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QUESTION FROM AN AERIE………………………………………………………

Question... Our organization is having a picnic at a picnic groove, not at our Aerie. We would like to know if a bell jar license can be moved for one day?


ANSWER FROM RACING AND WAGERING………………………………..

Dear Bob, Whether or not a bell jar license can “be moved for one day” depends on where the organization intends to move the games. The General Municipal Law, Article 9-A, Section 189 (13) states in part: 13. No game of chance shall be conducted on other than the premises of an authorized organization or an authorized games of chance lessor. Additionally, games of chance rule 5603.11 states:

5603.11 Jurisdiction of license.

The municipal governing body shall, prior to the issuance of any license, make a finding that the applicant organization is domiciled within the territorial limits of the municipality and shall not issue a license to an organization domiciled beyond such territorial limits.

Therefore, the bell jar games could be temporarily moved but the games must be conducted at an authorized location within the same municipality in which your organization is domiciled. Your organization could theoretically conduct its bell jar games at its own premise, at the premise of another authorized organization domiciled in the same municipality or on municipally owned property in the same municipality (since a municipality can be a lessor). In most cases, privately owned commercial businesses such as restaurants, bars, hotels, banquet houses, country clubs, etc. are not authorized locations.

Additionally, your organization must submit an amendment to its bell jar license (GC-6) with the municipal clerk amending the “location of games” that was originally listed on your organization’s bell jar license application (GC-2 form Part B). The picnic location should be listed as an additional location for the temporary time period of the picnic.

I hope this answers your questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you wish to discuss this matter further or have any additional questions regarding games of chance or bingo. Thanks. Sincerely, Rich Kuczynski


NOTE: ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, THE RACING AND WAGERING BOARD GAVE THE EAGLES PERMISSION IN LOCKPORT TO MOVE THIER GAMING LICENCE TO A MALL FOR THE WEEKEND.