Section 270-RICR-50-00-1.1 - General ProvisionsA. Scope 1. All games of chance are to be authorized by the Rhode Island State Police. R.I. Gen Laws §11-19-30.1 specifically enumerated this requirement of authorization by the Rhode Island State Police as well as other specific requirements controlling Games of Chance. These regulations are adopted by the Rhode Island State Police in accordance with the statute providing for dual control of licensing games of chance by the police department of the cities and towns in which the games are to take place and authorization by the Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, or his/her designee, of these games of chance.B. Organizations Permitted to Promote, Carry On, or Conduct a Game of Chance 1. The only organizations eligible to promote, carry on, or conduct a game of chance are religious, charitable, fraternal, civic, educational, benevolent, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, social service, police, labor, eleemosynary, or veterans' organizations. No other type of organization or any individual is permitted to carry on or conduct a game of chance except as noted in § 1.1(G) of this Part.C. Certain Persons Exempt 1. An individual or group of individuals determined to meet special requirements that can be construed as a temporary organization organized exclusively for the purpose of relief to an individual, or group of individuals, who are suffering from extreme financial hardship as a result of an illness, disability, accident or disaster. Such temporary organization, and/or its principals, shall be allowed to conduct one raffle within a 12-month period and must specify the individual or individuals by name, giving a detailed description of the reason for such application. The entire proceeds of any such raffle, without any deductions whatsoever, must be turned over to the named beneficiary(ies).D. Definition of a Game of Chance 1. A game of chance is any game in which the element of chance predominates over the element of skill in the possibility of winning a prize with pecuniary consideration being involved to participate.E. Necessary Criteria for Organizations to be Deemed Eligible to Promote, Carry On, or Conduct a Game of Chance 1. For the purpose of operating games, the enumerated organizations, namely religious, charitable, fraternal, civic, educational, benevolent, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, social service, police, labor, eleemosynary or veterans' organizations, should be registered as a non-profit organization from the State of Rhode Island in existence for a period of at least one year prior to their request for authorization to promote, carry on, or conduct a game of chance. The non-profit organization should be in full compliance with all of the requirements of the corporate laws of the State of Rhode Island.F. Membership Requirements for Persons Conducting Games of Chance1. It is mandatory that any and all persons conducting games of chance for organizations that have been duly authorized and licensed be bona fide members of this organization for at least one year prior to their participation in this game of chance. The membership records of the organization authorized and licensed to conduct a game of chance must be filed with the Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police prior to authorization and any and all records pertaining to membership must be made available to the Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, or his/her designee, upon request.G. Political Committees Exempt from 20 Week Club and Raffles1. R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-19-1.1 entitled "Lotteries Permitted," reads as follows: "Any state, city, town, ward, or district committee elected pursuant to the provisions of Title 17 or certified candidates, but not both, as defined in Title 17, shall be allowed to conduct that lottery commonly known as a 'twenty (20) week club' or conduct a raffle once within a twelve (12) month period subsequent to notification to the Rhode Island Lottery Commission."H. Restrictions on Prizes Given Out to Winners of Games of Chance1. No individual or organization, whether religious, charitable, fraternal, civic, educational, benevolent, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, social service, police, labor, eleemosynary, veterans, or temporary, is allowed to give out as a prize(s) for games of chance they are licensed to conduct any real estate, either building or land, or interest in real estate.2. The transfer of any prizes consisting of alcohol or weapons must be in conformance with existing state law.I. Restrictions on Use of Internet for Licensed Games of Chance1. The Internet may be used as a vehicle for advertising only for licensed games of chance. An organization that has obtained a license for games of chance may advertise said game(s) on the Internet. No purchasing of tickets or chances may take place via the Internet. Any participant(s) must purchase tickets by mail or in person.270 R.I. Code R. 270-RICR-50-00-1.1