CARD-PLAYING AT SENIOR CENTERS S.B. 712: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 712 (as introduced 8-31-05)
Sponsor: Senator Cameron S. Brown
Committee: Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs
Date Completed: 10-19-05
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to allow recreational card playing at nonresidential senior centers. Currently, Chapter 44 of the Code, which regulates gambling, does not apply to card playing at senior citizen housing facilities. The bill would extend that exemption to senior centers that are not housing facilities.
The current exemption allows recreational card playing at any senior citizen housing facility that has at least 15 members who are 60 years of age or older and play cards solely for amusement or recreation. The card playing may not be used for fund-raising, and the number of guests playing cards may not exceed the number of participating members. The facility must not be licensed by the Liquor Control Commission. Only members or employees of the group or club are permitted to conduct the card games. The conductor may not be compensated for conducting the games, and, except for winnings, any revenue generated from the card game must be used to cover expenses. The card playing must be held after 9:00 a.m. and before 12:00 midnight. The card players may not bet more than 25 cents per bet, and the winnings per hand may not be greater than $5.
The bill would extend those provisions to card playing conducted at senior centers that are not housing facilities.
MCL 750.303a Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb712/0506