03-13-1985 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Weck in Qcvicw EGISLATURE DELAYS TOTAL STATE TAKEOVER OF GAMBLING Early last week the legislature acted to delay full implementation of the ew gambling laws, thus postponing full state regulation of gambling. (The erm gambling includes bingo, raffles, pull -tabs, paddlewheels, and tip oards.) June 1, 1985 is the new cutoff date for local licenses. The new law provides that: * All local licenses expire on February 28, 1985; * State licensing will begin on March 1, 1985 but will not be the sole authority to gamble until June 1, 1985; * Organizations which hold a local license conduct the forms of gambling authorized obtaining any state license until June 1 organization complies with the terms and effect on January 28, 1985; and on February 28 may continue to by the local license without , 1985, provided that the conditions of the license in * Cities are authorized to adopt, by emergency ordinance, a system for the licensing of organizations to conduct gambling from February 28, 1985 to May 31, 1985. These ordinances must be consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 349, and may go into effect without hearing, notice, or publication, but the city shall promptly, after adoption, hold hearings to consider any necessary alterations in the ordinance. These emergency ordinances can not only provide a means of licensing new applicants but may include provisions to extend licenses in effect on February 28, 1985, until May 31, 1985, and charge a fee for the extension. To attempt to explain all the options available to licensing authorities Ls difficult, but here goes: * Do nothing. This option has a certain degree of attractiveness due to its simplicity. If a city has already repealed their local ordinance, existing licensees would be authorized to continue to operate and new operations could hold gambling occasions only after obtaining a state license, if one is necessary, or if not the gambling is not covered by state law. * License or regulate under a new city ordinance adopted in contemplation of a March 1 1985, effective date. Since the state has already issued licenses which will go into effect March 1 and the state will continue to issue licenses, cities could choose to license or regulate those gambling occasions not covered by state law such as single bingo occasions, and to simply allow or disapprove the granting of state licenses. Operators of gambling who have local licenses in effect on February 28 could continue to operate unless inconsistent with local licensing or regulatory ordinances. • 12