The state considered the races “games of chance,” and prohibits them on state-owned property –like the Erie Canal or other bodies of water. So a duck derby planned in Brockport was canceled, as was the one that would have been held next weekend at Canal Festival, which would have raised about $7,000 for Community Missions.
Under current state law, organizations can only hold games of chance or raffle events on their own property or on municipal-owned property. Organizations conducting charitable gaming on state property can be charged with a misdemeanor.
But state Sen. Rob Ortt, who represents North Tonawanda in the Senate, introduced a bill that would allow games of chance to be conducted on state-owned property.
“Some of the laws in New York State are antiquated and illogical; this general municipal law (189) is one of them,” said Senator Ortt. “Events like the duck derbies are raising money for good causes, not malice, and organizations should not be penalized for that just because those events are being held on state property. This law has been on the books for a long time, yet it’s scarcely enforced.”
Ortt’s bill won’t affect any events this year, but could — if passed — return the duck races in 2017.
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