PocketLaw | Illinois Compiled Statutes | Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar

Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act.

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(230 ILCS 20/1) (from Ch. 120, par. 1051)

Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act.

(Source: P.A. 85-1012.)

(230 ILCS 20/1.1) (from Ch. 120, par. 1051.1)

Sec. 1.1. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Pull tabs" and "jar games" means a game using single-folded or banded tickets or a card, the face of which is initially covered or otherwise hidden from view in order to conceal a number, symbol or set of symbols, some of which are winners. Players with winning tickets receive a prize stated on a promotional display or "flare". Pull tabs also means a game in which prizes are won by pulling a tab from a board thereby revealing a number which corresponds to the number for a given prize.

Each winning pull tab or slip shall be predetermined.

"Pull tabs and jar games", as used in this Act, does not include the following: numbers, policy, bolita or similar games, dice, slot machines, bookmaking and wagering pools with respect to a sporting event, or that game commonly known as punch boards, or any other game or activity not expressly defined in this Section.

"Organization" means a corporation, agency, partnership, association, firm or other entity consisting of 2 or more persons joined by a common interest or purpose.

"Non-profit organization" means an organization or institution organized and conducted on a not-for-profit basis with no personal profit inuring to anyone as a result of the operation.

"Charitable organization" means an organization or institution organized and operated to benefit an indefinite number of the public.

"Educational organization" means an organization or institution organized and operated to provide systematic instruction in useful branches of learning by methods common to schools and institutions of learning which compare favorably in their scope and intensity with the course of study presented in tax-supported schools.

"Religious organization" means any church, congregation, society, or organization founded for the purpose of religious worship.

"Fraternal organization" means an organization of persons having a common interest that is organized and operated exclusively to promote the welfare of its members and to benefit the general public on a continuing and consistent basis, including but not limited to ethnic organizations.

"Veterans' organization" means an organization comprised of members of which substantially all are individuals who are veterans or spouses, widows, or widowers of veterans, the primary purpose of which is to promote the welfare of its members and to provide assistance to the general public in such a way as to confer a public benefit.

"Labor organization" means an organization composed of labor unions or workers organized with the objective of betterment of the conditions of those engaged in such pursuit and the development of a higher degree of efficiency in their respective occupations.

"Youth athletic organization" means an organization having as its exclusive purpose the promotion and provision of athletic activities for youth aged 18 and under.

"Senior citizens organization" means an organization or association comprised of members of which substantially all are individuals who are senior citizens, as defined in the Illinois Act on the Aging, the primary purpose of which is to promote the welfare of its members.

"Department" means the Department of Revenue.

"Person" means any natural individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, organization, licensee under this Act, or volunteer.

"Special permit" means a permit issued to a licensed organization that allows it to conduct pull tabs and jar games at other premises or on other days not exceeding 5 consecutive days.

"Supplier" means any person, firm, or corporation that sells, leases, lends, distributes, or otherwise provides any pull tabs and jar games to any organization licensed to conduct pull tabs and jar games in Illinois.

"Volunteer" means a person recruited by the licensed organization who voluntarily performs services at a pull tabs or jar games event, including participation in the management or operation of a game.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/2) (from Ch. 120, par. 1052)

Sec. 2. The Department of Revenue shall, upon application therefor on forms prescribed by the Department, and upon the payment of a nonrefundable annual fee of $500, and upon determination that the applicant meets all the requirements of this Act, issue a license to conduct pull tabs and jar games to any of the following:

(i) Any local fraternal mutual benefit organization chartered at least 40 years before it applies for a license under this Act.
(ii) Any bona fide religious, charitable, labor, fraternal, youth athletic, senior citizen, educational or veterans' organization organized in Illinois which operates without profit to its members, which has been in existence in Illinois continuously for a period of 5 years immediately before making application for a license and which has had during that entire 5 year period a bona fide membership engaged in carrying out its objects. However, the 5 year requirement shall be reduced to 2 years, as applied to a local organization which is affiliated with and chartered by a national organization which meets the 5 year requirement.

Each license issued shall be in effect for one year from its date of issuance unless extended, suspended, or revoked by Department action before that date. The Department may provide by rule for an extension of any pull tabs and jar games license issued under this Act. Any extension provided shall not exceed one year. A licensee may hold only one license and that license is valid for only one location unless a special permit, as authorized in subsection (4) of Section 3, is issued. The Department may authorize by rule the filing by electronic means of any application, license, permit, return, or registration required under this Act.

All taxes and fees imposed by this Act, unless otherwise specified, shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/2.1)

Sec. 2.1. Ineligibility for a license. The following are ineligible for any license under this Act:

(1) Any person convicted of any felony within the last 5 years where such conviction will impair the person's ability to engage in the position for which a license is sought.
(2) Any person convicted of a violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 who has not been sufficiently rehabilitated following the conviction.
(3) Any person who has had a bingo, pull tabs and jar games, or charitable games license revoked by the Department.
(4) Any person who is or has been a professional gambler.
(5) Any person found gambling in a manner not authorized by the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act, the Bingo License and Tax Act, or the Charitable Games Act, participating in such gambling, or knowingly permitting such gambling on premises where pull tabs and jar games are authorized to be conducted.
(6) Any firm or corporation in which a person defined in (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) has any proprietary, equitable, or credit interest or in which such person is active or employed.
(7) Any organization in which a person defined in (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) is an officer, director, or employee, whether compensated or not.
(8) Any organization in which a person defined in (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) is to participate in the management or operation of pull tabs and jar games.

The Illinois State Police shall provide the criminal background of any supplier as requested by the Department of Revenue.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(230 ILCS 20/2.2)

Sec. 2.2. Applicant convictions.

(a) The Department shall not require applicants to report the following information and shall not consider the following criminal history records in connection with an application for licensure:

(1) Juvenile adjudications of delinquent minors as defined in Section 5-105 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 5-130 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(2) Law enforcement records, court records, and conviction records of an individual who was 17 years old at the time of the offense and before January 1, 2014, unless the nature of the offense required the individual to be tried as an adult.
(3) Records of arrest not followed by a conviction.
(4) Convictions overturned by a higher court.
(5) Convictions or arrests that have been sealed or expunged.

(b) The Department, upon a finding that an applicant for a license was convicted of a felony in the previous 5 years or of a violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or Criminal Code of 2012, shall consider any evidence of rehabilitation and mitigating factors contained in the applicant's record, including any of the following factors and evidence, to determine if the applicant is sufficiently rehabilitated or whether the conviction will impair the ability of the applicant to engage in the position for which a license is sought:

(1) the lack of direct relation of the offense for which the applicant was previously convicted to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the position for which a license is sought;
(2) the amount of time that has elapsed since the offense occurred;
(3) if the applicant was previously licensed or employed in this State or other states or jurisdictions, then the lack of prior misconduct arising from or related to the licensed position or position of employment;
(4) the age of the person at the time of the criminal offense;
(5) successful completion of sentence and, for applicants serving a term of parole or probation, a progress report provided by the applicant's probation or parole officer that documents the applicant's compliance with conditions of supervision;
(6) evidence of the applicant's present fitness and professional character;
(7) evidence of rehabilitation or rehabilitative effort during or after incarceration, or during or after a term of supervision, including, but not limited to, a certificate of good conduct under Section 5-5.5-25 of the Unified Code of Corrections or a certificate of relief from disabilities under Section 5-5.5-10 of the Unified Code of Corrections; and
(8) any other mitigating factors that contribute to the person's potential and current ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position for which a license or employment is sought.

(c) If the Department refuses to issue a license to an applicant, then the applicant shall be notified of the denial in writing with the following included in the notice of denial:

(1) a statement about the decision to refuse to issue a license;
(2) a list of the convictions that the Department determined will impair the applicant's ability to engage in the position for which a license is sought;
(3) a list of convictions that formed the sole or partial basis for the refusal to issue a license; and
(4) a summary of the appeal process or the earliest the applicant may reapply for a license, whichever is applicable.

(d) No later than May 1 of each year, the Department must prepare, publicly announce, and publish a report of summary statistical information relating to new and renewal license applications during the preceding calendar year. Each report shall show, at a minimum:

(1) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license under this Act within the previous calendar year;
(2) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license under this Act within the previous calendar year who had any criminal conviction;
(3) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license under this Act in the previous calendar year who were granted a license;
(4) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license with a criminal conviction who were granted a license under this Act within the previous calendar year;
(5) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license under this Act within the previous calendar year who were denied a license; and
(6) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license with a criminal conviction who were denied a license under this Act in the previous calendar year in whole or in part because of a prior conviction.

(Source: P.A. 100-286, eff. 1-1-18.)

(230 ILCS 20/3) (from Ch. 120, par. 1053)

Sec. 3. Licensing for the conducting of pull tabs and jar games is subject to the following restrictions:

(1) The license application, when submitted to the Department of Revenue, shall contain a sworn statement attesting to the not-for-profit character of the prospective licensee organization and shall be signed by a person listed on the application as an owner, officer, or other person in charge of the necessary day-to-day operations of that organization.
(2) The license application shall be prepared in accordance with the rules of the Department of Revenue.
(3) The licensee shall prominently display the license in the area where the licensee conducts pull tabs and jar games. The licensee shall likewise display, in the form and manner as prescribed by the Department, the provisions of Section 4 of this Act.
(4) Each license shall state the location at which the licensee is permitted to conduct pull tabs and jar games. The Department may, on special application made by a licensed organization, issue a special permit to conduct a single pull tabs or jar games event at another location. A special permit shall be displayed at the site of any pull tabs or jar games authorized by such permit.
(4.1) A license is not assignable or transferable.
(5) Any organization qualified for a license but not holding one, may upon application and payment of a nonrefundable fee of $50 receive a limited license to conduct pull tabs or jar games at no more than 2 indoor or outdoor festivals in a year for a maximum of 5 consecutive days on each occasion. No more than 2 limited licenses under this subsection may be issued to any organization in any year. The limited license shall be prominently displayed at the site where pull tabs or jar games are sold.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/3.1)

Sec. 3.1. Suppliers' license. The Department shall issue a suppliers' license permitting a person, firm or corporation to sell or distribute to any organization licensed to conduct pull tabs and jar games supplies, devices or other equipment designed for use in the playing of pull tabs and jar games. No person, firm or corporation shall sell or distribute pull tabs and jar games supplies without having first obtained a license. Licensed suppliers shall buy pull tabs and jar games only from licensed manufacturers and shall sell pull tabs and jar games only to licensed organizations. Licensed organizations shall buy pull tabs and jar games only from licensed suppliers. Applications for suppliers' licenses shall be made in writing in accordance with Department rules. The Department shall license suppliers of pull tabs and jar games subject to a nonrefundable annual fee of $5,000, or a nonrefundable triennial supplier's fee of $15,000. Each suppliers' license is valid for one year from date of issuance, or 3 years from date of issuance for a triennial license, unless extended, suspended, or revoked by Department action before that date. Any extension of a suppliers' license shall not exceed one year. No licensed supplier under this Act shall sell, distribute or allow the use of any supplies, devices or equipment designed for use in the play of pull tabs and jar games for the conducting of anything other than pull tabs and jar games or to any person or organization not otherwise licensed under this Act.

The Department shall adopt by rule minimum quality production standards for pull tabs and jar games. In determining those standards, the Department shall consider the standards adopted by the National Association of Gambling Regulatory Agencies and the National Association of Fundraising Ticket Manufacturers. The standards shall include the name of the supplier which shall appear in plain view to the casual observer on the face side of each pull tab ticket and on each jar game ticket. The pull tab ticket shall contain the name of the game, the selling price of the ticket, the amount of the prize and the serial number of the ticket. The back side of a pull tab ticket shall contain a series of perforated tabs marked "open here". The logo of the manufacturer shall be clearly visible on each jar game ticket.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/3.2)

Sec. 3.2. Manufacturers' license. The Department shall issue a manufacturers' license permitting a person, firm or corporation that produces, creates, constructs, assembles or otherwise manufactures pull tab and jar games to sell or distribute to any organization licensed to supply pull tabs and jar games. No person, firm or corporation shall produce, create, construct, assemble or otherwise manufacture pull tab and jar games without having first obtained a license. Licensed manufacturers may sell pull tabs and jar games only to licensed suppliers. Applications for manufacturers' licenses shall be made in writing in accordance with Department rules. The Department of Revenue shall license manufacturers of pull tabs and jar games subject to a nonrefundable annual fee of $5,000, or a triennial supplier's license fee of $15,000. Each manufacturers' license is valid for one year from date of issuance, or 3 years from date of issuance for a triennial license, unless extended, suspended, or revoked by Department action before that date. Any extension of a manufacturers' license shall not exceed one year.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/4) (from Ch. 120, par. 1054)

Sec. 4. The conducting of pull tabs and jar games is subject to the following restrictions:

(1) The entire net proceeds of any pull tabs or jar games, except as otherwise approved in this Act, must be exclusively devoted to the lawful purposes of the organization permitted to conduct such drawings.
(2) No person except a bona fide member or employee of the sponsoring organization may participate in the management or operation of such pull tabs or jar games; however, nothing herein shall conflict with pull tabs and jar games conducted under the provisions of the Charitable Games Act.
(3) No person may receive any remuneration or profit for participating in the management or operation of such pull tabs or jar games; however, nothing herein shall conflict with pull tabs and jar games conducted under the provisions of the Charitable Games Act.
(4) The price paid for a single chance or right to participate in a game licensed under this Act shall not exceed $2. No single prize shall exceed $500. There shall be no more than 6,000 tickets in a game. The aggregate value of all prizes or merchandise awarded in any single day of pull tabs and jar games shall not exceed $5,000.
(5) No person under the age of 18 years shall play or participate in games under this Act. A person under the age of 18 years may be within the area where pull tabs and jar games are being conducted only when accompanied by his parent or guardian.
(6) Pull tabs and jar games shall be conducted only on premises owned or occupied by licensed organizations and used by its members for general activities, or on premises owned or rented for conducting the game of bingo, or as permitted in subsection (4) of Section 3.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/5) (from Ch. 120, par. 1055)

Sec. 5. Payments; returns. There shall be paid to the Department of Revenue 5% of the gross proceeds of any pull tabs and jar games conducted under this Act. Such payments shall be made 4 times per year, between the first and the 20th day of April, July, October and January. Accompanying each payment shall be a return, on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. Failure to submit either the payment or the return within the specified time shall result in suspension or revocation of the license. Tax returns filed pursuant to this Act shall not be confidential and shall be available for public inspection. All payments made to the Department of Revenue under this Act shall be deposited as follows:

(a) 50% shall be deposited in the Common School Fund; and
(b) 50% shall be deposited in the Illinois Gaming Law Enforcement Fund. Of the monies deposited in the Illinois Gaming Law Enforcement Fund under this Section, the General Assembly shall appropriate two-thirds to the Department of Revenue, Illinois State Police and the Office of the Attorney General for State law enforcement purposes, and one-third shall be appropriated to the Department of Revenue for the purpose of distribution in the form of grants to counties or municipalities for law enforcement purposes. The amounts of grants to counties or municipalities shall bear the same ratio as the number of licenses issued in counties or municipalities bears to the total number of licenses issued in the State. In computing the number of licenses issued in a county, licenses issued for locations within a municipality's boundaries shall be excluded.

The provisions of Sections 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, which are not inconsistent with this Act shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Act to the same extent as if such provisions were included in this Act. For the purposes of this Act, references in such incorporated Sections of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to retailers, sellers or persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property means persons engaged in conducting pull tabs and jar games and references in such incorporated Sections of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to sales of tangible personal property mean the conducting of pull tabs and jar games and the making of charges for participating in such drawings.

If any payment provided for in this Section exceeds the taxpayer's liabilities under this Act, as shown on an original return, the taxpayer may credit such excess payment against liability subsequently to be remitted to the Department under this Act, in accordance with reasonable rules adopted by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(230 ILCS 20/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 1056)

Sec. 6. Each licensee must keep a complete record of pull tabs and jar games conducted within the previous 3 years. Such record shall be available for inspection by any employee of the Department of Revenue during reasonable business hours. The Department may require that any person, organization, or corporation licensed under this Act obtain from an Illinois certified public accounting firm at its own expense a certified and unqualified financial statement and verification of records of such organization. Failure of a pull tabs and jar games licensee to comply with this requirement within 90 days of receiving notice from the Department may result in suspension or revocation of the licensee's license.

The Department of Revenue may, at its discretion, suspend or revoke any license if it finds that the licensee or any person connected therewith has violated or is violating this Act. A suspension or revocation shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other civil penalties or assessments that are authorized by this Act. No licensee under this Act, while pull tabs and jar games chances are being conducted, shall knowingly permit entry to any part of the licensed premises by any person who has been convicted of a felony or a violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(230 ILCS 20/7) (from Ch. 120, par. 1057)

Sec. 7. Violations.

(a) Any person who conducts or knowingly participates in an unlicensed pull tabs and jar game commits the offense of gambling in violation of Section 28-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012. Any person who violates any other provision of this Act, or any person who knowingly fails to file a pull tabs and jar games return or who knowingly files a fraudulent application or return under this Act, or any person who wilfully violates any rule or regulation of the Department for the administration and enforcement of this Act, or any officer or agent of an organization licensed under this Act who signs a fraudulent application or return filed on behalf of such an organization, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) Any organization that illegally conducts pull tabs or jar games, in addition to other penalties provided for in this Act, shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount of gross proceeds derived from those unlicensed games, as well as confiscation and forfeiture of all pull tabs and jar games equipment used in the conduct of those unlicensed games.

(c) Any organization licensed to conduct pull tabs and jar games which allows any form of illegal gambling to be conducted on the premises where pull tabs and jar games are being conducted, in addition to other penalties provided for in this Act, shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount of gross proceeds derived on that day from pull tabs and jar games and any illegal game that may have been conducted, as well as confiscation and forfeiture of all pull tabs and jar games equipment used in the conduct of any unlicensed or illegal games.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(230 ILCS 20/7.1)

Sec. 7.1. Law enforcement action. Any law enforcement agency that takes action relating to the operation of pull tabs and jar games shall notify the Department of Revenue and specify the extent of the action taken and the reasons for its action.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/7.2)

Sec. 7.2. Application of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act shall apply to all administrative rules and procedures of the Department of Revenue under this Act, except that (1) paragraph (b) of Section 5-10 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to final orders, decisions and opinions of the Department, (2) subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 5-10 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to forms established by the Department for use under this Act, (3) the provisions of Section 10-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act regarding proposals for decision are excluded and not applicable to the Department under this Act, and (4) the provisions of subsection (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act do not apply so as to prevent summary suspension of any license pending revocation or other action, which suspension shall remain in effect unless modified by the Department or unless the Department's decision is reversed on the merits in proceedings conducted pursuant to the Administrative Review Law.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

(230 ILCS 20/7.3)

Sec. 7.3. Severability. If any clause, sentence, Section, provision, or part of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be adjudged to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or its application to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.

(Source: P.A. 95-228, eff. 8-16-07.)

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