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S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9433
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 6, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Racing and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to electronic
bell jar games; to amend a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the
general municipal law relating to electronic bell jar games, as
proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, in
relation to the legislative finding and purpose and the effectiveness
thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 1 of a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the
general municipal law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed
in legislative bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read
as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings and purpose. 1. The legislature hereby
finds that:
(a) bell jar games are a popular and profitable fundraising mechanism
for bona fide not-for-profit organizations across the state, generating
millions of dollars in net revenues for charitable purposes every year;
(b) [authorized] organizations that offer bell jars and other games of
chance must meet strict standards established by the New York state
general municipal law and the New York state gaming commission, includ-
ing receiving a license to conduct charitable gaming activities; and
(c) while other types of gaming in New York state have continued to
expand and improve, the operation of charitable gaming activities has
largely remained the same over the last several decades.
2. (a) For the aforementioned reasons, the legislature hereby declares
that [authorized] VETERAN organizations AND VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES
licensed [by the New York state gaming commission] to conduct charitable
gaming would greatly benefit from the ability to operate electronic bell
jar vending machines, which display and dispense pre-printed bell jar
tickets that have predetermined winners and predetermined values for
prizes, in order to help increase charitable gaming profits across the
state and attract more members to join such organizations; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10856-04-6
A. 9433 2
(b) Provided further, the legislature also declares that this legis-
lation includes appropriate safeguards to ensure that electronic bell
jar vending machines remain a limited and controlled fundraising tool,
distinct from video lottery terminals or slot machines in design and
function. The machines authorized herein may only be operated by
licensed [and authorized] VETERAN organizations AND VOLUNTEER FIRE
COMPANIES, are limited pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 6 of
section 195-c of the general municipal law in order to prohibit casino-
like gaming parlors, and are [primarily] SOLELY for use by members of
such [authorized] VETERAN organizations AND VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.
§ 2. Subdivision 3-a of section 186 of the general municipal law, as
amended by a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal
law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative
bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended and four new subdivi-
sions 2-a, 22, 23, and 24 are added to read as follows:
2-A. "COMMISSION" MEANS THE NEW YORK STATE GAMING COMMISSION.
3-a. "Bell jars" shall mean and include those games in which a partic-
ipant shall draw a card from a jar, vending machine, including an elec-
tronic bell jar vending machine, or other suitable device or container
which contains numbers, colors or symbols that are covered and which,
when uncovered, may reveal that a prize shall be awarded on the basis of
a designated winning number, color or symbol or combination of numbers,
colors or symbols. Bell jars shall also include seal cards, coin boards,
event games, and merchandise boards. [An electronic bell jar vending
machine shall track the sales of tickets and any other information as
required by the commission and report such sales and other information
to the commission, use electronic features to display and dispense pre-
printed bell jar tickets, and may include audio and video features to
display information about a ticket being dispensed, provided that such
features shall not affect the outcome of the game.]
22. "GAMING FACILITY" MEANS ANY COMMERCIAL CASINO LICENSED PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE THIRTEEN OF THE RACING, PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING AND BREEDING LAW,
OR A VIDEO LOTTERY GAMING FACILITY OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE THIR-
TY-FOUR OF THE TAX LAW. LOCATIONS OF SUCH FACILITIES SHALL BE THOSE
IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION.
23. "VETERAN ORGANIZATION" MEANS A MEMBERS-ONLY ORGANIZATION COMPRIS-
ING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, WHERE THE ORGANIZATION'S FOCUS IS
ON THE SUPPORT OF AND ADVOCACY FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS
AND THAT IS LICENSED TO OPERATE BELL JAR GAMES AS OF NOVEMBER THIRTIETH,
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE AND SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY AUXILIARY ORGANIZA-
TIONS.
24. "VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY" SHALL MEAN A FIRE COMPANY AS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION THREE OF THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' BENEFIT
LAW, AND WHOSE MEMBERS PROVIDE FIREFIGHTING SERVICES ON A VOLUNTEER
BASIS.
§ 3. Subdivision 9 of section 188-a of the general municipal law, as
amended by a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal
law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative
bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read as follows:
9. (a) The commission shall have the power to approve and establish a
standard set of games of chance equipment and shall by its rules and
regulations prescribe the manner in which such equipment is to be
reproduced and distributed to licensed authorized organizations. The
sale or distribution to a licensed authorized organization of any equip-
ment other than that contained in the standard set of games of chance
equipment shall constitute a violation of this section.
A. 9433 3
(b) [After the effective date of this paragraph, no] NO electronic
bell jar vending machine shall be sold, leased, distributed, installed,
or operated by any manufacturer, distributor, or charitable organization
until such machine has been approved by the commission. No electronic
bell jar vending machine shall be approved by the commission unless the
operation of the game demonstrates that there is a finite probability
basis of having a predetermined quantity of chances among which there is
a predetermined quantity of winners that pay a fixed and predetermined
value of prizes, regardless of the symbols that are used or how those
symbols are displayed on pre-printed bell jar tickets.
(c) The commission shall promulgate such rules and regulations as [may
be] THE COMMISSION DEEMS necessary for the approval and implementation
of electronic bell jar vending machine gaming. The commission may
revoke, suspend, or condition approval of an electronic bell jar vending
machine. [Upon request for authorization, the commission shall approve
or deny such request within thirty days.] If the commission denies such
request for approval, it shall provide the reasons for such determi-
nation.
§ 4. Subdivision 3 of section 189 of the general municipal law, as
amended by a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal
law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative
bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read as follows:
3. No authorized organization licensed under the provisions of this
article shall purchase, lease, or receive any supplies or equipment
specifically designed or adapted for use in the conduct of games of
chance from other than a supplier licensed by the commission or from
another authorized organization. Lease terms and conditions shall be
subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the commission. The
provisions of this article shall not be construed to authorize or permit
an authorized organization to engage in the business of leasing games of
chance, supplies, or equipment. Furthermore, no organization shall
purchase bell jar tickets or deals of bell jar tickets, or purchase
[or], lease OR UTILIZE any electronic bell jar vending machine, from any
other person or organization other than those specifically authorized
under sections one hundred ninety-five-n and one hundred ninety-five-o
of this article.
§ 5. The opening paragraph of section 189-a of the general municipal
law, as amended by a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general
municipal law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in
legislative bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read as
follows:
No person, firm, partnership, corporation or organization, shall sell
or distribute supplies or equipment specifically designed or adapted for
use in conduct of games of chance without having first obtained a
license therefor upon written application made, verified and filed with
the commission in the form prescribed by the rules and regulations of
the commission. As a part of its determination concerning the appli-
cant's suitability for licensing as a games of chance supplier, the
commission shall require the applicant to furnish to the commission two
sets of fingerprints. Such fingerprints shall be submitted to the divi-
sion of criminal justice services for a state criminal history record
check, as defined in subdivision one of section three thousand thirty-
five of the education law, and may be submitted to the federal bureau of
investigation for a national criminal history record check. Manufactur-
ers of bell jar tickets shall be considered suppliers of such equipment.
In each such application for a license under this section shall be stat-
A. 9433 4
ed the name and address of the applicant; the names and addresses of its
officers, directors, shareholders or partners; the amount of gross
receipts realized on the sale and rental of games of chance supplies and
equipment to duly licensed authorized organizations during the last
preceding calendar or fiscal year, and such other information as shall
be prescribed by such rules and regulations. The fee for such license
shall be a sum equal to twenty-five dollars plus an amount equal to two
per centum of the gross sales and rentals, if any, of games of chance
equipment and supplies to authorized organizations or authorized games
of chance lessors by the applicant during the preceding calendar year,
or fiscal year if the applicant maintains their accounts on a fiscal
year basis; provided, however, that for manufacturers of electronic bell
jar vending machines, the fee for such license shall be AN ADDITIONAL
one thousand dollars. No license granted pursuant to the provisions of
this section shall be effective for a period of more than one year.
§ 6. Section 195-c of the general municipal law, as amended by a chap-
ter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal law relating to
electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.
6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read as follows:
§ 195-c. Persons operating games; equipment; expenses; compensation.
1. No person shall operate any game of chance under any license issued
under this article except a bona fide member of the authorized organiza-
tion to which the license is issued, or a bona fide member of an organ-
ization or association which is an auxiliary to the licensee or a bona
fide member of an organization or association of which such licensee is
an auxiliary or a bona fide member of an organization or association
which is affiliated with the licensee by being, with it, auxiliary to
another organization or association. Nothing herein shall be construed
to limit the number of games of chance licensees for whom such persons
may operate games of chance nor to prevent non-members from assisting
the licensee in any activity other than managing or operating games. No
game of chance shall be conducted with any equipment except such as
shall be owned or leased by the authorized organization so licensed or
used without payment of any compensation therefor by the licensee.
However, in no event shall bell jar tickets be transferred from one
authorized organization to another, with or without payment of any
compensation thereof. The head or heads of the authorized organization
shall upon request certify, under oath, that the persons operating any
game of chance are bona fide members of such authorized organization,
auxiliary or affiliated organization. Upon request by an officer or the
department any such person involved in such games of chance shall certi-
fy that they have no criminal record. No items of expense shall be
incurred or paid in connection with the conducting of any game of chance
pursuant to any license issued under this article except those that are
reasonable and are necessarily expended for games of chance supplies and
equipment, prizes, security personnel, stated rental if any, bookkeeping
or accounting services according to a schedule of compensation
prescribed by the commission, janitorial services and utility supplies
if any, and license fees, and the cost of bus transportation, if author-
ized by such clerk or department. No commission, salary, compensation,
reward or recompense shall be paid or given to any person for the sale
or assisting with the sale of raffle tickets.
2. For the purpose of the sale of tickets for the game of raffle, the
term "operate" shall not include the sale of such tickets by persons of
lineal or collateral consanguinity to members of an authorized organiza-
tion licensed to conduct a raffle.
A. 9433 5
3. Each electronic bell jar vending machine that has been approved by
the commission pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision nine of section
one hundred eighty-eight-a of this article shall do the following:
(a) read a barcode or similar form of encryption or marking on the
pre-printed bell jar ticket;
(b) reveal results;
(c) verify if a bell jar ticket is redeemable for a prize;
(d) electronically aggregate winning prizes for continued play;
(e) produce a voucher for prize redemption or proof of purchase;
(f) track the sales of tickets and any other information as required
by the commission and report such sales and other information to the
commission;
(g) prohibit spinning reels or other representations or audiovisual
features that mimic a video lottery terminal or slot machine;
(h) prohibit any electronic user interface that mimics a video slot
machine;
(i) prohibit free plays, bonus games, multipliers, jackpots; provided,
however, that for purposes of this paragraph, the prohibition on
"jackpots" shall not include prizes that may be won on the bell jar
ticket itself, subject to limitations set forth in regulations promul-
gated by the commission, discounts, promotions, special offers, or simi-
lar incentives to initiate or prolong player engagement;
(j) prohibit any feature that simulates skill or allows player input
to influence the outcome of a predetermined result;
(k) prohibit the display of near-miss outcomes that may mislead a
player into believing a win was narrowly missed; [and]
(l) TRACK THE SALES OF TICKETS AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION AS REQUIRED
BY THE COMMISSION AND REPORT SUCH SALES AND OTHER INFORMATION TO THE
COMMISSION;
(M) USE ELECTRONIC FEATURES TO DISPLAY AND DISPENSE PRE-PRINTED BELL
JAR TICKETS; AND
(N) limit the speed of play to prevent rapid successive wagering as
required by regulations promulgated by the commission.
3-A. EACH ELECTRONIC BELL JAR VENDING MACHINE THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED
BY THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION NINE OF
SECTION ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT-A OF THIS ARTICLE MAY INCLUDE AUDIO AND
VIDEO FEATURES TO DISPLAY INFORMATION ABOUT A TICKET BEING DISPENSED,
PROVIDED THAT SUCH FEATURES SHALL NOT AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME.
4. The following information shall be displayed by each electronic
bell jar vending machine:
(a) the total number of tickets in each deal;
(b) the price of each ticket;
(c) the number and amount of prizes in each deal;
(d) the number of winners per ticket and its respective winning
numbers or symbols;
(e) the name of the game;
(f) the name or logo of the manufacturer of the tickets and the elec-
tronic bell jar vending machine;
(g) the compulsive gambling hotline telephone number for the state of
New York; and
(h) notification that only individuals eighteen years of age or older
may use an electronic bell jar vending machine.
5. If a voucher is produced by an electronic bell jar vending machine
for prize redemption, the following information shall appear on such
voucher:
(a) the aggregate prize amount payable to the player;
A. 9433 6
(b) the device number or other identification method for the vending
machine that produced such voucher;
(c) the date and time that such voucher was printed;
(d) the sequential number or other identification method of such
voucher;
(e) an identification number, barcode or similar form of encryption
that may be used to validate the prize amount payable to the player; and
(f) the period of time during which unused tickets or prize amounts
must be claimed.
6. (a) [For the purposes of this subdivision, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
(i) "Active local member" shall mean an individual who participates in
the activities of an authorized organization and resides within the
county where the authorized organization is located or an adjoining
county, as defined by rules promulgated by the commission.
(ii) "Existing authorized organization" shall mean an authorized
organization that was licensed to conduct games of chance prior to the
effective date of this subdivision.
(iii) "New authorized organization" shall mean an authorized organiza-
tion that is first licensed to conduct games of chance on or after the
effective date of this subdivision.
(iv) "Gaming facility" shall mean any commercial casino, video lottery
terminal facility, or tribal gaming facility operating pursuant to state
or federal law. Locations of such facilities shall be those identified
by the commission.
(b)] The maximum number of electronic bell jar vending machines that
[an existing authorized] A VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPA-
NY may operate shall be determined [based upon the number of its active
local members, as follows:
(i) An existing authorized organization with fewer than fifty active
local members may operate a maximum number of one electronic bell jar
vending machine;
(ii) An existing authorized organization with fifty or more but fewer
than one hundred active local members may operate a maximum of two elec-
tronic bell jar vending machines;
(iii) An existing authorized organization with one hundred or more
active local members but fewer than two hundred active local members may
operate a maximum of three electronic bell jar vending machines;
(iv) An existing authorized organization with two hundred or more but
fewer than three hundred active local members may operate a maximum of
four electronic bell jar vending machines; and
(v) An existing authorized organization with three hundred or more
active local members may operate a maximum of five electronic bell jar
vending machines.
(c) A new authorized organization may operate a maximum of one elec-
tronic bell jar vending machine.
(d) (i) For any authorized organization at a premises located within
fifteen miles of any gaming facility, the maximum number of electronic
bell jar vending machines that may be operated shall be one, notwith-
standing the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subdivision; provided
however, that this limitation shall not apply to gaming facilities
located within cities with a population of one million or more as of the
latest federal decennial census.
(ii) For any authorized organization at a premises located more than
fifteen miles but not more than twenty-five miles from any gaming facil-
ity, the maximum number of electronic bell jar vending machines that may
A. 9433 7
be operated shall be three, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph
(b) of this subdivision.
(iii)] BY THE COMMISSION, BUT SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THREE MACHINES.
(B) (I) THE USE OF AN ELECTRONIC BELL JAR VENDING MACHINE SHALL NOT BE
APPROVED OR PERMITTED IN ANY LOCATION RESTRICTED BY A COMPACT BETWEEN AN
INDIAN TRIBE AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION.
(II) In cities with a population of one million or more as of the
latest federal decennial census, the following geographic considerations
shall apply, notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph or
paragraph [(b)] (A) of this subdivision:
For any [authorized] VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY at
a premises located within two thousand five hundred feet of any gaming
facility, the maximum number of electronic bell jar vending machines
that may be operated shall be one. The commission shall establish proce-
dures for measuring such distance. For any [authorized] VETERAN organ-
ization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY at a premises located more than two
thousand five hundred feet but not more than one mile from any gaming
facility, the maximum number of electronic bell jar vending machines
that may be operated shall be [one for new authorized organizations. For
existing authorized organizations within this zone, the maximum number
of electronic bell jar vending machines shall be] two, provided that the
commission, in authorizing such machines, considers local market condi-
tions and the objectives of preventing market oversaturation. For any
[authorized] VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY at a prem-
ises located more than one mile from any gaming facility, the maximum
number of electronic bell jar vending machines shall be [determined in
accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subdivision] THREE,
provided that the commission shall retain the discretion to impose
stricter limitations based on local density of [authorized] VETERAN
organizations AND/OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES operating such machines,
potential impact on existing gaming facilities, and [other local market
conditions specific to such city] THE DETERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION OF
WHAT WILL BEST SERVE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE, consistent with the objectives
set forth in paragraph [(e)] (C) of this subdivision. The commission
shall, by rule or regulation, further define the methodology for assess-
ing local density and market conditions within such cities and may
establish specific zones or areas where the placement of electronic bell
jar vending machines is further limited or requires enhanced review, to
ensure the responsible integration of such charitable gaming opportu-
nities.
[(iv)] (III) The commission shall have the authority to establish, by
rule or regulation, specific proximity zones around gaming facilities
and to modify the limitations provided in subparagraphs (i)[,] AND
(ii)[, and (iii)] of this paragraph based upon [local market conditions]
THE DETERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION OF WHAT WILL BEST SERVE PUBLIC
CONVENIENCE, potential impact on existing gaming facilities, and the
need to prevent loss of employment at such facilities, provided that any
such modification shall be consistent with the objective of supporting
charitable fundraising while maintaining the existing gaming landscape
and preventing market oversaturation; provided however, that any such
modification shall constitute only a reduction of the thresholds estab-
lished by this subdivision.
[(e)] (C) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this [subdivi-
sion] ARTICLE, the commission shall have the discretion to determine the
number of electronic bell jar vending machines that may be operated by
any [authorized] VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, and the
A. 9433 8
location of such machines; provided, however, that such number of
machines shall not exceed the limits established in this subdivision.
Such discretion shall be exercised to ensure that the introduction and
operation of electronic bell jar vending machines occurs exclusively to
the fundraising capabilities of legitimate [charitable] VETERAN organ-
izations OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES while maintaining the stability of
existing regulated gaming sectors and revenue to the state, and avoiding
any loss of employment at existing gaming facilities.
(ii) [The commission may require periodic reporting or verification of
active local membership to ensure ongoing compliance with eligibility
requirements and may take enforcement action in cases of material
misrepresentation or sustained noncompliance. The commission may also
take into consideration reasonable and periodic fluctuations in member-
ship to avoid requiring the removal or retirement of electronic bell jar
vending machines due to temporary or minimal decreases in membership.
(iii)] The commission shall deny, revoke, or limit the number of elec-
tronic bell jar vending machines [an authorized] A VETERAN organization
OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY may operate if [it] THE COMMISSION determines
that such organization has been established, structured, or is being
utilized, directly or indirectly, to obtain a greater number of machines
than otherwise would be permitted. This CONSIDERATION includes, but is
not limited to, the creation of subsidiary entities, shell organiza-
tions, or any other arrangement where the facts and circumstances indi-
cate an intent to circumvent the limitations set forth in this subdivi-
sion. The commission is empowered to scrutinize the governance,
operational control, and financial interdependence of organizations to
make such determinations.
[(iv)] (III) The co-siting or joint housing of multiple [authorized]
VETERAN organizations AND/OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES at a single prem-
ises or contiguous premises for the primary purpose of increasing the
aggregate number of electronic bell jar vending machines at such
location beyond what would otherwise be permitted for a single [author-
ized] VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY operating at such
premises is prohibited, unless explicitly authorized by the commission
upon a finding that such arrangement is consistent with the public
interest and the objectives of this article. The commission shall
promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate this provision, consider-
ing factors such as shared operational control, membership overlap, and
the primary purpose of the co-siting arrangement.
7. The commission shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may
be necessary for the implementation of electronic bell jar vending
machine gaming in accordance with the provisions of this section,
including, but not limited to, the [verification of active local member-
ship numbers and] assessment of proximity to gaming facilities.
8. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS AS THE
COMMISSION MAY DEEM NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT ELECTRONIC BELL JAR VENDING
MACHINES ARE ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO BONA FIDE MEMBERS OF THE VETERANS ORGAN-
IZATION OR BONA FIDE MEMBERS OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY. SUCH
MACHINES SHALL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC OR TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO
IS NOT A BONA FIDE MEMBER OF SUCH ORGANIZATION OR COMPANY; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THE COMMISSION MAY AUTHORIZE THE USE OF SUCH MACHINES AT
EACH VETERAN ORGANIZATION'S OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY'S FUNDRAISING
EVENTS ON NO MORE THAN FOUR OCCASIONS PER CALENDAR YEAR, AT WHICH TIME
SUCH MACHINES MAY BE MADE ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT BONA
FIDE MEMBERS, SUBJECT TO SUCH SUPERVISION AND SAFEGUARDS AS THE COMMIS-
A. 9433 9
SION MAY REQUIRE, INCLUDING MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT NO INDIVIDUAL UNDER
THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN PARTICIPATES.
§ 7. Subdivisions 1, 4, and 5 of section 195-o of the general munici-
pal law, as amended by a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the gener-
al municipal law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in
legislative bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, are amended and a new
subdivision 5-a is added to read as follows:
1. Distribution; distributors. Any distributor licensed in accordance
with section one hundred eighty-nine-a of this article to distribute
bell jar tickets or electronic bell jar vending machines shall purchase
such tickets and vending machines only from licensed manufacturers and
may manufacture coin boards and merchandise boards only as authorized in
subdivision one-a of this section. Licensed distributors of bell jar
tickets [and electronic bell jar vending machines] shall sell such tick-
ets and vending machines only to not-for-profit, charitable or religious
organizations registered by the commission AND SHALL SELL, LEASE OR
OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTE ELECTRONIC BELL JAR VENDING MACHINES ONLY TO ELIGI-
BLE VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES AS SET FORTH IN
THIS ARTICLE. Any licensed distributor who willfully violates the
provisions of this section shall: (a) upon such first offense, have
their license suspended for a period of thirty days; (b) upon such
second offense, participate in a hearing to be conducted by the commis-
sion, and surrender their license for such period as recommended by the
commission; and (c) upon such third or subsequent offense, have their
license suspended for a period of one year and shall be guilty of a
class E felony. Any unlicensed distributor who violates this section
shall be guilty of a class E felony.
4. Invoices; agreements. (a) A distributor shall supply with each sale
of a bell jar product an itemized invoice showing the distributor's name
and address, the purchaser's name, address, and license number, the date
of the sale, the account number identifying the sale from the manufac-
turer to distributor and the account number identifying the sale from
the distributor to the licensed organization, and the description of the
deals, including the form number, the serial number and the ideal gross
from every deal of bell jar or similar game.
(b) Prior to the sale, lease, or distribution of an electronic bell
jar vending machine to [an authorized] A VETERAN organization OR VOLUN-
TEER FIRE COMPANY, the distributor or manufacturer shall provide the
contract or agreement for such sale, lease or distribution to the
commission for approval and any modification to such contract or agree-
ment thereafter. Such contract or agreement shall show, at minimum:
(i) the name and address of the [authorized] VETERAN organization OR
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY;
(ii) the date of sale, lease or distribution;
(iii) the serial number of each such machine;
(iv) the material terms and conditions of such contract or agreement;
and
(v) any additional information as the commission may require.
(c) The commission may promulgate rules and regulations relating to
the terms of any contract or agreement for the sale, lease, or distrib-
ution of an electronic bell jar vending machine to [an authorized] A
VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT REVENUE FROM PLAY ON SUCH
MACHINES APPROPRIATELY BENEFITS THE VETERAN ORGANIZATION AND DOES NOT,
INSTEAD, PRIMARILY OR UNDULY BENEFIT ANY OTHER ENTITY, INCLUDING THE
DISTRIBUTOR OR MANUFACTURER. The commission [shall], IN ITS SOLE
A. 9433 10
DISCRETION, MAY approve or deny such contract or agreement [within thir-
ty days of receipt] and any material modification to such contract or
agreement thereafter. If the commission denies approval for such
contract, agreement or modification, it shall provide the reasons for
such determination.
5. Reports. A distributor shall report quarterly to the gaming commis-
sion, on a form prescribed by the gaming commission, its sales of each
type of bell jar deal or tickets and electronic bell jar vending
machines. This report shall be filed quarterly on or before the twenti-
eth day of the month succeeding the end of the quarter in which the sale
was made. The [gaming] commission may require that a distributor submit
the quarterly report and invoices required by this section via electron-
ic media or electronic data transfer.
5-A. ANY COSTS OF THE COMMISSION NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN REGULATORY
CONTROL OVER ELECTRONIC BELL JAR MACHINES SHALL BE ASSESSED ANNUALLY ON
DISTRIBUTORS OF ELECTRONIC BELL JAR MACHINES IN PROPORTION TO THE NUMBER
OF SUCH MACHINES THAT HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THAT ARE OPERATIONAL AT ANY
POINT IN SUCH YEAR. EACH DISTRIBUTOR SHALL PAY THE AMOUNT ASSESSED
AGAINST IT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT
FROM THE COMMISSION.
§ 8. Subdivision 3 of section 195-q of the general municipal law, as
added by a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal
law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative
bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read as follows:
3. (a) [An authorized] A VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPA-
NY may [only] operate electronic bell jar vending machines ONLY on prem-
ises that it owns or leases. ALL SUCH LOCATIONS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY
THE VETERAN ORGANIZATION OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY AND APPROVED BY THE
COMMISSION PRIOR TO THE PLACEMENT OF ANY ELECTRONIC BELL JAR MACHINE AT
THOSE PREMISES.
(b) [An authorized] A VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
may operate no more machines than the number permitted in [subdivision
six of] section one hundred ninety-five-c of this article.
(c) No [authorized] VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
shall operate an electronic bell jar vending machine unless [it] SUCH
VETERAN ORGANIZATION OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY is a [games of chance]
GAMES-OF-CHANCE licensee authorized by the commission to operate an
electronic bell jar vending machine. The commission may promulgate
rules and regulations as [may be] THE COMMISSION DEEMS necessary for the
approval of [an authorized] A VETERAN organization OR VOLUNTEER FIRE
COMPANY to operate an electronic bell jar vending machine. [The commis-
sion may revoke, suspend, or condition such approval. The commission
shall approve or deny such request for such approval within thirty
days.] If the commission denies such request, it shall provide the
reasons for such determination.
(d) THE COMMISSION MAY AUTHORIZE A VETERAN ORGANIZATION OR VOLUNTEER
FIRE COMPANY TO OPERATE ELECTRONIC BELL JAR GAMES ONLY IF SUCH VETERAN
ORGANIZATION OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY WAS LICENSED TO OPERATE BELL JAR
GAMES AS OF NOVEMBER THIRTIETH, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE.
(E) Each ELECTRONIC bell jar vending machine shall generate sales
reports and such other information that the commission may direct by
regulation. The commission shall have access to the server of each
electronic bell jar vending machine for the purpose of monitoring and
auditing at no cost to the state.
A. 9433 11
[(e)] (F) Any unclaimed funds or tickets left in any electronic bell
jar vending machine shall be retained by the authorized organization and
reported as net proceeds.
§ 9. A chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal law
relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative bills
numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended by adding a new section 9-a
to read as follows:
§ 9-A. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT ARE NOT SEVERABLE FROM EACH OTHER
AND ARE INTENDED TO BE INTEGRATED WITH AND INTEGRAL TO THE WHOLE. IF ANY
PORTION OF THIS ACT IS HELD BY A COURT TO BE VOID OR UNENFORCEABLE THEN
THE REMAINING PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED VOID AND UNEN-
FORCEABLE.
§ 10. Section 10 of a chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general
municipal law relating to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in
legislative bills numbers S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, is amended to read as
follows:
§ 10. This act shall take effect [immediately] ONE YEAR AFTER IT SHALL
HAVE BECOME A LAW. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE ADDITION, AMENDMENT
AND/OR REPEAL OF ANY RULE OR REGULATION NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THIS ACT ON ITS EFFECTIVE DATE ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE MADE ON OR BEFORE
SUCH DATE.
§ 11. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however,
sections one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine of
this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a
chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the general municipal law relating
to electronic bell jar games, as proposed in legislative bills numbers
S. 6351-B and A. 7475-B, takes effect.Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.