SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 913
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ROHRBACH.
Read 1st time January 10, 2002, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
3090L.02I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 578, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the crime of promoting or providing a Mexican poker contest, with a penalty provision.
Section A. Chapter 578, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 578.051, to read as follows:
578.051. 1. A person commits the crime of promoting or providing a Mexican poker contest if such person:
(1) Promotes a Mexican poker contest with the intent to charge admission to attend the contest or with the intent to increase attendance at another event for which admission will be charged and during which the Mexican poker contest will be held; or
(2) Charges money for or collects money from individuals to compete in a Mexican poker contest; or
(3) Awards cash or other prizes to the winner of a Mexican poker contest; or
(4) Charges or collects money for the use of any land, arena, barn, or other fenced or enclosed area that is possessed, owned, rented, or leased by such person knowing that such property is to be used for a Mexican poker contest.
2. Promoting or providing a Mexican poker contest is a misdemeanor for which the authorized punishment is a fine in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars.
3. As used in this section the following terms mean:
(1) "Mexican poker contest", any contest, regardless of its name, in which the contestants pay to participate or are awarded cash or other prizes for winning the competition or both where:
(a) The contestants are seated in chairs in an arena, barn, or other fenced or enclosed area while a bull or bulls are released into the same area and are allowed, encouraged, or taunted into attacking the contestants, with the object of the contest being to be the last contestant to remain seated in a chair; or
(b) The contestants are standing still in an arena, barn, or other fenced or enclosed area while a bull or bulls are released into the same area and are allowed, encouraged, or taunted into attacking the contestants, with the object of the contest being to be the last contestant to remain standing still.
The term "Mexican poker contest" shall also include any similar contest that primarily involves daring rather than skill and offers a significant degree of danger to the contestant from being attacked by an animal, but does not include a calf or sheep scramble or steer wrestling or sheep, steer, bull, bareback, or saddle bronc riding events;
(2) "Promotes", advertises by any means, including but not limited to television, radio, newspaper, magazine, Internet, electronic mail, flyers, or word-of-mouth advertisements.