HCS/SB 940 - This act changes the restrictions on different types of bingo license holders, including when they can hold bingo games and various restrictions on advertising. In addition, this act changes reporting requirements and records retention schedules for licensees.An abbreviated bingo license holder is allowed to conduct up to 15 bingo games annually, rather than four. The act requires all licensed organizations to pay annual license fee of $50. Current law had allowed certain organizations to pay an annual license fee of $10.
The Gaming Commission is authorized to set the aggregate retail value of all prizes and merchandise awarded in a single day, except awards by pull-tab cards and progressive bingo games. A bingo licensee cannot require a player to purchase more than a standard pack of bingo cards in order to participate in a game. The act authorizes a licensee to conduct bingo games two days per week, rather than one day per week.
The act increases the amount that may be expended on advertising from 2% to 10% of the total amount expended from bingo receipts. The act removes a provision of law that prohibited a licensee from referencing the aggregate value of bingo prizes in an advertisement. Currently, no bingo games can be operated between midnight and 10:00 a.m. This act provides that no bingo game can be operated between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Games are permitted to be conducted by electronic bingo card monitoring devices that are approved by the commission.
Every bingo licensee that conducts games on more than three occasions in any calendar year shall submit quarterly, rather than annual reports to the gaming commission.
The act requires each licensee to keep a complete record of bingo games conducted in the previous two, rather than three years, except for records stipulated as one-year retention by regulation.
Applicants for suppliers' licenses and manufacturers' licenses are required to pay for the cost of a criminal history investigation. This act would also increase the maximum amount the commission can charge for a manufacturer's license from $1,000 to $5,000 and would increase the possible charge for an annual renewal fee from $500 to $1,000.
The provisions of this act are similar to HB 1294 (2010).
CHRIS HOGERTY