North Carolina General Statutes 14-306.4. Electronic machines and devices for sweepstakes prohibited
(a) Definitions. – For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Electronic machine or device” means a mechanically, electrically or electronically operated machine or device, that is owned, leased or otherwise possessed by a sweepstakes sponsor or promoter, or any of the sweepstakes sponsor’s or promoter’s partners, affiliates, subsidiaries or contractors, that is intended to be used by a sweepstakes entrant, that uses energy, and that is capable of displaying information on a screen or other mechanism. This section is applicable to an electronic machine or device whether or not:
a. It is server-based.
b. It uses a simulated game terminal as a representation of the prizes associated with the results of the sweepstakes entries.
c. It utilizes software such that the simulated game influences or determines the winning or value of the prize.
d. It selects prizes from a predetermined finite pool of entries.
e. It utilizes a mechanism that reveals the content of a predetermined sweepstakes entry.
f. It predetermines the prize results and stores those results for delivery at the time the sweepstakes entry results are revealed.
g. It utilizes software to create a game result.
h. It requires deposit of any money, coin, or token, or the use of any credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or any other method of payment to activate the electronic machine or device.
i. It requires direct payment into the electronic machine or device, or remote activation of the electronic machine or device.
j. It requires purchase of a related product.
k. The related product, if any, has legitimate value.
l. It reveals the prize incrementally, even though it may not influence if a prize is awarded or the value of any prize awarded.
m. It determines and associates the prize with an entry or entries at the time the sweepstakes is entered.
n. It is a slot machine or other form of electrical, mechanical, or computer game.
Attorney's Note
Under the N.C. Gen. Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class G felony | between 8 and 31 months | |
| Class H felony | between 4 and 25 months | |
| Class 1 misdemeanor | up to 120 days |
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 14-306.4
- Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
- Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
(2) “Enter” or “entry” means the act or process by which a person becomes eligible to receive any prize offered in a sweepstakes.
(3) “Entertaining display” means visual information, capable of being seen by a sweepstakes entrant, that takes the form of actual game play, or simulated game play, such as, by way of illustration and not exclusion:
a. A video poker game or any other kind of video playing card game.
b. A video bingo game.
c. A video craps game.
d. A video keno game.
e. A video lotto game.
f. Eight liner.
g. Pot-of-gold.
h. A video game based on or involving the random or chance matching of different pictures, words, numbers, or symbols not dependent on the skill or dexterity of the player.
i. Any other video game not dependent on skill or dexterity that is played while revealing a prize as the result of an entry into a sweepstakes.
(4) “Prize” means any gift, award, gratuity, good, service, credit, or anything else of value, which may be transferred to a person, whether possession of the prize is actually transferred, or placed on an account or other record as evidence of the intent to transfer the prize.
(5) “Sweepstakes” means any game, advertising scheme or plan, or other promotion, which, with or without payment of any consideration, a person may enter to win or become eligible to receive any prize, the determination of which is based upon chance.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, or place into operation, an electronic machine or device to do either of the following:
(1) Conduct a sweepstakes through the use of an entertaining display, including the entry process or the reveal of a prize.
(2) Promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through the use of an entertaining display, including the entry process or the reveal of a prize.
(c) It is the intent of this section to prohibit any mechanism that seeks to avoid application of this section through the use of any subterfuge or pretense whatsoever.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to make illegal any activity which is lawfully conducted on Indian lands pursuant to, and in accordance with, an approved Tribal-State Gaming Compact applicable to that Tribe as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-12(14) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 71A-8
(e) Each violation of this section shall be considered a separate offense.
(f) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense and is guilty of a Class H felony for a second offense and a Class G felony for a third or subsequent offense. (2010-103, s. 1.)