Authorize online raffles under the Charitable Gaming Law

As Passed by the House

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
Sub. H. B. No. 476

2025-2026

Representatives Craig, Thomas, D.

Cosponsors: Representatives Ray,
Glassburn, Brennan, Hall, T., Gross, Hiner, Ferguson, Kishman, Robb
Blasdel, Stewart, Ritter, Abrams, Bird, Brownlee, Claggett, Creech,
Deeter, Dovilla, Fischer, Fowler Arthur, Hall, D., Hoops, John,
Johnson, Lorenz, Manning, Mathews, A., Mathews, T., Miller, J.,
Mohamed, Moore, Mullins, Roemer, Sigrist, Synenberg, Williams, Young

To
amend sections 109.32, 2915.01, 2915.07, 2915.08, 2915.081, 2915.082,
2915.092, 2915.093, 2915.10, 2915.101, and 2915.14; to amend, for the
purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses,
section 2915.092 (2915.16); and to enact sections 2915.17, 2915.18,
2915.19, and 2915.20 of the Revised Code
to
authorize online raffles and make related changes to the Charitable
Gaming Law and to declare an emergency.

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

Section
1.
That
sections 109.32, 2915.01, 2915.07, 2915.08, 2915.081, 2915.082,
2915.092, 2915.093, 2915.10, 2915.101, and 2915.14 be amended;
section 2915.092 (2915.16) be amended for the purpose of adopting a
new section number as indicated in parentheses; and sections 2915.17,
2915.18, 2915.19
,
and 2915.20

of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
109.32.
(A)
All annual filing fees obtained by the attorney general pursuant to
section 109.31 of the Revised Code, all receipts obtained from the
sale of the charitable foundations directory, all registration fees
received by the attorney general, bond forfeitures, awards of costs
and attorney's fees, and civil penalties assessed under Chapter 1716.
of the Revised Code, all license fees received by the attorney
general under section 2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 of the Revised
Code, all fees received by the attorney general under section 2915.15
of the Revised Code,
all
registration and license fees received by the attorney general under
sections 2915.17 and 2915.18 of the Revised Code,
and
all filing fees received by the attorney general under divisions (F)
and (G) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code, shall be paid into
the state treasury to the credit of the charitable law fund.

(B)(1)
Except as otherwise provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this
section, the charitable law fund shall be used insofar as its moneys
are available for the expenses of the charitable law section of the
office of the attorney general.

(2)
All annual license fees that are received by the attorney general
under section 2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 of the Revised Code,
all
registration and license fees received by the attorney general under
sections 2915.17 and 2915.18 of the Revised Code,
and
all filing fees received by the attorney general under divisions (F)
and (G) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code, that are credited to
the fund shall be used by the attorney general, or any law
enforcement agency in cooperation with the attorney general, for the
purposes specified in division (H) of section 2915.10 of the Revised
Code and to administer and enforce Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.

(3)
All fees received by the attorney general under section 2915.15 of
the Revised Code that are credited to the fund shall be used for the
purposes specified in that section.

(C)
The expenses of the charitable law section in excess of moneys
available in the charitable law fund shall be paid out of regular
appropriations to the office of the attorney general.

Sec.
2915.01.
As
used in this chapter:

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

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

(C)
"Scheme of chance" means a slot machine unless authorized
under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code, lottery unless authorized
under Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code, numbers game, pool conducted
for profit, or other scheme in which a participant gives a valuable
consideration for a chance to win a prize, but does not include
bingo, a skill-based amusement machine, or a pool not conducted for
profit. "Scheme of chance" includes the use of an
electronic device to reveal the results of a game entry if valuable
consideration is paid, directly or indirectly, for a chance to win a
prize. Valuable consideration is deemed to be paid for a chance to
win a prize in the following instances:

(1)
Less than fifty per cent of the goods or services sold by a scheme of
chance operator in exchange for game entries are used or redeemed by
participants at any one location;

(2)
Less than fifty per cent of participants who purchase goods or
services at any one location do not accept, use, or redeem the goods
or services sold or purportedly sold;

(3)
More than fifty per cent of prizes at any one location are revealed
to participants through an electronic device simulating a game of
chance or a "casino game" as defined in section 3772.01 of
the Revised Code;

(4)
The good or service sold by a scheme of chance operator in exchange
for a game entry cannot be used or redeemed in the manner advertised;

(5)
A participant pays more than fair market value for goods or services
offered by a scheme of chance operator in order to receive one or
more game entries;

(6)
A participant may use the electronic device to purchase additional
game entries;

(7)
A participant may purchase additional game entries by using points or
credits won as prizes while using the electronic device;

(8)
A scheme of chance operator pays out in prize money more than twenty
per cent of the gross revenue received at one location; or

(9)
A participant makes a purchase or exchange in order to obtain any
good or service that may be used to facilitate play on the electronic
device.

As
used in this division, "electronic device" means a
mechanical, video, digital, or electronic machine or device that is
capable of displaying information on a screen or other mechanism and
that is owned, leased, or otherwise possessed by any person
conducting a scheme of chance, or by that person's partners,
affiliates, subsidiaries, or contractors. "Electronic device"
does not include an electronic instant bingo system

or an online raffle platform
.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1)
A violation of this chapter;

(2)
A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of
this or any other state or the United States substantially equivalent
to any provision of this chapter or a violation of section 2915.06 of
the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996;

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

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

(H)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, "charitable
organization" means either of the following:

(1)
An organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under
subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code;

(2)
A volunteer rescue service organization, volunteer firefighter's
organization, veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or
sporting organization that is exempt from federal income taxation
under subsection 501(c)(4), (c)(7), (c)(8), (c)(10), or (c)(19) of
the Internal Revenue Code.

To
qualify as a "charitable organization," an organization
shall have been in continuous existence as such in this state for a
period of two years immediately preceding either the making of an
application for a bingo license under section 2915.08 of the Revised
Code or the conducting of any game of chance as provided in division
(D) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code.

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

(J)
"Veteran's organization" means any individual post or state
headquarters of a national veteran's association or an auxiliary unit
of any individual post of a national veteran's association, which
post, state headquarters, or auxiliary unit is incorporated as a
nonprofit corporation and either has received a letter from the state
headquarters of the national veteran's association indicating that
the individual post or auxiliary unit is in good standing with the
national veteran's association or has received a letter from the
national veteran's association indicating that the state headquarters
is in good standing with the national veteran's association. As used
in this division, "national veteran's association" means
any veteran's association that has been in continuous existence as
such for a period of at least five years and either is incorporated
by an act of the United States congress or has a national dues-paying
membership of at least five thousand persons.

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

township
,
or district
.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2)
Instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, and raffles.

(P)
"Conduct" means to back, promote, organize, manage, carry
on, sponsor, or prepare for the operation of bingo or a game of
chance, a scheme of chance, or a sweepstakes.

(Q)
"Bingo game operator" means any person, except security
personnel, who performs work or labor at the site of bingo,
including, but not limited to, collecting money from participants,
handing out bingo cards or sheets or objects to cover spaces on bingo
cards or sheets, selecting from a receptacle the objects that contain
the combination of letters and numbers that appear on bingo cards or
sheets, calling out the combinations of letters and numbers,
distributing prizes, selling or redeeming instant bingo tickets or
cards, selling or redeeming electronic instant bingo tickets,
credits, or vouchers, accessing an electronic instant bingo system
other than as a participant, supervising the operation of a punch
board, selling raffle tickets, selecting raffle tickets from a
receptacle and announcing the winning numbers in a raffle, and
preparing, selling, and serving food or beverages. "Bingo game
operator" does not include a person who is installing,
maintaining, updating, or repairing an electronic instant bingo
system

or a person who operates an online raffle platform
.

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

(S)
"Bingo session" means a period that includes both of the
following:

(1)
Not to exceed five continuous hours for the conduct of one or more
games described in division (O)(1) of this section, instant bingo,
and electronic instant bingo;

(2)
A period for the conduct of instant bingo and electronic instant
bingo for not more than two hours before and not more than two hours
after the period described in division (S)(1) of this section.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a)
The playing fields are used for athletic activities by one or more
organizations, not organized for profit, each of which is organized
and operated exclusively to provide financial support to, or to
operate, athletic activities for persons who are eighteen years of
age or younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or
contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or
association.

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

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

(Z)

(Z)(1)

"Bingo
supplies" means bingo cards or sheets; instant bingo tickets or
cards; electronic bingo aids;
raffle
tickets;
punch
boards; seal cards; instant bingo ticket dispensers; electronic
instant bingo systems;
online
raffle platforms;
and
devices for selecting or displaying the combination of bingo letters
and numbers

or raffle tickets
.

Items

(2)
"Bingo supplies" does not include physical tickets or other
equipment used to conduct a traditional raffle.

(3)
Items
that
are "bingo supplies" are not gambling devices if sold or
otherwise provided, and used, in accordance with this chapter.
For

(4)
For
purposes
of this chapter, "bingo supplies" are not to be considered
equipment used to conduct a bingo game.

(AA)
"Instant bingo" means a form of bingo that shall use folded
or banded tickets or paper cards with perforated break-open tabs, a
face of which is covered or otherwise hidden from view to conceal a
number, letter, or symbol, or set of numbers, letters, or symbols,
some of which have been designated in advance as prize winners, and
may also include games in which some winners are determined by the
random selection of one or more bingo numbers by the use of a seal
card or bingo blower. "Instant bingo" also includes a punch
board game. In all "instant bingo" the prize amount and
structure shall be predetermined. "Instant bingo" does not
include electronic instant bingo or any device that is activated by
the insertion of a coin, currency, token, or an equivalent, and that
contains as one of its components a video display monitor that is
capable of displaying numbers, letters, symbols, or characters in
winning or losing combinations.

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

(CC)

(CC)(1)

"Raffle"
means a form of bingo in which the one or more prizes are won by one
or more persons who have purchased a raffle ticket.
The

A
raffle is conducted by one of the following methods:

(a)
As a "traditional raffle," which means a raffle conducted
by selling physical tickets to participants, then determining
one
or more winners of the raffle
are
determined
by
drawing a ticket stub or other detachable section from a receptacle
containing ticket stubs or detachable sections corresponding to all
tickets sold for the raffle.
"Raffle"

(b)
As an "online raffle," which means a raffle conducted by
selling electronic representations of tickets to participants by
means of an online raffle platform, with each ticket containing a
unique identifier assigned by the platform, then determining one or
more winners of the raffle by having the platform randomly select a
unique ticket identifier from all tickets sold for the raffle.

(2)
"Online raffle platform" means an internet web site,
application, or electronic service used to conduct an online raffle.

(3)
"Raffle"
does
not include the
drawing

selection

of
a ticket
stub
or other detachable section of a ticket
purchased
to attend a professional sporting event if both of the following
apply:

(1)

(a)

The
ticket
or
ticket identifier
stub
or other detachable section
is
used to select the winner of a free prize given away at the
professional sporting event; and

(2)

(b)

The
cost of the ticket is the same as the cost of a ticket to the
professional sporting event on days when no free prize is given away.

(DD)
"Punch board" means a form of instant bingo that uses a
board containing a number of holes or receptacles of uniform size in
which are placed, mechanically and randomly, serially numbered slips
of paper that may be punched or drawn from the hole or receptacle. A
player may punch or draw the numbered slips of paper from the holes
or receptacles and obtain the prize established for the game if the
number drawn corresponds to a winning number or, if the punch board
includes the use of a seal card, a potential winning number.

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

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

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

(1)
The purchase or lease of bingo supplies;

(2)
The annual license
or
registration
fee
required under section 2915.08
,
2915.17, or 2915.18

of the Revised Code;

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

(4)
Audits and accounting services;

(5)
Safes;

(6)
Cash registers;

(7)
Hiring security personnel;

(8)
Advertising bingo;

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

(10)
Tables and chairs;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(MM)
"Gross annual revenues" means the annual gross receipts
derived from the conduct of bingo described in division (O)(1) of
this section plus the annual net profit derived from the conduct of
bingo described in division (O)(2) of this section.

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

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

(2)
It performs no gaming functions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c)
It identifies a winning bingo pattern.

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

(PP)
"Deal" means a single game of instant bingo tickets, or a
single game of electronic instant bingo tickets, all with the same
serial number.

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

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

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

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

an
electronic instant bingo system
,
or an online raffle platform
.

(RR)
"Net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles
"
means gross profit minus the ordinary, necessary, and reasonable
expense expended for the purchase of bingo supplies for the purpose
of conducting instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo,
or
online raffles
and,
in the case of instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles

conducted by a veteran's, fraternal, or sporting organization

or an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section 2915.16 of
the Revised Code
,
minus the payment by that organization
or
entity
of
real property taxes and assessments levied on a premises on which
instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo

is
,
or online raffles are
conducted.

(SS)
"Charitable instant bingo organization" means an
organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under
subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and is a charitable organization as defined in
this section. A "charitable instant bingo organization"
does not include a charitable organization that is exempt from
federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in
subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is created
by a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting
organization in regards to bingo conducted or assisted by a veteran's
organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization
pursuant to section 2915.13 of the Revised Code.

(TT)
"Game flare" means the board or placard, or electronic
representation of a board or placard, that accompanies each deal of
instant bingo or electronic instant bingo tickets and that includes
the following information for the game:

(1)
The name of the game;

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

(3)
The form number;

(4)
The ticket count;

(5)
The prize structure, including the number of winning tickets by
denomination and the respective winning symbol or number combinations
for the winning tickets;

(6)
The cost per play;

(7)
The serial number of the game.

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

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

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

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

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

A
card for the purchase of gasoline is a redeemable voucher for
purposes of division (UU)(1) of this section even if the skill-based
amusement machine for the play of which the card is awarded is
located at a place where gasoline may not be legally distributed to
the public or the card is not redeemable at the location of, or at
the time of playing, the skill-based amusement machine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ZZ)
"Community action agency" has the same meaning as in
section 5101.311 of the Revised Code.

(AAA)(1)
"Sweepstakes terminal device" means a mechanical, video,
digital, or electronic machine or device that is owned, leased, or
otherwise possessed by any person conducting a sweepstakes, or by
that person's partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, or contractors,
that is intended to be used by a sweepstakes participant, and that is
capable of displaying information on a screen or other mechanism. A
device is a sweepstakes terminal device if any of the following
apply:

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

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

(c)
The device selects prizes from a predetermined finite pool of
entries.

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

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

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

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

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

(2)
As used in this division and in section 2915.02 of the Revised Code:

(a)
"Enter" means the act by which a person becomes eligible to
receive any prize offered in a sweepstakes.

(b)
"Entry" means one event from the initial activation of the
sweepstakes terminal device until all the sweepstakes prize results
from that activation are revealed.

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

(d)
"Sweepstakes terminal device facility" means any location
in this state where a sweepstakes terminal device is provided to a
sweepstakes participant, except as provided in division (G) of
section 2915.02 of the Revised Code.

(BBB)
"Sweepstakes" means any game, contest, advertising scheme
or plan, or other promotion where consideration is not required for a
person to enter to win or become eligible to receive any prize, the
determination of which is based upon chance. "Sweepstakes"
does not include bingo as authorized under this chapter, pari-mutuel
wagering as authorized by Chapter 3769. of the Revised Code,
lotteries conducted by the state lottery commission as authorized by
Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code, and casino gaming as authorized by
Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code.

(CCC)(1)
"Electronic instant bingo" means a form of bingo that
consists of an electronic or digital representation of instant bingo
in which a participant wins a prize if the participant's electronic
instant bingo ticket contains a combination of numbers or symbols
that was designated in advance as a winning combination, and to which
all of the following apply:

(a)
Each deal has a predetermined, finite number of winning and losing
tickets and a predetermined prize amount and deal structure, provided
that there may be multiple winning combinations in each deal and
multiple winning tickets.

(b)
Each electronic instant bingo ticket within a deal has a unique
serial number that is not regenerated.

(c)
Each electronic instant bingo ticket within a deal is sold for the
same price.

(d)
After a participant purchases an electronic instant bingo ticket, the
combination of numbers or symbols on the ticket is revealed to the
participant.

(e)
The reveal of numbers or symbols on the ticket may incorporate an
entertainment or bonus theme, provided that the reveal does not
include spinning reels that resemble a slot machine.

(f)
The reveal theme, if any, does not require additional consideration
or award any prize other than any predetermined prize associated with
the electronic instant bingo ticket.

(2)
"Electronic instant bingo" shall not include any of the
following:

(a)
Any game, entertainment, or bonus theme that replicates or simulates
any of the following:

(i)
The gambling games of keno, blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, other
casino-style table games;

(ii)
Horse racing;

(iii)
Gambling games offered in this state on slot machines or video
lottery terminals. As used in this division, "video lottery
terminal" has the same meaning as in section 3770.21 of the
Revised Code.

(b)
Any device operated by dropping one or more coins or tokens into a
slot and pulling a handle or pushing a button or touchpoint on a
touchscreen to activate one to three or more rotating reels marked
into horizontal segments by varying symbols, where the predetermined
prize amount depends on how and how many of the symbols line up when
the rotating reels come to a rest;

(c)
Any device that includes a coin or token slot, tray, or hopper and
the ability to dispense coins, cash, tokens, or anything of value
other than a credit ticket voucher.

(DDD)
"Electronic instant bingo system" means both of the
following:

(1)
A mechanical, electronic, digital, or video device and associated
software to which all of the following apply:

(a)
It is used by not more than one player at a time to play electronic
instant bingo on a single screen that is physically connected to the
device;

(b)
It is located on the premises of the principal place of business of a
veteran's or fraternal organization that holds a type II or type III
bingo license to conduct electronic instant bingo at that location
issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code.

(2)
Any associated equipment or software used to manage, monitor, or
document any aspect of electronic instant bingo.

Sec.
2915.07.
(A)

No

Except
as otherwise permitted by section 2915.16 of the Revised Code, no

person

or entity
,
except a charitable organization that has obtained a license pursuant
to section 2915.08 of the Revised Code, shall conduct or advertise
bingo.

This division does not apply to a raffle that a charitable
organization conducts or advertises.

(B)
Whoever violates this section is guilty of conducting illegal bingo,
a felony of the fourth degree.

Sec.
2915.08.
(A)(1)
Except as otherwise permitted under section
2915.092

2915.16

of
the Revised Code, annually before the first day of January, a
charitable organization that desires to conduct bingo shall apply to
the attorney general for one or more of the following types of
licenses to conduct bingo, as appropriate:

(a)
A type I license to conduct bingo as described in division (O)(1) of
section 2915.01 of the Revised Code;

(b)
A type II license to conduct instant bingo, electronic instant bingo,
or both at a bingo session;

(c)
A type III license to conduct instant bingo, electronic instant
bingo, or both other than at a bingo session, in accordance with
sections 2915.093 to 2915.095 or sections 2915.13 to 2915.15 of the
Revised Code, as applicable.

(2)
A veteran's organization or fraternal organization that is authorized
under section 2915.14 of the Revised Code to conduct electronic
instant bingo may be issued only one license to conduct electronic
instant bingo at any one time. The organization may conduct
electronic instant bingo under that license at only one location
specified on the license, which shall be the organization's principal
place of business.

(B)
The application shall be accompanied by a license fee as follows:

(1)
If the charitable organization was not licensed to conduct bingo
under this chapter before July 1, 2003, a fee established by the
attorney general by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the
Revised Code.

(2)
If the charitable organization was licensed to conduct bingo under
this chapter before July 1, 2003, the following applicable fee:

(a)
For a type I license for a charitable organization that wishes to
conduct bingo during twenty-six or more weeks in any calendar year, a
license fee of two hundred dollars;

(b)
For a type II or type III license for a charitable organization that
previously has not been licensed under this chapter to conduct
instant bingo or electronic instant bingo and that wishes to conduct
bingo during twenty-six or more weeks in any calendar year, a license
fee of five hundred dollars;

(c)
For a type II or type III license for a charitable organization that
previously has been licensed under this chapter to conduct instant
bingo or electronic instant bingo and that desires to conduct bingo
during twenty-six or more weeks in any calendar year, a license fee
that is based upon the gross profits received by the charitable
organization from the operation of instant bingo or electronic
instant bingo during the one-year period ending on the thirty-first
day of October of the year immediately preceding the year for which
the license is sought, and that is one of the following:

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

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

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

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

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

(c)
(d)
For a type I, type II, or type III license for a charitable
organization that desires to conduct bingo during fewer than
twenty-six weeks in any calendar year, a reduced license fee
established by the attorney general by rule adopted pursuant to
section 111.15 of the Revised Code.

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

(1)
The name and post-office address of the applicant;

(2)
A statement that the applicant is a charitable organization and that
it has been in continuous existence as a charitable organization in
this state for two years immediately preceding the making of the
application;

(3)
The location at which the organization will conduct bingo, which
location shall be within the county in which the principal place of
business of the applicant is located, the days of the week and the
times on each of those days when bingo will be conducted, whether the
organization owns, leases, or subleases the premises, and a copy of
the rental agreement if it leases or subleases the premises;

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

(5)
A statement as to whether the applicant has ever had any previous
application
made
under this section or section 2915.18 of the Revised Code
refused,
whether it previously has had a
bingo
or online raffle
license
revoked or suspended, and the reason stated by the attorney general
for the refusal, revocation, or suspension;

(6)
A statement of the charitable purposes for which the net profit
derived from bingo described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of
the Revised Code will be used, or a statement of how the net profit
derived from instant bingo or electronic instant bingo will be
distributed in accordance with section 2915.101 of the Revised Code,
as applicable;

(7)
Other necessary and reasonable information that the attorney general
may require by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised
Code;

(8)
If the applicant is a charitable trust as defined in section 109.23
of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has registered with
the attorney general pursuant to section 109.26 of the Revised Code
or filed annual reports pursuant to section 109.31 of the Revised
Code, and, if it is not required to do either, the exemption in
section 109.26 or 109.31 of the Revised Code that applies to it;

(9)
If the applicant is a charitable organization as defined in section
1716.01 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has filed
with the attorney general a registration statement pursuant to
section 1716.02 of the Revised Code and a financial report pursuant
to section 1716.04 of the Revised Code, and, if it is not required to
do both, the exemption in section 1716.03 of the Revised Code that
applies to it;

(10)
In the case of an applicant seeking to qualify as a youth athletic
park organization, a statement issued by a board or body vested with
authority under Chapter 755. of the Revised Code for the supervision
and maintenance of recreation facilities in the territory in which
the organization is located, certifying that the playing fields owned
by the organization were open for use to all residents of that
territory, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or
national origin, for athletic activities by youth athletic
organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
creed, religion, sex, or national origin, and that the fields were
not used for any profit-making activity at any time during the year.
That type of board or body is authorized to issue the statement upon
request and shall issue the statement if it finds that the
applicant's playing fields were so used.

(D)
The attorney general, within thirty days after receiving a timely
filed application from a charitable organization that has been issued
a license under this section that has not expired and has not been
revoked or suspended,
and
that, if applicable, has not had its online raffle license revoked or
suspended,
shall
send a temporary permit to the applicant specifying the date on which
the application was filed with the attorney general and stating that,
pursuant to section 119.06 of the Revised Code, the applicant may
continue to conduct bingo until a new license is granted or, if the
application is rejected, until fifteen days after notice of the
rejection is mailed to the applicant. The temporary permit does not
affect the validity of the applicant's application and does not grant
any rights to the applicant except those rights specifically granted
in section 119.06 of the Revised Code. The issuance of a temporary
permit by the attorney general pursuant to this division does not
prohibit the attorney general from rejecting the applicant's
application because of acts that the applicant committed, or actions
that the applicant failed to take, before or after the issuance of
the temporary permit.

(E)
Within thirty days after receiving an initial license application
from a charitable organization to conduct bingo, the attorney general
shall conduct a preliminary review of the application and notify the
applicant regarding any deficiencies. Once an application is deemed
complete, or beginning on the thirtieth day after the application is
filed, if the attorney general failed to notify the applicant of any
deficiencies, the attorney general shall have an additional sixty
days to conduct an investigation and either grant, grant with limits,
restrictions, or probationary conditions, or deny the application
based on findings established and communicated in accordance with
divisions (F) and (I) of this section. As an option to granting,
granting with limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions, or
denying an initial license application, the attorney general may
grant a temporary license and request additional time to conduct the
investigation if the attorney general has cause to believe that
additional time is necessary to complete the investigation and has
notified the applicant in writing about the specific concerns raised
during the investigation.

(F)(1)
The attorney general shall adopt rules to enforce sections 2915.01,
2915.02, and 2915.07 to
2915.15

2915.19

of
the Revised Code to ensure that bingo is conducted in accordance with
those sections and to maintain proper control over the conduct of
bingo. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the rules shall
be adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The attorney
general shall license charitable organizations to conduct bingo in
conformance with this chapter and with the licensing provisions of
Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2)
If any of the following applies to an organization, the attorney
general may refuse to grant a license to the organization, may revoke
or suspend the organization's license, or may place limits,
restrictions, or probationary conditions on the organization's
license for a limited or indefinite period, as determined by the
attorney general:

(a)
The organization fails or has failed at any time to meet any
requirement of
,
or violates or has violated any provision of, this chapter,

section 109.26, 109.31, or 1716.02
,
or sections 2915.07 to 2915.15
of
the Revised Code,
or
violates or has violated any provision of sections 2915.02 or 2915.07
to 2915.13 of the Revised Code
or
any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this chapter.

(b)
The organization makes or has made an incorrect or false statement
that is material to the granting of the license in an application
filed under this section

or section 2915.17 or 2915.18 of the Revised Code
.

(c)
The organization submits or has submitted any incorrect or false
information relating to an application
filed
under this section or section 2915.17 or 2915.18 of the Revised Code

if
the information is material to the granting of the license.

(d)
The organization maintains or has maintained any incorrect or false
information that is material to the granting of the
bingo

license

or
of an online raffle license
in
the records required to be kept pursuant to section 2915.10 of the
Revised Code, if applicable.

(e)
The attorney general has good cause to believe that the organization
will not conduct bingo in accordance with sections 2915.07 to 2915.15
of the Revised Code or with any rule adopted by the attorney general
pursuant to this chapter.

(3)
If the attorney general has good cause to believe that any director
or officer of the organization has breached the director's or
officer's fiduciary duty to, or committed theft or any other type of
misconduct related to, the organization or any other charitable
organization that has been issued a bingo license under this chapter,
the attorney general may refuse to grant a license to the
organization, may impose limits, restrictions, or probationary
conditions on the license, or may revoke or suspend the
organization's license for a period not to exceed five years.

(4)
The attorney general may impose a civil fine on an organization
licensed or permitted under this chapter for failure to comply with
any restrictions, limits, or probationary conditions on its license,
and for failure to comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under
this chapter, according to a schedule of fines that the attorney
general shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised
Code.

(5)
For the purposes of division (F) of this section, any action of an
officer, trustee, agent, representative, or bingo game operator of an
organization is an action of the organization.

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

(H)
The attorney general shall send notice of any of the following
actions in writing to the prosecuting attorney and sheriff of the
county in which the charitable organization is located and to any
other law enforcement agency in that county that so requests, of all
of the following:

(1)
The issuance of a license under this section;

(2)
The issuance of an amended license under this section;

(3)
The rejection of an application for and refusal to grant a license
under this section;

(4)
The revocation of any license previously issued under this section;

(5)
The suspension of any license previously issued under this section;

(6)
The placing of any limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions
placed on a license issued under this section.

(I)
A license issued by the attorney general under this section shall set
forth the information contained on the application of the charitable
organization that the attorney general determines is relevant,
including, but not limited to, the location at which the organization
will conduct bingo, whether the license is a type I, type II, or type
III license, and the days of the week and the times on each of those
days when bingo will be conducted. If the attorney general refuses to
grant, places limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on, or
revokes or suspends a license, the attorney general shall notify the
applicant in writing and specifically identify the reason for the
refusal, revocation, limit, restriction, probationary condition, or
suspension in narrative form and, if applicable, by identifying the
section of the Revised Code violated. The failure of the attorney
general to give the written notice of the reasons for the refusal,
revocation, limit, restriction, probationary condition, or suspension
or a mistake in the written notice does not affect the validity of
the attorney general's refusal to grant, or the revocation or
suspension of, or limit, restriction, probationary condition on, a
license. If the attorney general fails to give the written notice or
if there is a mistake in the written notice, the applicant may bring
an action to compel the attorney general to comply with this division
or to correct the mistake, but the attorney general's order refusing
to grant, or placing a limit, restriction, or probationary condition
on, or revoking or suspending, a license shall not be enjoined during
the pendency of the action.

(J)(1)(a)
Except as otherwise provided in division (J)(2) of this section, a
charitable organization that has been issued a license under this
section but that cannot conduct bingo at the location, or on the day
of the week or at the time, specified on the license due to
circumstances that make it impractical to do so, or that desires to
conduct instant bingo other than at a bingo session at additional
locations not identified on the license, may apply in writing,
together with an application fee of two hundred fifty dollars, to the
attorney general, at least thirty days prior to a change in or
addition of a location, day of the week, or time, and request an
amended license.

(b)
As applicable, the application shall describe the causes making it
impractical for the organization to conduct bingo in conformity with
its license and shall indicate the location, days of the week, and
times on each of those days when it desires to conduct bingo and, as
applicable, shall indicate the additional locations at which it
desires to conduct instant bingo other than at a bingo session.

(c)
Except as otherwise provided in division (J)(3) of this section, the
attorney general shall issue the amended license in accordance with
division (I) of this section, and the organization shall surrender
its original license to the attorney general.

(2)(a)
A charitable organization that has been issued a license under this
section to conduct electronic instant bingo but that cannot conduct
electronic instant bingo at the location, or on the day of the week
or at the time, specified on the license due to circumstances that
make it impractical to do so, may apply in writing, together with an
application fee of two hundred fifty dollars, to the attorney
general, at least thirty days prior to a change in a location, day of
the week, or time, and request an amended license. A charitable
organization may not apply for an amended license to conduct
electronic instant bingo at any additional location.

(b)
The application shall describe the causes making it impractical for
the organization to conduct electronic instant bingo in conformity
with its license and shall indicate the location, days of the week,
and times on each of those days when it desires to conduct electronic
instant bingo.

(c)
Except as otherwise provided in division (J)(3) of this section, the
attorney general shall issue the amended license in accordance with
division (I) of this section, and the organization shall surrender
its original license to the attorney general.

(3)
The attorney general may refuse to grant an amended license under
division (J)(1) or (2) of this section according to the terms of
division (F) of this section.

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

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

Sec.
2915.081.
(A)
No distributor shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or
offer to provide bingo supplies to another person, or modify,
convert, add to, or remove parts from bingo supplies to further their
promotion or sale, for use in this state without having obtained a
license from the attorney general under this section.

(B)(1)
The attorney general may issue a distributor license to any person
that meets the requirements of this section. The application for the
license shall be on a form prescribed by the attorney general and be
accompanied by the annual fee prescribed by this section. The license
is valid for a period of one year, and the annual fee for the license
is five thousand dollars.

(2)
Upon applying for or renewing a license under this section, an
applicant shall file with and have approved by the attorney general a
bond in which the applicant shall be the principal obligor, in the
sum of fifty thousand dollars, with one or more sureties authorized
to do business in this state. The applicant shall maintain the bond
in effect as long as the license is valid; however, the liability of
the surety under the bond shall not exceed an all-time aggregate
liability of fifty thousand dollars. The bond, which may be in the
form of a rider to a larger blanket liability bond, shall run to the
state and to any person who may have a cause of action against the
principal obligor of the bond for any liability arising out of a
violation by the obligor of any provision of this chapter or any rule
adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(C)
The attorney general may refuse to issue a distributor license to any
person to which any of the following applies, or to any person that
has an officer, partner, or other person who has an ownership
interest of ten per cent or more and to whom any of the following
applies:

(1)
The person, officer, or partner has been convicted of a disqualifying
offense as determined in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised
Code.

(2)
The person, officer, or partner has made an incorrect or false
statement that is material to the granting of a license in an
application submitted to the attorney general under this section or
in a similar application submitted to a gambling licensing authority
in another jurisdiction if the statement resulted in license
revocation through administrative action in the other jurisdiction.

(3)
The person, officer, or partner has submitted any incorrect or false
information relating to the application to the attorney general under
this section, if the information is material to the granting of the
license.

(4)
The person, officer, or partner has failed to correct any incorrect
or false information that is material to the granting of the license
in the records required to be maintained under division (F) of
section 2915.10 of the Revised Code.

(5)
The person, officer, or partner has had a license related to gambling
revoked or suspended under the laws of this state, another state, or
the United States.

(6)
The attorney general has good cause to believe that a person,
officer, or partner has committed a breach of fiduciary duty, theft,
or other type of misconduct related to a
charitable
organization
person

that
has obtained a bingo license issued under

this chapter

section 2915.08 of the Revised Code or an entity described in
division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code that conducts
a raffle
.

(D)
The
(D)(1)
Except as otherwise provided in divisions (D)(2) and (3) of this
section, the
attorney
general shall not issue a distributor license to any person that is
involved in the conduct of bingo on behalf of a charitable
organization or that is a lessor of premises used for the conduct of
bingo.
This
division

(2)
Division (D)(1) of this section
does
not prohibit a distributor from advising charitable organizations on
the use and benefit of specific bingo supplies or prohibit a
distributor from advising a customer on operational methods to
improve bingo profitability.

(3)
Division (D)(1) of this section does not prohibit a distributor that
operates an online raffle platform from conducting an online raffle
on behalf of an entity described in division (A)(1) of section
2915.16 of the Revised Code.

(E)(1)
No distributor shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or
offer to provide bingo supplies to any person, or modify, convert,
add to, or remove parts from bingo supplies to further their
promotion or sale, for use in this state except to or for the use of
a charitable organization that has been issued a license under
section 2915.08 of the Revised Code

or an entity described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code that conducts a raffle,

or to another distributor that has been issued a license under this
section. No distributor shall accept payment for the sale or other
provision of bingo supplies other than by check or electronic fund
transfer.

(2)

(2)(a)

No
distributor may donate, give, loan, lease, or otherwise provide any
bingo supplies or equipment, or modify, convert, add to, or remove
parts from bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale, to or
for the use of a charitable organization for use in a bingo session
conditioned on or in consideration for an exclusive right to provide
bingo supplies to the charitable organization. A distributor may
provide a licensed charitable organization with free samples of the
distributor's products to be used as prizes or to be used for the
purpose of sampling.

(b)
No distributor may donate, give, loan, lease, or otherwise provide
any bingo supplies, or modify, convert, add to, or remove parts from
bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale, to or for the use
of an entity described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code for use in a raffle conditioned on or in consideration
for an exclusive right to provide bingo supplies to the entity.

(3)
No distributor shall purchase bingo supplies for use in this state
from any person except from a manufacturer issued a license under
section 2915.082 of the Revised Code or from another distributor
issued a license under this section. Subject to division (D) of
section 2915.082 of the Revised Code, no distributor shall pay for
purchased bingo supplies other than by check or electronic fund
transfer.

(4)
No
(4)(a)
Except as otherwise provided in division (E)(4)(b) of this section,
no
distributor
shall participate in the conduct of bingo on behalf of a charitable
organization or have any direct or indirect ownership interest in a
premises used for the conduct of bingo.

(b)
Division (E)(4)(a) of this section does not prohibit a distributor
that operates an online raffle platform from conducting an online
raffle on behalf of an entity described in division (A)(1) of section
2915.16 of the Revised Code.

(5)
No distributor shall knowingly solicit, offer, pay, or receive any
kickback, bribe, or undocumented rebate, directly or indirectly,
overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in return for providing
bingo supplies to any person in this state.

(6)
No distributor shall knowingly provide or offer to provide an online
raffle platform to any person for use in this state unless the
platform has been approved under section 2915.19 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1)
No distributor shall knowingly sell, offer to sell, or otherwise
provide or offer to provide an electronic instant bingo system to any
person for use in this state, or install, maintain, update, or repair
an electronic instant bingo system, without first obtaining an
electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to the person's
distributor license issued under this section. An applicant for a
distributor license under this section may apply simultaneously for
an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to that license.

(2)
An applicant for an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement
shall submit the application on a form prescribed by the attorney
general and shall submit one complete set of fingerprints directly to
the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and
investigation for the purpose of conducting a criminal records check.
The applicant shall provide the fingerprints using a method the
superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(2) of section
109.572 of the Revised Code and shall fill out the form the
superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(1) of that
section. Upon receiving an application for an electronic instant
bingo distributor endorsement, the attorney general shall request the
superintendent, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a
criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprint
impressions in accordance with division (A)(18) of that section. The
applicant shall pay any fee required under division (C)(3) of that
section.

(3)
The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo
distributor endorsement to an applicant unless the attorney general
has received the results of the criminal records check described in
division (F)(2) of this section. The attorney general shall not issue
an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to an applicant
if the applicant, any officer or partner of the applicant, or any
person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the
applicant has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule
adopted by the attorney general under this chapter or has violated
any existing or former law or rule of this state, any other state, or
the United States that is substantially equivalent to any provision
of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general under
this chapter.

(4)
An electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement issued under this
section shall be valid for the period of the underlying distributor
license.

(G)
The attorney general may suspend, place limits, restrictions, or
probationary conditions on, or revoke a distributor license or an
electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement, for a limited or
indefinite period of time at the attorney general's discretion, for
any of the following reasons:

(1)
Any reason for which the attorney general may refuse to issue the
license or endorsement;

(2)
The distributor holding the license or endorsement violates any
provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general
under this chapter;

(3)
The distributor or any officer, partner, or other person who has an
ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the distributor is
convicted of either of the following:

(a)
A felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United
States;

(b)
Any gambling offense.

(H)
The attorney general may adopt rules for the application, acceptance,
denial, suspension, revocation, limitation, restriction, or condition
of a distributor license or endorsement, and to enforce any other
provisions of this section, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code.

(I)
The attorney general may impose a civil fine on a distributor
licensed or permitted under this chapter for failure to comply with
any restrictions, limits, or probationary conditions on its license,
or for failure to comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under
this chapter, according to a schedule of fines that the attorney
general shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised
Code.

(J)
Whoever violates division (A), (E), or (F) of this section is guilty
of illegally operating as a distributor. Except as otherwise provided
in this division, illegally operating as a distributor is a
misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been
convicted of a violation of division (A), (E), or (F) of this
section, illegally operating as a distributor is a felony of the
fifth degree.

Sec.
2915.082.
(A)
No manufacturer shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or
offer to provide bingo supplies for use in this state without having
obtained a license from the attorney general under this section.

(B)(1)
The attorney general may issue a manufacturer license to any person
that meets the requirements of this section. The application for the
license shall be on a form prescribed by the attorney general and be
accompanied by the annual fee prescribed by this section. The license
is valid for a period of one year, and the annual fee for the license
is five thousand dollars.

(2)
Upon applying for or renewing a license under this section, an
applicant shall file with and have approved by the attorney general a
bond in which the applicant shall be the principal obligor, in the
sum of fifty thousand dollars, with one or more sureties authorized
to do business in this state. The applicant shall maintain the bond
in effect as long as the license is valid; however, the liability of
the surety under the bond shall not exceed an all-time aggregate
liability of fifty thousand dollars. The bond, which may be in the
form of a rider to a larger blanket liability bond, shall run to the
state and to any person who may have a cause of action against the
principal obligor of the bond for any liability arising out of a
violation by the obligor of any provision of this chapter or any rule
adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(C)
The attorney general may refuse to issue a manufacturer license to
any person to which any of the following applies, or to any person
that has an officer, partner, or other person who has an ownership
interest of ten per cent or more and to whom any of the following
applies:

(1)
The person, officer, or partner has been convicted of a disqualifying
offense as determined in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised
Code.

(2)
The person, officer, or partner has made an incorrect or false
statement that is material to the granting of a license in an
application submitted to the attorney general under this section or
in a similar application submitted to a gambling licensing authority
in another jurisdiction if the statement resulted in license
revocation through administrative action in the other jurisdiction.

(3)
The person, officer, or partner has submitted any incorrect or false
information relating to the application to the attorney general under
this section, if the information is material to the granting of the
license.

(4)
The person, officer, or partner has failed to correct any incorrect
or false information that is material to the granting of the license
in the records required to be maintained under division (G) of
section 2915.10 of the Revised Code.

(5)
The person, officer, or partner has had a license related to gambling
revoked or suspended under the laws of this state, another state, or
the United States.

(6)
The attorney general has good cause to believe that the person,
officer, or partner has committed a breach of fiduciary duty, theft,
or other type of misconduct, related to a
charitable
organization
person

that
has obtained a bingo license under

this chapter

section 2915.08 of the Revised Code or an entity described in
division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code that conducts
a raffle
.

(D)(1)
No manufacturer shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or
offer to provide bingo supplies to any person for use in this state
except to a distributor that has been issued a license under section
2915.081 of the Revised Code. No manufacturer shall accept payment
for the sale of bingo supplies other than by check or electronic fund
transfer.

(2)
No manufacturer shall knowingly solicit, offer, pay, or receive any
kickback, bribe, or undocumented rebate, directly or indirectly,
overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in return for providing
bingo supplies to any person in this state.

(E)(1)
No manufacturer shall knowingly sell, offer to sell, or otherwise
provide or offer to provide an electronic instant bingo system to any
person for use in this state, or submit an electronic instant bingo
system for testing and approval under section 2915.15 of the Revised
Code, without first obtaining an electronic instant bingo
manufacturer endorsement to the person's manufacturer license issued
under this section. An applicant for a manufacturer license under
this section may apply simultaneously for an electronic instant bingo
manufacturer endorsement to that license.

(2)
A manufacturer licensed under this section may only sell, offer to
sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide electronic instant
bingo systems that contain proprietary software owned by or licensed
to the manufacturer. If the proprietary software is licensed to the
manufacturer, the manufacturer shall provide a copy of the license
along with the application for an endorsement under this section.

(3)
An applicant for an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement
shall submit the application on a form prescribed by the attorney
general and shall submit one complete set of fingerprints directly to
the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and
investigation for the purpose of conducting a criminal records check.
The applicant shall provide the fingerprints using a method the
superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(2) of section
109.572 of the Revised Code and shall fill out the form the
superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(1) of that
section. Upon receiving an application for an electronic instant
bingo manufacturer endorsement, the attorney general shall request
the superintendent, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a
criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprint
impressions in accordance with division (A)(18) of that section. The
applicant shall pay any fee required under division (C)(3) of that
section.

(4)
The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo
manufacturer endorsement to an applicant unless the attorney general
has received the results of the criminal records check described in
division (E)(3) of this section. The attorney general shall not issue
an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement to an applicant
if the applicant, any officer or partner of the applicant, or any
person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the
applicant has violated any existing or former law or rule of this
state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially
equivalent to any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by
the attorney general under this chapter.

(F)(1)
The attorney general may suspend, place limits, restrictions, or
probationary conditions on, or revoke a manufacturer license or an
electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement for a limited or
indefinite period of time for any of the following reasons:

(a)
Any reason for which the attorney general may refuse to issue the
license or endorsement;

(b)
The manufacturer holding the license or endorsement violates any
provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general
under this chapter;

(c)
The manufacturer or any officer, partner, or other person who has an
ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the manufacturer is
convicted of either of the following:

(i)
A felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United
States;

(ii)
Any gambling offense.

(2)
The attorney general may perform an onsite inspection of a
manufacturer of bingo supplies that is selling, offering to sell, or
otherwise providing or offering to provide bingo supplies or that is
applying for a license to sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide
or offer to provide bingo supplies in this state.

(3)(a)
The attorney general shall establish by rule an application and
renewal fee for an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement
in an amount sufficient to cover the costs the attorney general
incurs in processing applications for electronic instant bingo
manufacturer endorsements and investigating an applicant's
suitability.

(b)
If the cost of processing a particular application and investigating
the applicant's suitability exceeds the amount of the application and
renewal fee, the attorney general may charge the applicant an
additional fee as necessary to cover that cost.

(c)
The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo
manufacturer endorsement unless the attorney general has received
payment in full from the applicant for all fees to be charged under
this section.

(G)
The attorney general may adopt rules for the application, acceptance,
denial, suspension, revocation, limitation, restriction, or condition
of a manufacturer license or endorsement described in this section,
and to enforce any other provisions of this section, in accordance
with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(H)
The attorney general may impose a civil fine on a manufacturer
licensed or permitted under this chapter for failure to comply with
any restrictions, limits, or probationary conditions on its license,
and for failure to comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under
this chapter, according to a schedule of fines that the attorney
general shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised
Code.

(I)
Whoever violates division (A), (D), or (E) of this section is guilty
of illegally operating as a manufacturer. Except as otherwise
provided in this division, illegally operating as a manufacturer is a
misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been
convicted of a violation of division (A), (D), or (E) of this
section, illegally operating as a manufacturer is a felony of the
fifth degree.

Sec.
2915.093.
(A)
As used in this section, "retail income from all commercial
activity" means the income that a person receives from the
provision of goods, services, or activities that are provided at the
location where instant bingo other than at a bingo session is
conducted, including the sale of instant bingo tickets. A religious
organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under
subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, at not more than one location at which it
conducts its charitable programs, may include donations from its
members and guests as retail income.

(B)(1)
If a charitable instant bingo organization conducts instant bingo
other than at a bingo session under a type III license issued under
section 2915.08 of the Revised Code, the charitable instant bingo
organization shall enter into a written contract with the owner or
lessor of the location at which the instant bingo is conducted to
allow the owner or lessor to assist in the conduct of instant bingo
other than at a bingo session, identify each location where the
instant bingo other than at a bingo session is being conducted, and
identify the owner or lessor of each location.

(2)
A charitable instant bingo organization that conducts instant bingo
other than at a bingo session under a type III license issued under
section 2915.08 of the Revised Code is not required to enter into a
written contract with the owner or lessor of the location at which
the instant bingo is conducted, provided that the owner or lessor is
not assisting in the conduct of the instant bingo other than at a
bingo session and provided that the conduct of the instant bingo
other than at a bingo session at that location is not more than five
days per calendar year and not more than ten hours per day.

(C)
Except as provided in division (F) of this section, no charitable
instant bingo organization shall conduct instant bingo other than at
a bingo session at a location where the primary source of retail
income from all commercial activity at that location is the sale of
instant bingo tickets

other than at a bingo session
.

(D)
The owner or lessor of a location that enters into a contract
pursuant to division (B) of this section shall pay the full gross
profit to the charitable instant bingo organization, in return for
the deal of instant bingo tickets. The owner or lessor may retain the
money that the owner or lessor receives for selling the instant bingo
tickets, provided, however, that after the deal has been sold, the
owner or lessor shall pay to the charitable instant bingo
organization the value of any unredeemed instant bingo prizes
remaining in the deal of instant bingo tickets.

The
charitable instant bingo organization shall pay six per cent of the
total gross receipts of any deal of instant bingo tickets for the
purpose of reimbursing the owner or lessor for expenses described in
this division.

As
used in this division, "expenses" means those items
provided for in divisions (GG)(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (12), and (13)
of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code and that percentage of the
owner's or lessor's rent for the location where instant bingo is
conducted. "Expenses," in the aggregate, shall not exceed
six per cent of the total gross receipts of any deal of instant bingo
tickets.

As
used in this division, "full gross profit" means the amount
by which the total receipts of all instant bingo tickets, if the deal
had been sold in full, exceeds the amount that would be paid out if
all prizes were redeemed.

(E)
A charitable instant bingo organization shall provide the attorney
general with all of the following information:

(1)
That the charitable instant bingo organization has terminated a
contract entered into pursuant to division (B) of this section with
an owner or lessor of a location;

(2)
That the charitable instant bingo organization has entered into a
written contract pursuant to division (B) of this section with a new
owner or lessor of a location;

(3)
That the charitable instant bingo organization is aware of conduct by
the owner or lessor of a location at which instant bingo is conducted
that is in violation of this chapter.

(F)
Division (C) of this section does not apply to a volunteer
firefighter's organization that is exempt from federal income
taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that conducts instant bingo
other than at a bingo session on the premises where the organization
conducts firefighter training, that has conducted instant bingo
continuously for at least five years prior to July 1, 2003, and that,
during each of those five years, had gross receipts of at least one
million five hundred thousand dollars.

Sec.
2915.10.
(A)
No
charitable
organization
entity

that
conducts bingo or a game of chance pursuant to division (D) of
section 2915.02 of the Revised Code shall fail to maintain the
following records for at least three years from the date on which the
bingo or game of chance is conducted:

(1)
An itemized list of the gross receipts of each bingo session, each
game of instant bingo by serial number, each electronic instant bingo
game by serial number, each raffle, each punch board game, and each
game of chance, and an itemized list of the gross profits of each
game of instant bingo by serial number and each electronic instant
bingo game by serial number;

(2)
An itemized list of all expenses, other than prizes, that are
incurred in conducting bingo, the name of each person to whom the
expenses are paid, and a receipt for all of the expenses;

(3)
A list of all prizes awarded during each bingo session, each raffle,
each punch board game, and each game of chance

conducted by the charitable organization
,
the total prizes awarded from each game of instant bingo by serial
number and each electronic instant bingo game by serial number, and
the name, address, and social security number of all persons who are
winners of prizes of six hundred dollars or more in value;

(4)
An itemized list of the recipients of the net profit of the bingo or
game of chance, including the name and address of each recipient to
whom the money is distributed, and if the organization uses the net
profit of bingo, or the money or assets received from a game of
chance, for any charitable or other purpose set forth in division (V)
of section 2915.01, division (D) of section 2915.02, or section
2915.101 of the Revised Code, a list of each purpose and an itemized
list of each expenditure for each purpose;

(5)
The number of persons who participate in any bingo session
,
raffle,

or game of chance

that is conducted by the charitable organization
;

(6)
A list of receipts from the sale of food and beverages by the

charitable
organization
entity

or
one of its auxiliary units or societies, if the receipts were
excluded from gross receipts under division (T) of section 2915.01 of
the Revised Code;

(7)
An itemized list of all expenses incurred at each bingo session, each
raffle, each punch board game, or each game of instant bingo or
electronic instant bingo
conducted
by the charitable organization
in
the sale of food and beverages by the
charitable
organization
entity

or
by an auxiliary unit or society of the

charitable organization

entity
,
the name of each person to whom the expenses are paid, and a receipt
for all of the expenses.

(B)

A
charitable organization
An
entity
shall
keep the records that it is required to maintain pursuant to division
(A) of this section at its principal place of business in this state
or at its headquarters in this state and shall notify the attorney
general of the location at which those records are kept.

(C)
The gross profit from each bingo session or game described in
division (O)(1) or (2) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code shall
be deposited into a checking account devoted exclusively to the bingo
session or game. Payments for allowable expenses incurred in
conducting the bingo session or game and payments to recipients of
some or all of the net profit of the bingo session or game shall be
made only by checks or electronic fund transfers drawn on the bingo
session or game account.

(D)
Each charitable organization shall conduct and record an inventory of
all of its bingo supplies as of the first day of November of each
year.

(E)
The attorney general may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119.
of the Revised Code that establish standards of accounting, record
keeping, and reporting to ensure that gross receipts from bingo or
games of chance are properly accounted for.

(F)
A distributor shall maintain, for a period of three years after the
date of its sale or other provision, a record of each instance of its
selling or otherwise providing to another person bingo supplies for
use in this state. The record shall include all of the following for
each instance:

(1)
The name of the manufacturer from which the distributor purchased the
bingo supplies and the date of the purchase;

(2)
The name and address of the charitable organization or other
distributor to which the bingo supplies were sold or otherwise
provided;

(3)
A description that clearly identifies the bingo supplies;

(4)
Invoices that include the nonrepeating serial numbers of all paper
bingo cards and sheets and all instant bingo deals sold or otherwise
provided to each charitable organization.

(G)
A manufacturer shall maintain, for a period of three years after the
date of its sale or other provision, a record of each instance of its
selling or otherwise providing bingo supplies for use in this state.
The record shall include all of the following for each instance:

(1)
The name and address of the distributor to whom the bingo supplies
were sold or otherwise provided;

(2)
A description that clearly identifies the bingo supplies, including
serial numbers;

(3)
Invoices that include the nonrepeating serial numbers of all paper
bingo cards and sheets and all instant bingo deals sold or otherwise
provided to each distributor.

(H)
The attorney general or any law enforcement agency may do all of the
following:

(1)
Investigate any charitable organization,
entity
described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code,

distributor,
or manufacturer or any officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee
of the organization,
entity,

distributor,
or manufacturer;

(2)
Examine the accounts and records of the charitable organization,

entity
described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code,

distributor,
or manufacturer or of any officer, agent, trustee, member, or
employee of the organization, distributor, or manufacturer;

(3)
Conduct inspections, audits, and observations of bingo or games of
chance;

(4)
Conduct inspections of the premises where bingo or games of chance
are conducted or where bingo supplies are manufactured or
distributed;

(5)
Take any other necessary and reasonable action to determine if a
violation of any provision of this chapter has occurred and to
determine whether section 2915.11 of the Revised Code has been
complied with.

If
any law enforcement agency has reasonable grounds to believe that a
charitable organization,
entity
described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code,

distributor,
or manufacturer or an officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee of
the organization,
entity,

distributor,
or manufacturer has violated any provision of this chapter, the law
enforcement agency may proceed by action in the proper court to
enforce this chapter, provided that the law enforcement agency shall
give written notice to the attorney general when commencing an action
as described in this division.

(I)
No person shall destroy, alter, conceal, withhold, or deny access to
any accounts or records of a charitable organization,
entity
described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code,

distributor,
or manufacturer that have been requested for examination, or
obstruct, impede, or interfere with any inspection, audit, or
observation of bingo or a game of chance, of premises where bingo or
a game of chance is conducted, or of premises where bingo supplies
are manufactured or distributed, or refuse to comply with any
reasonable request of, or obstruct, impede, or interfere with any
other reasonable action undertaken by, the attorney general or a law
enforcement agency pursuant to division (H) of this section.

(J)
Whoever violates division (A) or (I) of this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor of the first degree.

Sec.
2915.101.
Except
as otherwise provided by law, a charitable organization that conducts
instant bingo or electronic instant bingo
,
or an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section 2915.16 of
the Revised Code that conducts an online raffle,

shall distribute the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of
instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles

as follows:

(A)(1)
If a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting
organization
or
an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code
conducted
the instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo,
or
online raffles,
the
organization
or
entity
shall
distribute the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant
bingo

or
,

electronic instant bingo,
or
online raffles
as
follows:

(a)
For the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or a greater amount
prescribed by the attorney general to adjust for changes in prices as
measured by the consumer price index as defined in section 325.18 of
the Revised Code and other factors affecting the organization's
or
entity's
expenses,
as defined in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code,
or less of net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles

generated in a calendar year:

(i)
At least twenty-five per cent shall be distributed to an organization
described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code
or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or
any political subdivision.

(ii)
Not more than seventy-five per cent may be deducted and retained by
the organization
or
entity
for
reimbursement of or for the organization's
or
entity's
expenses,
as defined in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code,
in conducting the instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo

game
,
or online raffles
.

(b)
For any net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles

of more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars or an adjusted amount
generated in a calendar year:

(i)
A minimum of fifty per cent shall be distributed to an organization
described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code
or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or
any political subdivision.

(ii)
Five per cent may be distributed for the organization's
or
entity's
own
charitable purposes or to a community action agency.

(iii)
Forty-five per cent may be deducted and retained by the organization

or
entity
for
reimbursement of or for the organization's
or
entity's
expenses,
as defined in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code,
in conducting the instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo

game
,
or online raffle
.

(2)
If a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting
organization
or
an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code
does
not distribute the full percentages specified in divisions (A)(1)(a)
and (b) of this section for the purposes specified in those
divisions, the organization
or
entity
shall
distribute the balance of the net profit from the proceeds of the
sale of instant bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles

not distributed or retained for those purposes to an organization
described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)
If a charitable organization other than a veteran's organization, a
fraternal organization, or a sporting organization
conducted
the
conducts

instant
bingo

or electronic instant bingo
,
the organization shall distribute one hundred per cent of the net
profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo
or
electronic instant bingo
to
an organization described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of
the Revised Code or to a department or agency of the federal
government, the state, or any political subdivision.

(C)
Nothing in this section prohibits a veteran's organization, a
fraternal organization, or a sporting organization
or
an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code
from
distributing any net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant
bingo

or
,

electronic
instant bingo
,
or online raffles

to an organization that is described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code when the organization that is described in
subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is one that makes
donations to other organizations and permits donors to advise or
direct such donations so long as the donations comply with
requirements established in or pursuant to subsection 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code.

Sec.
2915.14.
(A)
No charitable organization shall conduct electronic instant bingo
unless all of the following are true:

(1)
The organization is a veteran's organization described in division
(J) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, or is a fraternal
organization described in division (L) of section 2915.01 of the
Revised Code, and the organization qualified as a veteran's
organization or fraternal organization, as applicable, on or before
June 30, 2021.

(2)
The organization is a veteran's organization described in subsection
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code or is, and has received from
the internal revenue service a determination letter that is currently
in effect stating that the organization is, exempt from federal
income taxation under subsection 501(a), and is described in
subsection 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the
Internal Revenue Code.

(3)
The organization has not conducted a raffle in violation of division
(B) of section 2915.092 of the Revised Code
,
as that section existed immediately before the effective date of this
amendment, or in violation of section 2915.20 of the Revised Code,

using an electronic raffle machine, as described in Ohio Veterans and
Fraternal Charitable Coalition v. DeWine, Case No. 13-CV-13610 (C.P.
Franklin Co. February 23, 2018), at any time on or after January 1,
2022.

(B)
No charitable organization that conducts electronic instant bingo
shall do any of the following:

(1)
Possess an electronic instant bingo system that was not obtained in
accordance with this chapter or with any rule adopted under this
chapter;

(2)
Conduct electronic instant bingo on any day, at any time, or on any
premises not specified on the organization's type II or type III
license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code;

(3)
Hold more than one valid license to conduct electronic instant bingo
at any one time;

(4)
Conduct electronic instant bingo on more than one premises or on any
premises other than the charitable organization's principal place of
business;

(5)
Operate more than ten electronic bingo systems at the premises on
which the charitable organization conducts electronic instant bingo
under its license;

(6)
Fail to display both of the following conspicuously at the premises
on which the charitable organization conducts electronic instant
bingo:

(a)
The charitable organization's bingo license;

(b)
The serial number of each deal of electronic instant bingo tickets
being sold.

(7)
Permit any person the charitable organization knows, or should have
known, to be under eighteen years of age to play electronic instant
bingo;

(8)
Sell or provide to any person an electronic instant bingo ticket for
a price different from the price displayed on the game flare for that
deal, except that the charitable organization may give a participant
who wins an electronic instant bingo game an electronic instant bingo
ticket as a prize in place of a cash prize;

(9)
Fail, once an electronic instant bingo deal is begun, to continue to
sell tickets in that deal until all prizes have been awarded;

(10)
Permit any person whom the organization knows, or should have known,
has been convicted of a felony or gambling offense in any
jurisdiction to be a bingo game operator in the conduct of electronic
instant bingo;

(11)
Permit a bingo game operator to play electronic instant bingo;

(12)(a)
Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(12)(b) of this section,
pay compensation to a bingo game operator for conducting electronic
instant bingo.

(b)
Division (B)(12)(a) of this section does not prohibit an employee of
a veteran's organization or fraternal organization from redeeming
electronic instant bingo tickets or vouchers for the organization's
members or invited guests, so long as no portion of the employee's
compensation is paid from any bingo receipts.

(13)
Pay consulting fees to any person in relation to electronic instant
bingo.

(C)
No person shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to
provide an electronic instant bingo system to any person for use in
this state unless the electronic instant bingo system has been
approved under section 2915.15 of the Revised Code.

(D)
The attorney general shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code to ensure the integrity of electronic instant bingo,
including, but not limited to, rules governing all of the following:

(1)
The requirements to receive a license or endorsement to conduct
electronic instant bingo;

(2)
The location and number of electronic instant bingo systems in use,
which shall not exceed ten at the single licensed location per
organization;

(3)
The times when electronic instant bingo may be offered;

(4)
Signage requirements in facilities where electronic instant bingo is
offered;

(5)
Electronic instant bingo device and system specifications, including
reveal features and game themes;

(6)
Procedures and standards for the review, approval, inspection, and
monitoring of electronic instant bingo systems, as described in
section 2915.15 of the Revised Code;

(7)
Procedures and standards for the review and approval of any changes
to technology, systems, or games licensed or permitted under this
chapter;

(8)
The fees to be charged under section 2915.15 of the Revised Code for
review, approval, inspection, and monitoring of electronic instant
bingo systems;

(9)
Procedures allowing the attorney general to seek a summary suspension
of a license to conduct electronic instant bingo or a license to
manufacture or distribute electronic instant bingo systems if the
attorney general has good cause to believe that the person or
organization licensed to conduct electronic instant bingo, or the
person or organization licensed to manufacture or distribute
electronic instant bingo systems, or any of the organization's
employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, or partners,
has violated this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(E)
Whoever knowingly violates division (A), (B), or (C) of this section
or a rule adopted under division (D) of this section is guilty of
illegal electronic instant bingo conduct. Illegal electronic instant
bingo conduct is a misdemeanor of the first degree, except that if
the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division
(A) or (B) of this section or of a rule adopted under division (D) of
this section, illegal instant bingo conduct is a felony of the fifth
degree.

Sec.

2915.092

2915.16
.

(A)(1)

Subject
to division (A)(2) of this section, a person or entity
Any
of the following entities
may
conduct a raffle to raise money for the
person
or
entity

and does not need a license to conduct bingo in order to conduct a
raffle drawing that is not for profit if the person or entity is any
of the following
:

(a)

Exempt

An
entity that is exempt
from
federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in
subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(b)
A school district, community school established under Chapter 3314.
of the Revised Code, STEM school established under Chapter 3326. of
the Revised Code, college-preparatory boarding school established
under Chapter 3328. of the Revised Code, or chartered nonpublic
school;

(c)

Exempt

An
entity that is exempt
from
federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in
subsection 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or
501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2)

If
a person or
An

entity

that
is
described
in division (A)(1)(c) of this section
that

conducts
a
traditional

raffle
,
the person or entity

shall distribute at least fifty per cent of the net profit from the
raffle to a charitable purpose described in division (V) of section
2915.01 of the Revised Code or to a department or agency of the
federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.

(3)
An entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of this section that
conducts an online raffle shall distribute the net profit from the
proceeds of the sale of the online raffle in accordance with section
2915.101 of the Revised Code.

(B)
Except as provided
(B)(1)
An entity described
in
division
(A)

(A)(1)

of
this section
,
no person shall conduct a raffle drawing that is for profit or a
raffle drawing that is not for profit

is not required to have a license issued under this chapter or to
register under this chapter in order to conduct a traditional raffle
to raise money for the entity
.

(2)
All of the following apply with respect to a traditional raffle
conducted under this section:

(a)
The entity conducting the raffle may accept electronic payment from a
participant for a ticket and may sell a ticket to a participant over
the internet or by other remote means, so long as the entity
conducting the raffle delivers the physical ticket, an image of the
physical ticket, or a message containing the unique identifier
associated with the physical ticket to the participant before the
drawing is held.

(b)
A participant is not required to be physically present at the drawing
to win a prize.

(c)
The entity conducting the raffle may award a raffle prize in the form
of an item of tangible personal property, cash, or a cash equivalent,
including a gift card or other prepaid or stored value card.

(d)
If any prize is in the form of cash or a cash equivalent, the entity
conducting the raffle shall hold the drawing at an event at which
participants are invited to be physically present.

(C)
Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of illegal
conduct of a raffle. Except as otherwise provided in this division,
illegal conduct of a raffle is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If
the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of

(C)(1)(a)
Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(1)(b) of this section,
an entity described in
division

(B)

(A)(1)

of
this section
,
illegal conduct of a raffle is a felony of the fifth degree

shall register with the attorney general under section 2915.17 of the
Revised Code before conducting an online raffle to raise money for
the person.

(b)
An entity described in division (A)(1) of this section that had two
hundred fifty thousand dollars or more in gross receipts from the
conduct of online raffles in the previous calendar year shall obtain
an online raffle license under section 2915.18 of the Revised Code
before conducting an online raffle instead of registering under
section 2915.17 of the Revised Code
.

(2)
All of the following apply with respect to an online raffle conducted
under this section:

(a)
The entity conducting the raffle shall use an online raffle platform
that is approved by the attorney general under section 2915.19 of the
Revised Code.

(b)
The entity conducting the raffle shall conduct the drawing at least
twenty-four hours after the last ticket is sold for that drawing.

(c)
A participant in an online raffle is not required to be physically
present at the drawing to win a prize.

(d)
The entity conducting the raffle may award a raffle prize only in the
form of an item of tangible personal property. The entity conducting
the raffle shall not do either of the following:

(i)
Award any prize in the form of cash or a cash equivalent, including a
gift card or other prepaid or stored value card;

(ii)
Purchase any item of tangible personal property awarded to a
participant as a prize from the participant and give the participant
cash or a cash equivalent in exchange for the item.

(e)
The entity conducting the raffle shall not use any online raffle
platform that incorporates an entertainment theme that resembles a
slot machine, such as spinning reels or wheels.

(f)
Each participant in the raffle shall be at least eighteen years of
age and a resident of this state. Before delivering a prize to a
participant, the entity conducting the raffle shall require the
participant to present evidence of the participant's age and
residence.

Sec.
2915.17.
(A)(1)
An entity described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code that desires to conduct an online raffle and that did
not have two hundred fifty thousand dollars or more in gross receipts
from the conduct of online raffles in the previous calendar year
shall register with the attorney general under this section before
doing so.

(2)
An initial or renewed raffle registration is valid for one year. A
registrant shall renew the registrant's registration in the same
manner as the registrant submitted the registrant's initial
registration.

(3)
At the time of an initial or renewed registration, the registrant
shall pay the attorney general a fee of one hundred dollars.

(B)
The registration shall be on a form prescribed by the attorney
general, shall be signed and sworn to by the registrant, and shall
contain all of the following:

(1)
The name and post office address of the registrant;

(2)
A statement that the registrant is an entity described in division
(A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code;

(3)
In the case of a registrant who has not previously submitted a
registration under this section, a statement of the registrant's
previous history, record, and association that is sufficient to
establish that the registrant is an entity described in division
(A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code, including, if
applicable, a copy of a determination letter issued by the Internal
Revenue Service;

(4)
Identification of each online raffle platform the registrant intends
to use. If the registrant later wishes to use a different online
raffle platform, the registrant shall submit a notice to the attorney
general, on a form prescribed by the attorney general, identifying
the online raffle platform before the registrant uses it.

(5)
In the case of an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section
2915.16 of the Revised Code, an affirmation that the net profit from
each raffle will be distributed in accordance with division (A)(3) of
that section and a statement of how the net profit will be
distributed;

(6)
An estimate of the registrant's expected gross receipts for the
calendar year from the sale of raffle tickets;

(7)
A statement that the registrant maintains all required records of its
raffles under section 2915.10 of the Revised Code and the location at
which those records are kept;

(8)
If the registrant is a charitable trust as defined in section 109.23
of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has registered with
the attorney general pursuant to section 109.26 of the Revised Code
or filed annual reports pursuant to section 109.31 of the Revised
Code, and, if it is not required to do either, the exemption in
section 109.26 or 109.31 of the Revised Code that applies to it;

(9)
If the registrant is a charitable organization as defined in section
1716.01 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has filed
with the attorney general a registration statement pursuant to
section 1716.02 of the Revised Code and a financial report pursuant
to section 1716.04 of the Revised Code, and, if it is not required to
do both, the exemption in section 1716.03 of the Revised Code that
applies to it;

(10)
In the case of a registrant seeking to qualify as a youth athletic
park organization, a statement issued by a board or body vested with
authority under Chapter 755. of the Revised Code for the supervision
and maintenance of recreation facilities in the territory in which
the organization is located, certifying that the playing fields owned
by the organization were open for use to all residents of that
territory, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or
national origin, for athletic activities by youth athletic
organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
creed, religion, sex, or national origin, and that the fields were
not used for any profit-making activity at any time during the year.
That type of board or body is authorized to issue the statement upon
request and shall issue the statement if it finds that the
applicant's playing fields were so used.

(11)
Other necessary and reasonable information that the attorney general
may require by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised
Code.

(C)
As soon as practicable after receiving a raffle registration under
this section, the attorney general shall issue the registrant a
statement of registration that includes the period of validity and
any other information the attorney general determines is necessary.

Sec.
2915.18.
(A)(1)
An entity described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code that desires to conduct an online raffle during a
calendar year and that had two hundred fifty thousand dollars or more
in gross receipts from the conduct of online raffles in the previous
calendar year shall apply to the attorney general for an online
raffle license before the first day of January of the year in which
the online raffle is to be conducted.

(2)
An initial or renewed online raffle license is valid for one year. An
applicant shall apply for a renewed license in the same manner as for
an initial license.

(3)
An application for an initial or renewed online raffle license shall
be accompanied by a fee in an amount equal to the fee the applicant
would be required to pay when applying for a bingo license under
division (B) of section 2915.08 of the Revised Code.

(B)
Subject to division (H) of this section, an application for an online
raffle license shall be on a form prescribed by the attorney general,
shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant, and shall contain all
of the following:

(1)
The name and post office address of the applicant;

(2)
A statement that the applicant is an entity described in division
(A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised Code;

(3)
In the case of an application for an initial online raffle license, a
statement of the applicant's previous history, record, and
association that is sufficient to establish that the applicant is an
entity described in division (A)(1) of section 2915.16 of the Revised
Code, including, if applicable, a copy of a determination letter
issued by the internal revenue service;

(4)
Identification of each online raffle platform the applicant intends
to use. If the license is granted and the applicant later wishes to
use a different online raffle platform, the applicant shall submit a
notice to the attorney general, on a form prescribed by the attorney
general, identifying the online raffle platform before the applicant
uses it.

(5)
A statement as to whether the applicant has ever had any previous
application refused under this chapter, whether it previously has had
a license revoked or suspended under this chapter, and the reason
stated by the attorney general for the refusal, revocation, or
suspension;

(6)
In the case of an entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section
2915.16 of the Revised Code, an affirmation that the net profit from
the proceeds of the online raffles will be distributed in accordance
with section 2915.101 of the Revised Code and a statement of how the
net profit will be distributed;

(7)
A statement that the applicant maintains all required records of its
raffles under section 2915.10 of the Revised Code and the location at
which those records are kept;

(8)
If the applicant is a charitable trust as defined in section 109.23
of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has registered with
the attorney general pursuant to section 109.26 of the Revised Code
or filed annual reports pursuant to section 109.31 of the Revised
Code, and, if it is not required to do either, the exemption in
section 109.26 or 109.31 of the Revised Code that applies to it;

(9)
If the applicant is a charitable organization as defined in section
1716.01 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has filed
with the attorney general a registration statement pursuant to
section 1716.02 of the Revised Code and a financial report pursuant
to section 1716.04 of the Revised Code, and, if it is not required to
do both, the exemption in section 1716.03 of the Revised Code that
applies to it;

(10)
In the case of an applicant seeking to qualify as a youth athletic
park organization, a statement issued by a board or body vested with
authority under Chapter 755. of the Revised Code for the supervision
and maintenance of recreation facilities in the territory in which
the organization is located, certifying that the playing fields owned
by the organization were open for use to all residents of that
territory, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or
national origin, for athletic activities by youth athletic
organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
creed, religion, sex, or national origin, and that the fields were
not used for any profit-making activity at any time during the year.
That type of board or body is authorized to issue the statement upon
request and shall issue the statement if it finds that the
applicant's playing fields were so used.

(11)
Other necessary and reasonable information that the attorney general
may require by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised
Code.

(C)
As soon as practicable after receiving an application for an initial
or renewed online raffle license, the attorney general shall conduct
a preliminary review of the application and notify the applicant
regarding any deficiencies. Not later than thirty days after the
attorney general receives a completed application, or not later than
thirty days after the application is submitted if the attorney
general does not notify the applicant of any deficiency, the attorney
general shall grant, grant with limits, restrictions, or probationary
conditions, or deny the application based on findings established and
communicated in accordance with this section. As an option to
granting, granting with limits, restrictions, or probationary
conditions, or denying an initial license application, the attorney
general may grant a temporary license and request additional time to
conduct the investigation if the attorney general has cause to
believe that additional time is necessary to complete the
investigation and has notified the applicant in writing about the
specific concerns raised during the investigation.

(D)(1)
If any of the following applies to an entity, the attorney general
may refuse to grant an online raffle license to the entity, may
revoke or suspend the entity's online raffle license, or may place
limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on the entity's
online raffle license for a limited or indefinite period, as
determined by the attorney general:

(a)
The entity fails or has failed at any time to meet any requirement of
this chapter, of section 109.26, 109.31, or 1716.02 of the Revised
Code, or of any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this
chapter.

(b)
The entity makes or has made an incorrect or false statement that is
material to the granting of the license in an application filed under
this section.

(c)
The entity submits or has submitted any incorrect or false
information relating to an application if the information is material
to the granting of the license.

(d)
The entity maintains or has maintained any incorrect or false
information that is material to the granting of the license in the
records required to be kept pursuant to section 2915.10 of the
Revised Code, if applicable.

(e)
The attorney general has good cause to believe that the entity will
not conduct online raffles in accordance with this chapter or with
any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this chapter.

(2)
If the attorney general has good cause to believe that any director
or officer of the entity has breached the director's or officer's
fiduciary duty to, or committed theft or any other type of misconduct
related to, the entity or any other entity that has been issued an
online raffle license under this chapter, the attorney general may
refuse to grant a license to the entity, may impose limits,
restrictions, or probationary conditions on the license, or may
revoke or suspend the entity's license for a period not to exceed
five years.

(3)
The attorney general may impose a civil fine on an entity licensed
under this section for failure to comply with any restrictions,
limits, or probationary conditions on its license, and for failure to
comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter,
according to a schedule of fines that the attorney general shall
adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(4)
For the purposes of division (D) of this section, any action of an
officer, trustee, agent, or representative of an entity is an action
of the entity.

(E)
The attorney general shall send notice of any of the following
actions in writing to the prosecuting attorney and sheriff of the
county in which the entity is located and to any other law
enforcement agency in that county that so requests, of all of the
following:

(1)
The issuance of a license under this section;

(2)
The issuance of an amended license under this section;

(3)
The rejection of an application for and refusal to grant a license
under this section;

(4)
The revocation of any license previously issued under this section;

(5)
The suspension of any license previously issued under this section;

(6)
The placing of any limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions
placed on a license issued under this section.

(F)
A license issued by the attorney general under this section shall set
forth the information contained on the entity's application that the
attorney general determines is relevant.

(G)
If the attorney general refuses to grant, places limits,
restrictions, or probationary conditions on, or revokes or suspends a
license, the attorney general shall notify the entity in writing and
specifically identify the reason for the refusal, revocation, limit,
restriction, probationary condition, or suspension in narrative form
and, if applicable, by identifying the section of the Revised Code
violated. The failure of the attorney general to give the written
notice of the reasons for the refusal, revocation, limit,
restriction, probationary condition, or suspension or a mistake in
the written notice does not affect the validity of the attorney
general's refusal to grant, or the revocation or suspension of, or
limit, restriction, probationary condition on, a license. If the
attorney general fails to give the written notice or if there is a
mistake in the written notice, the entity may bring an action to
compel the attorney general to comply with this division or to
correct the mistake, but the attorney general's order refusing to
grant, or placing a limit, restriction, or probationary condition on,
or revoking or suspending, a license shall not be enjoined during the
pendency of the action.

(H)
A charitable organization that applies for an online raffle license
under this section at the same time as the organization applies for a
bingo license under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code is not
required to submit any information or documentation with its
application for an online raffle license that is the same as the
information or documentation the organization is required to submit
with its application for a bingo license. The attorney general shall
prescribe a combined application form for a bingo license and an
online raffle license in order to carry out the purposes of this
division.

Sec.
2915.19.
(A)(1)
Before permitting an online raffle platform to be used to conduct an
online raffle, the distributor or manufacturer of an online raffle
platform shall submit the platform, along with any associated
equipment or software used to operate, manage, monitor, or document
any aspect of an online raffle, to an independent testing laboratory
that is approved by the attorney general for testing and evaluation
to determine whether the platform and associated equipment or
software meet the requirements of this chapter and of rules adopted
under this chapter. The distributor or manufacturer shall pay all
costs of that testing and evaluation.

(2)
If the independent testing laboratory certifies that the online
raffle platform and associated equipment or software meet the
requirements of this chapter and of rules adopted under this chapter,
the distributor or manufacturer may submit the platform and
associated equipment or software, along with a copy of the
laboratory's certification and a fee established by the attorney
general by rule under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, to the
attorney general for review and approval.

(3)
The attorney general shall approve the online raffle platform for use
in this state if the attorney general determines that the platform
meets the requirements of this chapter and of the rules adopted under
this chapter. The rules shall include a requirement that the online
raffle platform require each participant to affirm that the
participant is at least eighteen years of age and a resident of this
state before completing the sale of an online raffle ticket through
the platform.

(B)
The distributor of an approved online raffle platform promptly shall
notify the attorney general of any planned significant change to the
operation of the platform, as defined by the attorney general by
rule. Before any such significant change takes effect, the attorney
general may order that the distributor resubmit the platform, along
with any associated equipment or software, to an independent testing
laboratory under division (A) of this section as a condition of
continued approval of the platform.

(C)
The attorney general may inspect an approved online raffle platform
and any associated equipment or software at any time to ensure that
the platform is in compliance with this chapter and with the rules
adopted under this chapter. If the attorney general determines that
any person or any online raffle platform is in violation of any
provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted under this chapter,
the attorney general may order that the violation immediately cease
and may revoke the approval of the platform.

(D)
The attorney general may establish by rule adopted under Chapter 119.
of the Revised Code an annual fee to be paid by the distributors of
online raffle platforms in order to pay the cost of monitoring and
inspecting the platforms under this section.

Sec.
2915.20.
(A)
Except as permitted under section 2915.16 of the Revised Code, no
person or entity shall knowingly conduct a raffle that is for profit
or a raffle that is not for profit.

(B)(1)
No entity that conducts an online raffle shall knowingly fail to use
an online raffle platform that is approved by the attorney general
under section 2915.19 of the Revised Code.

(2)
No entity that conducts an online raffle and that had less than two
hundred fifty thousand dollars in gross receipts from the conduct of
online raffles in the previous calendar year shall knowingly fail to
register under section 2915.17 of the Revised Code.

(3)
No entity that conducts an online raffle and that had two hundred
fifty thousand dollars or more in gross receipts from the conduct of
online raffles in the previous calendar year shall knowingly fail to
have a current and valid online raffle license issued under section
2915.18 of the Revised Code.

(4)
No entity described in division (A)(1)(c) of section 2915.16 of the
Revised Code shall knowingly fail to distribute the net profit from
the proceeds of an online raffle in accordance with division (A)(3)
of that section.

(5)
No entity that conducts an online raffle shall knowingly purchase any
item of tangible personal property awarded to a participant as a
prize from the participant and give the participant cash or a cash
equivalent in exchange for the item.

(6)
No entity that conducts an online raffle shall permit an individual
the entity knows, or should have known, to be under eighteen years of
age or not to be a resident of this state to participate in the
raffle.

(C)
Whoever violates this section is guilty of illegal conduct of a
raffle. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegal
conduct of a raffle is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the
offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this
section, illegal conduct of a raffle is a felony of the fifth degree.

Section
2.
That
existing sections 109.32, 2915.01, 2915.07, 2915.08, 2915.081,
2915.082, 2915.092, 2915.093, 2915.10, 2915.101, and 2915.14 of the
Revised Code are hereby repealed.

Section
3.
The
requirements of sections 2915.101 and 2915.092 (2915.16) of the
Revised Code, as amended by this act, apply only to gross receipts
from online raffles conducted on or after the effective date of this
section.

Section
4.
This
act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The
reason for such necessity is to ensure that charitable organizations
are able to continue raising necessary funds for their operations.
Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.