House bill NO. 572

INTRODUCED BY K. Zolnikov, S. Kerns, C. Knudsen, B. Ler, E. Buttrey, L. Jones, D. Loge, B. Usher, G. Hertz, C. Glimm, K. Bogner, D. Zolnikov, J. Trebas, F. Mandeville

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS PERTAINING TO VIDEO GAMBLING MACHINE PRIZES; INCREASING THE LIMIT ON VIDEO GAMBLING MACHINE GAME LIMITS FROM $2 TO $3; INCREASING THE LIMIT ON AWARDING FREE GAMES OR CREDITS FROM $800 TO $1,199; revising the credit ratio for certain video gambling machine games; AMENDING SECTIONS 23-5-607 AND 23-5-608, MCA; and PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES and AN APPLICABILITY DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 23-5-607, MCA, is amended to read:

"23-5-607. Expected payback -- verification. (1) The department shall prescribe the expected payback value of credit awarded to be at least 80% of the value of credit played for each bingo, poker, keno, and video line game in a video gambling machine. The credit ratio may not be greater than:

(a)        92% for each video line game;

(b)        96.5% for each bingo and keno game; and

(c)        97.5% for each poker game.

(2)        Each video gambling machine must have an electronic accounting device that the department may use to verify the winning percentage."

Section 2. Section 23-5-608, MCA, is amended to read:

"23-5-608. Limitation on amount of money played and value of prizes -- payment of credits in cash -- ticket voucher expiration -- rules. (1) A video gambling machine may not allow more than $2 $3 $2.50 to be played on a game or award free games or credits in excess of $800 $1,199 $1,000 a game.

(2)        A licensee shall pay in cash all credits owed to a player as shown on a valid ticket voucher.

(3)        The department may establish by rule a reasonable time period during which a player shall present a valid ticket voucher to the licensee for payment before the voucher may be considered expired and invalid."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective dates. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), [this act] is effective January 1, 2024.

(2)        [Section 2] and this section are effective on passage and approval.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Applicability -- Grandfather. [Section 1] applies to video gambling machine games placed into operation on or after January 1, 2024.