§ 3-17-101. Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law.”
§ 3-17-102. Chapter Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: [Deleted by 2015 amendment.] “Annual event” means an event: Authorized by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly; Operated for the benefit of a nonprofit organization located in Tennessee; Conducted with a single type of lottery game; Conducted […]
§ 3-17-103. Annual Events — Application — Organizational Requirements and Restrictions — Proceeds — Omnibus List of Qualifying Applicants — Submission of Financial Accounting
A nonprofit organization seeking to operate an annual event for the benefit of that organization located in this state shall submit an annual event application to the secretary by January 31 each year for the annual event period beginning July 1 of that calendar year and ending June 30 of the subsequent calendar year. In […]
§ 3-17-104. Annual Event Application — Requirements
Except as otherwise provided in § 3-17-103(a)(1), all annual event applications shall be submitted to the secretary from July 1 to January 31 for the annual event period beginning July 1 following the close of the application period and ending June 30 of the subsequent calendar year. The secretary of state may prescribe and furnish […]
§ 3-17-105. Omnibus List
The secretary shall examine each annual event application submitted under this chapter for inclusion on the omnibus list. An annual event shall be included on the omnibus list if: All annual event application filing requirements of § 3-17-104 are met; The secretary determines that the nonprofit organization has been recognized by the internal revenue service […]
§ 3-17-106. Financial Accounting — Requirements
An organization authorized by the general assembly to operate an annual event shall file, within ninety (90) calendar days following the actual event date, a financial accounting with the secretary in accordance with this section. An organization shall remit to the secretary the full application fee specified pursuant to § 3-17-104(c)(2), less the initial application […]
§ 3-17-107. Public Records — Release of Information
Applications, reports, and all other documents and information required to be filed under this chapter, or by the secretary, shall be public records in the office of the secretary. The secretary, in the secretary’s discretion, may compile, summarize, publish, or otherwise release to the public any information contained in applications and any other documents filed […]
§ 3-17-108. Recordkeeping
Every nonprofit organization subject to the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations prescribed by the secretary, shall keep: True and accurate fiscal records including, but not limited to, all income and expenses; and True and accurate records regarding the conduct of any annual event, including records of any documents, information, notices, or […]
§ 3-17-109. Restrictions on Purchase of Tickets, Shares, Chances, or Similar Records — Restrictions on Prizes and Awards
No ticket, share, chance or similar record shall be purchased by and no prize or award shall be paid to: Any member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization authorized by the general assembly to operate an annual event for such organization; Any officer or employee of a nonprofit organization authorized by the […]
§ 3-17-110. Name of Organization on Ticket, Share, Chance or Similar Record — Method of Payment of Prizes and Awards — Limitations on Prices and Awards
The ticket, share, chance or other similar record shall bear on its face the name of the nonprofit organization on whose behalf the event is being conducted. All cash prizes or awards exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be paid by check from a designated account of the organization to a named individual. In the case […]
§ 3-17-111. Disqualification
Any person who is convicted of a violation of § 39-16-702, § 39-16-703, or title 39, chapter 17, parts 5 and 6 shall be permanently disqualified from submitting an annual event application.
§ 3-17-112. Preemption
The general assembly, by enacting this chapter, intends to preempt any other regulation of the area covered by this chapter. No political subdivision or agency may enact or enforce a law, ordinance, resolution or regulation that regulates or prohibits any conduct in the area covered by this chapter.
§ 3-17-113. Compliance — Penalties — Hearings — Investigations
The secretary may publicly or privately investigate, as the secretary of state deems necessary, any person or organization that the secretary has reason to believe has violated this chapter. The secretary may assess a civil penalty against any person, or a nonprofit organization, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for a violation of this […]
§ 3-17-114. Criminal Background Checks
The secretary of state may establish, by duly promulgated rules and regulations, the procedures and criteria for requiring and obtaining criminal background checks for officers, directors, trustees, and the principal salaried executive staff officer who will operate the annual event for a nonprofit organization. No background check shall be conducted on any such person unless […]
§ 3-17-115. Rules and Regulations by Secretary of State
The secretary of state is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as the secretary of state may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. Notwithstanding §§ 4-5-208 and […]