Bill > HB527

This bill establishes the Charitable Sports Raffle Act, which creates a new type of fundraising mechanism called an "athletic event drawing" for nonprofit organizations affiliated with athletic teams. The bill allows these affiliated nonprofit organizations to conduct 50/50 drawings during home games or team events, where the prize is 50 percent of the total ticket sales. Organizations must disclose the designated charitable organization benefiting from the drawing and donate the remaining 50 percent of ticket sales to that charity within seven days. Ticket sales are restricted to individuals 18 and older, and only one drawing can be conducted per home game or team event. The bill defines specific rules about where drawings can be held (only within spectator areas of the arena, stadium, or grandstand), who can conduct them, and sets clear penalties for violations, including civil penalties ranging from $500 for a first offense to $1,500 for subsequent offenses. Institutions of higher education can also conduct these drawings at their own athletic events, using proceeds for public interest purposes. Any unclaimed prizes must be donated to the designated charitable organization within 30 days of the athletic team's season ending. The bill amends existing Virginia law to incorporate these new provisions into the state's charitable gaming regulations.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?251+sum+HB527