Gamble-Free Utah Prepares to Ban “Fringe Gaming” Sweepstakes Machines
Posted on: February 3, 2019, 07:00h.
Last updated on: February 1, 2019, 12:36h.
Utah is tied with Hawaii as America’s most gamble-dry state and it’s about to get even less “gambly.”
A bill that would outlaw electronic sweepstakes machines, dropped in the legislature last October, is now on its way to a vote on the House floor after being approved 11-1 by committee on Thursday.
HB23 wants to close a loophole in the law that has allowed the machines — which the bill defines as “fringe gaming” — to proliferate around the state’s gas stations, rest stops, and convenience stores over the past few years.
At first glance the machines look like regular casino slots, but their local manufacturer, Intermountain Vending, claims they are more akin to the sweepstakes promotions offered by fast-food chains, where you might receive a coupon and win a free Happy Meal, for example.
Typically, players buy tokens which they feed into the machine and then push a button in the hope of winning rewards cards, which can then be exchanged for merchandise online. Some of the machines also dispense gumballs at 25c a go.
No Raffles
“It’s not gambling,” Intermountain Vending business director Stanford Graham told KSA News in 2016. “Our legislature has a very specific definition of what is and what isn’t gambling. And the activity that this gift card kiosk provides is not gambling.”
It can also be said that the Utah legislature’s definition of what constitutes gambling is quite broad, which is why charitable raffles and bingo are illegal in the Beehive State. Utah and Hawaii are the only states where there are no forms of legal gambling whatsoever, although apparently this wasn’t always the case.
In Utah, the only kind of raffle permitted is one in which players can make donations but also have the option to participate for free, if they so choose.
Now it seems likely that Intermountain’s machines will be added to the list of no-nos.
More Beef
“This bill is designed to beef up our definition of gambling,” said its sponsor, Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross).?“There’s a very fine line between slot machines and what we have in these kiosks.”
Assistant Attorney General Steven Wuthrich was involved in a two-years-long investigation into the machines and his findings were used in drafting the bill. He rejects the notion that fringe gaming is as harmless as a fast food restaurant sweepstake promotion, calling the machines a “a functional equivalent to slot machines that you would see in [West] Wendover.”
Wendover is a town — or nominally two towns — split by the Nevada-Utah border. Full-scale Las Vegas-style gaming is available in West Wendover, but you’d be hard pushed to find a decent raffle in the other part of town.
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Last Comments ( 8 )
The people leasing the machines out are the crooks! They re taking taking someones money with no thing in return. Playing on someone on someones weakness of no money, or who has a fixation on these machines, THINK!! Who is really cashing in on these machines? The businesses that have them in their stores? Yes. But its more like the person who is supplying them the machines at no cost, and free repair. Just so they can have a place to squat their machines. The store owner can make anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 a week from them.... Why should one person make this money? Oh maybe some lawmakers are in on the money grubby scheme too... To say, HUSH.. Do away with these machines ! Give the weak people a fair chance at least.. How about the lottery?? Imagine how much property taxes would go down. Pay for the children and schools.
They are actual tickets that the owner of the shop pays you in cash, usually the next day is the deal. They are at a lot of the vape shops. I know many of the owners and they are making hundreds of thousands on these machines
People Grow a pair, be responsible for yourself, if you blow your "hole" paycheck which of course is not sizable due to your lack of education (your grammar speaks for itself), Your problems are you own, Take ownership do something about it, not have to rely on the state to legislate your life (and affect mine).
The sand people ruined my life my marriage my with there machines with shit for you play them you off on for surely killing American in the middle I been hearing that 35 cents of every dollar that they Rob people out of goes to fund a bullet to kill an American they no this why do you think there over here!!!!
Ok you I go wendover put money in machine pick my keno numbers sometimes I win sometimes I lose when I win I print my ticket give to cashier get cash. Sweepstakes machines at gas stations in Utah put money in pick keno numbers sometimes I win and some I lose if I win I print ticket take to cashier at store get money...... How is this different? Since these machines have been going in gas stations I have gotten a serious gambling problem which I'll blow my hole paycheck and I shouldn't have this problem living in state where gambling is not legal. From what I see nothing is being done about this problem cause they just keep putting in more of these machines at every store.
HB0023 3/21/2019 House/ to Governor Executive Branch - Governor 3/25/2019 Governor Signed Executive Branch - Governor What is next machines still up.
Hello how come the sand people could have got away with this but your local native resident couldn't get a slice of pie they hate Americans but yet our state government lets them the sand people get away with praying on our hopes of coming up a little and just robbing the hell out of us hard working Americans and with no gaming commission hey some one some ones is obviously getting some kick backs there should be away to class action lawsuit there ass and get some of the money back you people in Congress you soulless bastards I'm surprised there ain't been a string of robberies we go to jail but you people behind this SHIT AND I MEAN SHIT can go to the bank FUCK YOU YOU PIECES OF SHIT !!!! You Fringe Fuckers You!
Why don't they just let the people decide what they choose to do and stop trying to control every aspect of their lives.