Assigned to GOV                                                                                                          AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1223

 

amusement gambling; definition

 

Purpose

 

Includes a video golf game 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.”

 

Background

 

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.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Defines a video game, interactive simulation of golf 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 October 1, 2004.

 

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.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

 

1.      Limits the video game definition from a game of sport to a golf game.

 

2.      Moves the repeal date from July 1, 2005 to October 1, 2004.

 

 

Senate Action

 

GOV          3/15/02     DPA       4-2-0

3rd Read     3/27/02                16-14-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 27, 2002