NY A01455

Proposes amendment to New York State Constitution to permit employees of eligible organizations to participate in managing or operating games of chance (bingo, lotto, and chance-based games) and receive compensation for such work.

Allows cities, towns, and villages to authorize games of chance through voter approval, limited to bona fide religious, charitable, and non-profit veteran or volunteer firefighter organizations.

Restricts single prize limits to $250 and aggregate prizes per occasion to $1,000, with all net proceeds devoted exclusively to lawful purposes of authorized organizations.

Requires the legislature to pass implementing laws ensuring rigid regulation to prevent commercialized gambling and criminal participation while establishing procedures for municipalities to rescind or revoke authorization.

Amendment must be referred to the first regular legislative session following the next general assembly election and published for three months prior to that election.