Section 45-35-150 Definitions. As used in this article the following words shall have the following meanings: (1) BINGO. The game, commonly known as bingo, where numbers or symbols on a card are matched with numbers or symbols selected at random. (2) BINGO SESSION. A consecutive period of time not to exceed five consecutive hours during […]
Section 45-35-150.01 Bingo games – Authorized. The operation of bingo games for prizes or money by qualified organizations or qualified clubs for bona fide charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes shall be legal in Houston County subject to this article or ordinance or resolution of the Houston County Commission. (Act 95-420, p. 910, §2.)
Section 45-35-150.02 Bingo games – Permits. (a) No qualified organization or club shall be permitted to operate a bingo game unless the sheriff of the county first issues a permit to the organization or club authorizing it to do so. The permit described in this article is in addition to, and not in lieu of, […]
Section 45-35-150.03 Bingo games – Permit requirements. (a) Each bingo permit shall contain the name and address of the permit holder, the location at which the permit holder is permitted to conduct bingo, and the day of the week on which the permit holder is permitted to conduct bingo. (b) The bingo permit holder shall […]
Section 45-35-150.04 Bingo games – Legislative intent; prize limits; deductions for expenses; consulting fee. (a) It is the intention of the Legislature that only qualified organizations or qualified clubs which are properly issued permits pursuant to this article or resolution of the Houston County Commission shall be allowed to operate bingo games. A qualified organization […]
Section 45-35-150.05 Bingo games – Fees; disposition of funds. All fees collected by the sheriff under this article shall be paid into the county general fund, and all necessary expenses incurred by that official in the administration and enforcement of this article shall be financed from that general fund, with the remainder distributed to the […]
Section 45-35-150.06 Bingo games – Charitable or educational purposes of proceeds. No less than 100 percent of the net proceeds of a bingo game shall be designated and expended for charitable or educational purposes. Net proceeds means gross proceeds less reasonable expenses incurred or paid in connection with the holding, operating, or conducting of bingo. […]
Section 45-35-150.07 Bingo games – Equipment; prize and conduct limitations. (a) Bingo may not be conducted with any equipment which is not owned, being purchased, or being rented at a reasonable rate by the permit holder, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of Section 45-35-150.04. (b) Prizes given by any organization for the playing […]
Section 45-35-150.08 Bingo games – Recordkeeping. Each permit holder shall maintain the following records pertaining to each bingo session for at least one year from the date of the session: (1) An itemized list of gross receipts for each session. (2) An itemized list of all expenses, including the name of each person to whom […]
Section 45-35-150.09 Bingo games – Filing of records; inspection; examination or audit. (a) On or before April 15, after this article has been in effect for one year, and on or before April 15 of each calendar year thereafter, each permit holder shall file with the sheriff a copy of the records required in Section […]
Section 45-35-150.10 Revocation of bingo permit – Procedures. The sheriff, for good cause shown, may revoke any permit if the permit holder or any officer, director, agent, member, or employee of the permit holder violates this article or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article. The revocation by the sheriff shall become effective 10 days […]
Section 45-35-150.11 Revocation of bingo permit – Eligibility; effect of convictions. (a) A permit holder whose permit is revoked for a violation of this article or a rule promulgated under this article, is ineligible to apply for a permit for a period of one year after the revocation. (b) A person convicted of an offense […]
Section 45-35-150.12 Revocation of bingo permit – Jurisdiction to restrain or enjoin. The circuit court of the county shall have jurisdiction to restrain or enjoin violations of this article and shall afford trial by jury for all appeals directed to it for alleged violations of this article leading to revocations of existing permits. (Act 95-420, […]
Section 45-35-150.13 Violations. Any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor upon first conviction under this article. Any subsequent conviction shall be a Class A misdemeanor. Any person who is convicted under this section shall be punished as provided by law. (Act 95-420, p. 910, §14.)
Section 45-35-150.14 Seizure and forfeiture of contraband. Any device, equipment, record, money, or stakes used in any bingo game or operation in violation of this article may be declared contraband and may be seized and be forfeited. Property forfeited may be sold, destroyed, or retained for official use by the municipal, county, state, or law […]
Section 45-35-150.15 Applicability of other laws. Any other law providing a penalty or disability on a person who conducts or participates in bingo games, who possesses equipment used in conducting bingo, who permits bingo to be conducted on his or her premises, or who does other acts in connection with bingo, shall not apply to […]
