Nevada Gaming Board to Revise Age Restriction on Charitable Games

Restrictions on games of chance and charitable lotteries are set to be revised by the Nevada Gaming Commission, as regulators want to put children out of risk for developing gambling disorders.

The Board has recommended amendments to Regulation 4A which regulates the age limit as well as who can participate in charitable lotteries. During the recently held regulation workshop, speakers had an opportunity to present statements and arguments concerning the public input on proposed reforms which are to be submitted to the Executive Secretary.

While age restriction remained at the center of debate, representatives from numerous organizations in Nevada argued whether charitable lotteries still represent an important source of income for non-commercial financial structures. Other entities pointed out the risk of developing gambling addiction and demanded a motion that would prohibit persons under age to purchase tickets and participate in charitable games of chance and lotteries.

No Age Restrictions in 30 Years

The current draft regulation forbids those under 21 to play charitable games, while minors are prohibited from entering or collecting winnings from such lotteries. However, the Board has ed an amendment that allows those under 18 to participate if a parent or legal guardian purchases tickets for them.

“For the past 30 years, there have been no age restrictions in the regulations or laws in charitable lotteries,” said Philip Katsaros, board member. “Never before had the regulations in Nevada, or statutes, touched upon this.”

On the other side, of local nonprofits indicated that age restrictions could negatively impact their hip rates and marketing outreach. However, Sandra Morgan, Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman who recently recommended Marilyn Spiegel for licensing, said that the agency is not trying to sabotage charitable organizations but provide better guidelines for safer fundraising.

A research scientist at the Desert Research Institute, Ted Hartwell, said that any form of gambling, even charitable raffles could have irreversible effects on children if exposed at an early age. A study from Gemini Research in 2002 revealed that 6.4 per cent of the Silver State’s population suffers from pathological gambling habits.

Harwell explains:

“Early and frequent exposure in childhood to gambling activities is a risk factor for developing a gambling disorder later in life. There’s absolutely no need for children to be involved in gambling-related fundraising. Let adults ister raffles and lotteries … (at) fundraisers and let them sell those tickets to adults.”

Executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, Carol O’Hare agrees and underlines that young people should not gamble, regardless where the money is going – to a good cause or somebody else’s pocket.

Source:

“Proposed Amendments to Regulation 4A to be held on October 3, 2019”, gaming.nv.gov, September 27, 2019.

“Nevada gaming board examines rules on charitable games of chance”, Bailey Schulz, reviewjournal.com, October 3, 2019.