§ 14-309.36.  Permit procedure for game night vendors.

(a) No person, firm, or corporation may receive compensation for providing gaming tables or gaming equipment for use in a game night without first obtaining a permit as provided by this section. The application for a game night vendor permit shall be on a form prescribed by the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety and shall be submitted to the Alcohol Law Enforcement Headquarters.

(b) A fee of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) shall be charged annually for each permit. The permit fees assessed under this section are payable to the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety and shall be collected and used by the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division to defray the costs of issuing game night vendor permits and ensuring compliance with this section. The game night vendor permit shall be displayed at any event the game night vendor conducts.

(c) The Alcohol Law Enforcement Division shall deny a permit to a person, firm, or corporation that meets any of the following disqualifying conditions:

(1) Has a conviction for any violation of State or federal gambling laws within the five years prior to the date of application.

(2) Has pending charges for any violation of State or federal gambling laws.

(3) Is subject to an active criminal or civil court order prohibiting involvement in gambling activities.

(4) Has a conviction for any felony.

(d) A person, firm, or corporation with a game night vendor permit may not employ a person that meets any of the following disqualifying conditions:

(1) Has a conviction for any violation of State or federal gambling laws within the five years prior to the date of employment.

(2) Has pending charges for any violation of State or federal gambling laws.

(3) Is subject to an active criminal or civil court order prohibiting involvement in gambling activities.

(4) Has a conviction for any felony.

(e) All gaming tables and gaming equipment owned or possessed by a game night vendor must be registered pursuant to G.S. 14-309.35. The Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety shall inspect the gaming tables and equipment of each game night vendor at least one time per calendar year and may conduct any additional inspections reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with G.S. 14-309.35 and this section. Inspections of gaming tables and equipment shall occur (i) on the premises of a game night event that the game night vendor has been employed to conduct, (ii) immediately prior to or during the game night event, (iii) at locations, times, and dates chosen by the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, and (iv) without prior notice to the game night vendor or any party that has obtained a permit pursuant to G.S. 14-309.27. (2019-13, s. 2; 2021-150, s. 32.1.)