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MaineLD 863132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Allow a Person or Organization Conducting a Raffle to Use an Approved Payment Management System

Sponsored By: James White (Republican)

Became Law

GAMBLINGGAMBLING - RAFFLES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Fines for breaking raffle payment rules

If you break the raffle payment-system rules, you face a civil fine of $500 to $5,000 per violation. Violations include using an unapproved system or selling to underage or out-of-bounds buyers. Each separate violation can be fined.

Gun prizes must go through dealers

If a raffle awards a firearm, the transfer must go through a federally licensed firearms dealer who is not a destructive-devices dealer. This adds oversight and follows federal dealer rules.

Funds staff for raffle oversight

The law funds one Office Specialist II for the Gambling Control Board. It provides $102,024 in 2025-26 and $105,478 in 2026-27 for salary and related costs to support raffle oversight and payment-system duties.

New raffle record and reporting rules

If you use an approved payment system for a raffle that must be registered, you must keep an electronic copy of each receipt for 3 years. Keep each physical ticket stub for 1 year, separated by raffle. You must give receipts and stubs to the Gambling Control Unit when asked. You must file a yearly report with the number of raffles and gross receipts. Not following these rules can bring a $500 to $5,000 civil penalty.

New digital payment rules for raffles

The law lets non-Internet raffles take payments through a director-approved app or platform. Buyers must be 18 or older and be in Maine or in a state where the buy is legal. If age or location checks fail, you must refund right away and void the ticket. Approved systems cannot extend credit, finish a sale by mail, and must use age checks, geolocation blocking, and protect payment data. Approved systems can allow debit cards and let members use funds the group already holds, and the director gives a guidance document to help you comply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • James White

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bradlee T. Farrin

    Republican • Senate

  • D. Ray

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Ankeles

    Democratic • House

  • Karen Montell

    Democratic • House

  • Richard Mason

    Republican • House

  • Russell White

    Republican • House

  • Shelley Rudnicki

    Republican • House

  • Steven Bishop

    Republican • House

  • Wayne Parry

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 222

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/28/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/28/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-226) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-226) in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SUPICA of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-226) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-226). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    3/4/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/4/2025House

Bill Text

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