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<p class="MsoPlainText">Hello:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Here is some additional information regarding gaming and Public Libraries:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">l<a href="http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-750-372"><b><i>MCL 730.372
</i></b></a><b><i> Lotteries and gift enterprises; prohibited acts; applicability of subsection (1); “promotional activity” defined; violation as misdemeanor; penalty.
<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><i><o:p> </o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i>(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a lottery or gift enterprise conducted by a person as a promotional activity that is clearly occasional and ancillary to the primary business of that person. As used in this subsection, “promotional
activity” means an activity that is calculated to promote a business enterprise or the sale of its products or services, but does not include a lottery or gift enterprise involving the payment of money solely for the chance or opportunity to win a prize or
a lottery or gift enterprise that may be entered by purchasing a product or service for substantially more than its fair market value<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The short answer is that it would seem that you are ok with both Summer Reading prizes AND a raffle, IF there is no cost to the patron – in other words, if you are giving away raffle tickets to every child
who reads a book and then drawing prizes, you should be ok.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">If you are handing out giveaways to kids upon signing up for Summer Reading or upon reading a book, that should be ok too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">However</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">, if the Library itself wishes to fundraise using raffles, that could be an issue. I can find no rules or authority that addresses whether Public entities
can obtain licenses for raffles, etc. Public entities such as libraries don’t fall into any of the statutory or regulatory definitions. However, I also don’t see anything – yet – that says they can’t either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The statute governing licensing indicates that , under certain conditions, a license isn’t required, so it may be that a Public library would fall under that exeption,:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><a href="http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-432-105d"><span style="background:white">432.105d</span></a><b><i><span style="color:black;background:white"> Small and large raffle licenses; issuance.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:black;background:white">4) A qualified organization is excused from the requirements of obtaining a license under this act if the qualified organization is sponsoring a single gathering and conducts a raffle before
which there is no presale of tickets and the total aggregate retail value of the prize or prizes to be awarded that day is $100.00 or less.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;background:white">BUT
</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I would encourage you to consult your attorney to confirm before you plan your event.<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">ON THE OTHER HAND</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">, a Friends Group, if it is a 501(c)3 entity, can certainly obtain a license for charitable gaming, and hold an event for the benefit of the library.
For fundraising purposes, this may be your best bet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">As James indicated, the Michigan Lottery has a good page on this topic, at
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.michigan.gov/cg/">http://www.michigan.gov/cg/</a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope this is helpful – Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clare<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Library of Michigan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov">MembielaC@michigan.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">517-335-8132<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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