Allows any person who holds a license to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises to allow players to engage in certain recreational contests.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1514
SPONSOR: Weprin (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
certain recreational contests in establishments with licenses to sell
alcoholic beverages for consumption on premise
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
To allow individuals to engage in recreational games such as playing
cards or penny poker in establishments with licenses to sell alcohol and
to permit friendly wagers between participants only as such is author-
ized by the licensed establishment.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1: Legislative Intent: Allowing recreational games such as play-
ing cards, penny poker, cribbage, and dominoes to be permitted in estab-
lishments licensed by the state liquor authority to serve alcoholic
beverages will offer mutual benefits for the consumer and the establish-
ment.
Section 2 amends the alcoholic beverage control law by adding a new
section, which allows for recreational contests involving skill to take
place in establishments with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages.
Section 3 sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, establishments with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages are
prohibited from allowing customers to participate in recreational
contests of skill such as cards, penny poker, cribbage, and dominoes.
This bill would permit such establishments to allow customers to partic-
ipate in these recreational contests.
Additionally, this bill would offer customers such as senior citizens
the option to play cards while taking advantage of the amenities offered
at an establishment such as a local tavern or pub. Affording the option
to participate in these recreational games would be a win-win for both
customers and businesses.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
03/02/18 referred to racing and wagering
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
Immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1514
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK --
read once and referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
certain recreational contests in establishments with licenses to sell
alcoholic beverages for consumption on premise
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that allowing
2 recreational games such as playing cards, penny poker, cribbage and
3 dominoes be permitted in establishments, licensed by the state liquor
4 authority to serve alcoholic beverages, will offer mutual benefits for
5 both the consumer and the establishment. Allowing for these activities
6 to be conducted in establishments such as the local tavern or pub would
7 provide a place for individuals like senior citizens to recreate. This
8 legislation would further stimulate business within these establish-
9 ments. Nevertheless, both employer and employee of such establishment
10 would be prohibited from profiting from any such games so authorized
11 pursuant to this legislation.
12 § 2. The alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new
13 section 132 to read as follows:
14 § 132. Recreational contests involving skill in establishments with
15 licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. Notwithstanding any provision of
16 law to the contrary any person, who holds a license to sell alcoholic
17 beverages for consumption on premise pursuant to this chapter, may allow
18 players to engage in recreational contests amongst themselves involving
19 chance so long as skill is a factor at such establishments. Wagering
20 amongst participants is permissible. No proceeds shall go to the estab-
21 lishment. No employee of such establishment shall engage in such
22 contests. Nothing in this section shall be considered unlawful for
23 purposes of article two hundred twenty-five of the penal law nor shall
24 it be construed to affect the existing authority of the governor under
25 the constitution and the laws of this state to prohibit gambling.
26 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03596-01-5
