The bill would amend various codes as they relate to the operation of casino gaming in this state by federally recognized Indian tribes on certain land. The provisions of the bill that create new or enhance existing punishment for criminal offenses are the subject of this analysis. Under the provisions of the bill, manipulation or tampering with a casino game outcome, the game prize, or the gaming device would be punishable as a felony of the third degree. The bill would also make the sale of a casino game to a person younger than 18 years of age punishable as a misdemeanor with the level contingent on the specific nature of the offense.

A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed 180 days and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement in county jail for a term not to exceed one year and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000. A felony of the third degree is punishable by confinement in prison for a term from 2 to 10 years and, in addition to confinement, an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.

Creating a new offense is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the state due to longer terms of probation, or longer terms of confinement in county jail, state jail, or prison. For this analysis, it is assumed the number of offenders convicted under the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies.