HB3538 Summary

• Amends the Raffles and Poker Runs Act to expand the definition of "poker run" to include any prize-awarding event based on an element of chance, not limited to drawing playing cards, including dice runs and marble runs.

• Requires all counties (not just Cook County optionally) to establish licensing systems for poker run operations, with license fees capped at $25.

• Allows poker run licenses to be issued to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, veterans', or other not-for-profit organizations that have existed for 5 years, for purposes of providing financial assistance to individuals in hardship or maintaining organizational financial stability.

• Specifies that poker run licenses are issued by the county with jurisdiction over the key location (where prizes are awarded), and the license covers the entire poker run including all predetermined locations.

• Exempts poker runs from the manager bond requirement that applies to raffles, while maintaining separate record-keeping and reporting requirements for raffle operations.