2011 House Bill 5009

Exempt senior center poker from (private) gambling ban

Introduced in the House

Sept. 27, 2011

Introduced by Rep. Pete Lund (R-36)

To exempt low stakes card games (25-cent maximum “ante” and $5 maximum "pot" and initial entry buy-in) in senior centers from state prohibitions on (private) gambling. Under current law the exemption applies only to senior citizen housing facilities.

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

Feb. 29, 2012

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 28, 2012

Substitute offered by Rep. Barb Byrum (D-67)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would extend the bill's scope to senior citizens playing cards anywhere, not just in a government senior center.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Pete Lund (R-36)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that limits the bill's scope to just government senior centers, not private ones.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Ed McBroom (R-108)

To remove a provision that would have limited the bill's scope by requiring there be at least 15 senior citizens who want to play cards in a senior center.

The amendment passed by voice vote

March 29, 2012

Passed in the House 106 to 4 (details)

To exempt low stakes card games (25-cent maximum “ante” and $5 maximum "pot" and initial entry buy-in) in government (but not private) senior centers from state prohibitions on (private) gambling. Under current law the exemption applies only to senior citizen housing facilities.

Received in the Senate

April 17, 2012

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

May 22, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 6, 2012

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To exempt low stakes card games (25-cent maximum “ante” and $5 maximum "pot" and initial entry buy-in) in government (but not private) senior centers from state prohibitions on (private) gambling. Under current law the exemption applies only to senior citizen housing facilities.