summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill permits raffle licensees to conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games. Under current law, municipalities where voters have approved a referendum to allow raffle games may license eligible organizations to conduct these games. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety regulates the conduct of these games. Under Article IV, Section VII, paragraph 2, subparagraph B of the State Constitution, and under the Raffles Licensing Law, eligible organizations may apply for a license to conduct raffles. Bona fide organizations or associations of veterans; churches or religious congregations and religious organizations; charitable, educational, and fraternal organizations; civic and service clubs; senior citizen associations and clubs; officially recognized volunteer fire companies; and officially recognized volunteer first aid or rescue squads are eligible to apply for a license. This bill permits eligible organizations to conduct Queen of Hearts raffle games. A "Queen of Hearts raffle" means a raffle game utilizing a Queen of Hearts raffle board onto which 54 thoroughly shuffled playing cards are placed facedown, side-by-side. Raffle tickets are placed into a ticket drum or other receptacle and a winning ticket is drawn at random. The participant holding the winning raffle ticket is entitled to "Search for the Queen of Hearts" by selecting one of the facedown playing cards. When the playing card selected is not the Queen of Hearts, the card is placed out of play, and the person is awarded a cash prize valued according to a certain schedule. The raffle drawings are conducted weekly until a person selects the Queen of Hearts. When a person selects the Queen of Hearts, that person will be awarded 50 percent of the prize, and the remainder of the prize will be retained by the licensee as proceeds from conducting the raffle. The bill directs the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to adopt the necessary rules and regulations for the conduct of Queen of Hearts raffle games.
AI Summary
This bill allows licensed organizations, which are typically non-profits like veteran groups, churches, charities, and civic clubs, to conduct a specific type of raffle game called a "Queen of Hearts raffle." This game involves a board with 54 shuffled playing cards placed face down, and a winner drawn from raffle tickets gets to pick a card to find the Queen of Hearts. If they don't find the Queen of Hearts, they receive a cash prize based on a schedule, and the game continues weekly until someone finds the Queen. When the Queen of Hearts is found, that player wins 50% of the prize, and the remaining 50% goes to the organization running the raffle. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission, a state body that oversees these types of games, will create the specific rules and regulations for how these Queen of Hearts raffles must be run.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (7)
Paul Kanitra (R)*,
Greg McGuckin (R)*,
Alex Sauickie (R)*,
Aura Dunn (R),
Don Guardian (R),
Gregory Myhre (R),
Brian Rumpf (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A284 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/284_I1.HTM |
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