Article II — BINGO

The ordinance codified in this article constitutes and may be referred to as the “Bingo Ordinance”. (1966 Code, § 8-1) (Ord. 376, § 1)

The ordinance codified in this article is enacted pursuant to the authority found in § 19 of Article IV of the State Constitution and Cal. Penal Code § 326.5. (1966 Code, § 8-2) (Ord. 376, § 2)

The intent of this article is to promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience and general welfare by the following specified purposes: (A) To permit certain bingo games to be conducted by non-profit, charitable organizations; (B) To regulate participation and conduct of those organizations authorized to conduct bingo games and prevent abuse of the participation and conduct; and (C) To provide a fair and orderly procedure whereby all interested persons may participate in bingo games. (1966 Code, § 8-3) (Ord. 376, § 3)

For the purposes of this article, certain terms used herein are defined as follows.

BINGO. 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. MINOR. Any person under the age of 18 years. NON-PROFIT, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION. An organization exempt from the payment of the bank and corporation tax under Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code § 23701d and contribution or gift to which would be a charitable contribution under I.R.C. § 170(c)(2). (1966 Code, § 8-4) (Ord. 376, § 4)

Bingo may be conducted in the county pursuant to this article by a non-profit, charitable organization, as defined in § 7.01.023, which has been granted a license under this article. (1966 Code, § 8-5) (Ord. 376, § 5)

The applicant shall apply to the County Clerk for a license authorizing the conduct of bingo games. If the County Clerk finds the applicant eligible, he or she shall issue a license to the applicant allowing the conduct of bingo games pursuant to this article. Prior to the granting of any such license, the applicant shall submit to the County Clerk certification by the appropriate state and federal agency that it qualifies as a non-profit, charitable organization. (1966 Code, § 8-6) (Ord. 376, § 8)

The county may impose a license fee not to exceed the actual cost of issuing the license on each non-profit, charitable organization authorized to conduct bingo games under this article. The fee shall be in such amount as may be hereafter established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. (1966 Code, § 8-7) (Ord. 376, § 7)

The following procedure shall be followed for the participation in the conduct of bingo games. (A) No minors shall be allowed to participate in any bingo game. (B) A non-profit, charitable organization shall conduct a bingo game only on property owned or leased by it and which property is used by such organization for an office or for performance of the purposes for which the organization is organized. (C) All bingo games shall be open to the public, not just to the members of the non-profit, charitable organization. (D) A bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members of the non-profit, charitable organization which organized it. Only the organization authorized to conduct a bingo game shall operate the game or participate in the promotion, supervision or any other phase of the game. (1) The members of the non-profit organization operating the game shall not receive a profit, wage or salary from any bingo game. (2) No individual, corporation, partnership or other legal entity, except the organizations authorized to conduct a bingo game, shall hold a financial interest in the conduct of the bingo game. (E) 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. (F) No person shall be allowed to participate in a bingo game unless the person is physically present at the time and place in which the bingo game is being conducted. (G) The total value of prizes awarded during the conduct of any bingo game shall not exceed $250 in cash or kind, or both, for each separate game which is held. (1966 Code, § 8-8) (Ord. 376, § 6)

Any person who receives a profit, wage or salary from any bingo game or violates any provision of this article shall be punishable pursuant to the provisions of Cal. Penal Code § 326.5. (1966 Code, § 8-9) (Ord. 376, § 9)