RD75 - Report on Efforts to Increase the Number of Independent Laboratories that Conduct Testing of Charitable Gaming Electronic Equipment


Executive Summary:
LEGISLATIVE MANDATE

This report is issued pursuant to the third enactment clause of Chapter 429 of the 2010 Acts of Assembly which called for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to report to the chairs of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology on efforts by VDACS to increase the number of Department-approved independent laboratory testers.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Charitable Gaming Board (Board) is established as a policy board in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Board is to advise the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) on all aspects of the conduct of charitable gaming in Virginia. The functional unit within VDACS that is tasked with the licensing, training, inspection and auditing of organizations, personnel, and events involving charitable gaming in the Commonwealth is the Office of Charitable Gaming (OCG).

Charitable gaming continues to be a vital source of funding for qualified non-profit organizations in Virginia. Pursuant to subsection D of 11 VAC 15-22-20 of the Charitable Gaming Rules and Regulations, permitted organizations are required to use at least 10% of their gross receipts for charitable purposes. During calendar year 2009 --the most recent year for which complete financial information is available -- permitted organizations reported over $279 million in gross sales, of which approximately $35 million, or 12.6% of gross sales, was donated for charitable, community, educational or religious purposes.