuses to grant or revokes or	953
suspends a license, the attorney general shall notify the	954
applicant in writing and specifically identify the reason for the	955
refusal, revocation, or suspension in narrative form and, if	956
applicable, by identifying the section of the Revised Code	957
violated. The failure of the attorney general to give the written	958
notice of the reasons for the refusal, revocation, or suspension	959
or a mistake in the written notice does not affect the validity of	960
the attorney general's refusal to grant, or the revocation or	961
suspension of, a license. If the attorney general fails to give	962
the written notice or if there is a mistake in the written notice,	963
the applicant may bring an action to compel the attorney general	964
to comply with this division or to correct the mistake, but the	965
attorney general's order refusing to grant, or revoking or	966
suspending, a license shall not be enjoined during the pendency of	967
the action.	968

(F) A charitable organization that has been issued a license	969
pursuant to division (B) of this section but that cannot conduct	970
bingo or instant bingo at the location, or on the day of the week	971
or at the time, specified on the license due to circumstances that	972
make it impractical to do so may apply in writing, together with	973
an application fee of two hundred fifty dollars, to the attorney	974
general, at least thirty days prior to a change in location, day	975
of the week, or time, and request an amended license. The	976
application shall describe the causes making it impractical for	977
the organization to conduct bingo or instant bingo in conformity	978
with its license and shall indicate the location, days of the	979
week, and times on each of those days when it desires to conduct	980
bingo or instant bingo. Except as otherwise provided in this	981
division, the attorney general shall issue the amended license in	982
accordance with division (E) of this section, and the organization	983
shall surrender its original license to the attorney general. The	984
attorney general may refuse to grant an amended license according	985
to the terms of division (B) of this section.	986

(G) The attorney general, by rule adopted pursuant to section	987
111.15 of the Revised Code, shall establish a schedule of reduced	988
license fees for charitable organizations that desire to conduct	989
bingo or instant bingo during fewer than twenty-six weeks in any	990
calendar year.	991

(H) The attorney general, by rule adopted pursuant to section	992
111.15 of the Revised Code, shall establish license fees for the	993
conduct of bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session, or instant	994
bingo other than at a bingo session for charitable organizations	995
that prior to the effective date of this amendmentJuly 1, 2003,	996
have not been licensed to conduct bingo, instant bingo at a bingo	997
session, or instant bingo other than at a bingo session under this	998
chapter.	999

(I) The attorney general may enter into a written contract	1000
with any other state agency to delegate to that state agency the	1001
powers prescribed to the attorney general under Chapter 2915. of	1002
the Revised Code.	1003

(J) The attorney general, by rule adopted pursuant to section	1004
111.15 of the Revised Code, may adopt rules to determine the	1005
requirements for a charitable organization that is exempt from	1006
federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in	1007
subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to be in good	1008
standing in the state.	1009

Sec. 2915.09.  (A) No charitable organization that conducts	1010
bingo shall fail to do any of the following:	1011

(1) Own all of the equipment used to conduct bingo or lease	1012
that equipment from a charitable organization that is licensed to	1013
conduct bingo, or from the landlord of a premises where bingo is	1014
conducted, for a rental rate that is not more than is customary	1015
and reasonable for that equipment;	1016

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(3) of this	1017
section, use all of the gross receipts from bingo for paying	1018
prizes, for reimbursement of expenses for or for renting premises	1019
in which to conduct a bingo session, for reimbursement of expenses	1020
for or for purchasing or leasing bingo supplies used in conducting	1021
bingo, for reimbursement of expenses for or for hiring security	1022
personnel, for reimbursement of expenses for or for advertising	1023
bingo, or for reimbursement of other expenses or for other	1024
expenses listed in division (LL) of section 2915.01 of the Revised	1025
Code, provided that the amount of the receipts so spent is not	1026
more than is customary and reasonable for a similar purchase,	1027
lease, hiring, advertising, or expense. If the building in which	1028
bingo is conducted is owned by the charitable organization	1029
conducting bingo and the bingo conducted includes a form of bingo	1030
described in division (S)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised	1031
Code, the charitable organization may deduct from the total amount	1032
of the gross receipts from each session a sum equal to the lesser	1033
of six hundred dollars or forty-five per cent of the gross	1034
receipts from the bingo described in that division as	1035
consideration for the use of the premises.	1036

(3) Use, or give, donate, or otherwise transfer, all of the	1037
net profit derived from bingo, other than instant bingo, for a	1038
charitable purpose listed in its license application and described	1039
in division (Z) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, or	1040
distribute all of the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of	1041
instant bingo as stated in its license application and in	1042
accordance with section 2915.101 of the Revised Code.	1043

(B) No charitable organization that conducts a bingo game	1044
described in division (S)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised	1045
Code shall fail to do any of the following:	1046

(1) Conduct the bingo game on premises that are owned by the	1047
charitable organization, on premises that are owned by another	1048
charitable organization and leased from that charitable	1049
organization for a rental rate not in excess of the lesser of six	1050
hundred dollars per bingo session or forty-five per cent of the	1051
gross receipts of the bingo session, on premises that are leased	1052
from a person other than a charitable organization for a rental	1053
rate that is not more than is customary and reasonable for	1054
premises that are similar in location, size, and quality but not	1055
in excess of four hundred fifty dollars per bingo session, or on	1056
premises that are owned by a person other than a charitable	1057
organization, that are leased from that person by another	1058
charitable organization, and that are subleased from that other	1059
charitable organization by the charitable organization for a	1060
rental rate not in excess of four hundred fifty dollars per bingo	1061
session. No charitable organization is required to pay property	1062
taxes or assessments on premises that the charitable organization	1063
leases from another person to conduct bingo. If the charitable	1064
organization leases from a person other than a charitable	1065
organization the premises on which it conducts bingo sessions, the	1066
lessor of the premises shall provide the premises to the	1067
organization and shall not provide the organization with bingo	1068
game operators, security personnel, concessions or concession	1069
operators, bingo supplies, or any other type of service. A	1070
charitable organization shall not lease or sublease premises that	1071
it owns or leases to more than one other charitable organization	1072
per calendar week for the purpose of conducting bingo sessions on	1073
the premises. A person that is not a charitable organization shall	1074
not lease premises that it owns, leases, or otherwise is empowered	1075
to lease to more than three charitable organizations per calendar	1076
week for conducting bingo sessions on the premises. In no case	1077
shall more than nine bingo sessions be conducted on any premises	1078
in any calendar week.	1079

(2) Display its license conspicuously at the premises where	1080
the bingo session is conducted;	1081

(3) Conduct the bingo session in accordance with the	1082
definition of bingo set forth in division (S)(1) of section	1083
2915.01 of the Revised Code.	1084

(C) No charitable organization that conducts a bingo game	1085
described in division (S)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised	1086
Code shall do any of the following:	1087

(1) Pay any compensation to a bingo game operator for	1088
operating a bingo session that is conducted by the charitable	1089
organization or for preparing, selling, or serving food or	1090
beverages at the site of the bingo session, permit any auxiliary	1091
unit or society of the charitable organization to pay compensation	1092
to any bingo game operator who prepares, sells, or serves food or	1093
beverages at a bingo session conducted by the charitable	1094
organization, or permit any auxiliary unit or society of the	1095
charitable organization to prepare, sell, or serve food or	1096
beverages at a bingo session conducted by the charitable	1097
organization, if the auxiliary unit or society pays any	1098
compensation to the bingo game operators who prepare, sell, or	1099
serve the food or beverages;	1100

(2) Pay consulting fees to any person for any services	1101
performed in relation to the bingo session;	1102

(3) Pay concession fees to any person who provides	1103
refreshments to the participants in the bingo session;	1104

(4) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(4) of this	1105
section, conduct more than three bingo sessions in any seven-day	1106
period. A volunteer firefighter's organization or a volunteer	1107
rescue service organization that conducts not more than five bingo	1108
sessions in a calendar year may conduct more than three bingo	1109
sessions in a seven-day period after notifying the attorney	1110
general when it will conduct the sessions.	1111

(5) Pay out more than six thousand dollars in prizes for	1112
bingo games described in division (S)(1) of section 2915.01 of the	1113
Revised Code during any bingo session that is conducted by the	1114
charitable organization. "Prizes" does not include awards from the	1115
conduct of instant bingo.	1116

(6) Conduct a bingo session at any time during the ten-hour	1117
period between midnight and ten a.m., at any time during, or	1118
within ten hours of, a bingo game conducted for amusement only	1119
pursuant to section 2915.12 of the Revised Code, at any premises	1120
not specified on its license, or on any day of the week or during	1121
any time period not specified on its license. Division (A)(6) of	1122
this section does not prohibit the sale of instant bingo tickets	1123
beginning at nine a.m. for a bingo session that begins at ten a.m.	1124
If circumstances make it impractical for the charitable	1125
organization to conduct a bingo session at the premises, or on the	1126
day of the week or at the time, specified on its license or if a	1127
charitable organization wants to conduct bingo sessions on a day	1128
of the week or at a time other than the day or time specified on	1129
its license, the charitable organization may apply in writing to	1130
the attorney general for an amended license pursuant to division	1131
(F) of section 2915.08 of the Revised Code. A charitable	1132
organization may apply twice in each calendar year for an amended	1133
license to conduct bingo sessions on a day of the week or at a	1134
time other than the day or time specified on its license. If the	1135
amended license is granted, the organization may conduct bingo	1136
sessions at the premises, on the day of the week, and at the time	1137
specified on its amended license.	1138

(7) Permit any person whom the charitable organization knows,	1139
or should have known, is under the age of eighteen to work as a	1140
bingo game operator;	1141

(8) Permit any person whom the charitable organization knows,	1142
or should have known, has been convicted of a felony or gambling	1143
offense in any jurisdiction to be a bingo game operator;	1144

(9) Permit the lessor of the premises on which the bingo	1145
session is conducted, if the lessor is not a charitable	1146
organization, to provide the charitable organization with bingo	1147
game operators, security personnel, concessions, bingo supplies,	1148
or any other type of service;	1149

(10) Purchase or lease bingo supplies from any person except	1150
a distributor issued a license under section 2915.081 of the	1151
Revised Code;	1152

(11)(a) Use or permit the use of electronic bingo aids except	1153
under the following circumstances:	1154

(i) For any single participant, not more than ninety bingo	1155
faces can be played using an electronic bingo aid or aids.	1156

(ii) The charitable organization shall provide a participant	1157
using an electronic bingo aid with corresponding paper bingo cards	1158
or sheets.	1159

(iii) The total price of bingo faces played with an	1160
electronic bingo aid shall be equal to the total price of the same	1161
number of bingo faces played with a paper bingo card or sheet sold	1162
at the same bingo session but without an electronic bingo aid.	1163

(iv) An electronic bingo aid cannot be part of an electronic	1164
network other than a network that includes only bingo aids and	1165
devices that are located on the premises at which the bingo is	1166
being conducted or be interactive with any device not located on	1167
the premises at which the bingo is being conducted.	1168

(v) An electronic bingo aid cannot be used to participate in	1169
bingo that is conducted at a location other than the location at	1170
which the bingo session is conducted and at which the electronic	1171
bingo aid is used.	1172

(vi) An electronic bingo aid cannot be used to provide for	1173
the input of numbers and letters announced by a bingo caller other	1174
than the bingo caller who physically calls the numbers and letters	1175
at the location at which the bingo session is conducted and at	1176
which the electronic bingo aid is used.	1177

(b) The attorney general may adopt rules in accordance with	1178
Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that govern the use of electronic	1179
bingo aids. The rules may include a requirement that an electronic	1180
bingo aid be capable of being audited by the attorney general to	1181
verify the number of bingo cards or sheets played during each	1182
bingo session.	1183

(12) Permit any person the charitable organization knows, or	1184
should have known, to be under eighteen years of age to play bingo	1185
described in division (S)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised	1186
Code.	1187

(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(3) of	1188
this section, no charitable organization shall provide to a bingo	1189
game operator, and no bingo game operator shall receive or accept,	1190
any commission, wage, salary, reward, tip, donation, gratuity, or	1191
other form of compensation, directly or indirectly, regardless of	1192
the source, for conducting bingo or providing other work or labor	1193
at the site of bingo during a bingo session.	1194

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(3) of this	1195
section, no charitable organization shall provide to a bingo game	1196
operator any commission, wage, salary, reward, tip, donation,	1197
gratuity, or other form of compensation, directly or indirectly,	1198
regardless of the source, for conducting instant bingo other than	1199
at a bingo session at the site of instant bingo other than at a	1200
bingo session.	1201

(3) Nothing in division (D) of this section prohibits an	1202
employee of a fraternal organization, veteran's organization, or	1203
sporting organization from selling instant bingo tickets or cards	1204
to the organization's members or invited guests, as long as no	1205
portion of the employee's compensation is paid from any receipts	1206
of bingo.	1207

(E) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, a	1208
charitable organization that, prior to December 6, 1977, has	1209
entered into written agreements for the lease of premises it owns	1210
to another charitable organization or other charitable	1211
organizations for the conducting of bingo sessions so that more	1212
than two bingo sessions are conducted per calendar week on the	1213
premises, and a person that is not a charitable organization and	1214
that, prior to December 6, 1977, has entered into written	1215
agreements for the lease of premises it owns to charitable	1216
organizations for the conducting of more than two bingo sessions	1217
per calendar week on the premises, may continue to lease the	1218
premises to those charitable organizations, provided that no more	1219
than four sessions are conducted per calendar week, that the	1220
lessor organization or person has notified the attorney general in	1221
writing of the organizations that will conduct the sessions and	1222
the days of the week and the times of the day on which the	1223
sessions will be conducted, that the initial lease entered into	1224
with each organization that will conduct the sessions was filed	1225
with the attorney general prior to December 6, 1977, and that each	1226
organization that will conduct the sessions was issued a license	1227
to conduct bingo games by the attorney general prior to December	1228
6, 1977.	1229

(F) This section does not prohibit a bingo licensed	1230
charitable organization or a game operator from giving any person	1231
an instant bingo ticket as a prize.	1232

(G) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is	1233
guilty of illegally conducting a bingo game, a felony of the	1234
fourth degree. Except as otherwise provided in this division,	1235
whoever violates division (A)(1) or (3), (B)(1), (2), or (3),	1236
(C)(1) to (12), or (D) of this section is guilty of a minor	1237
misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of a	1238
violation of division (A)(1) or (3), (B)(1), (2), or (3), (C)(1)	1239
to (11), or (D) of this section, a violation of division (A)(1) or	1240
(3), (B)(1), (2), or (3), (C), or (D) of this section is a	1241
misdemeanor of the first degree. Whoever violates division (C)(12)	1242
of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, if	1243
the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of	1244
division (C)(12) of this section, a felony of the fourth degree.	1245

Sec. 3772.01. As used in this chapter:

1246

(A) "Applicant" means any person who applies to the	1247
commission for a license under this chapter.	1248

(B) "Casino control commission fund" means the casino control	1249
commission fund described in Section 6(C)(3)(d) of Article XV,	1250
Ohio Constitution, the money in which shall be used to fund the	1251
commission and its related affairs.	1252

(C) "Casino facility" means a casino facility as defined in	1253
Section 6(C)(9) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution.	1254

(D) "Casino gaming" means any type of slot machine or table	1255
game wagering, using money, casino credit, or any representative	1256
of value, authorized in any of the states of Indiana, Michigan,	1257
Pennsylvania, and West Virginia as of January 1, 2009, and	1258
includes slot machine and table game wagering subsequently	1259
authorized by, but shall not be limited by, subsequent	1260
restrictions placed on such wagering in such states. "Casino	1261
gaming" does not include bingo, as authorized in Section 6 of	1262
Article XV, Ohio Constitution and conducted as of January 1, 2009,	1263
or horse racing where the pari-mutuel system of wagering is	1264
conducted, as authorized under the laws of this state as of	1265
January 1, 2009.	1266

(E) "Casino gaming employee" means any employee of a casino	1267
operator or management company, but not a key employee, and as	1268
further defined in section 3772.131 of the Revised Code.	1269

(F) "Casino operator" means any person, trust, corporation,	1270
partnership, limited partnership, association, limited liability	1271
company, or other business enterprise that directly or indirectly	1272
holds an ownership or leasehold interest in a casino facility.	1273
"Casino operator" does not include an agency of the state, any	1274
political subdivision of the state, any person, trust,	1275
corporation, partnership, limited partnership, association,	1276
limited liability company, or other business enterprise that may	1277
have an interest in a casino facility, but who is legally or	1278
contractually restricted from conducting casino gaming.	1279

(G) "Central system" means a computer system that provides	1280
the following functions related to casino gaming equipment used in	1281
connection with casino gaming authorized under this chapter:	1282
security, auditing, data and information retrieval, and other	1283
purposes deemed necessary and authorized by the commission.	1284

(H) "Commission" means the Ohio casino control commission.

1285

(I) "Conduct" means to back, promote, organize, manage, carry	1286
on, sponsor, or prepare for the operation of casino gaming,	1287
skill-based amusement machine operations, or sweepstakes terminal	1288
device operations.	1289

(J) "Gaming agent" means a peace officer employed by the	1290
commission that is vested with duties to enforce this chapter and	1291
conduct other investigations into the conduct of the casino gaming	1292
and the maintenance of the equipment that the commission considers	1293
necessary and proper and is in compliance with section 109.77 of	1294
the Revised Code.	1295

(J)(K) "Gaming-related vendor" means any individual,	1296
partnership, corporation, association, trust, or any other group	1297
of individuals, however organized, who supplies gaming-related	1298
equipment, goods, or services to a casino operator or management	1299
company, that are directly related to or affect casino gaming	1300
authorized under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the	1301
manufacture, sale, distribution, or repair of slot machines and	1302
table game equipment.	1303

(K)(L) "Holding company" means any corporation, firm,	1304
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company,	1305
trust, or other form of business organization not a natural person	1306
which directly or indirectly owns, has the power or right to	1307
control, or holds with power to vote, any part of an applicant,	1308
casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor	1309
license.	1310

(L)(M) "Initial investment" includes costs related to	1311
demolition, engineering, architecture, design, site preparation,	1312
construction, infrastructure improvements, land acquisition,	1313
fixtures and equipment, insurance related to construction, and	1314
leasehold improvements.	1315

(M)(N) "Institutional investor" means any of the following	1316
entities owning one per cent or less, or a percentage between one	1317
and ten per cent as approved by the commission through a waiver on	1318
a case-by-case basis, ownership interest in a casino facility,	1319
casino operator, management company, or holding company: a	1320
corporation, bank, insurance company, pension fund or pension fund	1321
trust, retirement fund, including funds administered by a public	1322
agency, employees' profit-sharing fund or employees'	1323
profit-sharing trust, any association engaged, as a substantial	1324
part of its business or operations, in purchasing or holding	1325
securities, or any trust in respect of which a bank is trustee or	1326
cotrustee, investment company registered under the "Investment	1327
Company Act of 1940," 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., collective	1328
investment trust organized by banks under Part Nine of the Rules	1329
of the Comptroller of the Currency, closed-end investment trust,	1330
chartered or licensed life insurance company or property and	1331
casualty insurance company, investment advisor registered under	1332
the "Investment Advisors Act of 1940," 15 U.S.C. 80 b-1 et seq.,	1333
and such other persons as the commission may reasonably determine	1334
to qualify as an institutional investor for reasons consistent	1335
with this chapter.	1336

(N)(O) "Key employee" means any executive, employee, or agent	1337
of a casino operator or management company licensee having the	1338
power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning	1339
any part of the operation of such licensee, including:	1340

(1) An officer, director, trustee, or partner of a person	1341
that has applied for or holds a casino operator, management	1342
company, or gaming-related vendor license or of a holding company	1343
that has control of a person that has applied for or holds a	1344
casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor	1345
license;	1346

(2) A person that holds a direct or indirect ownership	1347
interest of more than one per cent in a person that has applied	1348
for or holds a casino operator, management company, or	1349
gaming-related vendor license or holding company that has control	1350
of a person that has applied for or holds a casino operator,	1351
management company, or gaming-related vendor license;	1352

(3) A managerial employee of a person that has applied for or	1353
holds a casino operator or gaming-related vendor license in Ohio,	1354
or a managerial employee of a holding company that has control of	1355
a person that has applied for or holds a casino operator or	1356
gaming-related vendor license in Ohio, who performs the function	1357
of principal executive officer, principal operating officer,	1358
principal accounting officer, or an equivalent officer or other	1359
person the commission determines to have the power to exercise	1360
significant influence over decisions concerning any part of the	1361
operation of such licensee.	1362

The commission shall determine whether an individual whose	1363
duties or status varies from those described in this division also	1364
is considered a key employee.	1365

(O)(P) "Licensed casino operator" means a casino operator	1366
that has been issued a license by the commission and that has been	1367
certified annually by the commission to have paid all applicable	1368
fees, taxes, and debts to the state.	1369

(P)(Q) "Majority ownership interest" in a license or in a	1370
casino facility, as the case may be, means ownership of more than	1371
fifty per cent of such license or casino facility, as the case may	1372
be. For purposes of the foregoing, whether a majority ownership	1373
interest is held in a license or in a casino facility, as the case	1374
may be, shall be determined under the rules for constructive	1375
ownership of stock provided in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iii) as	1376
in effect on January 1, 2009.	1377

(Q)(R) "Management company" means an organization retained by	1378
a casino operator to manage a casino facility and provide services	1379
such as accounting, general administration, maintenance,	1380
recruitment, and other operational services.	1381

(R)(S) "Ohio law enforcement training fund" means the state	1382
law enforcement training fund described in Section 6(C)(3)(f) of	1383
Article XV, Ohio Constitution, the money in which shall be used to	1384
enhance public safety by providing additional training	1385
opportunities to the law enforcement community.	1386

(S)(T) "Person" includes, but is not limited to, an	1387
individual or a combination of individuals; a sole proprietorship,	1388
a firm, a company, a joint venture, a partnership of any type, a	1389
joint-stock company, a corporation of any type, a corporate	1390
subsidiary of any type, a limited liability company, a business	1391
trust, or any other business entity or organization; an assignee;	1392
a receiver; a trustee in bankruptcy; an unincorporated	1393
association, club, society, or other unincorporated entity or	1394
organization; entities that are disregarded for federal income tax	1395
purposes; and any other nongovernmental, artificial, legal entity	1396
that is capable of engaging in business.	1397

(T)(U) "Problem casino gambling and addictions fund" means	1398
the state problem gambling and addictions fund described in	1399
Section 6(C)(3)(g) of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, the money in	1400
which shall be used for treatment of problem gambling and	1401
substance abuse, and for related research.	1402

(U)(V) "Skill-based amusement machine" has the same meaning	1403
as in Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.	1404

(W) "Skill-based amusement machine distributor" means any	1405
person who purchases or obtains skill-based amusement machines and	1406
who does any of the following:	1407

(1) Sells, offers for sale, leases, or otherwise provides or	1408
offers to provide skill-based amusement machines to another person	1409
for use in this state;	1410

(2) Modifies, converts, adds to, or removes parts from	1411
skill-based amusement machines to further their promotion or sale	1412
for use in this state; or	1413

(3) Assembles completed skill-based amusement machines from	1414
raw materials, other items, or subparts.	1415

(X) "Skill-based amusement machine operator" means a person	1416
that provides skill-based amusement machines to a player or	1417
participant.	1418

(Y) "Slot machine" means any mechanical, electrical, or other	1419
device or machine which, upon insertion of a coin, token, ticket,	1420
or similar object, or upon payment of any consideration, is	1421
available to play or operate, the play or operation of which,	1422
whether by reason of the skill of the operator or application of	1423
the element of chance, or both, makes individual prize	1424
determinations for individual participants in cash, premiums,	1425
merchandise, tokens, or any thing of value, whether the payoff is	1426
made automatically from the machine or in any other manner.	1427

(V)(Z) "Sweepstakes terminal device" has the same meaning as	1428
in Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.	1429

(AA) "Sweepstakes terminal device distributor" means any	1430
person who purchases or obtains sweepstakes terminal devices and	1431
who does any of the following:	1432

(1) Sells, offers for sale, leases, or otherwise provides or	1433
offers to provide sweepstakes terminal devices to another person	1434
for use in this state;	1435

(2) Modifies, converts, adds to, or removes parts from	1436
sweepstakes terminal devices to further their promotion or sale	1437
for use in this state; or	1438

(3) Assembles completed sweepstakes terminal devices from raw	1439
materials, other items, or subparts.	1440

(BB) "Sweepstakes terminal device operator" means a person	1441
that provides sweepstakes terminal devices to a sweepstakes	1442
entrant.	1443

(CC) "Table game" means any game played with cards, dice, or	1444
any mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic device or machine	1445
for money, casino credit, or any representative of value. "Table	1446
game" does not include slot machines.	1447

(W)(DD) "Upfront license" means the first plenary license	1448
issued to a casino operator.	1449

(X)(EE) "Voluntary exclusion program" means a program	1450
provided by the commission that allows persons to voluntarily	1451
exclude themselves from the gaming areas of facilities under the	1452
jurisdiction of the commission by placing their name on a	1453
voluntary exclusion list and following the procedures set forth by	1454
the commission.	1455

Sec. 3772.02. (A) There is hereby created the Ohio casino	1456
control commission described in Section 6(C)(1) of Article XV,	1457
Ohio Constitution.	1458

(B) The commission shall consist of seven members appointed	1459
within one month of the effective date of this sectionSeptember	1460
10, 2010, by the governor with the advice and consent of the	1461
senate. The governor shall forward all appointments to the senate	1462
within twenty-four hours.	1463

(1) Each commission member is eligible for reappointment at	1464
the discretion of the governor. No commission member shall be	1465
appointed for more than three terms in total.	1466

(2) Each commission member shall be a resident of Ohio.

1467

(3) At least one commission member shall be experienced in	1468
law enforcement and criminal investigation.	1469

(4) At least one commission member shall be a certified	1470
public accountant experienced in accounting and auditing.	1471

(5) At least one commission member shall be an attorney	1472
admitted to the practice of law in Ohio.	1473

(6) At least one commission member shall be a resident of a	1474
county where one of the casino facilities is located.	1475

(7) Not more than four commission members shall be of the	1476
same political party.	1477

(8) No commission member shall have any affiliation with an	1478
Ohio casino operator or facility.	1479

(C) Commission members shall serve four-year terms, except	1480
that when the governor makes initial appointments to the	1481
commission under this chapter, the governor shall appoint three	1482
members to serve four-year terms with not more than two such	1483
members from the same political party, two members to serve	1484
three-year terms with such members not being from the same	1485
political party, and two members to serve two-year terms with such	1486
members not being from the same political party.	1487

(D) Each commission member shall hold office from the date of	1488
appointment until the end of the term for which the member was	1489
appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before	1490
the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was	1491
appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired	1492
term. Any member shall continue in office after the expiration	1493
date of the member's term until the member's successor takes	1494
office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever	1495
occurs first. A vacancy in the commission membership shall be	1496
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.	1497

(E) The governor shall select one member to serve as	1498
chairperson and the commission members shall select one member	1499
from a different party than the chairperson to serve as	1500
vice-chairperson. The governor may remove and replace the	1501
chairperson at any time. No such member shall serve as chairperson	1502
for more than six successive years. The vice-chairperson shall	1503
assume the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the	1504
chairperson. The chairperson and vice-chairperson shall perform	1505
but shall not be limited to additional duties as are prescribed by	1506
commission rule.	1507

(F) A commission member is not required to devote the	1508
member's full time to membership on the commission. Each member of	1509
the commission shall receive compensation of sixty thousand	1510
dollars per year, payable in monthly installments for the first	1511
four years of the commission's existence. Each member shall	1512
receive the member's actual and necessary expenses incurred in the	1513
discharge of the member's official duties.	1514

(G) The governor shall not appoint an individual to the	1515
commission, and an individual shall not serve on the commission,	1516
if the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no	1517
contest to a disqualifying offense as defined in section 3772.07	1518
of the Revised Code. Members coming under indictment or bill of	1519
information of a disqualifying offense shall resign from the	1520
commission immediately upon indictment.	1521

(H) At least five commission members shall be present for the	1522
commission to meet. The concurrence of four members is necessary	1523
for the commission to take any action. All members shall vote on	1524
the adoption of rules, and the approval of, and the suspension or	1525
revocation of, the licenses of casino operators or management	1526
companiesissued under this chapter, unless a member has a written	1527
leave of absence filed with and approved by the chairperson.	1528

(I) A commission member may be removed or suspended from	1529
office in accordance with section 3.04 of the Revised Code.	1530

(J) Each commission member, before entering upon the	1531
discharge of the member's official duties, shall make an oath to	1532
uphold the Ohio Constitution and laws of the state of Ohio and	1533
shall give a bond, payable by the commission, to the treasurer of	1534
state, in the sum of ten thousand dollars with sufficient sureties	1535
to be approved by the treasurer of state, which bond shall be	1536
filed with the secretary of state.	1537

(K) The commission shall hold one regular meeting each month	1538
and shall convene other meetings at the request of the chairperson	1539
or a majority of the members. A member who fails to attend at	1540
least three-fifths of the regular and special meetings of the	1541
commission during any two-year period forfeits membership on the	1542
commission. All meetings of the commission shall be open meetings	1543
under section 121.22 of the Revised Code except as otherwise	1544
allowed by law.	1545

Sec. 3772.03. (A) To ensure the integrity of casino gaming,	1546
the commission shall have authority to complete the functions of	1547
licensing, regulating, investigating, and penalizing casino	1548
operators, management companies, holding companies, key employees,	1549
casino gaming employees, and gaming-related vendors. The	1550
commission also shall have jurisdiction over all persons	1551
participating in casino gaming authorized by Section 6(C) of	1552
Article XV, Ohio Constitution, and this chapter.	1553

(B) To ensure the integrity of skill-based amusement machines	1554
and sweepstakes terminal devices, the commission shall have the	1555
authority to complete the functions of licensing, regulating,	1556
investigating, and penalizing skill-based amusement machine	1557
distributors and operators and sweepstakes terminal device	1558
distributors and operators.	1559

(C) All rules adopted by the commission under this chapter	1560
shall be adopted under procedures established in Chapter 119. of	1561
the Revised Code. The commission may contract for the services of	1562
experts and consultants to assist the commission in carrying out	1563
its duties under this section.	1564

(C)(D) Within sixnine months of the effective date of this	1565
sectionSeptember 10, 2010, the commission shall adopt initial	1566
rules as are necessary for completing the functions stated in	1567
divisiondivisions (A) and (B) of this section and for addressing	1568
the subjects enumerated in division (D)(E) of this section.	1569

(D)(E) The commission shall adopt, and as advisable and	1570
necessary shall amend or repeal, rules that include all of the	1571
following:	1572

(1) The prevention of practices detrimental to the public	1573
interest;	1574

(2) Prescribing the method of applying, and the form of	1575
application, that an applicant for a license under this chapter	1576
must follow as otherwise described in this chapter;	1577

(3) Prescribing the information to be furnished by an	1578
applicant or licensee as described in section 3772.11 of the	1579
Revised Codethis chapter;	1580

(4) Describing the certification standards and duties of the	1581
following: an independent testing laboratory certified under	1582
section 3772.31 of the Revised Code and the relationship between	1583
the commission, the laboratory, the gaming-related vendor, and the	1584
casino operator; a skill-based amusement machine distributor; a	1585
skill-based amusement machine operator; a sweepstakes terminal	1586
device distributor; and a sweepstakes terminal device operator;	1587

(5) The minimum amount of insurance that must be maintained	1588
by a casino operator, management company, holding company, or	1589
gaming-related vendor, skill-based amusement machine distributor,	1590
skill-based amusement machine operator, sweepstakes terminal	1591
device distributor, or sweepstakes terminal device operator;	1592

(6) The approval process for a significant change in	1593
ownership or transfer of control of a licensee as provided in	1594
section 3772.091 of the Revised Code;	1595

(7) The design of gaming supplies, devices, and equipment to	1596
be distributed by gaming-related vendors, skill-based amusement	1597
machine distributors, skill-based amusement machine operators,	1598
sweepstakes terminal device distributors, and sweepstakes terminal	1599
device operators;	1600

(8) IdentifyingFor all casino gaming, skill-based amusement	1601
machine gaming, and sweepstakes terminal device gaming that is	1602
licensed by the commission:	1603

(a) Identifying the casino gaming that is permitted,	1604
identifying;	1605

(b) Identifying the gaming supplies, devices, and equipment,	1606
that are permitted, defining;	1607

(c) Defining the area in which the permitted casino gaming	1608
may be conducted, and specifying;	1609

(d) Specifying the method of operation according to which the	1610
permitted casino gaming is to be conducted as provided in section	1611
3772.20 of the Revised Code, and requiringthis chapter;	1612

(e) Requiring gaming devices and equipment to meet the	1613
standards of this state;	1614

(9) Tournament play in any casino facility;

1615

(10) Establishing and implementing a voluntary exclusion	1616
program that provides all of the following:	1617

(a) Except as provided by commission rule, a person who	1618
participates in the program shall agree to refrain from entering a	1619
casino facility.	1620

(b) The name of a person participating in the program shall	1621
be included on a list of persons excluded from all casino	1622
facilities.	1623

(c) Except as provided by commission rule, no person who	1624
participates in the program shall petition the commission for	1625
admittance into a casino facility.	1626

(d) The list of persons participating in the program and the	1627
personal information of those persons shall be confidential and	1628
shall only be disseminated by the commission to a casino operator	1629
and the agents and employees of the casino operator for purposes	1630
of enforcement and to other entities, upon request of the	1631
participant and agreement by the commission.	1632

(e) A casino operator shall make all reasonable attempts as	1633
determined by the commission to cease all direct marketing efforts	1634
to a person participating in the program.	1635

(f) A casino operator shall not cash the check of a person	1636
participating in the program or extend credit to the person in any	1637
manner. However, the program shall not exclude a casino operator	1638
from seeking the payment of a debt accrued by a person before	1639
participating in the program.	1640

(g) Any and all locations at which a person may register as a	1641
participant in the program shall be published.	1642

(11) Requiring the commission to adopt standards regarding	1643
the marketing materials of a licensed casino operator, a	1644
skill-based amusement machine distributor, a skill-based amusement	1645
machine operator, a sweepstakes terminal device distributor, and a	1646
sweepstakes terminal device operator, including allowing the	1647
commission to prohibit marketing materials that are contrary to	1648
the adopted standards;	1649

(12) Requiring that the records, including financial	1650
statements, of any casino operator, management company, holding	1651
company, and gaming-related vendor, skill-based amusement machine	1652
distributor, skill-based amusement machine operator, sweepstakes	1653
terminal device distributor, and sweepstakes terminal device	1654
operator be maintained in the manner prescribed by the commission	1655
and made available for inspection upon demand by the commission,	1656
but shall be subject to section 3772.16 of the Revised Code;	1657

(13) Permitting a licensed casino operator, management	1658
company, key employee, or casino gaming employee, skill-based	1659
amusement machine distributor, skill-based amusement machine	1660
operator, sweepstakes terminal device distributor, or sweepstakes	1661
terminal device operator to question a person suspected of	1662
violating this chapter;	1663

(14) The chips, tokens, tickets, electronic cards, or similar	1664
objects that may be purchased by means of an agreement under which	1665
credit is extended to a wagerer by a casino operator;	1666

(15) Establishing standards for provisional key employee	1667
licenses for a person who is required to be licensed as a key	1668
employee and is in exigent circumstances and standards for	1669
provisional licenses for casino gaming employees who submit	1670
complete applications and are compliant under an instant	1671
background check. A provisional license shall be valid not longer	1672
than three months. A provisional license may be renewed one time,	1673
at the commission's discretion, for an additional three months. In	1674
establishing standards with regard to instant background checks	1675
the commission shall take notice of criminal records checks as	1676
they are conducted under section 311.41 of the Revised Code using	1677
electronic fingerprint reading devices.	1678

(16) Establishing approval procedures for third-party	1679
engineering or accounting firms, as described in section 3772.09	1680
of the Revised Code;	1681

(17) Prescribing the manner in which winnings, compensation	1682
from casino gaming, and gross revenue must be computed and	1683
reported by a licensee as described in Chapter 5753. of the	1684
Revised Code;	1685

(18) Prescribing the manner in which winnings or compensation	1686
from skill-based amusement devices or sweepstakes terminal devices	1687
must be computed and reported by a licensee under this chapter;	1688

(19) Prescribing conditions under which a licensee's license	1689
may be suspended or revoked as described in section 3772.04 of the	1690
Revised Code;	1691

(19)(20) Prescribing the manner and procedure of all hearings	1692
to be conducted by the commission or by any hearing examiner;	1693

(20)(21) Prescribing technical standards and requirements	1694
that are to be met by security and surveillance equipment that is	1695
used at and standards and requirements to be met by personnel who	1696
are employed at casino facilities and skill-based amusement	1697
machine operator's and sweepstakes terminal device operator's	1698
facilities, and standards and requirements for the provision of	1699
security at and surveillance of casino facilities and skill-based	1700
amusement machine operator's and sweepstakes terminal device	1701
operator's facilities;	1702

(21)(22) Prescribing requirements for a casino operator to	1703
provide unarmed security services at a casino facility by licensed	1704
casino employees, and the training that shall be completed by	1705
these employees;	1706

(22)(23) Prescribing standards according to which casino	1707
operators shall keep accounts and standards according to which	1708
casino accounts shall be audited, and establish means of assisting	1709
the tax commissioner in levying and collecting the gross casino	1710
revenue tax levied under section 5753.02 of the Revised Code;	1711

(23)(24) Prescribing standards under which skill-based	1712
amusement machine distributors, skill-based amusement machine	1713
operators, sweepstakes terminal device distributors, and	1714
sweepstakes terminal device operators shall keep accounts,	1715
standards to audit such accounts and establishing means to assist	1716
the tax commissioner in levying and collecting all applicable	1717
taxes;	1718

(25) Defining penalties for violation of commission rules and	1719
a process for imposing such penalties subject to the review of the	1720
joint committee on gaming and wagering;	1721

(24)(26) Establishing standards for decertifying contractors	1722
that violate statutes or rules of this state or the federal	1723
government;	1724

(25)(27) Establishing standards for the repair of casino	1725
gaming equipment, skill-based amusement machines, and sweepstakes	1726
terminal devices;	1727

(26)(28) Establishing procedures to ensure that casino	1728
operators, management companies, and holding companies are	1729
compliant with the compulsive and problem gambling plan submitted	1730
under section 3772.18 of the Revised Code;	1731

(27)(29) Providing for any other thing necessary and proper	1732
for successful and efficient regulation of casino gaming,	1733
skill-based amusement machines, and sweepstakes terminal devices	1734
under this chapter.	1735

(E)(F) The commission shall employ and assign gaming agents	1736
as necessary to assist the commission in carrying out the duties	1737
of this chapter. In order to maintain employment as a gaming	1738
agent, the gaming agent shall successfully complete all continuing	1739
training programs required by the commission and shall not have	1740
been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a	1741
disqualifying offense as defined in section 3772.07 of the Revised	1742
Code.	1743

(F)(G) The commission and its gaming agents shall have	1744
authority with regard to the detection and investigation of, the	1745
seizure of evidence allegedly relating to, and the apprehension	1746
and arrest of persons allegedly committing gaming offenses, and	1747
shall have access to casinoall licensed facilities to carry out	1748
the requirements of this chapter.	1749

(G)(H) The commission may eject or exclude or authorize the	1750
ejection or exclusion of and a gaming agent may eject a person	1751
from a casino facility, a skill-based amusement machine facility,	1752
and a sweepstakes terminal device facility for any of the	1753
following reasons:	1754

(1) The person's name is on the list of persons voluntarily	1755
excluding themselves from all casinos in a program established	1756
according to rules adopted by the commission;	1757

(2) The person violates or conspires to violate this chapter	1758
or a rule adopted thereunder; or	1759

(3) The commission determines that the person's conduct or	1760
reputation is such that the person's presence within such a casino	1761
facility may call into question the honesty and integrity of the	1762
casinolicensed gaming operations or interfere with the orderly	1763
conduct of the casinolicensed gaming operations.	1764

(H)(I) A person, other than a person participating in a	1765
voluntary exclusion program, may petition the commission for a	1766
public hearing on the person's ejection or exclusion under this	1767
chapter.	1768

(I)(J) A casino operator or management company shall have the	1769
same authority to eject or exclude a person from the management	1770
company's casino facilities as authorized in division (G) of this	1771
section. The licensee shall immediately notify the commission of	1772
an ejection or exclusion.	1773

(J)(K) The commission shall submit a written annual report	1774
with the governor, president and minority leader of the senate,	1775
speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and	1776
joint committee on gaming and wagering before the first day of	1777
September each year. The annual report shall include a statement	1778
describing the receipts and disbursements of the commission,	1779
relevant financial data regarding casino gaming, including gross	1780
revenues and disbursements made under this chapter, actions taken	1781
by the commission, an update on casino operators', management	1782
companies', and holding companies' compulsive and problem gambling	1783
plans and the voluntary exclusion program and list, and any	1784
additional information that the commission considers useful or	1785
that the governor, president or minority leader of the senate,	1786
speaker or minority leader of the house of representatives, or	1787
joint committee on gaming and wagering requests.	1788

(K)(L) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on	1789
July 1, 2011, the commission shall assume jurisdiction over and	1790
oversee the regulation of skill-based amusement machines and	1791
sweepstakes terminal devices as is provided in the law of this	1792
state.	1793

Sec. 3772.032. (A) The permanent joint committee on gaming	1794
and wagering is established. The committee consists of six	1795
members. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint	1796
to the committee three members of the house of representatives and	1797
the president of the senate shall appoint to the committee three	1798
members of the senate. Not more than two members appointed from	1799
each chamber may be members of the same political party. The	1800
chairperson shall be from the opposite party as the chairperson of	1801
the joint committee on agency rule review. If the chairperson is	1802
to be from the house of representatives, the speaker of the house	1803
of representatives shall designate a member as the chairperson and	1804
the president of the senate shall designate a member as the	1805
vice-chairperson. If the chairperson is to be from the senate, the	1806
president of the senate shall designate a member as the	1807
chairperson and the speaker of the house of representatives shall	1808
designate a member as the vice-chairperson.	1809

(B) The committee shall:

1810

(1) Review all constitutional amendments, laws, and rules	1811
governing the operation and administration of casinolicensed	1812
gaming and all authorized gaming and wageringand regulated gaming	1813
activities and recommend to the general assembly and commission	1814
any changes it may find desirable with respect to the language,	1815
structure, and organization of those amendments, laws, or rules;	1816

(2) Make an annual report to the governor and to the general	1817
assembly with respect of the operation and administration of	1818
casinolicensed gaming;	1819

(3) Review all changes of fees and penalties as provided in	1820
this chapter and rules adopted thereunder; and	1821

(4) Study all proposed changes to the constitution and laws	1822
of this state and to the rules adopted by the commission governing	1823
the operation and administration of casinolicensed gaming, and	1824
report to the general assembly on their adequacy and desirability	1825
as a matter of public policy.	1826

(C) Any study, or any expense incurred, in furtherance of the	1827
committee's objectives shall be paid for from, or out of, the	1828
casino control commission fund or other appropriation provided by	1829
law. The members shall receive no additional compensation, but	1830
shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in	1831
the performance of their official duties.	1832

Sec. 3772.033. In carrying out the responsibilities vested in	1833
the commission by this chapter, the commission may do all the	1834
following and may designate any such responsibilities to the	1835
executive director, to the commission's employees, or to the	1836
gaming agents:	1837

(A) Inspect and examine all premises where casinolicensed	1838
gaming is conducted under this chapter or where gaming supplies,	1839
devices, or equipment are manufactured, sold, or distributed;	1840

(B) Inspect all gaming supplies, devices, and equipment in or	1841
about a casinolicensed facility;	1842

(C) Summarily impound and seize and remove from the casino	1843
licensed facility premises gaming supplies, devices, and equipment	1844
for the purpose of examination and inspection;	1845

(D) Determine any facts, or any conditions, practices, or	1846
other matters, as the commission considers necessary or proper to	1847
aid in the enforcement of this chapter or of a rule adopted	1848
thereunder;	1849

(E) Audit licensed gaming operations, including those that	1850
have ceased operation;	1851

(F) Investigate, for the purpose of prosecution, any	1852
suspected violation of this chapter or rules adopted thereunder;	1853

(G) Investigate as appropriate to aid the commission and to	1854
seek the executive director's advice in adopting rules;	1855

(H) Secure information as is necessary to provide a basis for	1856
recommending legislation for the improvement of this chapter;	1857

(I) Make, execute, and otherwise effectuate all contracts and	1858
other agreements, including contracts for necessary purchases of	1859
goods and services. Except for any contract entered into with	1860
independent testing laboratories under section 3772.31 of the	1861
Revised Code, the commission shall ensure use of Ohio products or	1862
services in compliance with sections 125.09 and 125.11 of the	1863
Revised Code and all rules adopted thereunder.	1864

(J) Employ the services of persons the commission considers	1865
necessary for the purposes of consultation or investigation, and	1866
fix the salaries of, or contract for the services of, legal, with	1867
the consent of the attorney general, accounting, technical,	1868
operational, and other personnel and consultants;. The attorney	1869
general shall serve as the chief legal representative for the	1870
commission. Under section 109.07 of the Revised Code, the attorney	1871
general may appoint special counsel to assist in representation of	1872
the commission.	1873

(K) Secure, by agreement, information and services as the	1874
commission considers necessary from any state agency or other unit	1875
of state government;	1876

(L) Acquire furnishings, equipment, supplies, stationery,	1877
books, and all other things the commission considers necessary or	1878
desirable to successfully and efficiently carry out the	1879
commission's duties and functions; and	1880

(M) Take any other necessary and reasonable action to	1881
determine if a violation of any provision of sections 2915.01 to	1882
2915.13 and Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code has occurred;	1883

(N) Perform all other things the commission considers	1884
necessary to effectuate the intents and purposes of this chapter.	1885
This section shall not prohibit the commission from imposing	1886
administrative discipline, including fines and suspension or	1887
revocation of licenses, on licensees under this chapter if the	1888
licensee is found to be in violation of the commission's rules.	1889

Sec. 3772.04. (A)(1) If, as the result of an investigation,	1890
the commission concludes that a license or finding required by	1891
this chapter should be limited, conditioned, or restricted, or	1892
suspended or revoked, the commission shall conduct an adjudication	1893
under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.	1894

(2) The commission shall appoint a hearing examiner to	1895
conduct the hearing in the adjudication. A party to the	1896
adjudication may file written objections to the hearing examiner's	1897
report and recommendations not later than the thirtieth day after	1898
they are served upon the party or the party's attorney or other	1899
representative of record. The commission shall not take up the	1900
hearing examiner's report and recommendations earlier than the	1901
thirtieth day after the hearing examiner's report and	1902
recommendations were submitted to the commission.	1903

(3) If the commission finds that a person has violated this	1904
chapter or Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code or a rule adopted	1905
thereunder, the commission may issue an order:	1906

(a) Limiting, conditioning, or restricting, or suspending or	1907
revoking, a license issued under this chapter;	1908

(b) Limiting, conditioning, or restricting, or suspending or	1909
revoking, a finding made under this chapter;	1910

(c) Requiring a casino facility to exclude a licensee from	1911
the casino facility or requiring a casino facility not to pay to	1912
the licensee any remuneration for services or any share of	1913
profits, income, or accruals on the licensee's investment in the	1914
casino facility; or	1915

(d) Fining a licensee or other person according to the	1916
penalties adopted by the commission.	1917

(4) An order may be judicially reviewed under section 119.12	1918
of the Revised Code.	1919

(B) For the purpose of conducting any study or investigation,	1920
the commission may direct that public hearings be held at a time	1921
and place, prescribed by the commission, in accordance with	1922
section 121.22 of the Revised Code. The commission shall give	1923
notice of all public hearings in such manner as will give actual	1924
notice to all interested parties.	1925

(C) In the discharge of any duties imposed by this chapter,	1926
the commission may require that testimony be given under oath and	1927
administer such oath, issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of	1928
witnesses and the production of any papers, books, and accounts,	1929
and cause the deposition of any witness. In the event of the	1930
refusal of any person without good cause to comply with the terms	1931
of a subpoena issued by the commission or refusal to testify on	1932
matters about which the person may lawfully be questioned, the	1933
prosecuting attorney of the county in which such person resides,	1934
upon the petition of the commission, may bring a proceeding for	1935
contempt against such person in the court of common pleas of that	1936
county.	1937

(D) When conducting a public hearing, the commission shall	1938
not limit the number of speakers who may testify. However, the	1939
commission may set reasonable time limits on the length of an	1940
individual's testimony or the total amount of time allotted to	1941
proponents and opponents of an issue before the commission.	1942

(E) An administrative law judge appointed by the commission	1943
may conduct a hearing under this chapter and recommend findings of	1944
fact and decisions to the commission.	1945

(F) The commission may rely, in whole or in part, upon	1946
investigations, conclusions, or findings of other casino gaming	1947
commissions or other government regulatory bodies in connection	1948
with licensing, investigations, or other matters relating to an	1949
applicant or licensee under this chapter.	1950

Sec. 3772.06. (A)(1) The commission shall appoint an	1951
executive director who shall serve at the pleasure of the	1952
commission. The executive director is in the unclassified service,	1953
shall devote full time to the duties of the office, and shall hold	1954
no other office or employment. The executive director shall, by	1955
experience and training, possess management skills that equip the	1956
executive director to administer an enterprise of the nature of	1957
the commission. The executive director shall not have a pecuniary	1958
interest in any business organization that holds a license under	1959
this chapter, or that does business with any person licensed under	1960
this chapter. A member of the general assembly, a person who holds	1961
an elective office, or an office holder of a political party is	1962
ineligible to be appointed executive director at the same time as	1963
being such a member or holding such an office. The executive	1964
director shall receive an annual salary in accordance with pay	1965
range 48 of section 124.152 of the Revised Code.	1966

(2) The executive director, before entering upon the	1967
discharge of the executive director's official duties, shall give,	1968
and thereafter shall maintain, bond in the amount of twenty-five	1969
thousand dollars, payable to the state, conditioned upon the	1970
executive director's faithful and proper performance of the	1971
executive director's official duties. The bond shall be issued by	1972
a surety authorized to do business in this state and shall be	1973
filed with the secretary of state. The bond may be an individual	1974
bond or a schedule or blanket bond.	1975

(B)(1) The executive director or a deputy designated in	1976
writing by the executive director shall attend all meetings of the	1977
commission and shall act as its secretary. The executive director	1978
shall keep a record of all commission proceedings and shall keep	1979
the commission's records, files, and documents at the commission's	1980
principal office.	1981

(2) The executive director shall be the chief executive	1982
officer and shall be responsible for keeping all commission	1983
records and supervising and administering casinolicensed gaming	1984
in accordance with this chapter, and enforcing all commission	1985
rules adopted under this chapter.	1986

(3) The executive director shall hire staff, including an	1987
assistant director or deputy directors, as necessary to assist the	1988
executive director in the executive director's duties under this	1989
chapter. In appointing employees, the executive director is	1990
subject to section 3772.061 of the Revised Code. The executive	1991
director may employ employees as necessary, unless the commission	1992
determines otherwise. Except as otherwise provided in this	1993
chapter, all costs of administration incurred by the executive	1994
director and the executive director's employees shall be paid out	1995
of the casino control commission fund.	1996

(C) A state agency or other unit of state government shall	1997
cooperate with the commission, and shall provide the commission	1998
with information and services the commission considers necessary	1999
to carry out the commission's duties and functions under this	2000
chapter.	2001

(D) The executive director shall confer at least once each	2002
month with the commission, at which time the executive director	2003
shall advise it regarding the operation and administration of the	2004
commission and casinolicensed gaming. The executive director	2005
shall make available at the request of the commission all	2006
documents, files, and other records pertaining to the operation	2007
and administration of the commission and casinolicensed gaming.	2008
The executive director shall prepare and make available to the	2009
commission each month a complete and accurate accounting of gross	2010
casino gaming revenues and other licensed gaming revenues, and all	2011
other relevant financial information, including an accounting of	2012
all transfers made from the casino control commission fund.	2013

Sec. 3772.07.  The following appointing or licensing	2014
authorities shall obtain a criminal records check of the person	2015
who is to be appointed or licensed:	2016

(A) The governor, before appointing an individual as a member	2017
of the commission;	2018

(B) The commission, before appointing an individual as	2019
executive director or a gaming agent;	2020

(C) The commission, before issuing a license for a key	2021
employee or casino gaming employee, and before issuing a license	2022
for each investor, except an institutional investor, for a casino	2023
operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related	2024
vendor;	2025

(D) The commission, before issuing a license for a	2026
skill-based amusement machine distributor, a skill-based amusement	2027
machine operator, a sweepstakes terminal device distributor, or a	2028
sweepstakes terminal device operator;	2029

(E) The executive director, before appointing an individual	2030
as a professional, technical, or clerical employee of the	2031
commission.	2032

Thereafter, such an appointing or licensing authority shall	2033
obtain a criminal records check of the same individual at	2034
three-year intervals.	2035

The appointing or licensing authority shall provide to each	2036
person of whom a criminal records check is required a copy of the	2037
form and the standard fingerprint impression sheet prescribed	2038
under divisions (C)(1) and (2) of section 109.572 of the Revised	2039
Code. The person shall complete the form and impression sheet and	2040
return them to the appointing or licensing authority. If a person	2041
fails to complete and return the form and impression sheet within	2042
a reasonable time, the person is ineligible to be appointed or	2043
licensed or to continue in the appointment or licensure.	2044

The appointing or licensing authority shall forward the	2045
completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the	2046
bureau of criminal identification and investigation. The	2047
appointing or licensing authority shall request the superintendent	2048
also to obtain information from the federal bureau of	2049
investigation, including fingerprint-based checks of the national	2050
crime information databases, and from other states and the federal	2051
government under the national crime prevention and privacy compact	2052
as part of the criminal records check.	2053

The commission shall pay the fee the bureau of criminal	2054
identification and investigation charges for all criminal records	2055
checks conducted under this section. An applicant for a casino	2056
operator, management company, holding company, or gaming-related	2057
vendor, skill-based amusement machine distributor, skill-based	2058
amusement machine operator, sweepstakes terminal device	2059
distributor, or sweepstakes terminal device operator license shall	2060
reimburse the commission for the amount of the fee paid on the	2061
applicant's behalf. An applicant for a key employee or casino	2062
gaming employee license shall reimburse the commission for the	2063
amount of the fee paid on the applicant's behalf, unless the	2064
applicant is applying at the request of a casino operator or	2065
management company, in which case the casino operator or	2066
management company shall reimburse the commission.	2067

The appointing or licensing authority shall review the	2068
results of a criminal records check. An appointee for a commission	2069
member shall forward the results of the criminal records check to	2070
the president of the senate before the senate advises and consents	2071
to the appointment of the commission member. The appointing or	2072
licensing authority shall not appoint or license or retain the	2073
appointment or licensure of a person a criminal records check	2074
discloses has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty or no	2075
contest to a disqualifying offense. A "disqualifying offense"	2076
means any gambling offense, any theft offense, any offense having	2077
an element of fraud or misrepresentation, any offense having an	2078
element of moral turpitude, and any felony not otherwise included	2079
in the foregoing list, except as otherwise provided in section	2080
3772.10 of the Revised Code.	2081

The report of a criminal records check is not a public record	2082
that is open to public inspection and copying. The commission	2083
shall not make the report available to any person other than the	2084
person who was the subject of the criminal records check; an	2085
appointing or licensing authority; a member, the executive	2086
director, or an employee of the commission; or any court or	2087
agency, including a hearing examiner, in a judicial or	2088
administrative proceeding relating to the person's employment with	2089
the entity requesting the criminal records check in which the	2090
criminal records check is relevant.	2091

Sec. 3772.10. (A) In determining whether to grant or maintain	2092
the privilege of a casino operator, management company, holding	2093
company, key employee, casino gaming employee, or gaming-related	2094
vendor license issued under this chapter, the Ohio casino control	2095
commission shall consider all of the following, as applicable:	2096

(1) The reputation, experience, and financial integrity of	2097
the applicant, its holding company, if applicable, and any other	2098
person that directly or indirectly controls the applicant;	2099

(2) The financial ability of the applicant to purchase and	2100
maintain adequate liability and casualty insurance and to provide	2101
an adequate surety bond;	2102

(3) The past and present compliance of the applicant and its	2103
affiliates or affiliated companies with casino-related licensing	2104
requirements in this state or any other jurisdiction, including	2105
whether the applicant has a history of noncompliance with the	2106
casino licensing requirements of any jurisdiction;	2107

(4) If the applicant has been indicted, convicted, pleaded	2108
guilty or no contest, or forfeited bail concerning any criminal	2109
offense under the laws of any jurisdiction, either felony or	2110
misdemeanor, not including traffic violations;	2111

(5) If the applicant has filed, or had filed against it a	2112
proceeding for bankruptcy or has ever been involved in any formal	2113
process to adjust, defer, suspend, or otherwise work out the	2114
payment of any debt;	2115

(6) If the applicant has been served with a complaint or	2116
other notice filed with any public body regarding a payment of any	2117
tax required under federal, state, or local law that has been	2118
delinquent for one or more years;	2119

(7) If the applicant is or has been a defendant in litigation	2120
involving its business practices;	2121

(8) If awarding a license would undermine the public's	2122
confidence in the casino gaming industry in this state;	2123

(9) If the applicant meets other standards for the issuance	2124
of a license that the commission adopts by rule, which shall not	2125
be arbitrary, capricious, or contradictory to the expressed	2126
provisions of this chapter.	2127

(B) All applicants for a license under this chapter shall	2128
establish their suitability for a license by clear and convincing	2129
evidence. If the commission determines that a person is eligible	2130
under this chapter to be issued a license as a casino operator,	2131
management company, holding company, key employee, casino gaming	2132
employee, or gaming-related vendor, the commission shall issue	2133
such license for not more than three years, as determined by	2134
commission rule, if all other requirements of this chapter have	2135
been satisfied.	2136

(C) The commission shall not issue a casino operator,	2137
management company, holding company, key employee, casino gaming	2138
employee, or gaming-related vendor license under this chapter to	2139
an applicant if:	2140

(1) The applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying	2141
offense, as defined in section 3772.07 of the Revised Code.	2142

(2) The applicant has submitted an application for license	2143
under this chapter that contains false information.	2144

(3) The applicant is a commission member.

2145

(4) The applicant owns an ownership interest that is unlawful	2146
under this chapter, unless waived by the commission.	2147

(5) The applicant violates specific rules adopted by the	2148
commission related to denial of licensure.	2149

(6) The applicant is a member of or employed by a gaming	2150
regulatory body of a governmental unit in this state, another	2151
state, or the federal government, or is employed by a governmental	2152
unit of this state. This division does not prohibit a casino	2153
operator from hiring special duty law enforcement officers if the	2154
officers are not specifically involved in gaming-related	2155
regulatory functions.	2156

(7) The commission otherwise determines the applicant is	2157
ineligible for the license.	2158

(D)(1) The commission shall investigate the qualifications of	2159
each applicant under this chapter before any license is issued and	2160
before any finding with regard to acts or transactions for which	2161
commission approval is required is made. The commission shall	2162
continue to observe the conduct of all licensees and all other	2163
persons having a material involvement directly or indirectly with	2164
a casino operator, management company, or holding companylicensee	2165
to ensure that licenses are not issued to or held by, or that	2166
there is not any material involvement with a casino operator,	2167
management company, or holding companylicensee by, an	2168
unqualified, disqualified, or unsuitable person or a person whose	2169
operations are conducted in an unsuitable manner or in unsuitable	2170
or prohibited places or locations.	2171

(2) The executive director may recommend to the commission	2172
that it deny any application, or limit, condition, or restrict, or	2173
suspend or revoke, any license or finding, or impose any fine upon	2174
any licensee or other person according to this chapter and the	2175
rules adopted thereunder.	2176

(3) A license issued under this chapter is a revocable	2177
privilege. No licensee has a vested right in or under any license	2178
issued under this chapter. The initial determination of the	2179
commission to deny, or to limit, condition, or restrict, a license	2180
may be appealed under section 2505.03 of the Revised Code.	2181

(E)(1) An institutional investor otherwise required to be	2182
found suitable or qualified under this chapter and the rules	2183
adopted under this chapter shall be presumed suitable or qualified	2184
upon submitting documentation sufficient to establish	2185
qualifications as an institutional investor and upon certifying	2186
all of the following:	2187

(a) The institutional investor owns, holds, or controls	2188
publicly traded securities issued by a licensee or holding,	2189
intermediate, or parent company of a licensee or in the ordinary	2190
course of business for investment purposes only.	2191

(b) The institutional investor does not exercise influence	2192
over the affairs of the issuer of such securities nor over any	2193
licensed subsidiary of the issuer of such securities.	2194

(c) The institutional investor does not intend to exercise	2195
influence over the affairs of the issuer of such securities, nor	2196
over any licensed subsidiary of the issuer of such securities, in	2197
the future, and that it agrees to notify the commission in writing	2198
within thirty days if such intent changes.	2199

(2) The exercise of voting privileges with regard to publicly	2200
traded securities shall not be deemed to constitute the exercise	2201
of influence over the affairs of a licensee.	2202

(3) The commission shall rescind the presumption of	2203
suitability for an institutional investor at any time if the	2204
institutional investor exercises or intends to exercise influence	2205
or control over the affairs of the licensee.	2206

(4) This division shall not be construed to preclude the	2207
commission from investigating the suitability or qualifications of	2208
an institutional investor if the commission becomes aware of facts	2209
or information that may result in the institutional investor being	2210
found unsuitable or disqualified.	2211

(F) Information provided on the application shall be used as	2212
a basis for a thorough background investigation of each applicant.	2213
A false or incomplete application is cause for denial of a license	2214
by the commission. All applicants and licensees shall consent to	2215
inspections, searches, and seizures and to the disclosure to the	2216
commission and its agents of confidential records, including tax	2217
records, held by any federal, state, or local agency, credit	2218
bureau, or financial institution and to provide handwriting	2219
exemplars, photographs, fingerprints, and information as	2220
authorized in this chapter and in rules adopted by the commission.	2221

Sec. 3772.17. (A) The upfront license fee to obtain a license	2222
as a casino operator shall be fifty million dollars per casino	2223
facility, which shall be deposited into the economic development	2224
programs fund, which is created in the state treasury. New casino	2225
operator, management company, and holding company license and	2226
renewal license fees shall be set by rule, subject to the review	2227
of the joint committee on gaming and wagering.	2228

(B) The fee to obtain an application for a casino operator,	2229
management company, or holding company license shall be one	2230
million five hundred thousand dollars per application. The	2231
application fee shall be deposited into the casino control	2232
commission fund. The application fee is nonrefundable.	2233

(C) The license fees for a gaming-related vendor shall be set	2234
by rule, subject to the review of the joint committee on gaming	2235
and wagering. Additionally, the commission may assess an applicant	2236
a reasonable fee in the amount necessary to process a	2237
gaming-related vendor license application.	2238

(D) The license fees for a key employee shall be set by rule,	2239
subject to the review of the joint committee on gaming and	2240
wagering. Additionally, the commission may assess an applicant a	2241
reasonable fee in the amount necessary to process a key employee	2242
license application. If the license is being sought at the request	2243
of a casino operator, such fees shall be paid by the casino	2244
operator.	2245

(E) The license fees for a casino gaming employee shall be	2246
set by rule, subject to the review of the joint committee on	2247
gaming and wagering. If the license is being sought at the request	2248
of a casino operator, the fee shall be paid by the casino	2249
operator.	2250

(F) The license fees for a skill-based amusement machine	2251
distributor shall be set by rule, subject to the review of the	2252
joint committee on gaming and wagering. Additionally, the	2253
commission may assess an applicant a reasonable fee in the amount	2254
necessary to process a skill-based amusement machine distributor	2255
license application.	2256

(G) The license fees for a skill-based amusement machine	2257
operator shall be set by rule, subject to the review of the joint	2258
committee on gaming and wagering. Additionally, the commission may	2259
assess an applicant a reasonable fee in the amount necessary to	2260
process a skill-based amusement machine operator license	2261
application.	2262

(H) The license fees for a sweepstakes terminal device	2263
distributor shall be set by rule, subject to the review of the	2264
joint committee on gaming and wagering. Additionally, the	2265
commission may assess an applicant a reasonable fee in the amount	2266
necessary to process a sweepstakes terminal device distributor	2267
license application.	2268

(I) The license fees for a sweepstakes terminal device	2269
operator shall be set by rule, subject to the review of the joint	2270
committee on gaming and wagering. Additionally, the commission may	2271
assess an applicant a reasonable fee in the amount necessary to	2272
process a sweepstakes terminal device operator license	2273
application.	2274

Sec. 3772.21. (A) Casino gaming equipment and supplies	2275
customarily used in conducting casino gaming shall be purchased or	2276
leased only from gaming-related vendors licensed under this	2277
chapter. A management company owning casino gaming devices,	2278
supplies, and equipment shall be licensed as a gaming-related	2279
vendor under this chapter.	2280

(B) Annually, a gaming-related vendor shall furnish to the	2281
commission a list of all equipment, devices, and supplies offered	2282
for sale or lease in connection with casino gaming authorized	2283
under this chapter.	2284

(C) A gaming-related vendor shall keep books and records for	2285
the furnishing of equipment, devices, and supplies to gaming	2286
operations separate from books and records of any other business	2287
operated by the gaming-related vendor. A gaming-related vendor	2288
shall file a quarterly return with the commission listing all	2289
sales and leases. A gaming-related vendor shall permanently affix	2290
the gaming-related vendor's name to all of the gaming-related	2291
vendor's equipment, devices, and supplies for casino gaming	2292
operations.	2293

(D) A gaming-related vendor's equipment, devices, or supplies	2294
that are used by a person in an unauthorized casino gaming	2295
operation shall be forfeited to the commission.	2296

(E) A skill-based amusement machine distributor shall only	2297
provide skill-based amusement machines that have been approved by	2298
the commission to skill-based amusement machine operators who have	2299
received a skill-based amusement machine operator's license from	2300
the commission. The skill-based amusement machine distributor	2301
shall accept payment only by check or electronic funds transfer as	2302
approved by the commission for offering skill-based amusement	2303
machines in this state.	2304

(F) At least once a year, as determined by the commission, a	2305
skill-based amusement machine distributor shall furnish to the	2306
commission a list of all equipment, devices, and supplies offered	2307
for sale or lease by that distributor in this state.	2308

(G) A sweepstakes terminal device distributor shall only	2309
provide sweepstakes terminal devices that have been approved by	2310
the commission to sweepstakes terminal device operators who have	2311
received a sweepstakes terminal device operator's license from the	2312
commission. The sweepstakes terminal device distributor shall	2313
accept payment only by check or electronic funds transfer as	2314
approved by the commission for offering sweepstakes terminal	2315
devices in this state.	2316

(H) At least once a year, as determined by the commission, a	2317
sweepstakes terminal device distributor shall furnish to the	2318
commission a list of all equipment, devices, and supplies offered	2319
for sale or lease by that distributor in this state.	2320

(I) Each skill-based amusement machine distributor and	2321
sweepstakes terminal device distributor shall keep books and	2322
records for the furnishing of equipment, devices, and supplies to	2323
gaming operations separate from books and records of any other	2324
business operated by the distributor. Each skill-based amusement	2325
machine distributor and sweepstakes terminal device distributor	2326
shall file a quarterly return with the commission listing all	2327
sales and leases. A skill-based amusement machine distributor and	2328
a sweepstakes terminal device distributor shall permanently affix	2329
the distributor's name, as filed with the commission, to all of	2330
the distributor's gaming-related equipment, devices, and supplies	2331
used or offered for sale in this state.	2332

Sec. 3772.23. (A) All tokens, chips, or electronic cards that	2333
are used to make wagers shall be purchased from the casino	2334
operator or management company while at a casino facility that has	2335
been approved by the commission. Chips, tokens, tickets,	2336
electronic cards, or similar objects may be used while at the	2337
casino facility only for the purpose of making wagers on casino	2338
games.	2339

(B) Casino operators and, management companies, skill-based	2340
amusement machine distributors, skill-based amusement machine	2341
operators, sweepstakes terminal device distributors, and	2342
sweepstakes terminal device operators shall not do any of the	2343
following:	2344

(1) Obtain a license to operate a check-cashing business	2345
under sections 1315.01 to 1315.30 of the Revised Code;	2346

(2) Obtain a license to provide loans under sections 1321.01	2347
to 1321.19 of the Revised Code;	2348

(3) Obtain a license to provide loans under sections 1321.35	2349
to 1321.48 of the Revised Code.	2350

Sec. 3772.30. (A) If any person violates this chapter or a	2351
rule adopted thereunder, the attorney general has a cause of	2352
action to restrain the violation. Such an action is a civil	2353
action, governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Upon receiving a	2354
request from the commission or the executive director, the	2355
attorney general shallmay commence and prosecute such an action	2356
to completion. The court shall give priority to such an action	2357
over all other civil actions. Such an action does not preclude an	2358
administrative or criminal proceeding on the same facts.	2359

(B) The attorney general may enter into agreements with any	2360
state or local law enforcement agency to carry out its duties.	2361

(C) A sheriff, chief of police, and prosecuting attorney	2362
shall furnish to the commission, on prescribed forms, all	2363
information obtained during the course of any substantial	2364
investigation or prosecution if it appears a violation of this	2365
chapter has occurred. Any such information is not a public record,	2366
as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code, until such	2367
information would otherwise become a public record.	2368

Sec. 3772.31.  (A) The commission, by and through the	2369
executive director of the commission and as required under section	2370
125.05 of the Revised Code, may enter into contracts necessary to	2371
ensure the proper operation and reporting of all casinolicensed	2372
gaming authorized under this chapter. The commission may determine	2373
it to be necessary and adopt rules to authorize a central system.	2374
The system shall be operated by or under the commission's control.	2375
If the commission determines that a central system is necessary	2376
and adopts rules authorizing a central system, casino operators	2377
shall be responsible for the costs of the central system as it	2378
relates to casino facilities. Skill-based amusement machine	2379
operators and sweepstakes terminal device operators shall be	2380
responsible for the costs of the central system if the system is	2381
only for skill-based amusement machine gaming and sweepstakes	2382
terminal device gaming as authorized under this chapter.	2383

(B) The commission shall certify independent testing	2384
laboratories to scientifically test and technically evaluate all	2385
slot machines, mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic table	2386
games, slot accounting systems, and other electronic gaming	2387
equipment for compliance with this chapter. The certified	2388
independent testing laboratories shall be accredited by a national	2389
accreditation body. The commission shall certify an independent	2390
testing laboratory if it is competent and qualified to	2391
scientifically test and evaluate electronic gaming equipment for	2392
compliance with this chapter and to otherwise perform the	2393
functions assigned to an independent testing laboratory under this	2394
chapter. An independent testing laboratory shall not be owned or	2395
controlled by, or have any interest in, a gaming-related vendor of	2396
electronic gaming equipment. The commission shall prepare a list	2397
of certified independent testing laboratories from which	2398
independent testing laboratories shall be chosen for all purposes	2399
under this chapter.	2400

Sec. 3772.34.  (A) In carrying out the responsibilities	2401
delegated in section 3772.03 of the Revised Code, the commission	2402
may issue a sweepstakes terminal device distributor license if the	2403
applicant meets all requirements under this chapter and any rule	2404
adopted by the commission, and meets all requirements under	2405
Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.	2406

(B) A person may apply for a sweepstakes terminal device	2407
distributor license. The application shall be made under oath on a	2408
form provided by the commission, and shall contain information as	2409
prescribed by rule including, but not limited to, any information	2410
required by the commission to determine if the applicant is	2411
compliant with the Revised Code and all rules adopted by the	2412
commission. The application shall be accompanied by a license fee	2413
as determined by commission rule, and a nonrefundable license	2414
application fee as described in section 3772.17 of the Revised	2415
Code, which shall cover all actual costs generated by each	2416
applicant and all background checks.	2417

(C) Before a sweepstakes terminal device distributor license	2418
is issued, the applicant shall have all sweepstakes terminal	2419
devices examined and approved by a certified independent testing	2420
laboratory under section 3772.31 of the Revised Code.	2421

(D) The commission may limit, place conditions on, restrict,	2422
suspend, or revoke a license issued under this chapter for any	2423
violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter	2424
or for any violation of Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.	2425

Sec. 3772.35.  (A) In carrying out the responsibilities	2426
delegated in section 3772.03 of the Revised Code, the commission	2427
may issue a sweepstakes terminal device operator license if the	2428
applicant meets all requirements under this chapter and any rule	2429
adopted by the commission, and meets all requirements under	2430
Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.	2431

(B) A sweepstakes terminal device operator licensee shall	2432
have the following restrictions:	2433

(1) There shall be not more than five sweepstakes terminal	2434
devices in any licensed location.	2435

(2) No beer or intoxicating liquor shall be served or	2436
consumed in any licensed location.	2437

(3) A sweepstakes terminal device operator, including that	2438
operator's partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, and contractors,	2439
shall operate not more than two licensed locations.	2440

(C) The commission shall limit the number of sweepstakes	2441
terminal device licenses in each county based on the following:	2442

(1) If the county has a population of fifty thousand or less,	2443
the commission shall issue not more than four licenses.	2444

(2) If the county has a population greater than fifty	2445
thousand, but less than one hundred thousand, the commission shall	2446
issue not more than eight licenses.	2447

(3) If the county has a population of one hundred thousand or	2448
greater, but less than two hundred thousand, the commission shall	2449
issue not more than sixteen licenses.	2450

(4) If the county has a population of two hundred thousand or	2451
greater, but less than five hundred thousand, the commission shall	2452
issue not more than thirty-two licenses.	2453

(5) If the county has a population of five hundred thousand	2454
or greater, the commission shall issue not more than sixty-four	2455
licenses.	2456

(D) A person may apply for a sweepstakes terminal device	2457
operator license. The application shall be made under oath on a	2458
form provided by the commission and shall contain information as	2459
prescribed by rule including, but not limited to, any information	2460
required by the commission to determine if the location is	2461
compliant with the Revised Code and all rules adopted by the	2462
commission. The application shall be accompanied by a license fee	2463
as determined by commission rule, and a nonrefundable license	2464
application fee as described in section 3772.17 of the Revised	2465
Code, which shall cover all actual costs generated by each	2466
applicant and all background checks.	2467

(E) The commission may limit, place conditions on, restrict,	2468
suspend, or revoke a license issued under this chapter for any	2469
violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter	2470
or for any violation of Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.	2471

Sec. 3772.99.  (A) The commission shall levy and collect	2472
penalties for noncriminal violations of this chapter. Moneys	2473
collected from such penalty levies shall be credited to the	2474
general revenue fund.	2475

(B) If a licensed casino operator, management company,	2476
holding company, gaming-related vendor, or key employeelicensee	2477
violates this chapter or engages in a fraudulent act, the	2478
commission may suspend or revoke the license and may do either or	2479
both of the following:	2480

(1) Suspend, revoke, or restrict the casino gaming operations	2481
of a casino operator;	2482

(2) Require the removal of a management company, key	2483
employee, or discontinuance of services from a gaming-related	2484
vendor;	2485

(3) Suspend, revoke, or restrict the operations of any	2486
licensee.	2487

(C) The commission shall impose civil penalties against a	2488
person who violates this chapter under the penalties adopted by	2489
commission rule and reviewed by the joint committee on gaming and	2490
wagering.	2491

(D) A person who knowingly or intentionally does any of the	2492
following commits a misdemeanor of the first degree on the first	2493
offense and a felony of the fifth degree for a subsequent offense:	2494

(1) Makes a false statement on an application submitted under	2495
this chapter;	2496

(2) Permits a person less than twenty-one years of age to	2497
make a wager;	2498

(3) Aids, induces, or causes a person less than twenty-one	2499
years of age who is not an employee of the casino gaming operation	2500
to enter or attempt to enter a casino facility;	2501

(4) Enters or attempts to enter a casino facility while under	2502
twenty-one years of age, unless the person enters a designated	2503
area as described in section 3772.24 of the Revised Code;	2504

(5) Wagers or accepts a wager at a location other than a	2505
casino facility;	2506

(6) Is a casino operator or employee and participates in	2507
casino gaming other than as part of operation or employment.	2508

(E) A person who knowingly or intentionally does any of the	2509
following commits a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense	2510
and a felony of the fourth degree for a subsequent offense. If the	2511
person is a licensee under this chapter, the commission shall	2512
revoke the person's license after the first offense.	2513

(1) Offers, promises, or gives anything of value or benefit	2514
to a person who is connected with the casino operator, management	2515
company, holding company, or gaming-related vendora licensee,	2516
including their officers and employees, under an agreement to	2517
influence or with the intent to influence the actions of the	2518
person to whom the offer, promise, or gift was made in order to	2519
affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a casino gamelicensee	2520
operations or an official action of a commission member;	2521

(2) Solicits, accepts, or receives a promise of anything of	2522
value or benefit while the person is connected with a casino,	2523
including an officer or employee of a casino operator, management	2524
company, or gaming-related vendorlicensee, under an agreement to	2525
influence or with the intent to influence the actions of the	2526
person to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a casino game	2527
licensee operations or an official action of a commission member;	2528

(3) Uses or possesses with the intent to use a device to	2529
assist in projecting the outcome of the game, keeping track of the	2530
cards played, analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an	2531
event relating to the casino game, or analyzing the strategy for	2532
playing or betting to be used in the game, except as permitted by	2533
the commission;	2534

(4) Cheats at a casino game of a licensee;

2535

(5) Manufactures, sells, or distributes any cards, chips,	2536
dice, game, or device that is intended to be used to violate this	2537
chapter;	2538

(6) Alters or misrepresents the outcome of a casino game of a	2539
licensee on which wagers have been made after the outcome is made	2540
sure but before the outcome is revealed to the players;	2541

(7) Places a wager on the outcome of a casino game of a	2542
licensee after acquiring knowledge that is not available to all	2543
players and concerns the outcome of the casino game that is the	2544
subject of the wager;	2545

(8) Aids a person in acquiring the knowledge described in	2546
division (E)(7) of this section for the purpose of placing a wager	2547
contingent on the outcome of a casino game of a licensee;	2548

(9) Claims, collects, takes, or attempts to claim, collect,	2549
or take money or anything of value in or from a casino game of a	2550
licensee with the intent to defraud or without having made a wager	2551
contingent on winning a casino game of a licensee;	2552

(10) Claims, collects, or takes an amount of money or thing	2553
of value of greater value than the amount won in a casino game of	2554
a licensee;	2555

(11) Uses or possesses counterfeit chips or tokens in or for	2556
use in a casino game of a licensee;	2557

(12) Possesses a key or device designed for opening,	2558
entering, or affecting the operation of a casino game of a	2559
licensee, drop box, or an electronic or a mechanical device	2560
connected with the casino game or removing coins, tokens, chips,	2561
or other contents of a casino game. This division does not apply	2562
to a casino operator, management company, or gaming-related vendor	2563
licensee or their agents and employees in the course of agency or	2564
employment.	2565

(13) Possesses materials used to manufacture a slug or device	2566
intended to be used in a manner that violates this chapter;	2567

(14) Operates a casino gaming operation in which wagering is	2568
conducted or is to be conducted in a manner other than the manner	2569
required under this chapter.	2570

(F) The possession of more than one of the devices described	2571
in division (E)(11), (12), or (13) of this section creates a	2572
rebuttable presumption that the possessor intended to use the	2573
devices for cheating.	2574

(G) A person who is convicted of a felony described in this	2575
chapter or Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code may be barred for	2576
life from entering a casinolicensed facility by the commission.	2577

(H) A person who is convicted of a criminal offense described	2578
in this chapter or Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code may be barred	2579
for a period of up to five years from entering a licensed location	2580
by the commission.	2581

Section 2.  That existing sections 2915.01, 2915.03, 2915.06,	2582
2915.061, 2915.08, 2915.09, 3772.01, 3772.02, 3772.03, 3772.032,	2583
3772.033, 3772.04, 3772.06, 3772.07, 3772.10, 3772.17, 3772.21,	2584
3772.23, 3772.30, 3772.31, and 3772.99 of the Revised Code are	2585
hereby repealed.	2586

Section 3. Beginning six months after the effective date of	2587
the rules adopted by the Ohio Casino Control Commission under	2588
section 3772.03 of the Revised Code, as amended by this act, any	2589
person who conducts a skill-based amusement machine or sweepstakes	2590
terminal device without a license issued by the Commission is	2591
considered to be in violation of division (B) of section 2915.06	2592
of the Revised Code in the case of skill-based amusement machines	2593
or division (A)(2) of section 2915.062 of the Revised Code in the	2594
case of sweepstakes terminal devices.	2595