|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the operation of video lottery games by licensed horse |
|
and greyhound racetrack operators, to a defense for the operation |
|
of video lottery by Indian tribes, to the authority of the Texas |
|
Lottery Commission and the Texas Racing Commission, and to the |
|
conduct of gambling in this state; providing penalties; authorizing |
|
fees. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. The legislature finds and declares the |
|
following: |
|
(1) The horse industry and agriculture industry have |
|
been vital components of this state's economy since the 19th |
|
century. |
|
(2) The horse industry is an important element of the |
|
state's unique fabric, and it is imperative that the legislature |
|
take steps to support this industry. |
|
(3) Live racing greatly benefits the horse industry of |
|
this state by providing critical financial and other support to |
|
horse shows and events, breeding programs, and employment in |
|
tourism and agricultural enterprises in this state. |
|
(4) The operation of video lottery games at horse |
|
racetracks in the neighboring states of Louisiana, New Mexico, and |
|
Oklahoma provides racetracks in those states with an insurmountable |
|
economic advantage over racetracks in this state, resulting in much |
|
larger purse amounts in those states than in this state. |
|
(5) The consequence of this economic disparity in |
|
purse amounts has been the exodus of horses, breeders, and other |
|
horse professionals to states with larger purse amounts, placing |
|
the horse industry in this state at an overwhelming disadvantage |
|
that threatens the very existence of a vital horse industry in this |
|
state. |
|
(6) Authorizing video lottery games at licensed horse |
|
and greyhound racetracks in this state will: |
|
(A) remedy this economic disparity by increasing |
|
the purse amounts in this state and delivering a huge economic |
|
stimulus to this state through increased infrastructure and |
|
employment in and around licensed racetracks and throughout this |
|
state; |
|
(B) increase horse showing and breeding |
|
programs; |
|
(C) increase employment in tourism; |
|
(D) support programs to foster horse and |
|
greyhound breeding; and |
|
(E) improve the living and working conditions of |
|
personnel who work in the horse industry. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 466.002, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Lottery Commission. |
|
(2) "Communication technology" means the methods used |
|
and the components employed to facilitate the transmission of |
|
information, including transmission and reception systems that |
|
transmit information through wire, cable, radio, microwave, light, |
|
optics, or computer data networks. |
|
(3) "Dedicated account" means a separate fiduciary |
|
financial account that is restricted under this chapter according |
|
to: |
|
(A) the source of the funds that may be deposited |
|
into the account; or |
|
(B) the enumerated purposes for which money from |
|
the account may be spent. |
|
(4) "Director" means a [the] director employed by the |
|
executive director under Section 467.031 [of the division]. |
|
(5) "Disable," with respect to video lottery |
|
terminals, means the process that causes a video lottery terminal |
|
to cease functioning on issuance of a shutdown command from the |
|
video lottery central system. |
|
(6) "Distribute," with respect to video lottery |
|
terminals, means the sale, lease, marketing, offer, or other |
|
disposition of a video lottery terminal, an electronic computer |
|
component of a video lottery terminal, the cabinet in which a video |
|
lottery terminal is housed, video lottery equipment, or video |
|
lottery game software intended for use or play in this state. |
|
(7) [(3)] "Division" means the lottery division |
|
established by the commission under Chapter 467. |
|
(8) "Electronic storage medium," with respect to video |
|
lottery, means the electronic medium on which the operation |
|
software for a game playable on a video lottery terminal is stored |
|
in the form of erasable programmable read only memory, data storage |
|
devices typically considered alterable but through software or |
|
hardware means have been rendered unalterable, compact disc-read |
|
only memory, flash random access memory, or other technology medium |
|
the commission approves for use in or with a video lottery terminal. |
|
(9) [(4)] "Executive director" means the executive |
|
director of the commission. |
|
(10) "Horsemen's organization" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 1.03, Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's |
|
Texas Civil Statutes). |
|
(11) "House-banked game" means a game of chance in |
|
which the house: |
|
(A) plays as a participant; |
|
(B) competes against all players, collects from |
|
all losers, and pays all winners; and |
|
(C) has an opportunity to win. |
|
(12) "Indian lands" means land described by Section |
|
47(f), Article III, Texas Constitution. |
|
(13) "Institutional investor" means: |
|
(A) a state or federal government pension plan; |
|
or |
|
(B) any of the following that meets the |
|
requirements of a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in 17 |
|
C.F.R. Section 230.144A and the rules adopted under that rule by the |
|
United States Securities and Exchange Commission: |
|
(i) a bank as defined by Section 3(a)(6), |
|
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78c), and the |
|
rules adopted under that Act by the United States Securities and |
|
Exchange Commission; |
|
(ii) an insurance company as defined by |
|
Section 2(a)(17), Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. Section |
|
80a-2); |
|
(iii) an investment company registered |
|
under Section 8, Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. Section |
|
80a-8); |
|
(iv) an employee benefit plan or pension |
|
fund subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 |
|
(29 U.S.C. Section 1001 et seq.), excluding an employee benefit |
|
plan or pension fund sponsored by a publicly traded corporation |
|
registered with the United States Securities and Exchange |
|
Commission; |
|
(v) a group composed entirely of persons |
|
specified by this paragraph; or |
|
(vi) any other person the commission |
|
recognizes as an institutional investor for reasons consistent with |
|
the policies expressed in this chapter. |
|
(14) [(5)] "Lottery" means the state lottery |
|
established and operated in accordance with the Texas Constitution |
|
under this chapter and includes the operation of a state-controlled |
|
video lottery system [procedures operated by the state under this
|
|
chapter through which prizes are awarded or distributed by chance
|
|
among persons who have paid, or unconditionally agreed to pay, for a
|
|
chance or other opportunity to receive a prize]. |
|
(15) [(6)] "Lottery game" means an activity conducted |
|
in accordance with the Texas Constitution and this chapter that is |
|
controlled by this state as part of the lottery and through which |
|
prizes are awarded or distributed by chance to persons who have paid |
|
or unconditionally agreed to pay, or who otherwise participate in a |
|
game, for a chance or other opportunity to receive a prize [includes
|
|
a lottery activity]. |
|
(16) [(7)] "Lottery operator" means a person selected |
|
under Section 466.014(b) to operate a lottery game. |
|
(17) "Manufacture," with respect to video lottery |
|
terminals, means to design, assemble, fabricate, produce, program, |
|
or make modifications to a video lottery terminal, an electronic |
|
computer component of a video lottery terminal, the cabinet in |
|
which a video lottery terminal is housed, video lottery equipment, |
|
or video lottery game software intended for use or play in this |
|
state. |
|
(18) "Net terminal income" means the total amount of |
|
money paid to play video lottery games less the value of all |
|
credits, including any progressive prizes and bonuses, redeemed by |
|
the players of the video lottery games at a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment. The deductions from the total may not include |
|
promotional prizes unrelated to video lottery game wagers. |
|
(19) "Pari-mutuel license holder" means a person |
|
licensed to conduct wagering on a greyhound race or a horse race |
|
under the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil |
|
Statutes). |
|
(20) "Performance horse development fund" means an |
|
account dedicated to certain non-racing horse activities in this |
|
state into which a portion of net terminal income is deposited as |
|
provided by Subchapter K. |
|
(21) "Person" means, for purposes of video lottery |
|
operations, any natural person, corporation, association, trust, |
|
partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, subsidiary, or |
|
other entity, regardless of its form, structure, or nature. |
|
(22) [(8)] "Player" means a person who contributes any |
|
part of the consideration for a ticket or to play a video lottery |
|
game under this chapter. |
|
(23) "Racetrack" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
1.03, Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil |
|
Statutes). |
|
(24) "Racing facilities agreement" means a written |
|
agreement that: |
|
(A) specifies the amount of money or the |
|
percentage of revenue to be transferred by a racetrack and from the |
|
applicable Texas canine development fund or Texas equine |
|
development fund to the racing facilities capital improvement |
|
account; and |
|
(B) provides a plan for the use of the money |
|
deposited in the account. |
|
(25) [(9)] "Sales agent" or "sales agency" means a |
|
person licensed under this chapter to sell tickets. |
|
(26) "Slot machine" means a mechanical, electrical, or |
|
other type of device, contrivance, or machine not connected to the |
|
video lottery central system that plays or operates on insertion of |
|
a coin, currency, token, or similar object or on payment of any |
|
other consideration, and the play or operation of which, through |
|
the skill of the operator, by chance, or both, may deliver to the |
|
person playing or operating the machine, or entitle the person to |
|
receive, cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens, or any other thing of |
|
value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or |
|
in any other manner. The term does not include any equipment, |
|
machine, technological aid, or other device used or authorized in |
|
connection with the play of bingo under Chapter 2001, Occupations |
|
Code, or authorized under other law. |
|
(27) "State horse breed registry" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 1.03, Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's |
|
Texas Civil Statutes). The term includes the organizations |
|
identified in Section 9.02, Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, |
|
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). |
|
(28) "Substantial interest holder" means any of the |
|
following that is not a bona fide lender, bank, or other authorized |
|
or licensed lending institution that holds a mortgage or other lien |
|
acquired in the ordinary course of business or a vendor of the |
|
applicant or license holder that is not otherwise a substantial |
|
business holder: |
|
(A) a person who directly, indirectly, or |
|
beneficially owns any interest in a privately owned corporation, |
|
association, trust, partnership, limited partnership, joint |
|
venture, subsidiary, or other entity, regardless of its form, |
|
structure, or nature; |
|
(B) a person who directly, indirectly, or |
|
beneficially owns 10 percent or more of any publicly owned |
|
corporation, association, trust, partnership, limited partnership, |
|
joint venture, subsidiary, or other entity, regardless of its form, |
|
structure, or nature; |
|
(C) a person associated with an applicant or |
|
license holder who the commission determines has the power or |
|
authority to: |
|
(i) control the activities of the applicant |
|
or license holder; or |
|
(ii) elect or select the executive |
|
director, the managers, the partners, or a majority of the board of |
|
directors of the applicant or license holder; and |
|
(D) any key personnel of a video lottery retailer |
|
or video lottery manager, including an executive director, officer, |
|
director, manager, member, partner, limited partner, executive, |
|
employee, or agent, who the commission determines has the power to |
|
exercise significant influence over decisions concerning any part |
|
of the applicant's or license holder's business operation. |
|
(29) "Texas canine development fund" means, for a |
|
greyhound racetrack that operates a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment, the dedicated account in which a portion of the net |
|
terminal income is deposited as provided by Subchapter K. |
|
(30) "Texas equine development fund" means, for a |
|
horse racetrack that operates a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment, the dedicated account in which a portion of the net |
|
terminal income is deposited as provided by Subchapter K. |
|
(31) [(10)] "Ticket" means any tangible evidence |
|
issued to provide participation in a lottery game authorized by |
|
this chapter other than a video lottery game. |
|
(32) "Video lottery central system" means the system |
|
of procedures and facilities operated and controlled by the |
|
commission that is designed to link together all video lottery |
|
terminals operated in this state and allows the commission to |
|
continuously monitor the activity of each video lottery terminal |
|
and to disable any video lottery terminal in this state. |
|
(33) "Video lottery central system provider" means a |
|
person that, under a contract with the commission, provides the |
|
video lottery central system. |
|
(34) "Video lottery equipment" means: |
|
(A) a video lottery terminal; |
|
(B) equipment, a component, or a contrivance used |
|
remotely or directly in connection with a video lottery terminal |
|
to: |
|
(i) affect the reporting of gross revenue |
|
and other accounting information, including a device for weighing |
|
and counting money; |
|
(ii) provide accounting, player tracking, |
|
bonuses, and in-house or wide-area prizes; |
|
(iii) monitor video lottery terminal |
|
operations; and |
|
(iv) provide for the connection of video |
|
lottery terminals to the video lottery central system; or |
|
(C) any other communications technology or |
|
equipment necessary for the operation of a video lottery terminal. |
|
(35) "Video lottery game" means an |
|
electromechanically or electronically simulated game displayed on |
|
a video lottery terminal the outcome of which is determined solely |
|
by chance based on a computer-generated random selection of winning |
|
combinations of symbols or numbers other than typical roulette, |
|
dice, or baccarat game themes associated with casino gambling, |
|
except that game themes displaying symbols that appear to roll on |
|
drums to simulate a classic casino slot machine or themes of other |
|
card games and keno may be used. The term includes video lottery |
|
games linked together between two or more video lottery terminals |
|
in one or more video lottery terminal establishments to provide |
|
progressive payments to winners of video lottery games. |
|
(36) "Video lottery manager" means a person who is |
|
licensed by the commission under this chapter to manage a video |
|
lottery terminal establishment. |
|
(37) "Video lottery retailer" means a racetrack or the |
|
operator of the premises of a pari-mutuel license holder at which a |
|
video lottery terminal establishment is located and that holds a |
|
video lottery retailer license under Subchapter K. |
|
(38) "Video lottery system" has the meaning assigned |
|
to that term by Section 47a, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
|
(39) "Video lottery terminal" means an interactive |
|
electronic device that is capable of displaying video lottery |
|
games. |
|
(40) "Video lottery terminal establishment" means |
|
premises at which the operation of video lottery terminals is |
|
authorized by the commission under this chapter in accordance with |
|
a license. |
|
(41) "Video lottery terminal provider" means a person |
|
in the business of manufacturing or distributing video lottery |
|
terminals in this state. |
|
(42) "Video lottery ticket" means the evidence issued |
|
by a video lottery terminal to reflect a credit balance from the |
|
play of a video lottery game. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 466.003(b), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) Any [A] contract or authorized agreement between the |
|
division and a lottery operator, the video lottery central system |
|
provider, a video lottery terminal provider, or a manufacturer or |
|
distributor of video lottery games under Section 466.014(b) must |
|
contain a provision allowing the contract or authorized agreement |
|
to be terminated without penalty should the division be abolished |
|
unless another state agency is assigned to regulate all video |
|
lottery game activity as required by this chapter. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 466.004(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A political subdivision of this state may not impose: |
|
(1) a tax on the sale of a ticket; |
|
(2) a tax on the payment of a prize under this chapter; |
|
[or] |
|
(3) an ad valorem tax on tickets; |
|
(4) a tax, fee, or other assessment on consideration |
|
paid to play a video lottery game; or |
|
(5) a tax or fee for attendance or admission to a video |
|
lottery establishment or a racetrack at which a video lottery |
|
establishment is located unless specifically authorized by |
|
statute. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 466.014, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.014. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION AND EXECUTIVE |
|
DIRECTOR; CONTRACT AUTHORITY. (a) The commission and executive |
|
director have broad authority and shall exercise strict control and |
|
close supervision over [all] lottery games [conducted in this
|
|
state] to promote and ensure integrity, security, honesty, and |
|
fairness in the operation and administration of the lottery. |
|
(b) The executive director may contract with or employ a |
|
person to perform a function, activity, or service in connection |
|
with the operation of the lottery as prescribed by the executive |
|
director. A contract relating to the operation of video lottery |
|
must be consistent with Subchapter K. Except as provided by this |
|
subsection, a [A] person with whom the executive director contracts |
|
to operate a lottery game must be eligible for a sales agent license |
|
under this chapter [Section 466.155]. A person with whom the |
|
executive director contracts to provide the video lottery central |
|
system must be eligible under the same standards as those |
|
applicable to the registration or approval by the commission of a |
|
video lottery terminal provider in accordance with Subchapter K. |
|
(c) The executive director may award a contract for lottery |
|
supplies, equipment, or services, including a contract under |
|
Subsection (b), pending the completion of any investigation and |
|
licensing, registration, or other affirmative regulatory approval |
|
authorized or required by this chapter. A contract awarded under |
|
this subsection must include a provision permitting the executive |
|
director to terminate the contract without penalty if the |
|
investigation reveals that the person to whom the contract is |
|
awarded would not be eligible for a sales agent license under |
|
Section 466.155 or with regard to video lottery does not satisfy the |
|
applicable requirements for licensing, registration, or other |
|
affirmative regulatory approval under Subchapter K. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 466.015(b), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) The commission shall adopt rules to the extent they are |
|
not inconsistent with Chapters 551 and 552 governing the: |
|
(1) security for the lottery and the commission, |
|
including the development of an internal security plan; |
|
(2) apportionment of the total revenues from the sale |
|
of tickets and from all other sources in the amounts provided by |
|
this chapter; |
|
(3) enforcement of prohibitions on the sale of tickets |
|
to or by an individual younger than 18 years of age or the sale of a |
|
video lottery game to or by an individual younger than 21 years of |
|
age; [and] |
|
(4) enforcement of prohibitions on a person playing a |
|
lottery game by telephone; and |
|
(5) enforcement of prohibitions provided by law on the |
|
sale of any purchase or play of a video lottery game. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 466.017, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.017. AUDITS. (a) The commission [executive
|
|
director] shall provide for a certified public accountant to |
|
conduct an independent audit of the commission's annual financial |
|
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing |
|
standards and to provide a written opinion on the conformity of the |
|
financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles |
|
[for each fiscal year of all accounts and transactions of the
|
|
lottery]. The certified public accountant may not have[, as
|
|
determined by the executive director,] a significant financial |
|
interest in a sales agent, lottery vendor, [or] lottery operator, |
|
video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, video lottery |
|
terminal provider, or video lottery central system provider. The |
|
certified public accountant shall present an audit report to the |
|
executive director, the commission, the governor, the comptroller, |
|
and the legislature not later than the 30th day after the submission |
|
date for the annual financial report required by the General |
|
Appropriations Act. [The report must contain recommendations to
|
|
enhance the earnings capability of the lottery and improve the
|
|
efficiency of lottery operations.] The state auditor may review |
|
the results of and working papers related to the audit. |
|
(b) The records of a [Each] lottery operator, sales agent, |
|
video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, video lottery |
|
terminal provider, or video lottery central system provider |
|
[operator's and sales agent's records] are subject to audit by the |
|
commission and the state auditor. For the purpose of carrying out |
|
this chapter, the executive director or state auditor may examine |
|
all books, records, papers, or other objects that the executive |
|
director or state auditor determines are necessary for conducting a |
|
complete examination under this chapter and may also examine under |
|
oath any officer, director, or employee of a lottery operator, [or] |
|
sales agent, video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, video |
|
lottery terminal provider, or video lottery central system |
|
provider. The executive director or state auditor may conduct an |
|
examination at the principal office or any other office of the |
|
person subject to the audit [lottery operator or sales agent] or may |
|
require the person [lottery operator or sales agent] to produce the |
|
records at the office of the commission or state auditor. If a |
|
sales agent, video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, video |
|
lottery terminal provider, or video lottery central system provider |
|
refuses to permit an examination or to answer any question |
|
authorized by this subsection, the executive director may summarily |
|
suspend the license or certificate of registration of the sales |
|
agent, video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, or video |
|
lottery terminal provider under Section 466.160 or Subchapter K |
|
until the examination is completed as required. Section 321.013(h) |
|
does not apply to an audit of a lottery operator, [or] sales agent, |
|
video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, video lottery |
|
terminal provider, or video lottery central system provider. |
|
(c) To protect the state's financial interest, the |
|
commission shall adopt reporting, monitoring, and auditing |
|
requirements for revenue generated by video lottery games that is |
|
distributed to or used by an organization through an allocation |
|
specified under Subchapter K. |
|
(d) The commission may adopt the requirements for an |
|
organization described by Subsection (c) only after consultation |
|
with the organization. In adopting the requirements, the commission |
|
shall give consideration to the concerns of the organization. |
|
(e) An organization described by Subsection (c) shall |
|
annually file with the commission a copy of an audit, conducted by |
|
an independent certified public accountant, on the receipt and use |
|
by the organization of the revenue generated by video lottery |
|
games. |
|
(f) The commission may review any records or books of an |
|
organization submitting an audit to the commission as required |
|
under Subsection (e) as the commission determines necessary to |
|
confirm or further investigate the findings of the audit. |
|
(g) The commission, after notice and a hearing in accordance |
|
with Chapter 2001, may suspend or prohibit the transfer of money to |
|
an organization under Subchapter K if: |
|
(1) the commission determines the organization has |
|
failed to comply with the requirements adopted under Subsection |
|
(c); or |
|
(2) following the audit required under Subsection (e), |
|
the commission determines that material questions have been raised |
|
on the use of the money by the organization. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 466.018, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.018. INVESTIGATIONS. The attorney general, the |
|
district attorney for Travis County, or the district attorney, |
|
criminal district attorney, or county attorney performing the |
|
duties of district attorney for the county in which the violation or |
|
alleged violation occurred may investigate a violation or alleged |
|
violation of this chapter and of the penal laws of this state by the |
|
commission or its employees, a sales agent, a lottery vendor, [or] a |
|
lottery operator, a video lottery manager, a video lottery |
|
retailer, a video lottery terminal provider, or a video lottery |
|
central system provider. |
|
SECTION 9. Sections 466.020(c), (d), and (e), Government |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) A security officer or investigator employed by the |
|
department of security or a peace officer who is working in |
|
conjunction with the commission or the Department of Public Safety |
|
in the enforcement of this chapter may: |
|
(1) [,] without a search warrant, [may] search and |
|
seize a lottery vending machine, lottery computer terminal, video |
|
lottery terminal, or other lottery or gaming equipment that is |
|
located on premises for which a person holds a sales agent, video |
|
lottery retailer, or video lottery manager license issued under |
|
this chapter; or |
|
(2) seize a lottery vending machine, lottery computer |
|
terminal, video lottery terminal, or other lottery or gaming |
|
equipment that is being used or is in the possession of any person |
|
in violation of this chapter. |
|
(d) The Department of Public Safety or any other state or |
|
local law enforcement agency in this state, at the commission's |
|
request and in accordance with an interagency agreement, shall |
|
perform a full criminal background investigation of a prospective |
|
deputy or investigator of the department of security. The |
|
commission shall reimburse the agency [Department of Public Safety] |
|
for the actual costs of an investigation. |
|
(e) At least once every two years, the executive director |
|
shall employ an independent firm that is experienced in security, |
|
including computer security and systems security, to conduct a |
|
comprehensive study of all aspects of lottery security, including: |
|
(1) lottery personnel security; |
|
(2) sales agent security; |
|
(3) lottery operator and vendor security; |
|
(4) security against ticket counterfeiting and |
|
alteration and other means of fraudulent winning; |
|
(5) security of lottery drawings; |
|
(6) lottery computer, data communications, database, |
|
and systems security; |
|
(7) lottery premises and warehouse security; |
|
(8) security of distribution of tickets; |
|
(9) security of validation and payment procedures; |
|
(10) security involving unclaimed prizes; |
|
(11) security aspects of each lottery game; |
|
(12) security against the deliberate placement of |
|
winning tickets in lottery games that involve preprinted winning |
|
tickets by persons involved in the production, storage, |
|
transportation, or distribution of tickets; [and] |
|
(13) security of video lottery retailers, video |
|
lottery managers, video lottery terminal providers, and video |
|
lottery central system providers; and |
|
(14) other security aspects of lottery operations, |
|
including video lottery game operations. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 466.022, Government Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), and |
|
(f) to read as follows: |
|
(b) In addition to commission records excepted from |
|
disclosure under Chapter 552, the following information is |
|
confidential and is exempt from disclosure: |
|
(1) security plans and procedures of the commission |
|
designed to ensure the integrity and security of the operation of |
|
the lottery; |
|
(2) information of a nature that is designed to ensure |
|
the integrity and security of the selection of winning tickets or |
|
numbers in the lottery, other than information describing the |
|
general procedures for selecting winning tickets or numbers; [and] |
|
(3) the street address and telephone number of a prize |
|
winner, if the prize winner has not consented to the release of the |
|
information; and |
|
(4) information and data relating to all system |
|
operations of video lottery games, including the operation of the |
|
video lottery system, security related to video lottery games, and |
|
commission plans and procedures intended to ensure the integrity |
|
and security of the operation of video lottery games. |
|
(c) Information that is confidential under Subsection |
|
(b)(4) includes information and data furnished to the commission |
|
under Subchapter K or that may be otherwise obtained by the |
|
commission from any source, including information that: |
|
(1) pertains to an applicant's criminal record, |
|
antecedents, and background; |
|
(2) is provided to the commission, a commission |
|
employee, or an investigator acting on behalf of the commission by a |
|
governmental agency or an informer or on the assurance that the |
|
information will be held in confidence and treated as confidential; |
|
(3) is obtained by the commission from a video lottery |
|
manager, video lottery retailer, video lottery terminal provider, |
|
or video lottery central system provider; or |
|
(4) is prepared or obtained by an agent or employee of |
|
the commission relating to a license, certificate of registration, |
|
or renewal application, a finding of suitability, or any other |
|
affirmative regulatory approval required under Subchapter K. |
|
(d) Information that qualifies as confidential under |
|
Subsection (b)(4) may be disclosed wholly or partly only as |
|
necessary to administer this chapter or under a court order. The |
|
commission, subject to appropriate procedures, may disclose the |
|
information and data to an authorized agent of a political |
|
subdivision of this state, the United States, another state or a |
|
political subdivision of another state, a tribal law enforcement |
|
agency, or the government of a foreign country. |
|
(e) For the annual report required under Section 466.016, |
|
the commission may disclose a compilation of statistical |
|
information that is otherwise confidential under Subsection (b)(4) |
|
if the compilation does not disclose the identity of an applicant, |
|
license or registration holder, or video lottery establishment. |
|
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, the |
|
information provided under Subsection (d) or (e) may not otherwise |
|
be disclosed without specific commission authorization. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 466.024, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.024. PROHIBITED GAMES. (a) The executive |
|
director, [or] a lottery operator, a video lottery manager, a video |
|
lottery retailer, a video lottery terminal provider, or a video |
|
lottery central system provider may not establish or operate a |
|
lottery game in which the winner is chosen on the basis of the |
|
outcome of a live sports event. |
|
(b) The [commission shall adopt rules prohibiting the] |
|
operation of any game using a video lottery machine or other |
|
gambling device that is not connected to the video lottery central |
|
system and regulated by this state as required by Section 47a, |
|
Article III, Texas Constitution, and this chapter is prohibited |
|
[machine]. |
|
(c) In this section, "sports[:
|
|
[(1) "Sports] event" means a football, basketball, |
|
baseball, or similar game, or a horse or dog race on which |
|
pari-mutuel wagering is allowed. |
|
[(2)
"Video lottery machine" or "machine" means any
|
|
electronic video game machine that, upon insertion of cash, is
|
|
available to play or simulate the play of a video game, including
|
|
video poker, keno, and blackjack, using a video display and
|
|
microprocessors in which the player may receive free games or
|
|
credits that can be redeemed for cash, coins, or tokens, or that
|
|
directly dispenses cash, coins, or tokens.] |
|
SECTION 12. Section 466.025, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.025. REPORTS OF TICKETS SOLD, NET TERMINAL INCOME, |
|
AND PRIZES AWARDED. For each lottery game, other than a video |
|
lottery game, after the last date on which a prize may be claimed |
|
under Section 466.408(d), the director shall prepare a report that |
|
shows the total number of tickets sold and the number and amounts of |
|
prizes awarded in the game. The report must be available for public |
|
inspection. For video lottery games, the director shall prepare a |
|
weekly report that shows net terminal income for the preceding |
|
week. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 466.103(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the executive |
|
director may not award a contract for the purchase or lease of |
|
facilities, goods, or services related to lottery operations to a |
|
person who: |
|
(1) would be denied a license as a sales agent under |
|
Section 466.155; or |
|
(2) with regard to video lottery equipment: |
|
(A) is not a registered video lottery terminal |
|
provider if registration is required; or |
|
(B) would be considered unsuitable to be a video |
|
lottery terminal provider under Subchapter K. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 466.151(b), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) The executive director may establish a provisional |
|
license or other classes of licenses necessary to regulate and |
|
administer the quantity and type of lottery games provided at each |
|
licensed location of a sales agent. |
|
SECTION 15. Subchapter E, Chapter 466, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 466.206 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.206. CRIMINAL HISTORY INVESTIGATION FOR VIDEO |
|
LOTTERY. Except as otherwise provided by this section and Sections |
|
466.020 and 466.201, a criminal history investigation of a video |
|
lottery retailer, video lottery manager, video lottery terminal |
|
provider, or video lottery central system provider is governed by |
|
commission rules adopted under Subchapter K. As applicable, the |
|
commission shall consider information obtained through a criminal |
|
history investigation conducted under the Texas Racing Act (Article |
|
179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). |
|
SECTION 16. Section 466.252, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.252. PLAYER [PURCHASE OF TICKET] AGREEMENT TO |
|
ABIDE BY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS. (a) By purchasing a ticket in a |
|
particular lottery game or participating as a player in a lottery |
|
game, a player agrees to abide by and be bound by the commission's |
|
rules and instructions, including the rules or instructions |
|
applicable to the particular lottery game involved. The player |
|
also acknowledges that the determination of whether the player is a |
|
valid winner is subject to: |
|
(1) the commission's rules, instructions, and claims |
|
procedures, including those developed for the particular lottery |
|
game involved; [and] |
|
(2) any validation tests established by the commission |
|
for the particular lottery game involved; and |
|
(3) the limitations and other provisions prescribed by |
|
this chapter. |
|
(b) If the lottery uses tickets, an abbreviated form of the |
|
rules or a reference to the rules may appear on the tickets. |
|
SECTION 17. Section 466.3011, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.3011. VENUE. Venue is proper in Travis County or |
|
any county in which venue is proper under Chapter 13, Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure, for: |
|
(1) an offense under this chapter; |
|
(2) an offense under the Penal Code, if the accused: |
|
(A) is a lottery operator, lottery vendor, sales |
|
agent, video lottery manager, video lottery retailer, video lottery |
|
terminal provider, video lottery central system provider, or |
|
employee of the division; and |
|
(B) is alleged to have committed the offense |
|
while engaged in lottery activities, including video lottery |
|
activities; or |
|
(3) an offense that involves property consisting of or |
|
including lottery tickets under Title 7 or 11, Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 18. Subchapter G, Chapter 466, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 466.3031 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.3031. UNAUTHORIZED OPERATION, USE, OR POSSESSION |
|
OF VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL. (a) A person may not operate, use, or |
|
possess a video lottery terminal unless the operation, use, or |
|
possession is expressly authorized by this chapter or other law. |
|
(b) Except for transport to or from a video lottery |
|
establishment and as provided by this chapter or other law, a person |
|
commits an offense if the person operates, uses, or possesses any |
|
video lottery terminal that is not at all times connected to the |
|
video lottery central system or that is used in any manner other |
|
than to generate revenue for this state or for the payment by the |
|
commission of administrative costs. An offense under this |
|
subsection is a felony of the third degree. |
|
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a video lottery |
|
retailer, video lottery manager, or registered or approved video |
|
lottery terminal provider may store or possess a video lottery |
|
terminal as authorized by the commission, and the commission may |
|
possess video lottery terminals for study and evaluation. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 466.305(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A sales agent, video lottery manager, or video lottery |
|
retailer, or an employee of a sales agent, video lottery manager, or |
|
video lottery retailer, commits an offense if the person |
|
intentionally or knowingly sells a ticket to another person or |
|
allows the person to play or conduct a game on a video lottery |
|
terminal by extending credit or lending money to the person to |
|
enable the person to purchase the ticket or play the game. |
|
SECTION 20. The heading to Section 466.3051, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.3051. SALE [OF TICKET] TO OR PURCHASE OF LOTTERY |
|
TICKET BY PERSON YOUNGER THAN 18; PLAY OF VIDEO LOTTERY GAME BY |
|
PERSON YOUNGER THAN 21 [YEARS OF AGE]. |
|
SECTION 21. Section 466.3051, Government Code, is amended |
|
by adding Subsections (a-1) and (b-1) and amending Subsections (b) |
|
through (f) to read as follows: |
|
(a-1) A video lottery manager, a video lottery retailer, or |
|
an employee of a video lottery manager or video lottery retailer |
|
commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly allows |
|
a person younger than 21 years of age to play a video lottery game. |
|
(b) An individual who is younger than 18 years of age |
|
commits an offense if the individual: |
|
(1) purchases a lottery ticket; or |
|
(2) falsely represents the individual to be 18 years |
|
of age or older by displaying evidence of age that is false or |
|
fraudulent or misrepresents in any way the individual's age in |
|
order to purchase a lottery ticket. |
|
(b-1) An individual who is younger than 21 years of age |
|
commits an offense if the individual: |
|
(1) plays a video lottery game; or |
|
(2) falsely represents the individual to be 21 years |
|
of age or older by displaying evidence of age that is false or |
|
fraudulent or misrepresents in any way the individual's age in |
|
order to play a video lottery game. |
|
(c) A person 18 years of age or older may purchase a lottery |
|
ticket to give as a gift to another person, including an individual |
|
younger than 18 years of age. |
|
(d) It is a defense to the application of Subsection (b) |
|
that the individual younger than 18 years of age is participating in |
|
an inspection or investigation on behalf of the commission or other |
|
appropriate governmental entity regarding compliance with this |
|
section. It is a defense to the application of Subsection (b-1) that |
|
the individual younger than 21 years of age is participating in an |
|
inspection or investigation on behalf of the commission or other |
|
appropriate governmental entity regarding compliance with this |
|
section. |
|
(e) An offense under Subsection (a) or (a-1) is a Class C |
|
misdemeanor. |
|
(f) An offense under Subsection (b) or (b-1) is punishable |
|
by a fine not to exceed $250. |
|
SECTION 22. Section 466.306, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.306. FORGERY; ALTERATION OF TICKET. (a) A person |
|
commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly alters |
|
or forges a ticket or video lottery ticket. |
|
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
|
degree unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the prize |
|
alleged to be authorized by the ticket or video lottery ticket |
|
forged or altered is greater than $10,000, in which event the |
|
offense is a felony of the second degree. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 466.309(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally |
|
or knowingly tampers with, damages, defaces, or renders inoperable |
|
any vending machine, electronic computer terminal, video lottery |
|
terminal or other video lottery equipment, or other mechanical |
|
device used in a lottery game. |
|
SECTION 24. The heading to Section 466.317, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.317. PROHIBITION AGAINST SALE OF CERTAIN LOTTERY |
|
TICKETS OR OPERATION OF CERTAIN VIDEO LOTTERY SYSTEMS. |
|
SECTION 25. Section 466.317, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (c) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(a-1) A person may not control or operate a video lottery |
|
system in this state except as provided by this chapter or other |
|
law. |
|
(c) A person commits an offense if the person violates this |
|
section. An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
|
degree [Class A misdemeanor]. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 466.355(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) The state lottery account is a special account in the |
|
general revenue fund. The account consists of all revenue received |
|
from the sale of tickets, license and application fees under this |
|
chapter, other than Subchapter K, and all money credited to the |
|
account from any other fund or source under law. Interest earned by |
|
the state lottery account shall be deposited in the unobligated |
|
portion of the general revenue fund. |
|
SECTION 27. Subchapter H, Chapter 466, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 466.360 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 466.360. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL REVENUE. Revenue |
|
generated from the operation of video lottery terminals is governed |
|
by Subchapter K and commission rules. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 466.402, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
|
(e) This section does not apply to the payment of prizes for |
|
video lottery games governed by Subchapter K. |
|
SECTION 29. Chapter 466, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subchapter K to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER K. VIDEO LOTTERY |
|
Sec. 466.501. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS. The |
|
legislature finds and declares the following: |
|
(1) The purpose and intent of this subchapter is to |
|
carry out the intent of the voters as established by the approval of |
|
Section 47a, Article III, Texas Constitution, to expand the |
|
revenue-generating ability of the state lottery by authorizing this |
|
state to operate a video lottery system consistent with public |
|
policy strictly limiting the expansion of gambling in this state. |
|
(2) Except as expressly authorized under other law, |
|
the people of this state intend to allow only state-regulated video |
|
lottery games to be conducted in this state and only in locations at |
|
which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted at racetracks. |
|
(3) The video lottery games operated at racetracks |
|
under this subchapter are regulated by this state in a manner that |
|
allows this state to continuously monitor all video lottery |
|
terminals and to disable any video lottery terminal for the |
|
protection of the public and this state. |
|
(4) Through the video lottery system this state will |
|
monitor the network of video lottery terminals to ensure maximum |
|
security unique to state-regulated gambling. Except as may |
|
otherwise be provided by state or federal law governing gaming on |
|
Indian lands, each operating video lottery terminal in this state |
|
will be connected to a video lottery central system. |
|
(5) Limited gaming is intended to enhance live horse |
|
and greyhound racing, horse shows and events, horse and greyhound |
|
breeding programs, entertainment, and employment in tourism and |
|
agricultural industries of Texas and to assist this state's horse |
|
and greyhound racing industry, support programs intended to foster |
|
and promote horse and greyhound breeding, and improve the living |
|
and working conditions of personnel who work and reside in and |
|
around the stable and backside areas of racetracks. |
|
(6) In authorizing only a state-regulated and |
|
state-operated video lottery central system and state-regulated |
|
video lottery terminals in limited locations and continuing the |
|
general prohibition on gambling in this state as a matter of public |
|
policy, this state is protecting the state's legitimate interests |
|
by restricting such activity. By limiting the operation of video |
|
lottery terminals to those connected to the state-regulated video |
|
lottery system on certain land with certain types of games, the |
|
legislature seeks to foster this state's legitimate sovereign |
|
interest in regulating the growth of gambling activities in this |
|
state. |
|
(7) This subchapter is game-specific and may not be |
|
construed to allow the operation of any other form of gambling |
|
unless specifically allowed by this subchapter. This subchapter |
|
does not allow the operation of dice games, roulette wheels, |
|
house-banked games, including house-banked card games, or games in |
|
which winners are determined by the outcome of a live sports contest |
|
that are expressly prohibited under other state law. |
|
Sec. 466.502. CONSTRUCTION; APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS. |
|
(a) This subchapter applies uniformly throughout this state and |
|
all political subdivisions of this state. |
|
(b) To the extent of any inconsistency between this |
|
subchapter and the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas |
|
Civil Statutes), the Alcoholic Beverage Code, or other law, this |
|
subchapter controls. |
|
(c) To the extent of any inconsistency between Chapter 2003 |
|
and this subchapter or a commission rule governing video lottery |
|
terminals, this subchapter or the commission rule controls in all |
|
matters related to video lottery terminals. |
|
(d) Shipments of video lottery equipment operated under |
|
commission authority and this subchapter are exempt from 15 U.S.C. |
|
Sections 1171-1178. |
|
Sec. 466.503. CONDUCT RELATED TO OPERATION OF VIDEO LOTTERY |
|
TERMINALS BY INDIAN TRIBES. Notwithstanding any provision of this |
|
chapter, conduct authorized in connection with video lottery |
|
terminals under this subchapter, including conduct in which a |
|
person who holds a license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval under this |
|
subchapter is authorized to engage under the license, certificate |
|
of registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval, is also authorized for the conduct of video |
|
lottery terminals by Indian tribes that is allowed under other law. |
|
Sec. 466.504. AUTHORITY TO OPERATE VIDEO LOTTERY SYSTEM. |
|
The commission may implement and operate a video lottery system and |
|
regulate the operation of video lottery terminals at racetracks in |
|
accordance with this subchapter and the Texas Racing Act (Article |
|
179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). |
|
Sec. 466.505. VIDEO LOTTERY GAMES; STATE OWNERSHIP AND |
|
PROPRIETARY INTEREST. For purposes of this subchapter, this state |
|
may acquire a proprietary interest in video lottery game software |
|
through: |
|
(1) ownership of the software; or |
|
(2) an exclusive product license agreement with a |
|
provider in which the provider retains copyrighted ownership of the |
|
software but the license granted to this state is nontransferable |
|
and authorizes this state to operate the software program, solely |
|
for the state's own use, on the video lottery central system and |
|
video lottery terminals connected to the video lottery central |
|
system. |
|
Sec. 466.506. STATE CONTROL OF VIDEO LOTTERY SYSTEM. (a) |
|
In accordance with Section 47a, Article III, Texas Constitution, |
|
the commission shall control and regulate the video lottery system |
|
and the video lottery central system through which this state has |
|
the exclusive and unilateral ability to monitor activity of video |
|
lottery terminals and remotely disable video lottery terminals for |
|
the public safety, health, and welfare or the preservation of the |
|
integrity of the lottery and to prevent any financial loss to this |
|
state. |
|
(b) This section does not affect or restrict the ability of |
|
a video lottery manager or video lottery retailer to monitor |
|
activity of video lottery terminals and to disable video lottery |
|
terminals in accordance with commission rules. |
|
(c) The commission may disable a video lottery terminal if a |
|
video lottery retailer's or video lottery manager's license is |
|
revoked, surrendered, or summarily suspended under this subchapter |
|
and to prevent any financial loss to this state. |
|
Sec. 466.507. VIDEO LOTTERY CENTRAL SYSTEM. (a) The |
|
commission shall establish or cause to be established a video |
|
lottery central system to link all video lottery terminals in the |
|
video lottery system. The video lottery central system must |
|
provide the auditing, security, and other information required by |
|
the commission. |
|
(b) The commission shall provide to a registered or approved |
|
video lottery terminal provider or an applicant applying for |
|
registration or approval as a video lottery terminal provider the |
|
protocol documentation data necessary to enable the provider's or |
|
applicant's video lottery terminals to communicate with the |
|
commission's video lottery central system for transmission of |
|
auditing program information and for activation and disabling of |
|
video lottery terminals. |
|
(c) The video lottery central system design may not limit or |
|
preclude potential providers from providing state-of-the-art, |
|
industry-standard video lottery terminals and associated equipment |
|
such as player tracking systems, accounting systems, progressive |
|
systems, and bonusing systems, except for providers that fail to |
|
meet registration or approval specifications established by the |
|
commission. |
|
(d) The commission may contract with a video lottery central |
|
system provider to establish the video lottery central system. |
|
Sec. 466.508. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL PROVIDER: |
|
REGISTRATION OR APPROVAL REQUIRED. (a) A person may not |
|
manufacture or distribute video lottery equipment for use or play |
|
in this state unless the person is registered as a video lottery |
|
terminal provider or is otherwise approved by the commission to |
|
manufacture or distribute video lottery equipment in this state. A |
|
video lottery retailer may also hold a certificate of registration |
|
or other approval as a video lottery terminal provider under this |
|
section. |
|
(b) Unless suspended or revoked, the certificate of |
|
registration or approval expires on the date specified by the |
|
commission, which may not be later than the 10th anniversary of the |
|
date of the registration or approval. A person may renew an |
|
unexpired registration or approval by paying the required renewal |
|
fee and complying with the requirements of this subchapter and |
|
commission rule. |
|
(c) To be eligible for registration or approval as required |
|
by this section, an applicant must satisfy all applicable |
|
requirements under this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.509. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL PROVIDER: |
|
APPLICATION; CHANGE IN INFORMATION. (a) The commission shall |
|
adopt rules governing the registration or approval of video lottery |
|
terminal providers and the information an applicant must provide to |
|
the commission. The rules must require the application and any |
|
other form or document submitted to the commission by or on behalf |
|
of the applicant to determine the applicant's qualification under |
|
this section to be sworn to or affirmed before an officer qualified |
|
to administer oaths. |
|
(b) The applicant must demonstrate the ability to comply |
|
with all manufacturing, quality control, and operational |
|
restrictions imposed on authorized video lottery equipment, |
|
patented or otherwise restricted video lottery games, or other |
|
video lottery equipment that the applicant seeks to manufacture or |
|
distribute for use in this state. The registration or approval |
|
process must include an on-site review of the applicant's |
|
manufacturing equipment and process for each separate type of |
|
authorized video lottery equipment to ensure compliance with the |
|
requirements of this chapter and commission rules. |
|
(c) Not later than the 30th day after the date of any change |
|
in the information submitted on or with the application form, the |
|
applicant shall notify the commission of the change, including a |
|
change that occurs after the certificate of registration or other |
|
approval has been granted. |
|
(d) The applicant shall comply with all federal and state |
|
laws, local ordinances, and rules. |
|
Sec. 466.510. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL PROVIDER: APPLICATION |
|
FEE. (a) An applicant seeking registration or approval or renewal |
|
of registration or approval as a video lottery terminal provider |
|
must pay a nonrefundable application fee in the amount prescribed |
|
by commission rule that is sufficient to pay the costs to the |
|
commission of administering and approving video lottery terminals. |
|
(b) Application fees paid under this section may only be |
|
appropriated to the commission to defray costs incurred in the |
|
administration and enforcement of this subchapter relating to the |
|
operation of video lottery terminals. |
|
Sec. 466.511. VIDEO LOTTERY RETAILER OR VIDEO LOTTERY |
|
MANAGER LICENSE REQUIRED. Except as specifically provided by other |
|
law, a person may not own or operate a video lottery terminal if the |
|
person does not satisfy the requirements of this subchapter and is |
|
not licensed by the commission to act as a video lottery retailer or |
|
video lottery manager. |
|
Sec. 466.512. VIDEO LOTTERY RETAILER OR VIDEO LOTTERY |
|
MANAGER: APPLICATION AND QUALIFICATION. (a) An applicant for a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager license must: |
|
(1) hold a valid racetrack or pari-mutuel license |
|
originally granted by the Texas Racing Commission under the Texas |
|
Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) on or |
|
before January 1, 2013, and the location for the video lottery |
|
terminal establishment must be in the county in which the license |
|
holder's racetrack was authorized to operate under that license; |
|
(2) have a valid and executed contract with a |
|
racetrack or pari-mutuel license holder who satisfies the |
|
requirements of Subdivision (1) to act as a video lottery manager |
|
for the racetrack subject to licensing under this subchapter; or |
|
(3) demonstrate to the commission's satisfaction that |
|
the applicant seeks to act as a video lottery manager for a |
|
federally recognized Indian tribe. |
|
(b) Each officer, partner, director, key employee, |
|
substantial interest holder, video lottery game operation |
|
employee, and owner of video lottery game operations must be |
|
eligible and maintain eligibility in accordance with this |
|
subchapter to be involved in video lottery games in this state. |
|
(c) The commission shall issue a video lottery retailer or |
|
manager license to an applicant who meets the criteria established |
|
by the commission rules. |
|
(d) The commission shall adopt rules to implement this |
|
section. |
|
Sec. 466.513. VIDEO LOTTERY RETAILER OR VIDEO LOTTERY |
|
MANAGER: APPLICATION FEE. (a) An applicant for a video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager license shall submit a |
|
nonrefundable application processing fee in the amount prescribed |
|
by commission rule that is sufficient and reasonable to pay the |
|
costs of determining the applicant's eligibility, not to exceed |
|
$5,000. |
|
(b) An application may not be processed until the applicant |
|
pays the application fee. If the application fee is not received by |
|
the 30th day after the date the commission notifies the applicant of |
|
the amount of the fee, the application is considered withdrawn and |
|
may not be considered by the commission. |
|
Sec. 466.514. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL ESTABLISHMENT |
|
LICENSE: REQUIREMENTS; LOCATION. (a) An applicant for a video |
|
lottery terminal establishment license must ensure that the |
|
facility for the establishment will comply with all applicable |
|
building codes and rules of the commission. The rules adopted by |
|
the commission relating to facilities for video lottery |
|
establishments must relate solely to this state's interest in the |
|
operation of video lottery terminals. |
|
(b) A video lottery terminal establishment shall provide |
|
office space for the commission sufficient for at least one |
|
commission employee. |
|
(c) An applicant for a video lottery terminal establishment |
|
license or a license holder shall provide the information required |
|
by commission rule relating to the applicant's or license holder's |
|
video lottery terminal establishment and update the information at |
|
least annually. |
|
(d) Notwithstanding Section 466.155, the commission may not |
|
deny, suspend, or revoke a license under this subchapter based on |
|
the fact that a video lottery terminal establishment or a proposed |
|
video lottery terminal establishment is a location for which a |
|
person holds a wine and beer retailer's permit, mixed beverage |
|
permit, mixed beverage late hours permit, private club registration |
|
permit, or private club late hours permit, issued under Chapter 25, |
|
28, 29, 32, or 33, Alcoholic Beverage Code. |
|
(e) A video lottery terminal establishment may be located |
|
only at the premises of a racetrack. |
|
(f) Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b) and on request |
|
of an applicant for a video lottery terminal establishment license, |
|
the commission by rule shall authorize the applicant, on receipt of |
|
a license issued under this chapter to operate a video lottery |
|
terminal establishment at a racetrack that meets the requirements |
|
of Section 466.538, to construct temporary facilities to house and |
|
operate video lottery equipment for not more than two years. A |
|
racetrack that is granted a waiver described by Section 466.538(h) |
|
is considered to meet the requirements of Section 466.538 for |
|
purposes of this subsection. |
|
Sec. 466.515. LICENSE HOLDER AS SALES AGENT. The holder of |
|
a video lottery retailer or video lottery manager license may |
|
operate as a sales agent for lottery tickets in accordance with this |
|
chapter. |
|
Sec. 466.516. TERM; RENEWAL ELIGIBILITY. (a) Unless |
|
suspended or revoked, a license, certificate of registration, |
|
finding of suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval |
|
issued under this subchapter, other than a video lottery retailer |
|
license, expires on the date specified in the license, certificate |
|
of registration, finding, or approval, which may not be later than |
|
the 10th anniversary of the date of issuance. |
|
(b) A video lottery retailer license is valid for the same |
|
term as the retailer's racetrack or pari-mutuel license issued |
|
under the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil |
|
Statutes) unless suspended or revoked. The commission may charge |
|
an annual fee not to exceed $50,000 to the holder of a video lottery |
|
retailer license. |
|
(c) To be eligible for renewal of a license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval, an applicant must satisfy all applicable |
|
requirements under this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.517. RULES FOR ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS. The |
|
commission by rule may establish other license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or approval qualifications |
|
the commission determines are in the public interest and consistent |
|
with the declared policy of this state. |
|
Sec. 466.518. APPLICATION AS REQUEST FOR CHARACTER |
|
DETERMINATION. An application under this subchapter to receive or |
|
renew a license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval constitutes |
|
a request for a determination of the applicant's general character, |
|
integrity, and ability to participate or engage in or be associated |
|
with the operation of video lottery terminals. |
|
Sec. 466.519. IMMUNITY FOR STATEMENT MADE IN PROCEEDING OR |
|
INVESTIGATION. Any written or oral statement made in the course of |
|
an official commission proceeding or investigative activities |
|
related to an application for commission licensing, registration, |
|
suitability determination, or other affirmative regulatory |
|
approval under this subchapter, by any member or agent or any |
|
witness testifying under oath, that is relevant to the purpose of |
|
the proceeding is absolutely privileged and does not impose |
|
liability for defamation or constitute a ground for recovery in any |
|
civil action. |
|
Sec. 466.520. SUITABILITY FINDING. To promote the |
|
integrity and security of the video lottery system, the commission |
|
in its discretion may require a suitability finding for any person |
|
doing business with or in relation to the operation of video lottery |
|
terminals who is not otherwise required to obtain a license, |
|
certificate of registration, or approval from the commission for |
|
the person's video lottery-related operations. |
|
Sec. 466.521. SUMMARY SUSPENSION OF VIDEO LOTTERY RETAILER |
|
OR VIDEO LOTTERY MANAGER LICENSE; TERMINAL DISABLED. (a) The |
|
commission may summarily suspend the license of a video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager without notice or hearing if the |
|
commission finds the action is necessary to maintain the integrity, |
|
security, honesty, or fairness of the operation or administration |
|
of the lottery or to prevent financial loss to this state and: |
|
(1) the license holder fails to deposit money received |
|
from video lottery terminal operations as required by this |
|
subchapter or commission rule; |
|
(2) an event occurs that renders the license holder |
|
ineligible for a license under this subchapter; |
|
(3) the license holder refuses to allow the |
|
commission, the commission's agents, the state auditor, or the |
|
state auditor's designees to examine the license holder's books, |
|
records, papers, or other objects under Section 466.017; or |
|
(4) the executive director learns the license holder |
|
failed to disclose information that would, if disclosed, render the |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager ineligible for a |
|
license under this subchapter. |
|
(b) A summary suspension under this section must comply with |
|
the notice and procedure requirements provided by Section 466.160. |
|
(c) The commission may disable a video lottery terminal |
|
operated by a license holder under this subchapter at the time: |
|
(1) a proceeding to summarily suspend the license is |
|
initiated; |
|
(2) the commission discovers the license holder failed |
|
to deposit money received from video lottery terminal operations as |
|
required if the license is being summarily suspended under this |
|
section; or |
|
(3) an act or omission occurs that, under commission |
|
rules, justifies the termination of video lottery terminal |
|
operations to: |
|
(A) protect the integrity of the lottery or the |
|
public health, welfare, or safety; or |
|
(B) prevent financial loss to this state. |
|
(d) The commission shall immediately disable a video |
|
lottery terminal if necessary to protect the public health, |
|
welfare, or safety. |
|
Sec. 466.522. LICENSING, REGISTRATION, SUITABILITY, AND |
|
REGULATORY APPROVAL AS REVOCABLE PERSONAL PRIVILEGES. (a) The |
|
purchaser or successor of a person who holds a license, certificate |
|
of registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval under this subchapter must independently |
|
qualify for a license, registration, suitability, or approval |
|
required by this subchapter. |
|
(b) Unless approved in advance by the commission, the |
|
license, certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or |
|
other affirmative regulatory approval of the holder is void on: |
|
(1) the transfer, sale, or other disposition of an |
|
interest in the holder that results in a change in the identity of a |
|
substantial interest holder; or |
|
(2) the sale of the assets of the holder, other than |
|
assets bought and sold in the ordinary course of business, or any |
|
interest in the assets, to any person not already determined to have |
|
met the applicable qualifications of this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.523. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL. The commission shall |
|
provide all video lottery retailers or video lottery managers with |
|
a list of registered video lottery terminal providers, video |
|
lottery games, and video lottery terminals authorized for operation |
|
under this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.524. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL: DISTRIBUTION AND |
|
COMMISSION APPROVAL. (a) A video lottery terminal provider may not |
|
distribute a video lottery terminal or other video lottery |
|
equipment for placement at a video lottery terminal establishment |
|
in this state unless the video lottery terminal or other video |
|
lottery equipment has been approved by the commission. |
|
(b) Only a video lottery terminal provider registered with |
|
or approved by the commission may apply for approval of a video |
|
lottery terminal or other video lottery equipment. |
|
(c) Not later than the 10th day before the date of shipment |
|
to a location in this state, a video lottery terminal provider shall |
|
file a report with the commission itemizing all video lottery |
|
terminals and other video lottery equipment to be provided to a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager in the shipment. |
|
Sec. 466.525. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL: TESTING; REPORT. (a) |
|
A video lottery terminal provider shall submit two copies of |
|
terminal illustrations, schematics, block diagrams, circuit |
|
analysis, technical and operation manuals, and any other |
|
information requested by the commission for the purpose of |
|
analyzing and testing the video lottery terminal or other video |
|
lottery equipment. |
|
(b) The commission may require a working model of a video |
|
lottery terminal to be provided to the commission unless the video |
|
lottery terminal provider provides a certification from an |
|
independent, commission-approved testing laboratory that the video |
|
lottery terminal is compatible with the state's video lottery |
|
system and functions as required by the commission. |
|
Sec. 466.526. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL: INSTALLATION; |
|
MODIFICATION REQUEST. (a) A video lottery terminal provider is |
|
responsible for the assembly and installation of all video lottery |
|
terminals and related video lottery equipment. |
|
(b) A video lottery terminal provider, video lottery |
|
retailer, or video lottery manager may not change the assembly or |
|
operational functions of a video lottery terminal authorized by the |
|
commission for placement in this state unless a request for |
|
modification of an existing video lottery terminal prototype is |
|
approved by the commission. The request must contain: |
|
(1) a detailed description of the type of change; |
|
(2) a detailed description of the reasons for the |
|
change; and |
|
(3) technical documentation of the change. |
|
(c) A video lottery terminal approved by the commission for |
|
placement at a video lottery terminal establishment must conform to |
|
the specifications of the video lottery terminal prototype tested |
|
or approved by the commission. |
|
Sec. 466.527. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL REMOVAL. (a) If any |
|
video lottery terminal that has not been approved by the commission |
|
is distributed by a video lottery terminal provider or operated by a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager or if an approved |
|
video lottery terminal malfunctions, the commission shall require |
|
the terminal to be removed from use and play. |
|
(b) The commission may order that an unapproved terminal be |
|
seized and destroyed. |
|
(c) The commission may suspend or revoke the license of a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager or the registration |
|
or approval of a video lottery terminal provider for the |
|
distribution, possession, or operation of an unauthorized video |
|
lottery terminal. |
|
(d) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager may |
|
retain on the premises of a video lottery establishment a number of |
|
machines that the retailer or manager determines is necessary for |
|
spare parts or repair purposes or as replacements. The retailer or |
|
manager must provide to the commission each month a list of the |
|
terminals retained under this subsection. |
|
Sec. 466.528. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL SPECIFICATIONS. (a) |
|
The commission shall adopt rules for approval of video lottery |
|
terminals, including requirements for video lottery game tickets, |
|
maximum and minimum payout, and maximum wagers. |
|
(b) A commission-approved video lottery terminal must meet |
|
the following minimum specifications: |
|
(1) the terminal must: |
|
(A) operate through a player's insertion of a |
|
coin, currency, voucher, or token into the video lottery terminal |
|
that causes the video lottery terminal to display credits that |
|
entitle the player to select one or more symbols or numbers or cause |
|
the video lottery terminal to randomly select symbols or numbers; |
|
(B) allow the player to win additional game play |
|
credits, coins, or tokens based on game rules that establish the |
|
random selection of winning combinations of symbols or numbers and |
|
the number of free play credits, coins, or tokens to be awarded for |
|
each winning combination; and |
|
(C) allow the player at any time to clear all game |
|
play credits and receive a video lottery ticket or other |
|
representation of credits entitling the player to receive the cash |
|
value of those credits; |
|
(2) a surge protector must be installed on the |
|
electrical power supply line to each video lottery terminal, a |
|
battery or equivalent power backup for the electronic meters must |
|
be capable of maintaining the accuracy of all accounting records |
|
and video lottery terminal status reports for a period of 180 days |
|
after power is disconnected from the video lottery terminal, and |
|
the power backup device must be in the compartment specified in |
|
Subdivision (4); |
|
(3) the operation of each video lottery terminal may |
|
not be adversely affected by any static discharge or other |
|
electromagnetic interference; |
|
(4) the main logic boards of all electronic storage |
|
mediums must be located in a separate compartment in or from the |
|
video lottery terminal that is locked and sealed by the commission; |
|
(5) the instructions for play of each game must be |
|
displayed on the video lottery terminal face or screen, including a |
|
display detailing the credits awarded for the occurrence of each |
|
possible winning combination of numbers or symbols; |
|
(6) communication equipment and devices must be |
|
installed to enable each video lottery terminal to communicate with |
|
the video lottery central system through the use of a |
|
communications protocol provided by the commission to each |
|
registered video lottery terminal provider, which must include |
|
information retrieval and programs to activate and disable the |
|
terminal; and |
|
(7) a video lottery terminal may be operated only if |
|
connected to the video lottery central system, and play on the |
|
terminal may not be conducted unless the terminal is connected to |
|
the video lottery central system. |
|
Sec. 466.529. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS: HOURS OF OPERATION; |
|
COMMUNICATION; LOCATION. (a) Except as otherwise provided by the |
|
commission, the hours of operation for video lottery terminals are |
|
subject to restrictions only as provided by commission rules. |
|
(b) The commission by rule may prescribe restrictions on the |
|
hours of video lottery terminal operations for purposes of |
|
accounting for and collecting revenue generated by video lottery |
|
terminal operations and performing other operational services on |
|
the video lottery system. |
|
(c) Communication between the video lottery central system |
|
and each video lottery terminal must be continuous and on a |
|
real-time basis as prescribed by the commission. |
|
(d) Except as provided by commission rule, placement or |
|
movement of video lottery terminals in a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment must be consistent with a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment floor plan filed with the commission. |
|
Sec. 466.530. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL: TRANSPORT; |
|
DISPOSITION OF OBSOLETE TERMINAL. (a) The transportation and |
|
movement of video lottery terminals into or within this state is |
|
prohibited, except as permitted by this subchapter and approved by |
|
the commission. |
|
(b) An obsolete video lottery terminal or a video lottery |
|
terminal that is no longer in operation must be promptly reported to |
|
the commission. |
|
Sec. 466.531. TRAVEL AND INVESTIGATION COSTS. The |
|
commission shall pay the travel and investigative expenses incurred |
|
under this subchapter from money appropriated to the commission. |
|
Sec. 466.532. CONSENT TO COMMISSION DETERMINATION. (a) An |
|
application for a license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval under this |
|
subchapter constitutes a request to the commission for a decision |
|
on the applicant's general suitability, character, integrity, and |
|
ability to participate or engage in or be associated with the |
|
lottery in the manner or position sought. |
|
(b) By filing an application with the commission, the |
|
applicant consents to the commission's decision at the commission's |
|
election when the application, after filing, becomes moot for any |
|
reason other than death. |
|
Sec. 466.533. ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OF COMMISSION. To protect |
|
the integrity of the lottery or the public health, welfare, or |
|
safety, or to prevent financial loss to this state, the commission |
|
has full and absolute power and authority, subject to Chapter 2001, |
|
to: |
|
(1) deny any application or limit, condition, |
|
restrict, revoke, or suspend any license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval; and |
|
(2) for cause fine any person licensed, registered, |
|
found suitable, or approved. |
|
Sec. 466.534. INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR. The commission shall |
|
adopt rules regarding a finding of suitability for an institutional |
|
investor in a person licensed under this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.535. EFFECT OF DENIAL OF LICENSE, CERTIFICATE OF |
|
REGISTRATION, FINDING OF SUITABILITY, OR APPROVAL. (a) A person |
|
whose application for a license, certificate of registration, |
|
finding of suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval |
|
has been denied may not have any interest in or association with a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager or any other |
|
business conducted in connection with video lottery without prior |
|
approval of the commission. |
|
(b) Any contract between a person holding a license, |
|
certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or other |
|
affirmative regulatory approval and a person denied a license, |
|
certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or other |
|
affirmative regulatory approval must be terminated immediately on |
|
receipt of notice from the commission. If the person denied a |
|
license, certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or |
|
other affirmative regulatory approval has previously been granted a |
|
temporary license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval, the |
|
temporary license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval expires |
|
immediately on denial of the permanent license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval. |
|
(c) Except as otherwise authorized by the commission, a |
|
person denied a license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval may not |
|
reapply for any license, certificate of registration, finding of |
|
suitability, or other affirmative regulatory approval before the |
|
second anniversary of the date of the denial. |
|
Sec. 466.536. PRACTICE BY VIDEO LOTTERY RETAILER OR VIDEO |
|
LOTTERY MANAGER. A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager |
|
must: |
|
(1) be aware of patron conditions and prohibit play by |
|
visibly intoxicated patrons; |
|
(2) comply with state alcoholic beverage control laws; |
|
(3) at all times maintain sufficient change and cash |
|
in denominations accepted by video lottery terminals; |
|
(4) promptly report all video lottery terminal |
|
malfunctions and downtime; |
|
(5) install, post, and display prominently any |
|
material required by the commission; |
|
(6) prohibit illegal gambling and any related |
|
paraphernalia; |
|
(7) except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, |
|
at all times prohibit money lending or other extensions of credit at |
|
the video lottery terminal establishment; |
|
(8) supervise employees and activities to ensure |
|
compliance with all commission rules and this subchapter; |
|
(9) maintain continuous camera coverage of all aspects |
|
of video lottery game operations, including video lottery |
|
terminals; and |
|
(10) maintain an entry log for each video lottery |
|
terminal on the premises of the video lottery terminal |
|
establishment and maintain and submit complete records on receipt |
|
of each video lottery terminal on the premises as determined by the |
|
commission. |
|
Sec. 466.537. RACETRACK REQUIREMENTS. (a) A video lottery |
|
retailer at all times must hold a valid racetrack or pari-mutuel |
|
wagering license issued by the Texas Racing Commission. |
|
(b) A video lottery retailer that meets the qualifications |
|
of Section 466.512(a)(1) is considered to meet the requirements of |
|
this section. |
|
Sec. 466.538. LIVE RACING REQUIREMENT. (a) "Class 1 |
|
racetrack," "class 2 racetrack," and "class 3 racetrack" have the |
|
meanings assigned by Section 6.02, Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, |
|
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). |
|
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a class 1 |
|
racetrack that operates a video lottery terminal establishment: |
|
(1) shall annually offer for pari-mutuel wagering on |
|
quarter horse and Thoroughbred races at that racetrack not fewer |
|
than the greater of: |
|
(A) the number of live racing days conducted by |
|
the racetrack for each breed in 2002; or |
|
(B) 50 live race days or 500 live races for each |
|
breed; and |
|
(2) may not conduct live racing on any day on which |
|
another horse racetrack located within a 100-mile radius of the |
|
racetrack conducts live racing for the same breed. |
|
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a class 2 |
|
racetrack that operates a video lottery terminal establishment: |
|
(1) shall annually offer for pari-mutuel wagering on |
|
quarter horse and Thoroughbred races at that racetrack not fewer |
|
than the greater of: |
|
(A) the number of live racing days conducted by |
|
the racetrack for each breed in 2002; or |
|
(B) 25 live race days or 250 live races for each |
|
breed; and |
|
(2) may not conduct live racing on any day on which |
|
another horse racetrack within a 100-mile radius of the racetrack |
|
conducts live racing for the same breed. |
|
(d) A class 1 or class 2 racetrack may conduct fewer live |
|
racing days or live races than required by Subsection (b) or (c) for |
|
any breed if the racetrack, the applicable officially recognized |
|
breed registry, and the officially recognized horsemen's |
|
organization for that breed enter into a written agreement to |
|
conduct fewer racing days or live races. |
|
(e) A class 2 or class 3 racetrack that operates a video |
|
lottery terminal establishment and that is located within a |
|
100-mile radius of a class 1 racetrack may not conduct a horse race |
|
in a manner that, for any breed, would result in: |
|
(1) an average daily purse amount that exceeds the |
|
average daily purse amount at the immediately preceding race |
|
meeting for that breed at the class 1 racetrack unless otherwise |
|
agreed to by both racetracks; or |
|
(2) total purse amounts for that race meeting that |
|
exceed the total purse amounts for the immediately preceding race |
|
meeting for that breed at the class 1 racetrack unless otherwise |
|
agreed to by both racetracks. |
|
(f) A class 2 or class 3 racetrack subject to Subsection (e) |
|
shall transfer any purse money in the Texas equine development fund |
|
for that racetrack in excess of the maximum purse amounts |
|
authorized under Subsection (e) to the horsemen's organization for |
|
the same breed at the class 1 racetrack within the specified radius |
|
for use by the organization, unless the class 1 racetrack and the |
|
horsemen's organization agree to allow some or all of the excess |
|
purse money to be transferred and used for the same breed by the |
|
horsemen's organization at another racetrack or racetracks. |
|
(g) A greyhound racetrack that operates a video lottery |
|
terminal establishment shall offer not fewer than 420 live |
|
greyhound racing performances in each calendar year, unless |
|
otherwise agreed to in writing by the racetrack and the officially |
|
recognized greyhound breed registry. For purposes of this |
|
subsection, "greyhound racing performance" means the consecutive |
|
running of not fewer than 12 greyhound races. |
|
(h) The Texas Racing Commission shall adopt rules to |
|
implement this section, including rules governing waiver of the |
|
requirements of this section due to fire, weather, absence of |
|
existing facilities required to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on |
|
live racing, or other events beyond the reasonable control of the |
|
pari-mutuel license holder. A waiver granted under this subsection |
|
for construction of a new racetrack facility: |
|
(1) expires on the second anniversary of the date of |
|
issuance; and |
|
(2) must include a provision that addresses the |
|
transfer of a portion of the revenue generated from the operation of |
|
the video lottery terminals as provided under this chapter to the |
|
applicable Texas equine development fund or Texas canine |
|
development fund during the term of the waiver. |
|
(i) If a racetrack is in violation of this section and is |
|
denied a waiver of the requirements of this section by the Texas |
|
Racing Commission, the racing commission shall: |
|
(1) require that, beginning on the date the request |
|
for the waiver is denied, the racetrack's share of net terminal |
|
income be placed in an escrow account and remain in that account |
|
until the racing commission approves its release; and |
|
(2) provide for the timely release of money from the |
|
escrow account for required payments of debt instruments, license |
|
fees, and other ordinary operating expenses. |
|
(j) The Texas Racing Commission may not approve the release |
|
of the remainder of the money in the escrow account after the |
|
payments authorized under Subsection (i)(2) until the racing |
|
commission certifies that, in the racing commission's judgment, the |
|
racetrack has taken the actions required by the racing commission |
|
to correct violations of this section. If the racing commission |
|
makes the certification before live racing resumes at the |
|
racetrack, it shall grant a waiver of the requirements of this |
|
section. The actions required by the racing commission to correct |
|
violations of this section must be a condition of the waiver and |
|
must include a period for completion of the specified actions. If |
|
the racetrack fails to adhere to the conditions of the waiver, the |
|
waiver is revoked. |
|
(k) A racetrack is ineligible to hold a video lottery |
|
terminal establishment license under this subchapter if: |
|
(1) the Texas Racing Commission denies a waiver of the |
|
requirements of this section; |
|
(2) the denial is not reversed after all appeals of |
|
that decision by that racetrack are final; and |
|
(3) the racetrack fails to take the actions required |
|
by the racing commission to correct violations of this section. |
|
Sec. 466.539. PRIZE RULES. The commission shall adopt |
|
rules governing: |
|
(1) the range of amounts a player may be charged to |
|
play each video lottery game; and |
|
(2) the range of prizes and credits that may be awarded |
|
to the player of a video lottery game. |
|
Sec. 466.540. VIDEO LOTTERY CENTRAL SYSTEM: COMMUNICATION |
|
TECHNOLOGY. The video lottery central system provider shall pay |
|
for the installation and operation of commission-approved |
|
communication technology to provide communication between each |
|
video lottery terminal and the video lottery central system. |
|
Sec. 466.541. RESPONSIBILITY FOR VIDEO LOTTERY GAME |
|
OPERATIONS. (a) A video lottery retailer or a video lottery |
|
manager, if applicable, is responsible for the management of video |
|
lottery game operations, including: |
|
(1) the validation and payment of prizes, |
|
determination of game themes, prizes, bonuses, progressives, |
|
number and placement of video lottery terminals, and individual pay |
|
out percentage settings; and |
|
(2) the management of cashiers, food and beverage |
|
workers, floor workers, security personnel, the security system, |
|
building completion, janitorial services, landscaping design, and |
|
maintenance. |
|
(b) Nothing in Subsection (a) limits the authority of the |
|
commission, the Department of Public Safety, or another law |
|
enforcement agency to administer and enforce this chapter as |
|
related to video lottery. |
|
(c) In addition to other requirements under this chapter |
|
relating to video lottery, a video lottery retailer or a video |
|
lottery manager at all times shall: |
|
(1) operate only video lottery terminals that are |
|
distributed by a registered or approved video lottery terminal |
|
provider and provide a secure location for the placement, |
|
operation, and play of the video lottery terminals; |
|
(2) prevent any person from tampering with or |
|
interfering with the operation of a video lottery terminal; |
|
(3) ensure that communication technology from the |
|
video lottery central system to the video lottery terminals is |
|
connected at all times and prevent any person from tampering or |
|
interfering with the operation of the connection; |
|
(4) ensure that video lottery terminals are in the |
|
sight and control of designated employees of the video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager and in the sight of video cameras |
|
as required under this subchapter; |
|
(5) ensure that video lottery terminals are placed and |
|
remain placed in the locations in the video lottery terminal |
|
establishment that are consistent with the retailer's or manager's |
|
floor plan; |
|
(6) monitor video lottery terminals to prevent access |
|
to or play by persons who are under 21 years of age or who are |
|
visibly intoxicated; |
|
(7) pay all credits won by a player on presentment of a |
|
valid winning video lottery game ticket; |
|
(8) install, post, and display prominently at the |
|
licensed location redemption information and other informational |
|
or promotional materials as required by the commission; |
|
(9) maintain general liability insurance coverage for |
|
the video lottery terminal establishment and all video lottery |
|
terminals in the amounts required by the commission; |
|
(10) assume liability for money lost or stolen from |
|
any video lottery terminal; and |
|
(11) annually submit an audited financial statement to |
|
the commission in accordance with generally accepted accounting |
|
principles. |
|
Sec. 466.542. TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR VIDEO LOTTERY |
|
EQUIPMENT. The commission by rule shall establish minimum |
|
technical standards for video lottery equipment that may be |
|
operated in this state. |
|
Sec. 466.543. INCIDENT REPORTS. (a) A video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager shall record all unusual |
|
occurrences related to gaming activity in a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment operated by the retailer or manager. |
|
(b) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager shall |
|
assign each material incident, without regard to materiality, a |
|
sequential number and, at a minimum, provide the following |
|
information in a permanent record prepared in accordance with |
|
commission rules to ensure the integrity of the record: |
|
(1) the number assigned to the incident; |
|
(2) the date and time of the incident; |
|
(3) the nature of the incident; |
|
(4) each person involved in the incident; and |
|
(5) the name of the employee or other agent of the |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager who investigated |
|
the incident. |
|
Sec. 466.544. EXCLUSION OF PERSONS. (a) The commission |
|
shall compile a list of persons that a video lottery retailer or |
|
video lottery manager must bar from a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment based on each person's criminal history or |
|
association with criminal offenders or because the person poses a |
|
threat to the integrity of the lottery. |
|
(b) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager shall |
|
employ the retailer's or manager's best efforts to exclude such |
|
persons from entry into the establishment. |
|
(c) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager may |
|
exclude a person for any reason not related to the person's race, |
|
sex, national origin, physical disability, or religion. |
|
(d) An individual who believes that he or she may be playing |
|
video lottery games on a compulsive basis may request that the |
|
individual's name be placed on the list compiled by the commission |
|
under Subsection (a). |
|
(e) All video lottery game employees shall receive training |
|
in identifying players with a compulsive playing problem. Signs |
|
and other materials shall be readily available to direct compulsive |
|
players to agencies that offer appropriate counseling. |
|
Sec. 466.545. REPORT ON LITIGATION. (a) A video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager shall report to the commission |
|
any litigation relating to the retailer's or manager's video |
|
lottery terminal establishment, including a criminal proceeding, a |
|
proceeding involving an issue related to racing activities that |
|
impact video lottery operations, or a matter related to character |
|
or reputation relevant to a person's suitability under this |
|
subchapter. |
|
(b) The report required under Subsection (a) must be filed |
|
not later than the fifth day after the date the video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager acquires knowledge of the |
|
litigation. |
|
Sec. 466.546. COMMISSION APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR PROCEDURES |
|
AND ACCOUNTING CONTROLS. (a) The commission's approval is |
|
required for all internal procedures and accounting controls of a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager. |
|
(b) The commission by rule shall establish general |
|
accounting and auditing requirements and internal control |
|
standards for video lottery retailers and video lottery managers. |
|
Sec. 466.547. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL EVENTS. A video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager shall keep a record of |
|
video lottery terminal events. The commission by rule shall |
|
determine what constitutes a video lottery terminal event for |
|
purposes of this section. |
|
Sec. 466.548. EMPLOYEE REPORTING. (a) On or before the |
|
15th day of each month, a video lottery retailer or video lottery |
|
manager shall submit to the commission an employee report for the |
|
video lottery terminal establishment operated by the retailer or |
|
manager. The report must provide the name, job title, date of |
|
birth, and social security number of each employee of the retailer |
|
or manager. |
|
(b) The employee report is confidential and may not be |
|
disclosed except under commission order or in accordance with |
|
Section 466.022(d). |
|
(c) The commission may conduct criminal history |
|
investigations for employees of video lottery retailers and video |
|
lottery managers. |
|
(d) The commission may prohibit an employee from performing |
|
any act relating to video lottery terminals if the commission finds |
|
that an employee has: |
|
(1) committed, attempted, or conspired to commit any |
|
act prohibited by this chapter; |
|
(2) concealed or refused to disclose any material fact |
|
in any commission investigation; |
|
(3) committed, attempted, or conspired to commit |
|
larceny or embezzlement; |
|
(4) been convicted in any jurisdiction of an offense |
|
involving or relating to gambling; |
|
(5) accepted employment in a position for which |
|
commission approval is required after commission approval was |
|
denied for a reason involving personal unsuitability or after |
|
failing to apply for a license or approval on commission request; |
|
(6) been prohibited under color of governmental |
|
authority from being present on the premises of any gaming |
|
establishment or any establishment where pari-mutuel wagering is |
|
conducted for any reason relating to improper gambling activity or |
|
for any illegal act; |
|
(7) wilfully defied any legislative investigative |
|
committee or other officially constituted body acting on behalf of |
|
the United States or any state, county, or municipality that sought |
|
to investigate alleged or potential crimes relating to gaming, |
|
corruption of public officials, or any organized criminal |
|
activities; or |
|
(8) been convicted of any felony or any crime |
|
involving moral turpitude. |
|
(e) The commission may prohibit an employee from performing |
|
any act relating to video lottery terminals based on a revocation or |
|
suspension of any gaming or wagering license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval or for any other reason the commission finds |
|
appropriate, including a refusal by a regulatory authority to issue |
|
a license, certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or |
|
other affirmative regulatory approval for the employee to engage in |
|
or be involved with the lottery or with regulated gaming or |
|
pari-mutuel wagering in any jurisdiction. |
|
(f) In this section, "employee" includes any person |
|
compensated by an applicant or the holder of a license, certificate |
|
of registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval under this subchapter as an agent, personal |
|
representative, consultant, or independent contractor for |
|
activities directly related to video lottery operations in this |
|
state. |
|
Sec. 466.549. REPORT OF VIOLATIONS. A person who holds a |
|
license, certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or |
|
other affirmative regulatory approval under this subchapter shall |
|
immediately report a violation or suspected violation of this |
|
chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter by any holder of a |
|
license, certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or |
|
other affirmative regulatory approval, by an employee of the |
|
holder, or by any person on the premises of a video lottery terminal |
|
establishment, whether or not associated with the holder. |
|
Sec. 466.550. SECURITY. (a) In addition to the security |
|
provisions applicable under Section 466.020, a video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager shall institute security |
|
procedures to ensure that: |
|
(1) all video lottery terminals are continuously |
|
monitored through the use of a closed-circuit television system |
|
that records activity for a continuous 24-hour period and all video |
|
tapes or other media used to store video images are retained for at |
|
least 30 days and made available to the commission on request; |
|
(2) access to video lottery terminal areas is |
|
restricted to persons who are at least 21 years of age; |
|
(3) the video lottery retailer or video lottery |
|
manager provides to the commission a security plan for the retailer |
|
or manager's video lottery operations that includes a floor plan of |
|
the area where video lottery terminals are to be operated showing |
|
video lottery terminal locations and security camera mount |
|
locations; and |
|
(4) each license holder employs at least the minimum |
|
number of private security personnel the commission determines is |
|
necessary to provide for safe and approved operation of the video |
|
lottery terminal establishment and the safety and well-being of the |
|
players. |
|
(b) Private security personnel must be present during all |
|
hours of operation at each video lottery terminal establishment. |
|
(c) An agent or employee of the commission or the Department |
|
of Public Safety or other law enforcement personnel may be present |
|
at a video lottery terminal establishment at any time. |
|
(d) The commission may adopt rules to impose additional |
|
surveillance and security requirements related to video lottery |
|
terminal establishments and the operation of video lottery |
|
terminals. |
|
Sec. 466.551. VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINAL ESTABLISHMENT: |
|
COMMISSION RIGHT TO ENTER. The commission, the commission's |
|
representative, the Texas Racing Commission, or a representative of |
|
the Texas Racing Commission, after displaying appropriate |
|
identification and credentials, has the free and unrestricted right |
|
to enter the premises of a video lottery terminal establishment and |
|
to enter any other locations involved in operation or support of |
|
video lottery at all times to examine the systems and to inspect and |
|
copy the records of a video lottery retailer or video lottery |
|
manager pertaining to the operation of video lottery. |
|
Sec. 466.552. INDEMNIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The holder of |
|
a license, certificate of registration, finding of suitability, or |
|
other affirmative regulatory approval shall indemnify and hold |
|
harmless this state, the commission, and all officers and employees |
|
of this state and the commission from any and all claims which may |
|
be asserted against the holder, the commission, this state, and the |
|
members, officers, employees, and authorized agents of this state |
|
or the commission arising from the holder's participation in the |
|
video lottery system authorized under this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.553. LIABILITY FOR CREDIT AWARDED OR DENIED; |
|
PLAYER DISPUTE. (a) This state and the commission are not liable |
|
for any video lottery terminal malfunction or error by a video |
|
lottery retailer, video lottery manager, or video lottery terminal |
|
provider that causes credit to be wrongfully awarded or denied to |
|
players. |
|
(b) Any dispute arising between a player and a video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager shall be resolved by the |
|
commission as follows: |
|
(1) if the fair market value of the prize is less than |
|
$1,000, the dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the |
|
commission-approved written policies of the video lottery retailer |
|
or video lottery manager and without any relief available from the |
|
commission or this state; or |
|
(2) if the fair market value of the prize is $1,000 or |
|
more, the dispute shall be resolved by the commission in the |
|
commission's sole discretion in accordance with commission rules. |
|
(c) A court of this state does not have jurisdiction to |
|
review the decision of the commission resolving a dispute between a |
|
player and a video lottery retailer, video lottery manager, or |
|
video lottery terminal provider. |
|
Sec. 466.554. STATE VIDEO LOTTERY ACCOUNT. (a) The |
|
commission shall deposit funds received under this subchapter to |
|
the state video lottery account. The state video lottery account is |
|
a special account in the general revenue fund. The account consists |
|
of all revenue received by this state from the operation of video |
|
lottery terminals. |
|
(a-1) Notwithstanding Section 466.355(b), the commission |
|
may expend an amount not to exceed $5 million from the state lottery |
|
account to establish the video lottery system in accordance with |
|
this chapter and from revenue deposited in the state video lottery |
|
account may reimburse the state lottery account for the total |
|
amount of funds expended from the state lottery account to |
|
establish the video lottery system. This subsection expires |
|
January 1, 2017. |
|
(b) An amount specified in the General Appropriations Act |
|
and not to exceed one percent of the net terminal income received by |
|
this state under Section 466.555 shall be allocated to the |
|
commission to defray expenses incurred in administering this |
|
subchapter, including expenses incurred to operate the video |
|
lottery central system. |
|
Sec. 466.555. ALLOCATION OF NET TERMINAL INCOME; TRANSFER |
|
OF MONEY. (a) Net terminal income derived from the operation of |
|
video lottery games in this state is allocated as follows: |
|
(1) 30 percent of the net terminal income generated in |
|
each calendar year shall be remitted to this state by the video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager; and |
|
(2) the remainder shall be retained by the video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager. |
|
(b) Ten million dollars of the net terminal income received |
|
by this state under Subsection (a) shall annually in equal monthly |
|
installments be transferred to the Texas Racing Commission to be |
|
expended solely for the treatment of compulsive gamblers and the |
|
promotion of responsible gaming. |
|
(c) Ten million dollars of the net terminal income received |
|
by this state under Subsection (a) shall annually in equal monthly |
|
installments be transferred to the criminal justice planning fund |
|
for use by the criminal justice division of the governor's office to |
|
promote and facilitate the prosecution of offenses under Chapter |
|
47, Penal Code. |
|
(d) The commission shall require a video lottery retailer or |
|
video lottery manager to establish a separate electronic funds |
|
transfer account for depositing money from video lottery terminal |
|
operations, making payments to the commission or its designee, and |
|
receiving payments from the commission or its designee. |
|
(e) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager may |
|
not make payments to the commission in cash. As authorized by the |
|
commission, a video lottery retailer or video lottery manager may |
|
make payments to the commission by cashier's check. |
|
(f) The commission at least weekly shall transfer this |
|
state's share of net terminal income of a video lottery retailer or |
|
video lottery manager to the commission through the electronic |
|
transfer of the money. |
|
(g) The commission by rule shall establish procedures for: |
|
(1) depositing money from video lottery terminal |
|
operations into electronic funds transfer accounts; and |
|
(2) handling money from video lottery terminal |
|
operations. |
|
(h) Unless otherwise directed by the commission, a video |
|
lottery retailer or a video lottery manager shall maintain in its |
|
account this state's share of the net terminal income from the |
|
operation of video lottery terminals, to be electronically |
|
transferred by the commission on dates established by the |
|
commission. On a license holder's failure to maintain this |
|
balance, the commission may disable all of a license holder's video |
|
lottery terminals until full payment of all amounts due is made. |
|
Interest shall accrue on any unpaid balance at a rate consistent |
|
with the amount charged under Section 111.060, Tax Code. The |
|
interest begins to accrue on the date payment is due to the |
|
commission. |
|
(i) In the commission's sole discretion, rather than |
|
disable a license holder's video lottery terminals under Subsection |
|
(h), the commission may elect to impose a fine on a license holder |
|
in an amount determined by the commission not to exceed $250,000 for |
|
each violation. If the license holder fails to remedy the |
|
violation, including payment of any amounts assessed by or due to |
|
this state, on or before the 30th day after the date the license |
|
holder is notified of the violation, the commission may disable the |
|
license holder's video lottery terminals or use any other means for |
|
collection as provided by the penalty chart established by the |
|
commission. |
|
(j) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager is |
|
solely responsible for resolving any income discrepancies between |
|
actual money collected and the net terminal income reported by the |
|
video lottery central system. Unless an accounting discrepancy is |
|
resolved in favor of the video lottery retailer or video lottery |
|
manager, the commission may not make any credit adjustments. Any |
|
accounting discrepancies which cannot otherwise be resolved shall |
|
be resolved in favor of the commission. |
|
(k) A video lottery retailer and video lottery manager shall |
|
remit payment as directed by the commission if the electronic |
|
transfer of money is not operational or the commission notifies the |
|
license holder that other remittance is required. The license |
|
holder shall report this state's share of net terminal income, and |
|
remit the amount generated from the terminals during the reporting |
|
period. |
|
Sec. 466.556. COMMISSION EXAMINATION OF FINANCIAL RECORDS. |
|
The commission may examine all accounts, bank accounts, financial |
|
statements, and records in the possession or control of a person |
|
licensed under this subchapter or in which the license holder has an |
|
interest. The license holder must authorize and direct all third |
|
parties in possession or in control of the accounts or records to |
|
allow examination of any of those accounts or records by the |
|
commission. |
|
Sec. 466.557. FINANCIAL INFORMATION REQUIRED. (a) A video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager shall furnish to the |
|
commission all information and bank authorizations required to |
|
facilitate the timely transfer of money to the commission. |
|
(b) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager must |
|
provide the commission advance notice of any proposed account |
|
changes in information and bank authorizations to assure the |
|
uninterrupted electronic transfer of money. |
|
(c) The commission is not responsible for any interruption |
|
or delay in the transfer of money. The video lottery retailer or |
|
video lottery manager is responsible for any interruption or delay |
|
in the transfer of money. |
|
Sec. 466.558. TRANSFERS OF VIDEO LOTTERY PROCEEDS FOR |
|
CERTAIN PURPOSES; RACING FACILITIES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT. |
|
(a) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager that operates |
|
a video lottery terminal establishment at a horse racetrack at |
|
least weekly shall transfer: |
|
(1) 11 percent of the net terminal income to the Texas |
|
equine development fund established at that racetrack; and |
|
(2) one percent of the net terminal income to the |
|
performance horse development fund. |
|
(b) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager that |
|
operates a video lottery terminal establishment at a greyhound |
|
racetrack shall transfer 12 percent of the net terminal income to |
|
the Texas canine development fund established at that racetrack. |
|
(c) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager that |
|
operates a video lottery terminal establishment at a horse |
|
racetrack shall provide at least $1 million, or the minimum |
|
coverage amount required by the Texas Racing Commission, in |
|
accident insurance coverage for jockeys participating in a race |
|
meeting at its racetrack. The Texas Racing Commission: |
|
(1) may review and approve the adequacy of the |
|
coverage; |
|
(2) shall annually adjust for inflation the minimum |
|
coverage amount; and |
|
(3) shall annually publish in the Texas Register the |
|
revised minimum coverage amount. |
|
(d) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager shall |
|
provide all necessary capital investments and required |
|
improvements for the video lottery terminal establishment. |
|
(e) A video lottery retailer or video lottery manager shall |
|
make at least weekly payments to the racing facilities capital |
|
improvement account in an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the net |
|
terminal income unless a racing facilities agreement providing for |
|
a different amount is filed with the Texas Racing Commission. |
|
(f) The racing facilities capital improvement account is a |
|
special escrow account held outside the state treasury and |
|
administered by the Texas Racing Commission without further |
|
appropriation. A transfer of money from the account requires: |
|
(1) for a horse racetrack, the signatures of: |
|
(A) a designated official of the horse racetrack; |
|
and |
|
(B) a designated representative appointed by a |
|
majority of the quarter horse state breed registry, the |
|
Thoroughbred state horse breed registry, and the horsemen's |
|
organization; or |
|
(2) for a greyhound racetrack, the signatures of: |
|
(A) a designated official of the greyhound |
|
racetrack; and |
|
(B) a designated representative of the Texas |
|
Greyhound Association. |
|
(g) The Texas Racing Commission shall adopt rules to |
|
administer this section. The rules must require the electronic |
|
transfer of funds to the accounts described in this section. |
|
(h) A matter considered by the Texas Racing Commission under |
|
this section is a contested case under Chapter 2001 and requires a |
|
public hearing. |
|
Sec. 466.559. PAYMENTS FROM NET TERMINAL INCOME WHEN LIVE |
|
RACING DOES NOT OCCUR. (a) A video lottery retailer or video |
|
lottery manager shall promptly and fully make each payment or |
|
transfer from the net terminal income required under this |
|
subchapter on behalf of the video lottery terminal establishment at |
|
the racetrack even if live racing at that racetrack is shortened, |
|
canceled, or delayed for any reason. |
|
(b) If a horse racetrack fails to request the minimum number |
|
of required live race dates or fails to offer the minimum number of |
|
required live races despite issuance of live race dates, does not |
|
receive a waiver of that violation from the Texas Racing Commission |
|
as provided under this subchapter, and does not have an agreement |
|
with the affected state horse breed registries and horsemen's |
|
organization, the applicable state horse breed registries and the |
|
horsemen's organization may, in their sole discretion, transfer all |
|
money to which they are entitled under this subchapter from that |
|
racetrack to the respective accounts under their control at another |
|
racetrack or racetracks. |
|
(c) If a greyhound racetrack fails to request the minimum |
|
number of required live race dates or fails to offer the minimum |
|
number of required live races despite issuance of live race dates, |
|
does not receive a waiver of that violation from the Texas Racing |
|
Commission as provided under this subchapter, and does not have an |
|
agreement with the affected officially recognized greyhound breed |
|
registry, the Texas Greyhound Association may, in its sole |
|
discretion, transfer all money to which the association is entitled |
|
under this chapter from that racetrack to the account under its |
|
control at another racetrack or racetracks. |
|
Sec. 466.560. EQUINE RESEARCH FUNDING; USES OF TEXAS CANINE |
|
DEVELOPMENT FUND OR TEXAS EQUINE DEVELOPMENT FUND AT EACH |
|
RACETRACK. (a) The amount equal to 0.025 percent of the net |
|
terminal income generated at a video lottery terminal establishment |
|
at a horse racetrack shall be transferred from the Texas equine |
|
development fund for that racetrack to the equine research account |
|
of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station for use in equine |
|
research, including facilities development under Subchapter F, |
|
Chapter 88, Education Code. The money transferred under this |
|
subsection shall supplement, and may not replace, funding provided |
|
under the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil |
|
Statutes). |
|
(b) Each video lottery retailer or video lottery manager |
|
that operates a video lottery terminal establishment at a racetrack |
|
shall, at least weekly, transfer to the racing facilities capital |
|
improvement account from the racetrack's Texas equine development |
|
fund or Texas canine development fund, as applicable, an amount |
|
equal to one-half of one percent of the net terminal income unless a |
|
racing facilities agreement providing for a different amount is |
|
filed with the Texas Racing Commission. |
|
(c) Unless an agreement between the state horse breed |
|
registries and the horsemen's organization provides otherwise, and |
|
after any other allocations required by this subchapter, the |
|
remainder of the money deposited in the Texas equine development |
|
fund at a horse racetrack must: |
|
(1) be used for purses and the Texas-bred incentive |
|
programs and may be used for other programs considered beneficial |
|
to the equine industry, including: |
|
(A) equine retirement, adoption, and retraining |
|
programs; |
|
(B) programs to test for banned |
|
performance-enhancing equine drugs, performance-enhancing drug |
|
testing research, and equipment and facilities of laboratories |
|
providing those services in this state; and |
|
(C) other programs to improve the working |
|
environment in stable areas of racetracks; and |
|
(2) be allocated as follows: |
|
(A) an amount equal to 4.43 percent of the net |
|
terminal income to the horsemen's organization to supplement |
|
Thoroughbred racing purses; |
|
(B) an amount equal to 2.385 percent of the net |
|
terminal income to the horsemen's organization to supplement |
|
quarter horse racing purses; |
|
(C) an amount equal to 2.38 percent of the net |
|
terminal income to the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry; and |
|
(D) an amount equal to 1.28 percent of the net |
|
terminal income to the quarter horse state horse breed registry. |
|
(d) From the money allocated under Subsection (c)(2)(A), |
|
under an agreement between the Texas Arabian Breeders Association |
|
and the horsemen's organization, the horsemen's organization shall |
|
allocate a portion of the money for purses for the Arabian horse |
|
racing industry. The agreement must provide that not less than an |
|
amount equal to 0.199 percent of the net terminal income be |
|
allocated for Arabian horse racing purses. If an agreement is not |
|
made, the horsemen's organization shall transfer to the Texas |
|
Arabian horse racing industry an amount equal to 0.199 percent of |
|
the net terminal income for Arabian horse racing purses. |
|
(e) From the money allocated under Subsection (c)(2)(B), |
|
under an agreement between the Texas Paint Horse Breeders' |
|
Association and the horsemen's organization, the horsemen's |
|
organization shall allocate a portion of the money for purses for |
|
the paint horse racing industry. If an agreement is not made, the |
|
horsemen's organization shall transfer to the paint horse racing |
|
industry an amount equal to 0.072 percent of the net terminal income |
|
for paint horse racing purses. |
|
(f) From the money allocated under Subsection (c)(2)(C), |
|
under an agreement between the Texas Arabian Breeders Association |
|
and the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry, the registry shall |
|
allocate a portion of the money for the Arabian horse racing |
|
industry state-breed programs. The agreement must provide that not |
|
less than an amount equal to 0.107 percent of the net terminal |
|
income be allocated for Arabian state-breed programs. If an |
|
agreement is not made, the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry |
|
shall transfer to the Texas Arabian horse racing industry for |
|
state-breed programs an amount equal to 0.107 percent of the net |
|
terminal income. |
|
(g) From the money allocated under Subsection (c)(2)(D), |
|
under an agreement between the Texas Paint Horse Breeders' |
|
Association and the quarter horse state horse breed registry, the |
|
registry shall allocate a portion of the money for state-breed |
|
programs for the paint horse racing industry. If an agreement is |
|
not made, the registry shall transfer to the paint horse racing |
|
industry an amount equal to 0.038 percent of the net terminal income |
|
for paint horse state-breed programs. |
|
(h) Following the other transfers and allocations required |
|
by this subchapter, the remainder of the money deposited in the |
|
Texas canine development fund at a greyhound racetrack is allocated |
|
as follows: |
|
(1) an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the net terminal |
|
income to supplement greyhound racing purses; |
|
(2) an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the net terminal |
|
income to supplement accredited Texas-bred greyhound purses; and |
|
(3) an amount equal to two percent of the net terminal |
|
income to the Texas Greyhound Association as the state greyhound |
|
breed registry. |
|
(i) The Texas Racing Commission may adopt rules to |
|
administer this section and shall require the electronic transfer |
|
of funds to the accounts described in this section. |
|
Sec. 466.561. RACING FACILITIES AGREEMENT; LIMITATION ON |
|
USES OF RACING FACILITIES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT. (a) For |
|
purposes of Sections 466.558 and 466.560, a racing facilities |
|
agreement for a horse racetrack is valid only on approval of the |
|
applicable racetrack and a majority of the quarter horse state |
|
horse breed registry, the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry, |
|
and the horsemen's organization. |
|
(b) For purposes of Sections 466.558 and 466.560, a racing |
|
facilities agreement for a greyhound racetrack is valid only on |
|
approval of the racetrack and the Texas Greyhound Association. |
|
(c) A racing facilities agreement filed under Section |
|
466.558 or 466.560 remains in effect until it expires on its own |
|
terms or until it is superseded by a subsequent racing facilities |
|
agreement for the same racetrack. |
|
(d) Unless a racing facilities agreement provides |
|
otherwise, the money in the racing facilities capital improvement |
|
account may be spent only for the maintenance and improvement of |
|
pari-mutuel racing facilities. |
|
Sec. 466.562. USES OF PERFORMANCE HORSE DEVELOPMENT FUND. |
|
(a) In this section, "performance and recreational horses" means |
|
horses bred or trained for public competition and exhibition or |
|
recreational use in all legally permitted equine activities other |
|
than horse racing at racetracks. |
|
(b) Money in the performance horse development fund may be |
|
spent only for: |
|
(1) the development of the horse agricultural industry |
|
in this state through efforts intended to attract, retain, promote, |
|
and encourage the breeding, raising, training, and exhibition of |
|
performance and recreational horses in this state; and |
|
(2) events and programs conducted in this state. |
|
(c) Money from the performance horse development fund is |
|
allocated as follows: |
|
(1) 40 percent to the American Quarter Horse |
|
Association for its sanctioned events and programs; |
|
(2) 20 percent to the National Cutting Horse |
|
Association for its sanctioned events and programs; |
|
(3) 20 percent to the American Paint Horse Association |
|
for its sanctioned events and programs; and |
|
(4) 20 percent to the Department of Agriculture to |
|
promote the equine agricultural industry in this state. |
|
(d) Subject to Subsection (e), money transferred to an |
|
association or agency from the performance horse development fund |
|
may be used for: |
|
(1) purse supplements or additional money for |
|
performance and recreational horses events conducted in this state; |
|
(2) the establishment of an accredited Texas Bred |
|
Program for breeding of performance and recreational horses; |
|
(3) the marketing and promotion of performance and |
|
recreational horses activities and events in this state; and |
|
(4) scholarship programs. |
|
(e) Money may be transferred under Subsection (c)(4) only to |
|
organizations of the equine industry in this state that are not |
|
receiving money for events and programs under Subsection (c)(1), |
|
(2), or (3). |
|
(f) Except as otherwise provided by law, all money paid to |
|
the Department of Agriculture is subject to Subchapter F, Chapter |
|
404. |
|
Sec. 466.563. LIABILITY OF VIDEO LOTTERY RETAILER AND VIDEO |
|
LOTTERY MANAGER. (a) A video lottery retailer, video lottery |
|
manager, or both, are jointly and severally liable to the |
|
commission for the state's share of net terminal income. |
|
(b) Net terminal income received by the video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager is held in trust for the benefit |
|
of this state before delivery of the state's share to the commission |
|
or electronic transfer to the state treasury, and the video lottery |
|
retailer or video lottery manager, or both, are jointly and |
|
severally liable to the commission for the full amount of the money |
|
held in trust. |
|
(c) If the video lottery retailer or video lottery manager |
|
is not an individual, each officer, director, or owner of the video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager is personally liable to |
|
the commission for the full amount of the money held in trust, |
|
except that shareholders of a publicly held corporation shall be |
|
liable in an amount not to exceed the value of their equity |
|
investment. |
|
(d) The money derived from video lottery proceeds that is |
|
required under this subchapter to be transferred to the Texas |
|
equine development fund or the performance horse development fund |
|
is held in trust by the video lottery retailer or video lottery |
|
manager, as applicable, for the benefit of the persons designated |
|
in this subchapter to receive money from the funds. On Wednesday of |
|
each week, the retailer or manager shall transfer the money accrued |
|
in the funds during the week ending on the preceding Saturday to the |
|
depository accounts maintained by the persons entitled to money |
|
from the funds under this subchapter. If the retailer or manager |
|
fails to transfer the money as required under this subsection, a |
|
person entitled to money from the funds under this subchapter may |
|
file a civil action against the retailer or manager for relief, |
|
including damages and specific performance. |
|
Sec. 466.564. PRIZE PAYMENT AND REDEMPTION. (a) Payment of |
|
prizes is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager. A prize may not be paid |
|
by the commission or this state except as otherwise authorized. |
|
(b) Nothing in this subchapter limits the ability of a video |
|
lottery retailer or video lottery manager to provide promotional |
|
prizes in addition to prize payouts regulated by the commission. |
|
(c) A video lottery ticket must be redeemed not later than |
|
the 180th day following the date of issuance. If a claim is not made |
|
for prize money on or before the 180th day after the date on which |
|
the video lottery ticket was issued, the prize money becomes the |
|
property of the video lottery terminal establishment. |
|
(d) The commission shall enact rules consistent with this |
|
section governing the use and redemption of prizes and credits |
|
recorded on electronic player account records, such as players' |
|
club cards and smart cards. |
|
Sec. 466.565. REVOCATION OF LICENSE, CERTIFICATE OF |
|
REGISTRATION, SUITABILITY FINDING, OR OTHER REGULATORY APPROVAL. |
|
(a) The commission shall revoke or suspend a license, certificate |
|
of registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval issued under this subchapter if the holder at |
|
any time fails to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in |
|
this subchapter. |
|
(b) Failure to timely remit revenue generated by video |
|
lottery terminals to the commission or any tax or other fee owed to |
|
this state as demonstrated by report from the applicable taxing |
|
authority or to timely file any report or information required |
|
under this subchapter as a condition of any license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval issued under this subchapter may be grounds for |
|
suspension or revocation, or both, of a license, certificate of |
|
registration, suitability, or approval issued under this |
|
subchapter. |
|
Sec. 466.566. HEARING FOR REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION. (a) |
|
Before the commission revokes or suspends a video lottery terminal |
|
provider's registration or approval or video lottery retailer's or |
|
video lottery manager's license, or imposes monetary penalties for |
|
a violation of this subchapter, the commission shall provide |
|
written notification to the license, certificate of registration, |
|
or approval holder of the revocation, the period of suspension, or |
|
the monetary penalty. The notice shall include: |
|
(1) the effective date of the revocation or the period |
|
of suspension or the amount of the monetary penalty, as applicable; |
|
(2) each reason for the revocation, suspension, or |
|
penalty; |
|
(3) an explanation of the evidence supporting the |
|
reasons; |
|
(4) an opportunity to present the holder's position in |
|
response on or before the 15th day after the effective date of the |
|
revocation; and |
|
(5) a statement explaining the holder's right to an |
|
administrative hearing to determine whether the revocation, |
|
suspension, or penalty is warranted. |
|
(b) The commission shall adopt rules to implement this |
|
section. |
|
Sec. 466.567. ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE OF REQUIRED |
|
COMMUNICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS. (a) Any communication, document, or |
|
record of a video lottery central system provider, video lottery |
|
terminal provider, video lottery retailer, or video lottery |
|
manager, an applicant, or a holder of a license, certificate of |
|
registration, finding of suitability, or other affirmative |
|
regulatory approval that is made or transmitted to the commission |
|
or any of its employees to comply with any law, including a rule of |
|
the commission, to comply with a subpoena issued by the commission, |
|
or to assist the commission or its designee in the performance of |
|
their respective duties is absolutely privileged, does not impose |
|
liability for defamation, and is not a ground for recovery in any |
|
civil action. |
|
(b) If a communication, document, or record provided under |
|
Subsection (a) contains any information that is privileged under |
|
state law, that privilege is not waived or lost because the |
|
communication, document, or record is disclosed to the commission |
|
or any of the commission's employees. |
|
(c) The commission shall maintain all privileged |
|
information, communications, documents, and records in a secure |
|
place as determined in the commission's sole discretion that is |
|
accessible only to members of the commission and authorized |
|
commission employees. |
|
Sec. 466.568. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF COMMISSION. |
|
The legislature finds and declares that the commission has the |
|
right to establish ownership of intellectual property rights for |
|
all lottery products, including video lottery terminals and related |
|
video lottery equipment. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 467.001, Government Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subdivision (9) and adding Subdivision (12) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(9) "Person that has a significant financial interest |
|
in the lottery" means: |
|
(A) a person or a board member, officer, trustee, |
|
or general partner of a person that manufactures, distributes, |
|
sells, or produces lottery equipment, video lottery equipment, |
|
video lottery games, video lottery central systems, supplies, |
|
services, or advertising; |
|
(B) an employee of a video lottery terminal |
|
provider, video lottery central system provider, or person that |
|
manufactures, distributes, sells, or produces lottery equipment, |
|
supplies, services, or advertising or video lottery equipment or |
|
games and that employee is directly involved in the manufacturing, |
|
distribution, selling, or production of lottery equipment, |
|
supplies, services, or advertising or video lottery equipment or |
|
games; |
|
(C) a person or a board member, officer, trustee, |
|
or general partner of a person that has made a bid to operate the |
|
lottery in the preceding two years or that intends to make a bid to |
|
operate the lottery or an employee of the person if the employee is |
|
directly involved in making the bid; or |
|
(D) a sales agent, video lottery retailer, video |
|
lottery manager, video lottery terminal provider, or video lottery |
|
central system provider. |
|
(12) "Video lottery central system," "video lottery |
|
equipment," "video lottery game," "video lottery manager," "video |
|
lottery retailer," and "video lottery terminal provider" have the |
|
meanings assigned by Section 466.002. |
|
SECTION 31. Section 467.021(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commission is composed of: |
|
(1) three voting members appointed by the governor |
|
with the advice and consent of the senate; and |
|
(2) the comptroller, who serves as an ex officio, |
|
nonvoting member. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 467.031, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 467.031. DIVISIONS; DIRECTOR; CONTRACT. The |
|
commission shall establish separate divisions to oversee bingo and |
|
the state lottery. The commission shall employ a director to |
|
oversee video lottery and shall enter into an intra-agency |
|
agreement with the Texas Racing Commission for the Texas Racing |
|
Commission to be responsible for performing the inspections and |
|
regulatory functions specified in the agreement at racetracks on |
|
behalf of the Texas Lottery Commission. |
|
SECTION 33. Section 467.035(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commission may not employ or continue to employ a |
|
person who owns a financial interest in: |
|
(1) a bingo commercial lessor, bingo distributor, or |
|
bingo manufacturer; or |
|
(2) a lottery sales agency, [or] a lottery operator, a |
|
video lottery retailer, a video lottery manager, a video lottery |
|
terminal provider, a video lottery central system provider, or a |
|
manufacturer of video lottery games. |
|
SECTION 34. Section 467.108, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 467.108. REPRESENTATION BY FORMER OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE. |
|
(a) A former commission member, former executive director, or |
|
former director may not: |
|
(1) [for compensation,] represent a person, either |
|
with or without compensation, [that has made or intends to make a
|
|
bid to operate the lottery] before the commission before the fifth |
|
[second] anniversary of the date that the person's service in |
|
office or employment with the commission ceases; |
|
(2) represent any person or receive compensation for |
|
services rendered on behalf of any person regarding a particular |
|
matter in which the former officer or employee participated during |
|
the period of service or employment with the commission, either |
|
through personal involvement or because the matter was within the |
|
scope of the officer's or employee's official responsibility; or |
|
(3) [for compensation] communicate on behalf of any |
|
person, whether compensated or not compensated, directly with a |
|
member of the legislative branch to influence legislation on behalf |
|
of a person that has any [a significant financial] interest in the |
|
lottery, before the fifth [second] anniversary of the date that the |
|
person's service in office or employment with the commission |
|
ceases. |
|
(b) A person commits an offense if the person violates this |
|
section. An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
|
degree [Class A misdemeanor]. |
|
SECTION 35. Section 411.108, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
|
(d) The Texas Lottery Commission may obtain from the |
|
department, subject to an interagency agreement entered into under |
|
Section 466.020(d) or 466.206, criminal history record information |
|
maintained by the department that relates to any natural person, |
|
corporation, association, trust, partnership, limited partnership, |
|
joint venture, government, subsidiary, or other entity, regardless |
|
of its form, structure, or nature that the commission has the |
|
authority to investigate under Chapter 466 related to the |
|
commission's operation and oversight of video lottery. Criminal |
|
history record information obtained by the commission under this |
|
subsection may be released or disclosed only as provided in |
|
Sections 466.022(d) and 466.206. |
|
SECTION 36. Section 47.06(e), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(e) An offense under this section is a felony of the third |
|
degree [Class A misdemeanor]. |
|
SECTION 37. Section 47.09, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(a) It is a defense to prosecution under this chapter that |
|
the conduct: |
|
(1) was authorized under: |
|
(A) Chapter 2001, Occupations Code; |
|
(B) Chapter 2002, Occupations Code; or |
|
(C) the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's |
|
Texas Civil Statutes); |
|
(2) consisted entirely of participation in gambling or |
|
other gaming activity that: |
|
(A) is or may be permitted under the Indian |
|
Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497), without regard to |
|
whether the gambling or gaming activity is conducted by an Indian |
|
tribe to which that Act applies; and |
|
(B) is conducted: |
|
(i) by an Indian tribe or tribal |
|
organization that was included on the January 30, 1998, list of |
|
recognized Indian tribes by the United States secretary of the |
|
interior as required under 25 U.S.C. Section 479a-1; and |
|
(ii) on premises designated by the tribe or |
|
tribal organization for that gambling or other gaming activity on |
|
land that was held in trust or recognized as tribal land of that |
|
tribe or tribal organization by the federal government on January |
|
1, 1998; |
|
(3) was a necessary incident to activity described by |
|
Subdivision (2); |
|
(4) consisted entirely of participation in the state |
|
lottery, including the video lottery system, authorized by Chapter |
|
466, Government Code; or |
|
(5) [(3)] was a necessary incident to the operation of |
|
the state lottery, including the video lottery system, and was |
|
directly or indirectly authorized by: |
|
(A) Chapter 466, Government Code; |
|
(B) the lottery division of the Texas Lottery |
|
Commission; |
|
(C) the Texas Lottery Commission; or |
|
(D) the director of the lottery division of the |
|
Texas Lottery Commission. |
|
(c) Subsection (a)(3) applies to a person manufacturing, |
|
distributing, possessing, or operating a gambling device with the |
|
authorization of the Texas Lottery Commission under Subchapter K, |
|
Chapter 466, Government Code. |
|
SECTION 38. Chapter 47, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Section 47.095 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 47.095. INTERSTATE OR FOREIGN COMMERCE DEFENSE. It is |
|
a defense to prosecution under this chapter that a person sells, |
|
leases, transports, possesses, stores, or manufactures a gambling |
|
device with the authorization of the Texas Lottery Commission under |
|
Subchapter K, Chapter 466, Government Code, or on behalf of an |
|
Indian tribe in connection with activity described by Section |
|
47.09(a)(2) for transportation in interstate or foreign commerce. |
|
SECTION 39. (a) As soon as practicable after the |
|
constitutional amendment authorizing a state video lottery system |
|
to operate video lottery games at certain horse and greyhound |
|
racetracks and providing that federally recognized Indian tribes |
|
are not prohibited from conducting games of chance on certain |
|
Indian lands proposed by the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, |
|
2013, is approved by the voters and becomes effective, the Texas |
|
Lottery Commission and the Texas Racing Commission shall adopt the |
|
rules necessary to implement video lottery in accordance with |
|
Subchapter K, Chapter 466, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(b) Before the proposed constitutional amendment is |
|
submitted to the voters, the Texas Lottery Commission may expend |
|
money from the commission's appropriation for the 2014-2015 state |
|
fiscal biennium for purposes of conducting pre-implementation |
|
activities to establish the state video lottery system in |
|
accordance with Subchapter K, Chapter 466, Government Code, as |
|
added by this Act. Notwithstanding Section 466.355, Government |
|
Code, the money authorized to be expended under this section may be |
|
withdrawn from the state lottery account and considered a part of |
|
the transfer of funds from the state lottery account authorized |
|
under Section 466.554, Government Code, as added by this Act, to |
|
fund the establishment of the state video lottery system. |
|
(c) If the proposed constitutional amendment is approved by |
|
the voters, the Texas Lottery Commission and the Texas Racing |
|
Commission shall adopt initial rules for purposes of implementing |
|
video lottery in accordance with Chapter 466, Government Code, as |
|
amended by this Act, not later than December 1, 2013. Chapter 2001, |
|
Government Code, does not apply to the adoption of those rules. |
|
Rules adopted under this section shall expire not later than |
|
September 1, 2016. |
|
(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 466, Government Code, as |
|
amended by this Act, the Texas Lottery Commission may not issue a |
|
video lottery retailer or video lottery manager license to an |
|
applicant under that chapter unless the applicant, on or before |
|
September 1, 2013, pays to the commission an initial application |
|
fee in the following amount: |
|
(1) for an applicant who holds a class 1 racetrack |
|
license, $25 million; or |
|
(2) for an applicant who holds a class 2 or class 3 |
|
horse racetrack license or a greyhound racetrack license, $15 |
|
million. |
|
(e) If the proposed constitutional amendment is not |
|
approved by the voters, the Texas Lottery Commission shall |
|
reimburse the full amount of the initial application fee paid by an |
|
applicant under Subsection (d) of this section not later than |
|
December 1, 2013. |
|
SECTION 40. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
|
covered by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
|
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
|
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
|
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was |
|
committed before that date. |
|
SECTION 41. Sections 1 through 38 and 40 of this Act take |
|
effect on the date the constitutional amendment authorizing a state |
|
video lottery system to operate video lottery games at certain |
|
horse and greyhound racetracks and providing that federally |
|
recognized Indian tribes are not prohibited from conducting games |
|
of chance on certain Indian lands proposed by the 83rd Legislature, |
|
Regular Session, 2013, becomes effective. Section 39 of this Act |
|
and this section take effect immediately if this Act receives a vote |
|
of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided |
|
by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does |
|
not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, Section 39 of |
|
this Act and this section take effect September 1, 2013. |