Bill > HB4494

This bill amends Michigan's penal code to comprehensively regulate redemption game machines, particularly those that award stored value cards as prizes. The bill establishes detailed rules for these machines, including that they must involve some element of skill, limit prize values to $500 per game, and only award non-cash prizes like stored value cards, toys, or novelties. Key provisions include requiring independent gaming compliance laboratory certification of the machines, mandating specific notification tags on each machine explaining game rules and restrictions, and limiting establishments to 8 machines that award stored value cards. The bill also introduces new definitions for terms like "redemption game machine" and "some element of skill," and establishes penalties for tampering with machines. Businesses offering these machines must pay an annual $100 regulatory fee per machine, with proceeds going to the school aid fund. The bill provides legal protections for businesses by allowing them to assert compliance as an affirmative defense in legal proceedings and applies retroactively to January 1, 2022. The overall aim appears to be creating a regulated framework for skill-based arcade-style gaming machines while preventing them from becoming de facto gambling devices.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4494