REDEMPTION GAMES PRIZE LIMIT
House Bill 4276
Sponsor: Rep. James Koetje
Committee: Gaming and Casino Oversight
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4276 AS INTRODUCED 2-15-01
Public Act 539 of 1996 amended the Michigan Penal Code to exempt certain bowling games, senior citizen card games, and redemption games from the prohibition against gambling when they meet certain criteria. Redemption games are games such as skee ball and basketball games found in arcades, restaurants, and bars that allow players to win noncash prizes, toys, or novelties, or coupons that can be redeemed for such prizes. The act puts limits on the value of the prizes that can be won in a redemption game. It allows players to accumulate coupons that can be redeemed for prizes with a value of up to $250 wholesale. House Bill 4276 would reduce that limit to $10 retail.
[The term "redemption game" is defined in the Penal Code to mean "a single player or multi-player mechanical, electronic, or manual amusement device involving a game, the object of which is throwing, rolling, bowling, shooting, placing, propelling, or stopping a ball or other object into, upon, or against a hole or other target." Such games are exempt from the code if the outcome of the game is determined by the skill of the player; the prize is awarded based on the player's score or achieving the object of the game; only noncash prizes, toys, novelties, or coupons are awarded; the wholesale value of a prize for a successful single play does not exceed $3.75; and the redemption value of coupons does not exceed 15 times the amount charged to play a single game or $3.75, whichever is less. However, as mentioned above, coupons can be accumulated to acquire a prize valued at up to $250 wholesale.]
MCL 750.310b
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.