ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
REVISED
amusement gambling;
definition
Includes a video game of
sport in which the player’s skill and not chance determines the player’s
success and the player is eligible to win prizes in the definition of
“amusement gambling.”
Statute defines gambling as
an act of risking or giving something of value for the opportunity to obtain a
benefit from a game or contest of chance or skill. The promotion of gambling, with the exception of amusement
gambling, is prohibited by state law and is classified as a class 5
felony. Statute also prohibits benefiting
from gambling and prescribes a class 1 misdemeanor. Amusement gambling, as defined in statute, is not prohibited.
Golden Tee Fore is a
coin-operated video game based on the game of golf in which the outcome is
dependent on the skill efforts of the player and not chance. Players, upon inserting the required
payment, are offered a choice of four types of play. Some courses consist of nine holes and others consist of 18
holes. A player selects, at each hole
and swing, from among 14 clubs. The
player receives prizes based on the final score.
S.B. 1223 amends the
definition of “amusement gambling” to include this type of game of skill.
There is no fiscal impact to
the state general fund associated with this legislation.
1. Defines a video game, interactive simulation of a sport in which the player competes against others in a tournament for prizes and the player’s skill and not chance determines the player’s success as “amusement gambling.”
2. Requires the game to comply with any licensing and regulatory requirements by the jurisdiction in which it is operated.
3. Requires the player to be 18 years of age to be eligible to win prizes.
4. Repeals the definition of "amusement gambling" as amended by this act on July 1, 2005.
5. Makes technical changes.
6. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Eliminates the requirement that a person must be 18 years of age to play the video game but retains the requirement that the person be 18 to collect prizes.
2. Repeals the provision regarding the video game rather than the entire definition of "amusement gambling" on July 1, 2005.
Senate Action
GOV 3/15/02 DPA 4-2-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 18, 2002