At today's Gaming Zoom, I listened intently to the concerns expressed by the speakers.  I agree with those concerns and the negative impact that the proposed regulations would have on our charitable organizations. 

Charitable Gaming is obviously a form of entertainment for our members, but it has also created a tremendous source of available funds to assist those in need throughout the communities we serve.

Question:  What do We, the Commission, the Fraternal Organizations, the Veterans and the Beneficiaries of charitable giving, and hopefully, the Commonwealth, really want to accomplish with any change in the gaming regulations?   I'd suggest our goal should be to create a program that encourages charitable organizations to continue their Charitable Gaming, and that provides a means for them to increase the amount of funds available for "charitable giving," not a program that causes those funds to be reduced, or eliminated, because of frustrating regulations and/or unnecessary banking/reporting procedures.  Any regulation that does not help lead us towards accomplishing that goal would be working to defeat the worthy cause of charitable giving.

I heard several suggestions of what might be considered an appropriate percentage to place on the Use of Proceeds.  I see that as one of the biggest issues and suggest that no required percentage can be reasonable if it does not take into consideration the expenses that help generate the charitable funds, i.e., the employees, utilities, rent, maintenance, etc.  The Gaming that creates the charitable funds does not come free, and the operational costs to help generate those funds cannot be ignored!