City Council Ordinance 193-14-1 3-14-3
CHAPTER 14
B I NGO GAMES *
3-14- I:
PURPOSE
3-14- 2:
DEFINITIONS
3-14-
LICENSE REQUIRED
3-14-:
LICENSE APPLICATIONS
3-14- 55:
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION
3-14- 6:
CONDUCT OF BINGO
3-14-
BINGO ON LEASED PREMISES
3-14-
PRIZES
3- I4- 9:
RECORDS
3-14-10:
REPORTS
3-14-11:
INSPECTION & INVESTIGATION
3-14-12:
USE OF BINGO RECEIPTS
3-14-1 :
USE OF BINGO PROFITS
3-14-1
EXEMPTIONS
3-14-15:
PENALTIES
3-14-16:
EFFECTIVE DATE
3-14-1:
PURPOSE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE IS TO CLOSELY REGULATE
AND CONTROL THE CONDUCT OF THE GAME OF BINGO AND TO PROHIBIT
COMMERCIALIZATION OF BINGO.
3-14-2: DEFINITIONS: WHENEVER THE FOLLOWING TERMS APPEAR IN THIS
ORDINANCE, THEY SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS ASSIGNED TO THEM IN
THIS SECTION,
(A) ACTIVE MEMBER: A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION REQUESTING A LICENSE
WHOSE DUES ARE PAID FOR THE CURRENT MEMBERSHIP PERIOD AND WHO HAS
BEEN A MEMBER FOR AT LEAST S -IX MONTHS,
(B) BINGO: A GAME WHERE EACH PLAYER HAS A CARD OR BOARD FOR WHICH A
CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN PAID, CONTAINING FIVE HORIZONTAL ROWS OF
SPACES, WITH EACH ROW EXCEPT THE CENTRAL ONE CONTAINING FIVE FIGURES.
THE CENTRAL ROW HAS FOUR FIGURES WITH THE WORD "FREE" MARKED IN THE
CENTER SPACE THEREOF. A PLAYER WINS A GAME OF BINGO BY COMPLETING ANY
PRE -ANNOUNCED COMBINATION OF SPACES OR, IN THE ABSENCE OF A PRE-
ANNOUNCEMENT OF A COMBINATION OF SPACES, ANY COMBINATION OF FIVE
SPACES IN A ROW, EITHER VERTICAL, HORIZONTAL, OR DIAGONAL,
(C) BINGO OCCASION: A SINGLE GATHERING OR SESSION AT WHICH A SERIES OF ONE
OR MORE SUCCESSIVE BINGO GAMES IS PLAYED.
(D) ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION: ANY FRATERNAL, RELIGIOUS, VETERANS, OR OTHER
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST THREE
YEARS AND HAS AT LEAST 30 ACTIVE MEMBERS.
(E) PROFIT: THE GROSS RECEIPTS COLLECTED FROM ONE OR MORE BINGO OCCASIONS
LESS REASONABLE SUMS NECESSARILY AND ACTUALLY EXPENDED FOR BINGO
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, PRIZES, RENT, AND UTILITIES USED DURING THE
BINGO OCCASIONS, BINGO LICENSE FEES, AND COMPENSATION TO PERSONS LAW-
FULLY HIRED TO CONDUCT OR ASSIST IN CONDUCTING A BINGO OCCASION.
3.-14-3: LICENSE REQUIRED: NO BINGO OCCASION SHALL BE CONDUCTED EXCEPT
BY AN ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS SECURED A LICENSE FOR
THAT PURPOSE, AS PROVIDED IN THIS ORDINANCE. AN ORGANIZATION WHICH IS
OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR A LICENSE NEED NOT SECURE A LICENSE WHEN BINGO GAMES
ARE CONDUCTED FEWER THAN FIVE (5) TIMES IN A YEAR.
* (x -13-7t #19)
3-14-3
3-14-6
(A) A LICENSE SHALL BE VALID FOR TWELVE CALENDAR MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF
ISSUANCE.
(B) THE ANNUAL LICENSE FEE SHALL BE 25.00.
(C) NO BINGO LICENSE ISSUED MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR
ORGANIZATION. NO BINGO LICENSE SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO ANY LOCATION
OTHER THAN THE LOCATION SPECIFIED IN THE LICENSE, WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL
BY THE COUNCIL.
3-14-4: LICENSE APPLICATIONS: EVERY APPLICATION FOR A BINGO LICENSE
SHALL BE MADE TO THE CITY CLERK ON A FORM SUPPLIED BY THE CITY
AND CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION AS THE CLERK OR THE COUNCIL MAY REQUIRE. NO
PERSON SHALL MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT IN AN APPLICATION. COPIES OF EACH
APPLICATION SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE CITYIS POLICE CHIEF, FIRE CHIEF, AND
BUILDING INSPECTOR, FOR THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.
3-14-5: SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION: THE COUNCIL MAY SUSPEND FOR A
PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 60 DAYS, OR REVOKE, ANY BINGO LICENSE
FOR VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF M.S. CH. 349 OF THIS ORDINANCE. THE HOLDER
OF THE LICENSE SHALL BE GRANTED A HEARING UPON AT LEAST 10 DAYS NOTICE
BEFORE REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION IS ORDERED, THE NOTICE SHALL STATE THE TIME
AND PLACE OF THE HEARING AND THE NATURE OF THE CHARGES AGAINST THE LICENSEE.
3-14-6: CONDUCT OF BINGO: EACH LICENSED ORGANIZATION SHALL APPOINT A
BINGO MANAGER TO SUPERVISE BINGO OCCASIONS CONDUCTED BY IT.
THE BINGO MANAGER MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION, WITH DUES
PAID FOR THE CURRENT MEMBERSHIP PERIOD, AND MUST HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE
ORGANIZATION FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. THE BINGO MANAGER SHALL GIVE A FIDELITY
BOND IN THE SUM OF $10,000 IN FAVOR OF THE ORGANIZATION CONDITIONED ON THE
FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES, EXCEPT THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MAY
WAIVE THE BOND REQUIREMENT UPON A SHOWING BY THE PROPOSED BINGO MANAGER AND
THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION THAT BOND 1S NOT REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE ORGAN-
IZATION AND UPON A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL. TERMS OF THE BOND
SHALL PROVIDE THAT NOTICE SHALL BE GIVEN IN WRITING TO THE CITY COUNCIL NOT
LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ITS CANCELLATION. EACH BINGO OCCASION SHALL BE
CONDUCTED UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE BINGO MANAGER, WHO SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE BINGO OCCASION IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE LAWS AND ORDINANCES. NO PERSON SHALL ACT AS BINGO MANAGER FOR
MORE THAN ONE ORGANIZATION,
(A) ONE OR MORE CHECKERS SHALL BE ENGAGED FOR EACH BINGO OCCASION• THE
CHECKERS SHALL BE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION OR
SPOUSES OF ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION. THE CHECKER
OR CHECKERS SHALL RECORD THE NUMBER OF CARDS PURCHASED AND PLAYED IN
EACH GAME PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF EACH GAME AND RECORD THE PRIZES
AWARDED TO THE RECORDED CARDS. EACH CHECKER SHALL CERTIFY ALL FIGURES
WHICH HE OR SHE HAS RECORDED AS ACCURATE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF HIS
OR HER KNOWLEDGE, ON FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE CITY CLERK•
(B) ADDITIONAL PERSONS MAY BE ENGAGED FOR OTHER DUTIES IN CONNECTION WITH
BINGO OCCASIONS AS NEEDED BUT NO PERSON SHALL ASSIST IN THE CONDUCT OF
A BINGO OCCASION WHO IS NOT AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZA-
TION, OR THE SPOUSE OF AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION.
(C) NO PERSON SHALL RECEIVE MORE THAN $12 AS COMPENSATION FOR ANY DUTIES
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ONE BINGO OCCASION.
(D) NO MORE THAN 104 BINGO OCCASIONS EACH YEAR OR TWO BINGO OCCASIONS EACH
WEEK SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY ANY LICENSED ORGANIZATION.
(E) A BINGO OCCASION SHALL NOT CONTINUE FOR MORE THAN FOUR CONSECUTIVE
HOURS.
3-14-7
3-14-10
3-14-7: BINGO ON LEASED PREMISES: ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, OR ELIGIBLE
ORGANIZATION, WHICH LEASES ANY PREMISES THAT IT OWNS TO TWO OR
MORE ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR PURPOSES INCLUDING THE CONDUCT OF BINGO
OCCASIONS, SHALL NOT ALLOW MORE THAN FOUR BINGO OCCASIONS TO BE CONDUCTED
ON THE PREMISES IN ANY WEEK.
(A) ANY ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION WHICH LEASES ANY PREMISES TO ONE OR MORE
OTHER ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR PURPOSES INCLUDING THE CONDUCT OF
BINGO OCCASIONS SHALL USE THE PROCEEDS OF THE RENTAL, LESS REASONABLE
SUMS FOR MAINTENANCE, FURNISHINGS AND OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES, ONLY
FOR THE USES FOR WHICH BINGO PROFITS MAY BE USED, AS SET OUT IN SECTION
3-14-13 OF THIS ORDINANCE. NOT LESS THAN ONCE EACH YEAR THE LESSOR
ORGANIZATION SHALL REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE DISPOSITION OF ALL
RECEIPTS WHICH IT HAS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD FROM THE
RENTAL OF ITS FACILITIES TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR PURPOSES INCLUDING
THE CONDUCT OF BINGO OCCASIONS.
(B) NO ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION SHALL CONDUCT BINGO ON ANY LEASED PREMISES
WITHOUT A WRITTEN LEASE FOR A TERM AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE REMAINDER
OF THE TERM OF THE BINGO LICENSE OF THE LESSEE ORGANIZATION. LEASE
PAYMENTS SHALL BE AT A FIXED MONTHLY RATE, OR RATE PER BINGO OCCASION,
NOT SUBJECT TO CHANGE DURING THE TERM OF THE LEASE. NO SUCH LEASE
SHALL PROVIDE THAT RENTAL PAYMENTS BE BASED ON A PERCENTAGE OF RECEIPTS
OR PROFITS FROM BINGO OCCASIONS.
3-14-8: PRIZES: PRIZES FOR A SINGLE BINGO GAME SHALL NOT EXCEED $100
EXCEPT PRIZES FOR A GAME OF THE TYPE COMMONLY KNOWN AS A IICOVER-
ALL11 GAME. "COVER -ALL" PRIZES MAY EXCEED $100 PROVIDED THAT THE AGGREGATE
VALUE OF SUCH PRIZES FOR A BINGO OCCASION SHALL NOT EXCEED $500. THE AGGREGATE
VALUE OF PRIZES FOR A BINGO OCCASION SHALL NOT EXCEED $2,500 EXCEPT THAT IN THE
CASE OF A BINGO OCCASION DURING WHICH A IICOVER-ALLI1 GAME IS PLAYED FOR A MAXIMUM
PRIZE OF MORE THAN $100 BUT LESS THAN $500, THE AGGREGATE VALUE OF PRIZES FOR
THE BINGO OCCASION SHALL NOT EXCEED 3,000. MERCHANDISE PRIZES SHALL BE VALUED
AT FAIR MARKET RETAIL VALUE*
EACH BINGO WINNER SHALL BE DETERMINED AND EVERY PRIZE SHALLSE AWARDED AND
DELIVERED THE SAME DAY ON WHICH THE BINGO OCCASION IS CONDUCTED.
3-14-9: RECORDS: EACH LICENSED ORGANIZATION SHALL KEEP RECORDS OF ITS
GROSS RECEIPTS AND PROFITS FOR EACH BINGO OCCASION, ALL DEDUCTIONS
FROM GROSS RECEIPTS FROM A BINGO OCCASION SHALL BE DOCUMENTED WITH RECEIPTS OR
OTHER RECORDS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS SHALL BE ITEMIZED AS TO PAYEE, AMOUNT,
AND DATE OF PAYMENT. RECORDS REQUIRED BY THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE PRESERVED FOR
THREE YEARS.
(A) GROSS RECEIPTS SHALL BE COMPARED TO THE CHECKERSI RECORDS FOR THE BINGO
OCCASION BY A PERSON WHO DID NOT SELL CARDS FOR THE BINGO OCCASION. IF A
DISCREPANCY EXCEEDING $20 IS FOUND BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF GROSS RECEIPTS
FOR A BINGO OCCASION AS DETERMINED BY THE CHECKERSI RECORDS, AND THE AMOUNT
OFGROSS RECEIPTS AS DETERMINED BY TOTALING THE CASH RECEIPTS, THE DISCREPANCY
SHALL BE REPORTED TO AND INVESTIGATED BY THE COUNCIL*
(B) BINGO GROSS RECEIPTS SHALL BE SEGREGATED FROM OTHER REVENUES OF AN
ORGANIZATION AND PLACED IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT. EACH ORGANIZATION SHALL
MAINTAIN SEPARATE RECORDS OF ITS BINGO OPERATIONS. THE PERSON WHO ACCOUNTS
FOR BINGO GROSS RECEIPTS AND PROFITS SHALL NOT BE THE SAME PERSON WHO
ACCOUNTS FOR OTHER REVENUES OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION.
3-I4-io: REPORTS: EACH LICENSED ORGANIZATION SHALL REPORT MONTHLY TO ITS
MEMBERSHIP ITS GROSS RECEIPTS FROM BINGO, ITS PROFITS FROM BINGO,
AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE PROFITS ITEMIZED AS REQUIRED BY
SECTION 3-14-9.
(A) AT THE TIME OF MAKING ITS FIRST LICENSE APPLICATION UNDER THIS ORDINANCE,
AND ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THEREAFTER, EACH LICENSED ORGANIZATION SHALL FILE
WITH THE COUNCIL COPIES OF THE'FOLLOWING:
3-14-.10
3-14-13
1. THE MOST RECENTLY FILED DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE, "RETURN OF ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX", FORM 990, OR
A COMPARABLE FORM IF THE ORGANIZATION IS REQUIRED TO FILE THE FORM WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.
2. THE MOST RECENTLY FILED DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE, EXEMPT ORGANIZATION BUSINESS INCOME TAX," FORM 990-T, OR A
COMPARABLE FORM IF THE ORGANIZATION IS REQUIRED TO FILE THE FORM WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.
3. THE MOST RECENTLY FILED ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED OF CHARITABLE ORGAN-
IZATIONS BY M.S. 309.53, PROVIDED THAT AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS LICENSED
TO CONDUCT BINGO BUT IS EXEMPT FROM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT TO THE DEPART-
MENT OF COMMERCE UNDER SEC. 309.53, SUBD. IA, SHALL NEVERTHELESS SUBMIT
SUCH A REPORT UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION,
4. THE MOST RECENTLY FILED MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE "STATEMENT
OF BINGO OPERATIONS." ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE STATEMENT
SHALL BE TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF
THE PERSONS SIGNING THE STATEMENT,
5. ANY LEASE AGREEMENTS REQUIRED BY THIS ACT, EXECUTED BY THE ORGANIZATION
IN REGARD TO PREMISES LEASED FOR THE CONDUCT OF BINGO.
(B) NO PERSON SHALL KNOWINGLY MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT IN ANY REPORT REQUIRED
BY THIS SECTION.
3-111-11: INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION: ANY CITY OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE,
HAVING A DUTY TO PERFORM WITH REFERENCE TO A BINGO LICENSE,
AND ANY POLICE OFFICER MAY INSPECT AND EXAMINE THE BINGO RECORDS OF ANY LICENSED
ORGANIZATION UPON 24 HOURS NOTICE.
3-14_12: USE OF BINGO RECEIPTS: NO EXPENSE SHALL BE INCURRED OR AMOUNTS
PAID IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONDUCT OF BINGO, EXCEPT THOSE
REASONABLY EXPENDED FOR BINGO SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, PRIZES, RENT OR
UTILITIES USED DURING THE BINGO OCCASION, BINGO LICENSEFEES, AND COMPENSATION
TO PERSONS LAWFULLY HIRED TO CONDUCT OR ASSIST IN CONDUCTING A BINGO OCCASION,
3-14-13: USE OF BINGO PROFITS; PROFITS FROM ANY BINGO OCCASION SHALL
BE EXPENDED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY A RESOLUTION RECORDED IN THE
OFFICIAL MINUTES AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION AND ONLY
FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
(A) BENEFITING PERSONS BY ENHANCING THEIR OPPORTUNITY FOR RELIGIOUS OR
EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT, BY RELIEVING OR PROTECTING THEM FROM DISEASE,
SUFFERING, OR DISTRESS, BY CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, BY
ASSISTING THEM IN ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES IN LIFE AS WORTHY AND USEFUL
CITIZENS, OR BY INCREASING THEIR COMPREHENSION OF AND DEVOTION TO THE
PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED.
(B) INITIATING, PERFORMING, OR FOSTERING WORTHY PUBLIC WORKS OR ENABLING
OR FURTHERING THE ERECTION OR MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC STRUCTURES.
(C) LESSENING THE BURDENS BORNE BY GOVERNMENT OR VOLUNTARILY SUPPORTING,
AUGMENTING, OR SUPPLEMENTING SERVICES WHICH GOVERNMENT WOULD NORMALLY
RENDER TO THE PEOPLE,
(D) THE IMPROVING, EXPANDING, MAINTAINING, OR REPAIRING OF REAL PROPERTY
OWNED OR LEASED BY THE LICENSED ORGANIZATION,
PROFITS FROM BINGO OCCASIONS SHALL NOT BE EXPENDED FOR THE ERECTION OR ACQUISITION
OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, UNLESS THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZES THE EXPEN-
DITURES AFTER FINDING THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR ONE OR MORE
OF THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION,
3-14-16
3-I4-14: EXEMPTIONS: BINGO MAY BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT COMPLYING WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 3-14-6, (D) AND (E), AND SECTION 3-A-7
IF CONDUCTED:
(A) IN CONNECTION WITH THE COUNTY FAIR CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY OR IN CONNECTION WITH A CIVIC CELEBRATION RECOGNIZED BY RESOLU-
TION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, PROVIDED THAT BINGO SHALL NOT BE CONDUCTED
FOR MORE THAN 12 DAYS DURING ANY ONE COUNTY FAIR OR RECOGNIZED CIVIC
CELEBRATION, OR
(B) BY AN ORGANIZATION THAT CONDUCTS FEWER THAN FIVE BINGO OCCASIONS IN ANY
CALENDAR YEAR.
3-I4-15: PENALTIES: VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL
BE A MISDEMEANOR. A PERSON CONVICTED OF VIOLATING ANY PROVISION
OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $300 OR IMPRISON-
MENT FOR A TERM NOT TO EXCEED 90 DAYS OR BOTH, PLUS IN EITHER CASE THE COSTS
OF PROSECUTION.
3-14-16: EFFECTIVE DATE: THIS ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE UPON ITS
PASSAGE AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW.
2