HB 2197 Summary

• Amends the definition of "advance gambling activity" to remove the provision that a person advances gambling activity by playing or participating in any form of gambling activity.

• Changes the mental state requirement for promoting gambling in the first degree from "knowingly" to "recklessly" and upgrades the offense from a class C felony to a class B felony.

• Changes the mental state requirement for promoting gambling in the second degree from "knowingly" to "negligently" and upgrades the offense from a misdemeanor to a class C felony.

• Excludes promoting gambling in the first and second degree from eligibility for deferred acceptance of guilty plea or nolo contendere plea.

• Amends the gambling offense to remove "advancing any gambling activity" from the definition, leaving only knowing participation in gambling activities as prohibited.