§ 45-52-150 — Definitions

As used in this article, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) BINGO. For purposes of bingo games operated within the boundaries of Morgan County, the term game of bingo or bingo shall mean: A game of chance that is played by groups of people seated in a duly authorized and permitted location. Balls bearing a combination of one of five letters (B-I-N-G-O) and a number between 1 and 75 are randomly drawn, usually from a wheel, and announced by a caller. The game is played on flat pieces of cardboard or disposable paper containing 25 squares arranged in five vertical columns and five horizontal rows (i.e., a 5x59 square matrix). The letters B-I-N-G-O are printed above the five vertical columns, with one letter appearing above each column; the center space on the square matrix may be marked “Free,” and one of the 75 numbers with which the game typically is played is preprinted in each of the remaining 24 squares. The distribution of the 75 numbers commonly corresponds to the following arrangement on the preprinted card: 1 to 15 in the B column; 16 to 30 in the I column; 31 to 45 in the N column; 46 to 60 in the G column; and 61 to 75 in the O column. As balls are randomly drawn and the marked letter/number combination announced by the caller, each player covers (with a poker chip, “daub” of paint, or some other marking device) any square on his or her bingo card that corresponds to the announced letter/number combination. Players compete against each other to be the first to achieve a specified winning pattern (typically, five contiguous squares covered vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) announced by the caller before the beginning of each game, and a winner is required to call out the word “Bingo!” to alert other players and the caller to a possible win. Bingo cards are not cleared and a new game begun until it has been confirmed that each space covered on the putative winner’s card was, in fact, randomly drawn and announced by the caller during the course of that game. This definition may not be construed to include the operation of the game of bingo by the use of any electronic or electrical equipment or device, computer, or related equipment, telecommunication or data transmission, storage, or receiving equipment.
(2) BINGO SESSION. A consecutive period of time not to exceed five consecutive hours during which bingo is played in a given day and not to exceed one day in a given week.
(3) EQUIVALENT VALUE. The fair market value of the gift on the date the gift is given as the prize in a bingo game.
(4) LOCATION. A single building, hall, enclosure, or outdoor area used for the purpose of playing bingo pursuant to a permit or license issued under this article.
(5) PERMIT HOLDER. A qualified organization or qualified club which has a permit or license pursuant to this article.
(6) PERSON. Any human being, corporation, association, or other legal entity.
(7) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION. A bona fide religious, educational, service, senior citizens, fraternal, or veterans’ organization which qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and operates without profit to its members and which has been in existence continuously as that organization for a period of three years and which has owned or leased real property in Morgan County for at least three years immediately prior to making application for operating bingo.
(8) REASONABLE EXPENSES. Includes customary and usual business over-head expenses.

Legislative History

(Act 96-648, p. 1032, § 6 Act 2010-718, p. 1779, § 1.)