25 LC 28 0674
House Bill 455
By: Representatives Powell of the 33
rd
, McDonald III of the 26
th
, Dubnik of the 29
th
,
Carpenter of the 4
th
, Newton of the 127
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia
1
Annotated, relating to bingo, so as to provide for the information to be provided on2
applications for bingo games; to revise the provisions regarding the properties used for bingo3
games; to revise the limits on the number of bingo game sessions which are allowed per4
month; to revise the amount of prize money which may be paid; to revise the compensation5
for persons assisting in the conduct of bingo games; to provide for related matters; to repeal6
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,10
relating to bingo, is amended by revising paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of Code11
Section 16-12-53, relating to licensing procedure, fee, and renewal, as follows:12
"(6) The location
locations at which the applicant will conduct the bingo games and, if13
the premises on which the games are to be conducted is to be leased, a copy of the lease14
or rental agreement;"15
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SECTION 2.
16
Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 16-12-57, relating to restrictions as17
to ownership of premises utilized, as follows:18
"16-12-57.19
Bingo games shall be operated only on premises owned by the nonprofit, tax-exempt20
organization operating the bingo game, on property leased by the nonprofit, tax-exempt21
organization and used regularly
which may be used by that organization for purposes other22
than the operation of a bingo game, or on property leased by the nonprofit, tax-exempt23
organization operating the bingo game from another nonprofit, tax-exempt organization."24
SECTION 3.25
Said part is further amended by revising Code Section 16-12-60, relating to rules and26
regulations, as follows:27
"16-12-60.28
(a) A licensee that conducts or operates a bingo session shall maintain the following29
records for at least three years from the date on which the bingo session is conducted:30
(1) An itemized list of the gross receipts for each session;31
(2) An itemized list of all expenses other than prizes that are incurred in the conducting32
of the bingo session as well as the name of each person to whom the expenses are paid33
and a receipt for all of the expenses;34
(3) A list of all prizes awarded during the bingo session and the name and address of all35
persons who are winners of prizes of $50.00 or more in value;36
(4) An itemized list of the recipients other than the licensee of the proceeds of the bingo37
game, including the name and address of each recipient to whom such funds are38
distributed; and39
(5) A record of the number of persons who participate in any bingo session conducted40
by the licensee.41
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(b) A licensee shall:
42
(1) Own all the equipment used to conduct a bingo game or lease such equipment;43
(2) Display its bingo license conspicuously at the location where the bingo game is44
conducted;45
(3) Conduct bingo games only at the single location
locations specified in the licensee's46
application; and47
(4) Not conduct more than one bingo session three bingo sessions during any one48
calendar day, which provided that each session shall not exceed five hours.49
(c) No nonprofit, tax-exempt organization shall enter into any contract with any individual,50
firm, association, or corporation to have such individual, firm, association, or corporation51
operate bingo games or concessions on behalf of the nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.52
(d) A nonprofit, tax-exempt organization shall not lend its name nor allow its identity to53
be used by any individual, firm, association, or corporation in the operating or advertising54
of a bingo game in which said nonprofit, tax-exempt organization is not directly and solely55
operating the bingo game.56
(e) It shall be unlawful for two or more nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations which are57
properly licensed pursuant to this part to operate bingo games jointly or to operate bingo58
games upon the same premises during any 18 hour period if doing so would result in the59
premises being the location for more than 31 bingo sessions per month.60
(f) It shall be unlawful to award prizes in excess of $3,000.00 $6,000.00 in cash or gifts61
of equivalent value during any calendar week. It shall be unlawful to exceed such62
limitation at any combination of locations operated by a single licensee or such licensee's63
agents or employees. It shall be unlawful for two or more licensees to pyramid the64
valuation of prizes in such manner as to exceed the limitation contained in this Code65
section. The term 'equivalent value' shall mean the fair market value of the gift on the date66
the gift is given as the prize in a bingo game.67
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(g) No person or organization by whatever name or composition thereof shall take any
68
salary, expense money, or fees for the operation of any bingo game, except that not more69
than $30.00 per day
$150.00 per session may be paid to one or more individuals for70
assisting in the conduct of such games on such day during such session.71
(h) No person shall pay consulting fees to any person for any services performed in72
relation to the operation or conduct of a bingo game.73
(i) A person who is a member of more than one nonprofit, tax-exempt organization shall74
be permitted to participate in the bingo operations of only two organizations of which such75
person is a member; provided, however, that such person shall not receive more than76
$30.00 per day $150.00 per session for assisting in the conduct of bingo games regardless77
of whether such person assists both organizations in the same day."78
SECTION 4.79
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.80
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