But in my experience visiting them, there was little skill involved. A person will require skills such as analytical decision. Wait around eight weeks for the Gambling Commission to process the technical and personal documentation. UPDATE- Changes to Illinois Video Gaming Law. Authorizes a casino or racetrack to offer Internet gaming or contract with a platform to offer Internet gaming, as regulated by the Illinois Gaming. 40 by selecting the middle tile each time. ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS TABLE OF CONTENTS . They also don’t display payout percentages in most cases. 106 para. These slots are known as VGTs or video gaming terminals. 16, 2023 at 12:27 PM PDT. In an average month in 2018, the Illinois slot machine industry generated more than $100 million in gross revenue. Internet for a lottery conducted by the State of Illinois under the program established in Section 7. Published: Mar. For a one-year license, a $1,000 application fee and a $2,000 application fee are required, respectively. For the purpose of this law, a “video gaming machine” is a video. Skill games seizedCreates the Internet Gaming Act. For the examination of video gaming machines and associated equipment as required by this Section, the. (InvestigateTV) — Machines that look like the slots found in Las Vegas casinos are popping up in gas stations, convenience stores, bars and social halls. Whether you’re planning a visit to the Harrah’s Joliet or throwing $20 into the office March Madness pool and picking the Illini in the Final Four, all of these activities are covered by gaming and gambling laws in the Prairie State. Recognizing the close relationship between professional gambling and other organized crime, it is declared to be the policy of the legislature to restrain persons from engaging in the business of gambling for profit in this State. The manufacturers of such products, and venues that host them, though, claim that these devices are hardly like slots, and rather rely on a “skill” element that exempts them from. 28—In another win for the electronic skill game industry, a Monroe County judge recently ruled the devices are legal and barred prosecutors from presenting them as evidence in a criminal case. What is the maximum number of VGTs permitted in a licensed establishment in Illinois? All licensed establishments can have up to six (6) VGTs if allowed by the municipality. Share This. commercial gaming establishments found throughout the state. Gambling in Georgia is generally prohibited. Annual and monthly reports. 18§5513 et seq. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania skills games are slot machine-like devices that have sprouted up across the Commonwealth in recent years. Texas allows such machines, where legal documents variously describe them as “skill or pleasure coin-operated machines” or “amusement redemption machines. Our services. (b) Distributor. “So what that means now is that skill games that you see in convenience stores for example, that everybody seems to be. 21. (720 ILCS 5/28-5) (a) Every device designed for gambling which is incapable of lawful use or every device used unlawfully for gambling shall be considered a "gambling device", and shall be subject to seizure, confiscation and destruction by the Department of State Police or by any. Iowa Code 99G concerns the Iowa Lottery. This has led the legality of skill gaming to be put into question in state courts, although Monroe County’s 43rd Judicial District Court grants POM. The video poker ban outlawed machines that used cards or anything similar, as well as keno games. The performance in total and by sector is shown in the following chart. . (Reserved). More detailed information on testing and methods of verification may be found by contacting those state agencies or the Illinois Gaming Board. 1) The purchase of lottery tickets through the : 23 Internet for a lottery conducted by the State of Illinois : 24 under the program established in Section 7. A common misconception is that gaming is a “charitable” activity. Raffles Raffles are defined in ORC 2915. The games look and play like slot machines, though the manufacturers say there is an element of. commercial gaming establishments found throughout the state. The legal status of skill gaming machines continues to be challenged in court. 2 billion went to state and local governments. After several years of delays, the first video gaming terminals in Illinois popped up in the second half of 2012. VLTs typically feature a selection of multiple games. A game of skill and a game of chance are not that noticeable difference. ; 230 5/1 et seq. The distinction between skill and chance in some countries has legal implications. Legal concerns. 25%. The Illinois Criminal Code criminalizes both the “play[ing] of a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value” and the “establish[ing], main- tain[ing], or operat[ing of] an. A person may not sell, distribute, or lease or market a video gaming terminal in Illinois unless the person has a valid distributor's license issued under this Act. Gambling in Georgia is generally prohibited. Provides the requirements for Internet gaming platforms, Internet wagering accounts, and licenses issued under the Act. A common misconception is that gaming is a “charitable” activity. A hard copy of the Act can be found in the printed Illinois Compiled Statutes (any publisher), which is available at all law libraries and many public libraries. The Illinois Gambling Act allows for approved electronic gaming devices that meet certain minimum standards, subject to the applicable restriction on the number of gaming positions at each riverboat or casino gambling operation. Skills may include any of the following: A. The planned 41,500-square-foot gaming floor is expected to have 500 slot machines, 14 table games, two restaurants and a sports book, the news-. skills games have operated in legal limbo for years. Since bingo is a licensed activity that involves detailed requirements, organizations interested in conducting bingo in Ohio should visit the Charitable Bingo page to learn more about those requirements. Illinois lawmakers now have two separate versions of the Internet Gaming Act (IGA) to consider. Additional provisions of Arkansas gambling laws are listed in. The pro-skill game team argues the 2022 budget provision. and 53-278 et seq. Department of Revenue: (404) 417-4445/ gtc. The state decriminalized this form of gambling in an effort to generate additional tax revenue and cope with the effects of the global financial crisis that hit the country the previous year. For the purpose of this law, a “video gaming machine” is a video. 1. The PLCB sent an email to licensees on June 12, 2019 concerning Games of Skill alleging that such games. Licensing COMMERCIAL GAMING Operator: Under the Illinois. Notice of employee misconduct and offenses and employee resignations. Application for a Licence and Licence Restrictions. (CN) — A Virginia judge temporarily blocked the state from enforcing a ban on digital skill games Monday evening. Skill games to be regulated by Ohio Casino Control. However, they were operating. Gaming, as in Skill Gaming, has been legalized in Nebraska since 2020. 2. The Video Gaming Act is amended by changing : 5: Section 35 as follows: 6 (230 ILCS 40/35) 7 Sec. All forms of legalized gambling in Virginia generated $9. (2) The Legislature finds that regulation of the operation of skill-based amusement games or machines at specified locations to ensure compliance with the requirements of law is appropriate to prevent expansion of casino-style gambling. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Arcade. and 53-278 et seq. 00 in merchandise is a "gambling. In Oklahoma, casinos that do not sell alcohol can allow. Ralph Northam asked lawmakers to delay the enactment of the ban by a year and instead tax the machines and use the revenue to help. The activity remains unregulated in many states, while other states specifically prohibit skill gaming. . ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD . Smartphones are everywhere, and in the United States. The payment is equal to 75 percent of the AGR for the most lucrative 12 months. 1) The purchase of lottery tickets through the : 23 Internet for a lottery conducted by the State of Illinois : 24 under the program established in Section 7. Read the code on FindLaw. responsible gaming policy requirements: wRequired responsible gaming plan – As a condition of licensing, commercial casino states may mandate that casinos prepare and submit for approval a wide-ranging plan for addressing responsible gaming issues. As we mentioned earlier, you. 71 Still. 303. LOUISIANA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS. Rather than regulate illegal gaming devices, lawmakers should tighten current state law to remove these machines and the threat they pose to communities, seniors and 30,000 workers. In some states, whether or not the present law applies to playing poker, or in particular, playing poker online may be subject to at least some interpretation, however the law of Illinois speaks very plainly on the subject: Section 28-1. Many of the state's gambling laws are covered by Illinois Compiled Statutes, sec. (230 ILCS 40/15) Sec. Must have separate diesel islands for fueling commercial motor vehicles. Skill games popping up in gas stations create legal confusion across the country. “The legal landscape in which skill-based gaming operates is certainly unsettled and not legislatively determined,” said Gaming Control Board executive director Kevin O’Toole. As such, no tax is paid to the state for skill-based games. A hard copy of the Act can be found in the printed Illinois Compiled Statutes (any publisher), which is available at all law libraries and many public libraries. Lynda Hyzenski, manager of the Swoyersville American Legion Post 644, demonstrates a gaming machine Tuesday, February 28, 2023. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have issued regulations allowing companies to place skill-based gambling devices on the floor of the state's eight casinos. Each component must be authorized by law or it is illegal gambling. Download free slots games for iPad and feel the buzz, illinois slot machine. “So what that means now is that skill games that you see in convenience stores for example, that everybody seems to be. The unregulated gaming machines require a player to do more than push a button like a typical slot machine, making them a game a skill the manufactures say. Get Arcade Insurance. Contact the Human Resources office at the facility in which you are employed to obtain a Duplicate Credential Request Form. Manufacturers say they’re skill games. With 870,000 regulated machines in casinos and slot routes, that means 40% of all gaming machines in the U. You will find however Class II slot machine substitutes which on first appearance operate exactly the same as the Las Vegas style machines. The operator of the establishment and site must possess a valid license for the machines. In these. 18-year-olds in Florida can legally gamble in-person at cardrooms (poker) and horse racing tracks. 441a. A projection of potential revenue to be generated from licensing and regulating electronic games of skill machines in the District of Columbia. 02, 83. Judge Jennifer Harlacher Sibum's ruling in favor of Pace-0-Matic, doing business as Pennsylvania Skill, marks at least the fourth time that a. (c) Terminal operator. Slots and other gambling machines became legal in Illinois after the passage of the Illinois Video Gaming Act in 2009. 20. A clean background check void of a criminal. J. rd. Smoking ban: Indiana’s smoking ban does not apply to businesses that restrict access to minors. It takes up to 16 weeks for the United Kingdom Gambling Commission to review the application. Cantonal permission can only be granted if the gaming machine has been approved by SFGB as skill-based. Illinois Gambling Act. A fixed annual licenсe fee – €25,000; flexible taxation – 0. Code Section. Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesFor questions regarding floor plan requirements or the building permit process, please contact Community Development at (847) 923-4420. 15. 770-449-0400!Yes. Regulated casinoThese machines allow cash play but also include a "free play" mode. Define your Arcade Brand. Jeff Ifrah’s legal skills and record of success have earned him international recognition as a white-collar criminal defense lawyer and litigator. Illegal gambling is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania, punishable by up to five years in prison and as much as $10,000 in fines. Background Checks: A comprehensive background check is an integral part of the licensing process. 101 et seq. The legal challenge on whether POM of PA’s skill gaming machines constitute illegal gambling is ongoing. 8 billion in 2015. Minimum requirements for licensing and registration. 17. ” Data from the Illinois Gaming Board, which regulates the industry, shows that, on average, the machines take more than 25 percent of the money put into them. 092. Betting over $25 is an infraction and it becomes a misdemeanor when the amount exceeds $500. In addition to the laws discussed in 2. Minimum requirements for licensing and registration. From illinois, won $41 million on a miss kitty slot machine at the isle. Walters The Skill Gaming industry is growing, and many entrepreneurs are looking at new ways to tap the market. Gaming Control Board; powers and duties §365. the provisions of the Illinois Lottery Law and its rules. Horse Racing/Off-Track Betting. Slot machines were briefly legal between 1935 and 1937 before being repealed by the state legislature. There is nothing inherently charitable about gaming. AMERICANGAMINGORG GAMING REGULATIONS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS Illinois Renewal fee: $250,000 every four years. 1. Common games of skill include contract bridge, card games, mahjong, chess and backgammon. Illegal Gambling. These skill games are not like the slot machines or video poker machines of old; they have bright touchscreens, colorful graphics, and several game options that may result in a customer receiving. (8) South Dakota's prohibition applies to those in the "gambling business. Called "skill games" by their manufacturers and "gray games" by opponents. On Oct. Online gambling and poker legislation in the US is changing on a state-by-state basis. Federal law does not prohibit skill gaming, but, as noted above, does provide a safe harbor exemption for certain contests of skill that meet the statutory criteria. News Slot-like Skill Games Under Assault by Lawmakers in Kentucky. Change in ownership or control of slot machine license and multiple slot machine license prohibition. Our team of experts partner with new coin operated amusement machine (COAM) retailers from day one — helping them to acquire licensing and implement games while staying compliant with regulations. 01(CC) and their conduct is described in ORC 2915. ATLANTIC CITY, N. 12 of the : 25 Illinois Lottery Law. 28-1. ; 562. The distinction between skill and chance in some countries has legal implications. Dauphin County Court follows Monroe County Court’s previous month’s ruling of the same conclusion. Skill games popping up in gas stations create legal confusion across the country. Hanover Park, a municipality had cited a business for operating. Whoever shall publicly or privately erect, set up, or expose to be played or drawn at or shall cause or procure to be erected, set up, or exposed to be played, drawn, or thrown at any lottery under the denomination of sales of houses. The minimum gambling age is 18 for lottery and horse race betting and 21 for casino-style games. Read more. The maker of the Pennsylvania Skill cabinets won a return of property motion in Monroe County after gaming machines, related. A backhoe smashes the second of five illegal gambling machines destroyed in October 2021 at the Platte County Public Works lot in Platte City. Online skill sites are legal in Texas if the games are not based on any element of chance. There is an exception for gaming employees 18 years of age or. (720 ILCS 5/28-1) (a) A person commits gambling when he: (1) Plays a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value, unless excepted in subsection (b) of this Section; or. B. Gaming the System Skill games popping up in gas stations create legal confusion across the country. persons involved in gaming-related matters; accompanies subordinate supervisors to unannounced compliance reviews to gauge the ability of riverboat casino establishments and video gaming establishments to implement and maintain internal control systems. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act 5 ILCS 100/5-45. According to the latest figures from the Illinois Gaming Board, from January through October, Illinois has raked in more than $1 billion in gambling revenue from video gaming, sports wagering and casinos. Introduction. Commercial Motor Vehicles: as defined in Section 18b-101 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/18b-101. 1) The purchase of lottery tickets through the : 21 Internet for a lottery conducted by the State of Illinois : 22 under the program established in Section 7. Today, games of skill are available on most. Check the prize viewer on the $0. Pace-O-Matic (POM), a leading manufacturer of skill gaming machines, is a Duluth, Ga. If state law defines or characterizes slot machine or video lottery operation at a racetrack as a "casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment," and the gross annual gaming revenues of that operation exceed the $1 million threshold, then the operation would be deemed to be a "casino" for purposes of the BSA and subject to all. Suitability standards §364. From classic board games to major sports tournaments, games of skill have long offered participants a chance to compete based on one’s ability. It is intended as a reference. " (9) Prohibition becomes effective June 7, 2006. Regulatory Requirements for Gaming Applications (Top of the Document) The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is charged with regulating gaming in Pennsylvania. §363. To regulators, law enforcement and the regulated casino industry, they’re a crime. )It is a violation of Chapter 1345. Nevada’s bad actor clause applies to covered persons and. 945. 01 et seq. Employee status report. All machines legal. Currently, these games are specifically designed not to meet the requirements of gambling in the state, which must be a game of chance. Feb. November 3, 2023 - Video Gaming Signage Requirements Emergency Rules Here are the key eligibility aspects every applicant should know: 1. 720 ILCS § 5/28-1 provides an extensive list of gambling-related offenses. The state. 15. Starting a slot machines business is your ticket to owning a good, stable business but it's important to plan out the business in detail before you start. A manufacturer and operators of so-called “skill-based” gaming machines have filed a lawsuit, the second of its kind, challenging the constitutionality of a new state ban on such machines that’s set to go into effect this summer. Here’s the truth about how to win on slot machines in gas stations: The ONLY way to win on slot machines in gas stations is to get lucky and then quit while you’re ahead. For example, if all gambling is illegal, a tribe cannot open a tribal casino. Gambling requires the presence of three elements: 1) the wager (the amount of money bet), 2) the outcome determined by chance and 3) a reward or prize. The second most prevalent legal standard is known as the 'material element test, where 'gambling occurs even if skill is the dominant factor, as long as chance is a material element'. Florida legalized bingo and other charity games of chance in 1970. Thinking about opening a slot machines business?Stanley, working with lawyers affiliated with leading skill-game company Queen of Virginia and one of the nation’s top free-speech attorneys, is arguing the General Assembly violated a constitutional rule requiring all bills to have “one object” stated in the legislation’s title. Unlawful actsThe general rule for gambling and gaming in Argentina is that they are prohibited unless expressly authorised by a competent authority. The establishment will earn 32. The electronic gaming machines were permitted under state law after passage of the Local Option Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing Electronic Games of Skill Act of 2005. 160 North LaSalle Street, 3. The AGA is committed to stopping illegal gambling by partnering with law enforcement to develop national, state and local opportunities for action and engagement. These standards have been authorized and approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board and the Illinois State Police Merit Board. The laws concerning video gaming machines at locations other than casinos requires a minimum return of 80%, and a. Section 230 ILCS 40/15 - Minimum requirements for licensing and registration. 28-1. §355. Illinois sweepstakes machines seem to be gray gaming devices by another name. Supporters of the machines argue that the "skill" element of recognizing winning lines render the devices immune from the Pennsylvania Gaming Act, which regulates legal gaming machines. A distributor may only sell video gaming terminals for use in Illinois to persons having a valid distributor's or terminal operator's license. Register your Arcade for Taxes. Illinois lotteries, charitable gaming, and pari-mutuels have a legal gambling age of 18 years and older. Every video gaming terminal offered for play shall first be tested and approved pursuant to the rules of the Board, and each video gaming terminal offered in this State for play shall conform to an approved model. Daily fantasy sports sites claim exemption under Florida’s skill gaming law. The Pennsylvania Lottery and the state’s regulated gaming interests want skill games deemed illegal. Display of license; confiscation; violation as : 8: felony. gov. The Video Gaming Act (230 ILCS 40) is available online on the Illinois General Assembly website. In these cases, the. The lottery is operated by the State, and lottery vendors are selected by the Iowa Lottery per this chapter. 4 billion in revenue, of which $2. Indiana Casino locations: East Chicago, Gary, Florence, Michigan City, French. Skill-based Gaming Machines. Skill Games Found to be Legal in Pennsylvania. Ralph Northam (D) so the tax revenue from the machines. Every video gaming terminal offered for play shall first be tested and approved pursuant to the rules of the Board, and each video gaming terminal offered in this State for play shall conform to an approved model. Gaming machines branded as skill machines, shown here in a Bristol, Virginia, convenience store and which resemble slot machines, are appearing at businesses across Virginia, and the state. are unlicensed. 1) (from Ch. The five-member board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, administers a regulatory and tax collection system for casino gambling and sports betting in Illinois. A person may not sell, distribute, or lease or market a video gaming terminal in Illinois unless the person has a valid distributor's license issued under this Act. House Bill 1880, introduced by Rep. Chicago, Illinois 60601 . This rule was set forth in local regulations and, as of December 2016, is included in section 301 bis of the Argentine National Criminal Code. The Illinois Video Gaming Act became law on July 13, 2009, regulating the use of video gaming terminals (VGTs or slot machines) in licensed establishments in Illinois. Age Requirements: To be eligible for an Illinois gaming license, applicants must be at least 21 years old. See 720 ILCS 5/28-2(a)(4)(A) (West 2018) (excluding an amusement device known as a “redemption machine” from the definition of a gambling device if the “outcome of the game is predominantly determined by the skill of the player”). Starting Wednesday, a ban on skill machine games can start being enforced. Gaming Tax Rate: Casinos in the state are taxed at a rate of 25 percent of gaming revenue, plus a $600 fee, collected annually, for each of their gaming machines. Prominent Technologies, a Pennsylvania-based company that manufactures and operates “skill-based” machines. 24 (7) Possession of an antique slot machine that is : 25Kentucky’s new law banning gray games, also known as skill machines, will face a legal challenge. S. SB1504 - 8 - LRB103 04991 AMQ 50002. Games offered on mobile platforms like the iPhone and devices running the Android operating system are especially popular. Illinois Video Gaming Act. Gaming § 40/15. The Illinois Gambling Act is amended by changing Section 5 as follows: (230 ILCS 10/5) (from Ch. 2) and the financing of terrorism (sections 83. As stated in the Illinois Video Gaming Act, Illinois slot machines and video gaming terminals are legal in the state as long as the location has the necessary gambling. C. His attorneys say allowing and then outlawing. Enacted in 2005, the Games of Skill Act, Ark. (230 ILCS 40/15) Sec. (b) Distributor. Form 1: A two page document that details your identify and the type of license you need. Speaking with Virginia’s Courthouse News Service, state Sen. First off, make sure that your slot machine business operates within a municipality that allows video gaming. They are typically operated by a region's lottery, and situated at licensed establishments such as bars and restaurants. Casinos and racetracks in Louisiana feature video poker machines, as do a number of restaurants, gas stations, bars and truck stops. The Illinois Video Gaming Act was enacted at this time and allows the use of Illinois slot machines in liquor-pouring establishments and truck stops. Rep. Requirements for slot machines; PART II. , legalized the operation of gaming machines at licensed pari-mutuel racetracks subject to voter approval. Yes. Learn everything you need to know about getting started with Georgia gaming. Minimum requirements for licensing and registration. The lottery is operated by the State, and lottery vendors are selected by the Iowa Lottery per this chapter. Idaho Gambling Statutes. No minimum age was introduced making it so that anybody. Northam came up with a proposal to tax and regulate the devices for one year, to help struggling businesses and establish. We offer tips and advice on successfully operating a small business. What we can report is that the legality of these games is an issue of debate between the PLCB, the state police and the manufacturer of the devices. Gaming machines and software is an in-depth sector. Skill gaming is a game based on physical and mental skill. The Illinois Gambling Act (230 ILCS 10) is available online on the Illinois General Assembly website. These “skill” machines are not anything like “skill-based gaming” that is highly regulated in casino jurisdictions such as Nevada and New Jersey. The Virginia General Assembly voted for the so-called skill games ban, but lawmakers agreed to delay the ban at the request of then-Gov. In an average month in 2018, the Illinois slot machine industry generated more than $100 million in gross revenue. " (9) Prohibition becomes effective June 7, 2006. Georgia Secretary of State: (404) 656-2817. Engaging in unlawful gambling is a class A misdemeanor. Code 527. As the Illinois Gaming Board reviews the information on the application forms, they’ll be taking a close look at the business owners’ character and ability to run a business. Special Tax Rules for Bingo and Other Games. You will enter your name, mailing address, and the gaming devices you plan to offer. [139] Published: Oct. The key difference between skill machines and regular slots is that in skill-based gaming, players must identify a winning payline, whereas slot machines automatically tell players if they won. Licensed video gaming establishments are now allowed six slot machines. Nevada law includes a “bad actor” clause, which excludes certain persons and assets from interactive gaming operations in Nevada if the person or asset continued to operate in the United States following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (“UIGEA”). Glenn Youngkin’s administration is tentatively backing a top Republican lawmaker’s proposal to reauthorize so-called skill machines in Virginia and use some of the money they generate to crack down on illegal gambling, according to multiple Capitol Square sources. 1 Global gaming profits are expected to continue to grow at a rate of 9. Every state prohibits unlicensed gambling. Illinois Administrative Code - 77 Ill. com or. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to authorize the possession, transportation, or use of any slot machine, video gaming machine, or electronic machine or device prohibited pursuant to G. For starters, unless the State of Illinois is involved in regulating the gambling activity — and, therefore, receives a share of the proceeds from that activity — it’s illegal in any form. 0:00. Below, we’ve outlined the most important steps you need to take to obtain one. Louisiana state gaming regulations require that gaming machines in casinos must be programmed to have a minimum payback of 80%, and maximum payback of 99. The Curacao income tax is just 2% and is not subject to VAT or corporate profit tax. Gambling. Legal Status. In addition, gambling laws allow for a total of 10 Illinois slot. At Illinois it is legal to sell and buy a slot machine. Established in 1990 after the passage of the Riverboat Gambling Act, the Illinois Gaming Board seeks to provide for the integrity of all forms of gambling by regulating gaming in all its aspects including the provision of. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2001. you must withhold income tax from the winnings over specified amounts for. The law in the State of Illinois as it relates to gambling is quite clear. Harrisburg, PA — New legislation proposes to regulate and tax skill games across the Commonwealth with the promise of bringing in an estimated $250 to $300 million in new tax revenue. AN ACT concerning gaming. Excluded in any of these categories in the Las Vegas style slot machines. Skill games proponents counter that a series of court rulings has settled the question of their legality. (But check your parish's statute to be certain.