GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 996 2022 Regular Session Bryant
GAMBLING/CHARITABLE: Provides relative to the operation of charitable bingo
DIGEST
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. Provides that a
session of keno or bingo when the licensee possesses a special license is limited to six
consecutive hours. Provides that sessions are limited to not more than one session per
calendar day per licensee.
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. Provides that a session of keno or bingo when the licensee possesses a
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Prepared by Alan Miller. special license is limited to eight consecutive hours. Provides that sessions are limited to not
more than one session per calendar day per premises.
(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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the engrossed
bill
1. Changes session limitations from not more than one per calendar day per licensee
to not more than one per calendar day per premises.
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Prepared by Alan Miller.