Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-G, sub-§36 is enacted to read:

36. Beano and Legislative 17 MRSA

Gaming Games of per diem §311-A

Chance

Commission

Sec. 2. 17 MRSA §311, as amended by PL 1991, c. 796, §2, is further amended to read:

§311. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following words shall have the following meanings.

1. Beano. "Beano" means a specific kind of group game of chance, regardless of whether such a game is characterized by another name. Wherever the term "beano" is used, the word "bingo" or any other word used to characterize such a game may be interchanged. In "beano," each participant is given or sold one or more tally cards, so-called, each of which contains preprinted numbers or letters and may or may not be arranged in vertical or horizontal rows. The participant covers or marks the numbers or letters as objects similarly numbered or lettered are drawn from a receptacle and the winner or winners are determined by the sequence in which those objects are drawn. The manner in which the winner is determined must be clearly announced or displayed before any game is begun. Until July 1, 1994, a game described in this subsection is "beano" and a licensee may conduct such a game regardless of whether the manner of determining the winner is specifically described as a permissible manner of determining the winner in rules adopted by the Chief of State Police commission.

1-A.__Commission.__"Commission" means the Beano and Games of Chance Commission established in section 311-A.

2. Equipment. "Equipment" shall mean means the receptacle and numbered objects to be drawn from it; the master board upon which such objects are placed as drawn; the tally cards or sheets bearing such numbers to be covered and the objects used to cover them; the boards or signs, however operated, used to display the numbers as they are drawn; public address systems; and any other articles essential to the operation, conduct and playing of "Beano."

3. License. "License" shall mean means that written authority from the Chief of the State Police commission to hold, conduct or operate the amusement commonly known as "Beano" for the entertainment of the public within the State of Maine. A location permit must accompany the license to be valid.