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NEWARK - The Legalized Games
of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC), the
regulatory body that oversees New Jersey’s
charitable gaming industry, this year enacted
regulations that allow operators of bingo,
raffles and casino nights to offer new games,
with additional changes proposed and under
consideration.
The LGCCC oversees the operation
of games operated by approximately 12,000
charitable, educational, religious, patriotic,
public-spirited organizations and senior
citizen associations and clubs organizations
that are currently registered to conduct
games of chance. These organizations in
2007 generated $115.3 million in gross receipts
versus $122.7 million in gross receipts
in 2006. The net proceeds were $39.6 million
in 2007 compared to $31.4 million in 2006.
“The LGCCC has acted,
and is currently considering further regulatory
changes, as our licensees work at providing
popular games to boost fund raising for
their programs,” said Scott Jenkins,
Acting Executive Officer of the LGCCC. “The
Commission is responding to public demand
for certain games of chance as it continues
to monitor the industry and enforce its
rules and regulations.”
In 2008, the LGCCC approved
Tournament Texas Hold' em in response to
public interest in this game. This style
of tournament play has become the most popular
card game in the country, as demonstrated
by televised tournaments. Players wager
money against each other on the strength
of their hands by placing bets in a common
pot. These tournaments must be held in conjunction
with a licensed casino night event and all
equipment is provided by a licensed equipment
supplier.
The LGCCC in 2008 also approved
three card poker as a game of chance. This
is a card game similar to stud poker in
which the player has the choice of playing
against the dealer, playing solely on his
or her hand's value or doing both. Bonuses
are awarded for certain qualifying hands.
Regulatory changes proposed
in 2008 and under consideration currently
include increasing the prize awards in bingo.
Currently the maximum prize amount for a
single occasion is $3,000 and the LGCCC
has proposed to increase that prize amount
by offering a $1,500 bonus not to exceed
$500 in any single game.
Each group is required to
submit a financial disclosure report to
the LGCCC after any fund-raising event is
held. LGCCC staff review these reports as
part of its regulatory oversight of the
industry.
The LGCCC may be contacted
via its web, www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/lgccc.htm,
or by calling 973-273-8000.
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