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charitable gaming act

Hawley announces Charitable Gaming Act signed into law, takes effect in 180 days

By Billie Owens

Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

“This is a tremendous victory and crucial first step toward reforming our gaming laws for the tens of thousands of non-profits, fire departments, churches, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs and charitable organizations throughout the state," Hawley said.

“After a long uphill climb, and with much help from my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate, we have made important changes to New York’s gaming laws that open the conversation and serve as a catapult to tackle more changes this year.

“I would like to personally thank Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Buffalo) for carrying this bill in our house and Senators Patrick Gallivan (R-Elma), Michael Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) and Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) for championing this cause in the Senate. I would also like to thank all the constituents and local groups who contacted my office and the governor’s office expressing their support for this bill.

“The law will take effect in 180 days and the New York State Gaming Commission will make any necessary tweaks. I am so proud of the work we have done and I am hopeful that moving forward we continue to advocate for our charitable and nonprofit organizations and make more changes to the state’s gaming laws.”

Hawley holds press conference in Albany to push for expansion of Charitable Gaming Act

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today held a press conference with Sen. Patrick Gallivan (R-Elma) in Albany calling for an expansion of New York’s charitable gaming laws to include measures such as allowing for the use of credit and debit cards as payment for raffles and allowing advertising and sales online for raffles and games of chance.

“Momentum is at all-time high to reform these outdated and detrimental restrictions,” Hawley said. “These reforms would benefit thousands of not for profits and organizations like Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Clubs, churches, fire departments and foundations for children like the Buffalo Sabres Foundation. I thank my colleagues in the Senate for spearheading this charge in their house and am hopeful that we can pass these changes before session adjourns in a few weeks.”

Hawley has been influential in leading the fight to reform the antiquated laws the past few years and championed legislation included in this year’s budget that would allow television and internet advertising of raffles, the use of personal checks as payments and expanding the definition of “authorized organization” to include volunteer ambulance workers and organizations that have been in existence for one year, among other provisions.

Charitable Gaming Act passes state Assembly, awaits Senate approval

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman State Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) applauds passage of a bill to update gaming and charity requirements, and help the Stafford Volunteer Fire Deptsrtment reinstate car its raffle. He says it's a "huge vistory for Stafford Fire Department, churches and service clubs."

“I am pleased to announce that the ‘Charitable Gaming Act of 2016’ has overwhelmingly passed the Assembly Thursday afternoon," Hawley said. "I would like to commend Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Kenmore) for championing this bill through the house as well as Sen. Patrick Gallivan (R-Elma), the bill’s author in the Senate, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) and Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) for pushing this measure in the Senate.
 
"I am proud to have helped lead this initiative to update our archaic and detrimental gaming laws that have hurt charitable organizations, churches, non-profit organizations and service clubs all across the state, including the Stafford Fire Department. This is a great example of how bipartisan politics can work in Albany’s sea of gridlock and can have lasting positive effects for the people and organizations of our state. The bill is now in the Senate, where I am told by Sen. Gallivan that he is very hopeful it will pass before we adjourn for the year today.”

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