SB26-163 Regulation of Gaming & Sports Betting

Under current law, the Colorado limited gaming control commission (commission), at its discretion, may delegate only certain licensing duties described under the 'Limited Gaming Act of 1991' (gaming act) to the division of gaming (division). The act allows the commission to delegate to the division licensing duties that appear elsewhere in the gaming act.     The act authorizes investigators of the division and their supervisors to inspect, examine, investigate, hold, or impound any premises in the state where an investigator or supervisor suspects that unlicensed gaming or unlicensed sports betting is conducted.     Under current law, the division is required to operate a program that allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from gaming activities in the state. The act expands the program to allow individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from sports betting in the state.     The act clarifies the definition of 'race meet' for purposes of the regulation of racing events. The act also adds other definitions of terms used in laws concerning gaming.     The act states that a designee of the director is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of their duties whose primary authority includes the enforcement of all laws of the state.     Current law prohibits a licensee from offering certain games without acquiring prior approval from the commission. The act changes this requirement so that a licensee must acquire prior approval from the division.     The act clarifies the process by which the commission and the Colorado bureau of investigation conduct fingerprint-based criminal background checks of applicants for gaming licenses.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)