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Florida Statute 849.0931 Summary

Section 849.0931 of the 2023 Florida Statutes, pertains to the authorization, conditions for conduct, permitted uses of proceeds, and limitations related to bingo games.

Definition of Bingo Game:

  • The statute defines "bingo game" as a game where participants pay for bingo cards, numbers are drawn by chance, and players mark the numbers on their cards to achieve a predetermined order of numbers and win a prize.

Bingo Card Specifications:

  • A "bingo card" must have a minimum of 24 playing numbers ranging from 1 through 75, inclusive.

Charitable, Nonprofit, or Veterans' Organizations:

  • Charitable, nonprofit, or veterans' organizations that have been active for at least three years are allowed to conduct bingo games or instant bingo. The net proceeds from such games must be donated to charitable, civic, community, benevolent, religious, or scholastic works or similar activities.

Conduct of Bingo Games:

  • Bingo games must be conducted in accordance with specific rules, including ensuring that the drawing or ejection mechanism is functioning correctly and that numbers are announced accurately.

Limitations on Prizes:

  • The statute sets limits on jackpot prizes and other game prizes. Jackpots must not exceed the value of $250 in actual money or its equivalent, and there should be no more than three jackpots in a single session. All other game prizes must not exceed $50.

Frequency of Bingo Games:

  • Organizations are limited to conducting bingo games on a maximum of two days per week, except for instant bingo, which is not subject to this limitation.

Age Restrictions:

  • Individuals under 18 years of age are prohibited from playing bingo games or participating in their conduct.

Location of Bingo Games:

  • Bingo games may only be conducted on specific premises, including property owned or leased by the charitable, nonprofit, or veterans' organization or property authorized for use by a municipality or county.

Instant Bingo Tickets:

  • The statute establishes rules for the sale and use of instant bingo tickets, including pricing, serial numbers, form numbers, and winner protection measures.

Penalties:

  • Any person or organization that willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this statute may face misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties as specified.

This statute primarily regulates the conduct of bingo games and instant bingo in the state of Florida by charitable, nonprofit, or veterans' organizations. It sets forth specific requirements, limitations, and penalties to ensure the fair and lawful operation of such games for fundraising and charitable purposes.

What does this statute allow for instant bingo tickets, also known as Pull Tabs?

The statute (Section 849.0931 of the 2023 Florida Statutes) allows for the sale and use of instant bingo tickets, also known as pull tabs, under specific regulations and requirements. Here are the key provisions related to instant bingo tickets:

  1. Pricing: Instant bingo tickets must be sold at the price printed on the ticket or on the game flare by the manufacturer, and this price must not exceed $1 per ticket. Discounts are not allowed for the purchase of multiple tickets, and tickets cannot be given away free of charge.

  2. Flares: Each deal of instant bingo tickets must be accompanied by a flare, which is a board or placard that contains essential information about the instant bingo game. The flare must be posted before the sale of any tickets in that deal.

  3. Serial Numbers: Each deal of instant bingo tickets must have a unique serial number. Serial numbers must be clearly and legibly placed on the outside of each deal's package, box, or other container.

  4. Winner Protection: Instant bingo tickets must have a form of winner protection that allows the organization to verify, after the ticket has been played, that a winning instant bingo ticket presented for payment is authentic. The manufacturer is required to provide a written description of the winner protection with each deal of instant bingo tickets.

  5. Manufacturing Standards: Instant bingo tickets must comply with the applicable standards on pull-tabs of the North American Gaming Regulators Association, as amended.

  6. Opaque Construction: Instant bingo tickets must be manufactured using at least a two-ply paper stock construction to ensure that the tickets are opaque.

  7. Identification: Instant bingo tickets must display specific information on their face or cover, including the game name, manufacturer's name or logo, form number, ticket count, prize structure, cost per play, and game serial number.

  8. Invoicing: Manufacturers and distributors selling or distributing instant bingo tickets in Florida must create invoices that contain detailed information, including the date of sale, form number and serial number of each deal sold, number of tickets in each deal, the name of the distributor or organization to whom each deal is sold, and the price of each deal. This information must be maintained for 3 years.

  9. Penalties: The statute includes penalties for any person or organization that willfully and knowingly violates its provisions. Penalties range from misdemeanors of the first degree to felonies of the third degree, with corresponding punishments as specified in Florida law.

Does this statute prohibit an electronic aid or electronic device when playing instant bingo?

The statute (Section 849.0931 of the 2023 Florida Statutes) does not explicitly mention electronic aids or electronic devices in the context of playing instant bingo. Therefore, the statute itself does not contain provisions that either prohibit or allow the use of electronic aids or devices when playing instant bingo.

However, the statute does set forth specific requirements for the sale and use of instant bingo tickets, including pricing, serial numbers, form numbers, and winner protection measures. These requirements do not mention electronic aids or devices, but they do not prohibit their use either.