"An Act relating to establishing the Alaska Gaming Commission."

House Bill 509 establishes the Alaska Gaming Commission in statute. The Alaska Gaming Commission will regulate all forms of gaming activity in Alaska. This includes current forms, and additional forms that may be authorized by the legislature under AS 05.15.100.

Gaming activity currently allowed in AS 05.15.100 includes bingo, raffles, lotteries, pull-tab games, "classics", fish derbies and contests of skill. 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 HB 509 is to put the 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 powers and duties.

HB 509 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.

We respectfully request the committee consider to HB 509 and passes it from committee.

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