DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 708 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Terry Landry
Abstract: Provides for progressive mega jackpot bingo.
Present law provides for the conducting of bingo, raffles, electronic pull tabs, and electronic video
bingo by charitable gaming organizations.
Present law provides for the regulation of these activities by the office of charitable gaming, Dept.
of Revenue.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for the use of electronic bingo card dabber devices and provides for the
function of these devices.
Proposed law expands the functions of bingo card dabber devices to include networking of charitable
gaming organizations, player tracking, and accounting functions related to bingo, progressive bingo,
and progressive mega bingo games.
Present law requires a predetermined amount, not to exceed $200, to be deposited into a special
account before each bingo gaming session, and be part of the total amount of prizes awarded during
that session.
Proposed law provides for progressive mega jackpot bingo that all contributions shall not constitute
part of the total amount of prizes awarded during a session and that contributions deposited before
each gaming session shall not constitute part of the total amount of prizes awarded during that
session.
Present law provides that the jackpot for a progressive bingo game may exceed the $4,500 prize limit
but shall not exceed $100,000.
Proposed law retains these provisions of present law and provides that the progressive mega jackpot
cannot exceed $100,000.
Proposed law provides that portions of player's contributions to progressive mega jackpot bingo
games may be used for consolation prizes and to contribute to the progressive mega prize pool and
shall not be considered part of the $4,500 limit. Proposed law provides that the governing authority of a municipality or parish may, by ordinance,
transfer regulatory authority over charitable gaming in that municipality or parish to the office of
charitable gaming.
Proposed law provides that electronic bingo dabber devices shall not be construed to be electronic
video bingo machines or electronic pull-tab devices. Electronic bingo dabber devices shall not offer
for play the games authorized to be played on electronic video bingo machines and electronic pull-
tab devices.
(Amends R.S.4:732(A) through (E) and (G) and 739(A)(1) and (2)(e) and (F); Adds R.S. 4:707(J)
and 739(A)(2)(f))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Adds that the governing authority of a municipality or parish may, by ordinance, transfer
regulatory authority over charitable gaming in that municipality or parish to the office of
charitable gaming.
2. Adds that jackpot on progressive mega jackpot bingo game cannot exceed $100,000.
3. Adds language that electronic bingo dabber devices are not electronic video bingo
machines or electronic pull-tab devices and shall not offer the games played on those
devices.