Lake County Municipal Code Art. IV Bingo

Being fully aware of the problems which may arise in Lake County from authorizing bingo, a form of lottery otherwise prohibited by law, this article is adopted with the view to ensuring strict compliance with its provisions. In order to protect the peaceful atmosphere in the community restrictions are enacted regarding proper hours of operation. To ensure observance of laws and to prevent encroachment by illegal gambling interests provision is made for monitoring operations by the Sheriffs Office. Unless these safeguards are adopted and enforced, the original purpose of authorizing bingo games for charitable purposes only, will be jeopardized to the detriment of the peace, safety and welfare of the people in Lake County.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77)

29.1 As used in this article, "bingo" means a game of chance 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. The game of bingo shall also include cards having numbers or symbols which are concealed and preprinted in a manner providing for distribution of prizes. The winning cards shall not be known prior to the game by any person participating in the playing or operation of the bingo game. All such preprinted cards shall bear the legend, for sale or use only in a bingo game authorized under California law and pursuant to local ordinance.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1222, § 1, 12-8-81)

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1005, § 1, 3-13-78)

29.3 An organization authorized to conduct bingo games pursuant to Section 15-29.2, shall conduct a bingo game only on property owned or leased by it, or property whose use is donated to the organization, and which property is used by such organization for an office or for performance of the purposes for which the organization is organized. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require that the property owned or leased by the organization be used or leased exclusively by such organization.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1005, § 2, 3-13-78; Ord. No. 1222, § 2, 12-8-81)

29.4 A bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members of the authorized organization which organized it. Such members shall not receive a profit, wage, or salary from any bingo game. Only the organization authorized to conduct a bingo game shall operate such game, or participate in the promotion, supervision, or any other phase of such game. This section does not preclude the employment of security personnel who are not members of the authorized organization at such bingo games by the organization conducting the game.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1005, 3-13-78; Ord. No. 1222, § 3, 12-8-81)

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77)

29.6(a) With respect to organizations exempt from payment of the bank and corporation tax by Section 237Q1(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all profits derived from a bingo game shall be kept in a special fund or account and shall not be commingled with any other fund or account. Such profits shall be used only for charitable purposes. With respect to other organizations authorized to conduct bingo games pursuant to this section, all proceeds derived from a bingo game shall be kept in a special fund or account and shall not be commingled with any other fund or account. Such proceeds shall be used only for charitable purposes, except as follows:

(1) Such proceeds may be used for prizes.

(2) A portion of such proceeds, not to exceed 20 per cent of the proceeds before the deduction for prizes, or one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per month, whichever is less, may be used for rental of property, overhead, including the purchase of bingo equipment, administrative expenses, security equipment, and security personnel.

(3) Such proceeds may be used to pay license fees.

(Ord. No. 1229, § 1, 1-12-82)

29.6(b) By the fifth day of each month a copy of the records of receipts, disbursements and special fund balance for the preceding month's games shall be delivered to the Lake County Sheriff's Office in Lakeport. If games are held less frequently than at least once per month the above records shall be delivered not later than ten (10) days following the games. All records and bank accounts pertaining to the bingo games shall be open to inspection by the Sheriff's Office at all reasonable times.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1005, § 4, 3-13-78; Ord. No. 1195, § 1, 5-5-81; Ord. No. 1222, § 4, 12-8-81)

Application for licenses shall be made to the Sheriff's Office on forms provided by that office. In the discretion of the Sheriff's Office any person in an organization who expects to or does participate in the conduct of the games shall submit to being fingerprinted and photographed by the Sheriff's Office. The license shall be renewed annually.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77)

29.9(a) An annual license fee in the amount set forth below shall be payable upon application for the license and on the date of each annual renewal thereof:

More than two (2) games per month .....$50.00

Two (2) games per month .....35.00

One game per month .....25.00

Less than one game per month .....15.00

29.9(b) If an application for a license is denied, one-half (½) of any license fee paid shall be refunded to the organization.

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1005, § 5, 3-13-78)

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77; Ord. No. 1005, § 6, 3-13-78)

(Ord. No. 952, § 1, 6-1-77)

Secs. 15-32—15-39. - Reserved.