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Committee hears bill to decriminalize small‑stakes social gambling
Summary
Representative O'Brien explained House Bill 7,197 would decriminalize incidental social gambling (private pools under $100 in residences, taverns or private clubs). The Department of Revenue’s lottery division raised concerns while the ACLU signaled support.
Representative O'Brien presented House Bill 7,197 to the Judiciary Committee, describing it as a measure to decriminalize casual social gaming such as March Madness or Super Bowl pools when all money circulates only among participants and stakes are below $100.
The sponsor told the committee the change is not intended to legalize commercial gambling but to decriminalize private, incidental games among friends: "It decriminalizes it. It changes the penalty," the sponsor said. The chair noted the Department of Revenue Lottery Division has concerns, while the ACLU is on record as supporting the bill. No formal vote was taken; the bill was held for further study.
