LICENSING

§371.__License to operate

1.__Eligible entities.__ The Chief of the State Police may issue a license to operate video gaming terminals to a person who:

A.__Is eligible for a license to conduct games of chance pursuant to section 332;

B.__Is exempt from federal taxation under the Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10) or 501(c)(19); and

C.__Owns or leases the premises upon which the video gaming terminals will be located and uses those premises to fulfill the primary charitable or nonprofit purpose of the organization.__If the premises are leased, the lease must run for a term longer than the license term.

Notwithstanding paragraph B, an organization that holds a license under section 332 to operate an electronic video machine on the effective date of this chapter is eligible to apply for a license under this section to operate video gaming terminals for up to 18 months, provided the organization applies for federal tax status as specified in paragraph B.__ If the Chief of the State Police determines that the organization is making a good faith effort to secure the required tax status and is likely to be given such status, the Chief of the State Police may extend the term of the license for an additional 6 months to allow the United States Internal Revenue Service time to complete processing the application for tax status.__If the organization applied for such status and was rejected within 3 years of the effective date of this section, that organization is not eligible under this subsection.

2.__Qualifications for license.__A person may be issued a license to operate a video gaming terminal if the person is eligible for a license under subsection 1 and has sufficient financial assets to meet the financial obligations imposed by this chapter and a method acceptable to the Chief of the State Police for meeting those obligations, and the individual and each officer, director or partner of the corporation, association or partnership:

A.__Has not been convicted in Maine or any other jurisdiction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence,