§ 2001.551 — UNLAWFUL BINGO; OFFENSE.

Texas § 2001.551

• Jurisdiction: Texas
• Code OC: Occupations Code

Text

Sec. 2001.551. UNLAWFUL BINGO; OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "bingo" or "game" means a specific game of chance, commonly known as bingo or lotto, in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card conforming to numbers or symbols selected at random, whether or not a person who participates as a player furnishes something of value for the opportunity to participate.
(b) A person conducting, promoting, or administering bingo commits an offense if the person conducts, promotes, or administers bingo other than:
(1) under a license issued under this chapter;
(2) within the confines of a home for purposes of amusement or recreation when:
(A) no player or other person furnishes anything of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate;
(B) participation in the game does not exceed 15 players; and
(C) the prizes awarded or to be awarded are nominal;
(3) on behalf of an organization of individuals 60 years of age or over, a senior citizens' association, a senior citizens' community center program operated or funded by a governmental entity, the patients in a hospital or nursing home, residents of a retirement home, or the patients in a Veteran's Administration medical center or a military hospital, solely for the purpose of amusement and recreation of its members, residents, or patients, when:
(A) no player or other person furnishes anything of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate; and
(B) the prizes awarded or to be awarded are nominal; or
(4) on behalf of a business conducting the game for promotional or advertising purposes if:
(A) the game is conducted by or through a newspaper or a radio or television station;
(B) participation in the game is open to the general public and is not limited to customers of the business;
(C) playing materials are furnished without charge to a person on request; and
(D) no player is required to furnish anything of value for the opportunity to participate.
(c) An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the third degree.
(d) This section applies to a political subdivision regardless of local option status.
(e) A game exempted under Subsection (b)(2), (3), or (4) is not required to be licensed under this chapter.
(f) A game exempted under Subsection (b)(4) is subject to the following restrictions:
(1) a person licensed or required to be licensed under this chapter or having an interest in a license under this chapter may not be involved, directly or indirectly, in bingo, except that a licensed manufacturer or licensed distributor may sell or otherwise furnish bingo equipment or supplies for use in a game;
(2) a person conducting bingo may purchase or otherwise obtain bingo equipment or supplies through a newspaper, a radio or television station, or an advertising agency and, unless otherwise authorized by the commission, only from a licensed manufacturer or licensed distributor;
(3) a licensed manufacturer or licensed distributor may sell or otherwise furnish bingo equipment or supplies for use in a game only to or through a newspaper or a radio or television station or through an advertising agency acting on behalf of a person authorized to conduct the game; and
(4) the commission by rule may require a person conducting or involved in conducting the game to:
(A) notify the commission of:
(i) the persons involved in conducting the game;
(ii) the manner in which the game is to be conducted; and
(iii) any other information required by the commission; and
(B) keep records of all transactions connected with the game available for commission inspection.

Legislative History

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.