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MaineLD 1490132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Allow Nonprofit Organizations to Sell Progressive Sealed Ticket Games and to Offer Partner-assisted Beano

Sponsored By: Nicole C. Grohoski (Democratic)

Became Law

GAMBLINGGAMBLING - GAMES OF CHANCE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Pay workers with up to 20% revenue

Groups that run beano, bingo, or Lucky Seven can use proceeds to pay people who run the games. They may use up to 20% of gross revenue to compensate game conductors. Proceeds can also defray costs that support the group’s charitable purpose. With Gambling Control Unit approval and documentation, proceeds can help a member, auxiliary, or officer facing serious illness, injury, or a casualty loss. Proceeds cannot buy alcohol or be paid to members except as the law allows. The Unit can deny help if the person has adequate means of support.

Beano partner play and restroom help

You can play beano as a partnered pair. A person running or helping with beano may play your card while you take a restroom break, except in high‑stakes beano. Volunteers who sell or hand out beano materials before the game starts may also play in that beano.

Tickets $1 max and proceeds posted

Lucky Seven and similar sealed tickets must be sold for $1 or less per ticket. Game halls must post a clear sign showing net revenue, how much went to charity, and those percentages for last year and this year.

More time to sell sealed tickets

Licensed sellers can sell sealed ticket games when the game is registered with the Gambling Control Unit and the license or registration is on display. Sales may run from 2 hours before until 2 hours after a beano game under those conditions.

Tribes can sell sealed tickets

Federally recognized tribes can get state licenses to sell Lucky Seven and similar sealed tickets. Licensed tribes can also register and use dispensers that release printed tickets when money or credit is inserted. The ticket, not the dispenser, provides the chance to win. The Gambling Control Unit issues the licenses and may set technical rules.

New rules for sellers and distributors

A distributor now includes anyone (not an internet raffle operator) who sells or markets sealed ticket games or gambling gear. Sealed ticket games count as games of chance under this chapter, but beano, bingo, and table games do not. If you hold a limited dual beano registration, you cannot use it to sell sealed tickets jointly.

Tournament limits and side games allowed

Tournaments must finish within 48 hours. Up to 100 players are allowed, or up to 300 if the licensee owns the premises. Entry fees can be up to $100. You may add an extra amount to cover the license, but the total added from all players may not exceed $125. During a tournament, Lucky Seven or similar sealed ticket games are allowed and one 50/50 raffle may be held with a prize up to $2,000.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 424

    5/1/2026

  2. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-306).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-306) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-306).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/8/2025House

  7. Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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