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 996 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Bryant
Abstract: Provides relative to requirements for certain members of a charitable organization,
provides relative to electronic video bingo machines, increases the limit for the mega jackpot
for a progressive mega jackpot bingo game, and provides relative to the definition of a
session.
Present law (R.S. 4:714(C)) provides that a member of a licensed charity must be present during any
bingo games.
Proposed law amends present law to require a member of the licensed charity to be present only
during call bingo games.
Present law (R.S. 4:724(B)) provides relative to requirements and restrictions for electronic video
bingo machines. Provides that the cost of each game shall not be less than 25¢ nor more than one
dollar.
Proposed law provides that the cost of each game shall not be less than 25¢ nor more than four
dollars. Further requires electronic video bingo machines to have a mechanism that accepts any
denomination of cash in the form of bills or tickets verifiable as valid indicating the ticket value.
Present law (R.S. 4:732(B)(2)) provides that the mega jackpot for a progressive mega jackpot bingo
game, networked or linked together through the use of Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Devices, may
exceed the present law prize limit of $4,500, but shall not exceed $10,000.
Proposed law provides that the mega jackpot for a progressive mega jackpot bingo game, networked
or linked together through the use of Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Devices, may exceed $4,500,
but shall not exceed $30,000.
Present law (R.S. 4:732(I)) provides that sales of progressive mega jackpot bingo on an Electronic
Bingo Card Dabber Device for any organization shall not exceed six games per hour and shall not
exceed the gross sales of bingo and pull-tabs in a single reporting quarter for any organization.
Authorizes the office of charitable gaming to suspend the sales of progressive mega jackpot bingo
for any organization that violates present law until the organization becomes compliant.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that the sales of progressive mega jackpot bingo on an
Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Device for any organization shall not exceed 30 games per hour.
Proposed law removes the present law prohibition that the sales shall not exceed the gross sales of bingo and pull-tabs in a single reporting quarter for any organization.
Present law (R.S. 4:739(E)(1) and (2)) provides that no more than two electronic dabber devices may
be issued to any patron who has purchased bingo paper packs for use with the device. Further
requires at least one electronic dabber device to be used as a back up in the event a device in play
malfunctions.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law (R.S. 4:740(A)) provides for the definition of a session, which shall not exceed eight
consecutive hours with a minimum of 12 hours between sessions. Further provides that a session of
keno or bingo when the licensee possesses a special license is limited to six consecutive hours.
Proposed law amends present law to remove the minimum of twelve hours between sessions.
Authorizes a licensee to operate no more than five premises for the purpose of charitable gaming
activities. Further provides that a session of keno or bingo when the licensee possesses a special
license is limited to eight consecutive hours.
(Amends R.S. 4:714(C), 724(B)(1) and (9), 732(B)(2) and (I), and 740(A); Adds R.S. 4:724(B)(10);
Repeals R.S. 4:739(E)(1) and (2))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Require a member of the licensed charity to be present only during call bingo games.
2. Provide that sales of progressive mega jackpot bingo on an Electronic Bingo Card
Dabber Device shall not exceed 30 games per hour rather than six games per hour and
remove the prohibition that the sales shall not exceed the gross sales of bingo and pull-
tabs in a single reporting quarter for any organization.
3. Relative to the definition of a session, remove the present law minimum of 12 hours
between sessions, authorize a licensee to operate at no more than five premises for the
purpose of charitable gaming activities, and provide that a session is limited to eight
consecutive hours rather than six consecutive hours when the licensee possesses a special
license.
4. Repeal present law which requires at least one electronic dabber device to be used as a
back up in the event a device in play malfunctions.