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Can I offer contests that involve a single game or event in Rhode Island? What are the requirements?

Requirements for Offering Contests in Rhode Island

If you intend to offer contests that involve a single game or event in Rhode Island, you must comply with the state’s regulations. The following documents provide relevant information:

  • Table-game regulation. (RIGL 42-61.2-3.1) [1.1]
  • Registration of charitable organizations. (RIGL 11-19-31) [3.2]
  • State authorized to operate casino gaming at Newport Grand. (RIGL 42-61.2-2.2) [1.3]
  • Organizations Permitted to Promote, Carry On or Conduct the Game of Bingo. (270 RICR 50-00-2.3) [2.1]
  • General requirements for online sports wagering. (RIGL 42-61.2-16) [1.2]
  • Lotteries permitted. (RIGL 11-19-1.1) [3.1]
  • Conduct of Games. (270 RICR 50-00-1.3) [4.1]
  • Police regulation of bingo and permitted games of chance. (RIGL 11-19-41) [3.3]

Based on the information provided in these documents, the requirements for offering contests in Rhode Island are as follows:

  1. If the contest involves casino gaming, it must be authorized by the state and conducted at a licensed video lottery terminal retailer facility, such as Newport Grand. (RIGL 42-61.2-2.2) [1.3]
  2. If the contest is conducted by a charitable organization, the organization must file a registration statement with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation and receive a certificate of approval. (RIGL 11-19-31) [3.2]
  3. The registration statement must contain information about the organization, including its purpose, address, officers, financial records, and the general purpose for which the proceeds from the game will be used. (RIGL 11-19-31) [3.2]
  4. The contest must be conducted in compliance with the rules and regulations established by the Rhode Island Division of Lotteries, which include standards and procedures for the conduct of table games, inspection procedures for gaming equipment, procedures for the collection of bets and payouts, and procedures for handling suspected cheating or irregularities. (RIGL 42-61.2-3.1) [1.1]
  5. The contest must also comply with any other matters necessary for conducting table games, as established by the Division. (RIGL 42-61.2-3.1) [1.1]
  6. If the contest involves bingo, it can only be conducted by a benevolent, educational, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, social service, civic, fraternal, police, labor, religious, eleemosynary person and/or persons purporting to be a charitable organization. (270 RICR 50-00-2.3) [2.1]
  7. If the contest involves online sports wagering, it shall only occur within the state of Rhode Island, and the server-based gaming system shall employ a mechanism to detect the physical location of a player at the time the player is wagering. (RIGL 42-61.2-16) [1.2]
  8. If the contest involves lotteries, only 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. (RIGL 11-19-1.1) [3.1]
  9. The equipment used in the operation of a game of chance by a duly licensed organization shall be in compliance with the requirements of Transportation of Gambling Devices, 15 U.S.C. Chapter 24 which deals with gambling devices and the Gambling Device Act of 1962. (270 RICR 50-00-1.3) [4.1]
  10. The Rhode Island Division of State Police shall have the power and authority to license, regulate, supervise and exercise general control over the operation of bingo and permitted games of chance including, but not limited to, the conduct of permitted games of chance, the distribution of prizes, and the use and licensing of equipment specifically designed to be utilized to conduct bingo and permitted games of chance. (RIGL 11-19-41) [3.3]

If you have any further questions or concerns, you may wish to consult with a legal professional or contact the Rhode Island Division of Lotteries.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Rhode Island