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Bill to let nonprofits, schools accept credit cards for raffle tickets draws support and opposition
Summary
House Bill 141 would allow nonprofits, college and school districts to accept credit‑card payments for raffle tickets; proponents said the change modernizes fundraising and increases safety for volunteers; opponents warned that permitting credit gambling risks harm and could be expanded beyond intended narrow uses.
Helena — House Bill 141, which would permit nonprofit organizations and school entities to accept credit‑card payments for raffle tickets, drew robust support from charitable groups and trade associations at a Senate Business and Labor Committee hearing and forceful opposition from gambling and tavern trade groups.
Proponents said the change would modernize fundraising and broaden participation. Adam Jespersen of the Montana Nonprofit Association said the single change — allowing credit‑card purchases for eligible raffles — would help thousands of charitable organizations raise funds for community programs, with volunteers currently expected to manage cash and complex point‑of‑sale work at events.
Special Olympics Montana and other organizations presented raffle return data to show the fundraising impact of large raffles. ‘‘People just don’t carry cash,’’ said Becky Franks of Cancer Support Community Western Montana. Groups argued credit acceptance reduces volunteer exposure to cash handling risks, simplifies bookkeeping and increases ticket sales for worthwhile causes.
Conservation and sporting groups including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Trout Unlimited said credit‑card capability would let out‑of‑town donors participate and support local conservation projects and, for some organizations, substantially increase fundraising revenues.
Opponents included the Gaming Industry Association, the Montana Tavern Association and coin‑machine operators, who argued the bill would erode the longstanding statewide prohibition on credit gambling and that a narrow exception could bleed into broader expansions over time. “Once that door is open, it is very hard to close it,” said Shawna Helford of the Gaming Industry Association.
Some witnesses urged moderating language such as per‑transaction limits; others raised enforcement questions and urged the committee to ensure any change is limited to the narrow statutory categories the bill addresses: nonprofit organizations, colleges, universities and school districts conducting raffles under DOJ rules.
Sponsor Rep. Ed Buttrey and proponents said the bill does not authorize credit use for commercial gaming, the state lottery, or casino machines and that raffle proceeds remain subject to existing DOJ record‑keeping and charitable‑use rules.
Committee members asked about consumer protections and how credit transactions would be limited to the eligible raffle categories. The bill drew substantial public support in the hearing; no committee vote was recorded in the provided transcript.
