Chapter 6.40
BINGO

Sections:

6.40.010    Definitions.

6.40.020    Compliance.

6.40.030    Permit required.

6.40.040    Fee.

6.40.050    Location.

6.40.060    Participants.

6.40.070    Conduct of bingo game.

6.40.080    Prizes.

6.40.090    Accounting.

6.40.100    Violation – Penalty.

6.40.010 Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

Bingo means a game of chance operated for a fee in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card which conform to numbers or symbols selected at random.

Director means the director of finance.

Eligible organization means an organization referred to in Penal Code section 326.5. (Ord. 385 § 1, 1977; Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.1)

6.40.020 Compliance.

An eligible organization may conduct bingo games in compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.2)

6.40.030 Permit required.

A. Permit required. Before conducting a bingo game, an eligible organization shall obtain a permit from the director of finance. Application shall be made on a form prescribed by the director and shall include:

1. Proof that the organization is an eligible organization as defined by Penal Code section 326.5(a);

2. Date or periodic description of days when games will be held;

3. Time when games will be held;

4. Place where games will be held;

5. Number and value of prizes to be offered;

6. Other information prescribed on the form by the director.

B. Annual renewal. The eligible organization shall renew the bingo permit annually, providing the same information required for a new permit.

C. Notice of change in status. The eligible organization shall notify the city director of finance within 30 days, and cease operations, if the organization’s tax exempt status is revoked or rescinded before the time of renewal. (Ord. 832 § 1, 2008; Ord. 385 § 2, 1977; Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.3)

6.40.040 Fee.

The city council may, by resolution, prescribe a permit fee and a renewal fee in amounts not to exceed the actual cost of issuing the permit or renewal. (Ord. 832 § 2, 2008; Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.4)

6.40.050 Location.

The bingo games must be held on property owned or leased by the eligible organization and used by it as an office or for performance of the purposes for which the organization exists. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.5)

6.40.060 Participants.

A. Public. A bingo game must be open to the public and not limited to members of the exempt organization.

B. Minors. It is unlawful for a minor to participate in a bingo game.

C. Physical presence. It is unlawful for a person to participate in a bingo game unless he or she is physically present at the game. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.6)

6.40.070 Conduct of bingo game.

A. Only a member of the eligible organization may operate the bingo game. No member may receive a profit, wage or salary from the bingo game. Only the eligible organization shall operate the bingo game or participate in the promotion, supervision or other phase of the game.

B. No individual, corporation, partnership, or legal entity other than the eligible organization may have a financial interest in the conduct of the bingo game. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.7)

6.40.080 Prizes.

The total value of the prizes awarded at each bingo session shall not exceed $250.00 in cash or kind or both. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.8)

6.40.090 Accounting.

The money derived from bingo shall be kept in a special fund or account and shall not be commingled with another fund or account. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.9)

6.40.100 Violation – Penalty.

A. Misdemeanor. It is a misdemeanor for a person to receive a profit, wage or salary from the operation of bingo game.

B. Infraction. Violation of this chapter, except subsection A of this section, is an infraction. (Ord. 362 § 1, 1976; 1991 code § 6-26.10)