Martinez Municipal Code Ch. 9.30 Bingo Games for Charity

Pursuant to the initiative entitled Proposition 9 approved by the State electorate on June 8, 1976, at the State primary election, provision has been made for the operation of bingo games pursuant to Section 19 of Article IV of the State Constitution which authorizes the enactment of an ordinance to allow bingo games only for the benefit of organizations exempted from the payment of Bank and Corporation Tax by Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code and a contribution of a gift to which would be a charitable contribution under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1952.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

It is a misdemeanor for any person to receive a profit, wage or salary from any bingo game authorized under this chapter pursuant to Section 19 of Article IV of the State Constitution.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

It is unlawful for any minor to participate in any bingo game.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

Any nonprofit, charitable organization qualified to operate a bingo game under this chapter shall conduct such bingo game only on property owned or leased by it and if property is used by such organization for an office or for performance of purposes to which the organization is organized.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

All bingo games shall be open to the public not just to members of the nonprofit charitable organization.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

A bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members of the nonprofit charitable 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.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

It is unlawful for any individual corporation, partnership, or other legal entity except the organization authorized to conduct a bingo game to hold a financial interest in the conduct of such bingo game.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

All profits derived from a bingo game shall be kept by the nonprofit charitable organization in a special fund or account and shall not be commingled with any other fund or account.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

It is unlawful for any person to participate in a bingo game unless such person is physically present at the time and place in which the bingo game is being conducted.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

The total value of prizes awarded during the conduct of any bingo game shall not exceed $250 in cash or kind, for each separate game which is held.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

Any organization conducting a bingo game pursuant to this chapter shall post a copy of the ordinance codified in this chapter in a conspicuous place at the location of any and all games conducted pursuant to this Chapter.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

"Bingo,"

as used in this Chapter, 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.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)

The City may impose a license fee, not to exceed the actual cost of issuing such license, on each nonprofit, charitable organization which it authorizes to conduct bingo games.

(Ord. 839 C.S. § 1, 1976)