"An Act relating to gaming."

SB 242 forms a commission to regulate all forms of gaming activity. This includes current forms, and additional forms that may be authorized by the legislature under AS 15.15.100 in the future.

If, sometime in the future, additional forms of gaming become legal in Alaska, it will be critical that appropriate regulatory oversight be in place. The goal of SB 242 is to put this regulatory framework in place by establishing the Alaska Gaming Commission within the Department of Revenue.

This bill establishes parameters for a seven-member commission appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature. The bill clearly specifies commission make up, qualifications for commissioners, meeting times, and other powers and duties.

The bill makes it clear that the commission may not authorize a charitable gaming activity unless that activity is authorized under AS 05.15. This bill only gives the commission tools necessary to administer gaming once the legislature and governor adopt activity into law.

In other words, SB 242 gives no power to the commission to authorize, institute or engage in any type of gaming that is not currently authorized in statute.

Gaming activity currently allowed in AS 05.15.100 includes bingo, raffles, lotteries, pull tab games, "classics", fish derbies and contests of skill.

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