The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon.
DIGEST
SB 189 Original 2023 Regular Session Jackson
Present law provides for operation of electronic video bingo machines, including a prohibition that
an electronic video bingo machine shall not contain entertainment display features simulating slot
reels or card games.
Present law provides that a licensed distributor may operate video bingo machines which are not in
compliance with present law under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The licensed distributor has purchased or entered into a lease agreement for the total number
of electronic video bingo machines to be operated at a specific location on or prior to August
15, 2008.
(2)The licensed distributor has delivered to the office of charitable gaming or sent by certified
mail an application and fees to have machines permitted which has been received and not
approved on or prior to August 15, 2008, and the application includes either a proof of
purchase or a non-refundable deposit.
Proposed law expands the exception to include machines which were purchased or leased on or prior
to June 1, 2022.
Present law provides that electronic video bingo machines authorized by present law may only be
placed at the following two locations:
(1)A location approved by the office on or prior to August 15, 2008.
(2)A location for which a completed application with the required fees for the licensing to
conduct charitable gaming at a specific location has been received by the office of charitable
gaming on or prior to August 15, 2008, and which has received final approval from the office
and was occupied by August 15, 2009.
Proposed law expands the exception to include a location approved by the office of charitable
gaming or for which a completed application with the required fees was received prior to June 1,
2022.
Present law provides that any electronic video bingo machine which is destroyed or rendered
inoperable in any manner may be replaced by an electronic video bingo machine of a similar make
and model which is not in compliance with present law even if the replacement electronic video
bingo machine was purchased after August 15, 2008. Proposed law expands present law to allow replacement machines which were purchased or leased
on or prior to June 1, 2022.
Proposed law provides that if the physical location in which the charitable gaming organization
operates electronic or video bingo machines is destroyed or damaged as a result of a natural disaster,
an act of God, force majeure, a catastrophe, or such other occurrence over which the organization
has no control, then the office of charitable gaming shall allow for a replacement location to be
permitted in accordance with local zoning laws.
Effective July 1, 2023.
(Amends R.S. 4:724(J)(1)(a), 724(J)(1)(b)(intro para), 724(J)(2), and (K); adds R.S. 4:724(L))