D.C. Charity Bingo

CHAPTER 14, BINGO OPERATIONS

Title 30 District of Columbia Municipal Regulations

14-1 CHAPTER 14 BINGO OPERATIONS

1400 PREMISES
1400.1 The premises where any game of bingo is conducted or where it is intended to be conducted or where any bingo equipment is used or intended to be used shall be open at reasonable times to inspection by the Board.

1400.2 A licensed organization shall lease a premise for any bingo operation only by means of a fixed rental payment; Provided, that the fixed rental payment is not based on a percentage of gross receipts or net proceeds from a bingo operation and reflects a fair rental value.

1400.3 Any lease entered into in accordance with §1400.2 shall be set forth in writing and filed with the application for a license and reviewed by the Board to determine compliance with §§1400.2 and 1400.4.

1400.4 The lease shall separately state the following:

(a) The rental amount;
(b) A detailed breakdown of any other charges;
(c) The purpose for which the premises will be used;
(d) Duration of the rental term;
(e) Execution date;
(f) Names, addresses, and identification of the parties; and
(g) Other information as may be required by the Board.

1400.5 No more than two (2) bingo operations per week shall be conducted on any one (1) premise.

1400.6 A licensed organization shall conduct no more than two (2) bingo operations per week on any one (1) premise.

1400.7 A licensed organization shall conduct bingo only on premises listed on the face of the license.

1400.8 A licensed organization shall not conduct bingo in a building which does not have a current occupancy permit required by the District's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

1400.9 Each licensed organization shall post at a place where the bingo cards are sold the following information:

(a) The bingo license;

(b) For a multihall bingo game, a license issued pursuant to §1414 of this chapter;

(c) Notices required by the Board;

(d) A valid occupancy permit;

(e) A sheet listing the approximate percentage of the handle to be paid out in prizes, the percentage to be used for the lawful purpose, and the percentage to be used for expenses;

(f) The sheet required by §1405.1; and

(g) The list of names required by §1401.1.

1400.10 Each player shall be furnished a chair and place with sufficient room to play at no extra charge.

1400.11 The playing area shall be free of hazards to safety with means of egress clearly designated.

1400.12 The licensed organization shall provide at least one (1) security person, either a District police officer or a person licensed by the District as a security guard.
AUTHORITY: Unless otherwise noted, the authority for this chapter is §4 of the Law to Legalize Lotteries, Daily Numbers Games, and Bingo and Raffles for Charitable Purposes in the District of Columbia, D.C. Law 3-172, D.C. Code §2-2501 et seq. (1994 Repl. Vol.).
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3802 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048, 2051 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1401 BINGO WORKERS AND CONSULTANTS
1401.1 Each licensed organization shall conspicuously post on the premises where bingo is conducted and keep available to the Board and law enforcement agencies a list of persons authorized to participate as bingo workers under the supervision of the member-in-charge.

1401.2 Bingo workers while on duty shall not participate as players in any bingo operation.

1401.3 Each licensed organization shall designate one (1) or more checkers for each bingo operation.
A checker shall be reasonably available to each player at all times.

1401.4 Checkers stationed on the floor shall be responsible for selling bingo cards, supplies and charity game tickets, and for acknowledging a bingo call from players, checking the affected cards, and verifying the winning numbers to the caller by announcing the claimed winning numbers to the caller and the players present.

1401.5 A bingo worker shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older.

1401.6 A bingo worker shall wear identifying name tags.

1401.7 In addition to the consultation and services identified in §1200.4 of this title, unlicensed persons, firms, or organizations may provide advertising or financial services to a licensed organization operating a multihall bingo game.

1401.8 All services authorized by §1401.7 shall be provided under a written agreement approved by the Agency. The agreement(s) shall include a provision permitting the Agency to review, inspect and audit the books, records and operations of the licensed organization and the provider of services authorized by §1401.7.

1401.9 The written agreement required by §1401.8 may require the provider of services to reimburse the licensed organization for licensing fees charged by the Agency to review, inspect and audit the books, records and operations of a provider of services located or conducting operations for the licensed organization outside the District of Columbia.

1401.10 The written agreement required by §1401.8 may include a provision for the provider of services to provide the bond required by §1205.3 of this title.

1401.11 Violation of any term or provision of the written agreement authorized by §1401.8 by the licensed organization or the provider of services shall be grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of a license.

1401.12 A denial, suspension or revocation of a license shall be governed by the provisions of §1210 of this title.

1401.13 Pursuant to D.C. Code §2-2529 (1994 Repl. Vol.), no person directly or indirectly connected with the manufacture, sale, or distribution of bingo supplies or equipment, and no agent, Tservant or employee of such person, shall do the following:

(a) Conduct, advise, or assist in the conduct of bingo;

(b) Render any service to anyone conducting or assisting in the conduct of bingo; or

(c) Prepare any form required of a licensed organization pertaining to bingo.

1401.14 For the purposes of §1401.13, "directly or indirectly connected" shall mean directly or indirectly connected by an ownership interest including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures, subsidiaries or affiliated companies. "Directly or indirectly connected" shall not include contractual relationships or licensing arrangements.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3803 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048 and 2048, 2052 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1402 CHARGES
1402.1 A licensed organization operating under a Class A, a Class B, or a Class C bingo license shall not charge more than four dollars ($4) for admission to a bingo operation which shall include at least one (1) regular bingo card.

1402.2 A licensed organization operating under a Class D bingo license shall not charge more than twenty-five cents (25cents) for admission to a bingo operation which shall include at least one (1) regular bingo card.

1402.3 A licensed organization operating under a Class A, a Class B, or a Class C bingo license shall not charge more than two dollars ($2) for each extra regular card.

1402.4 A licensed organization operating under a Class D bingo license shall not charge more than fifteen cents (.15) for each extra regular card.

1402.5 A licensed organization operating under a Class A, a Class B, or a Class C bingo license shall not charge more than fifteen dollars ($15) for participation in a multihall bingo game or one one dollar ($1) for participation in any other special bingo game.

1402.6 A licensed organization operating under a Class D bingo license shall not charge more than fifteen cents (.15) for participation in any special bingo game.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3804 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048, 2052 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1403 BINGO EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
1403.1 A licensed organization shall purchase or receive bingo supplies and equipment specifically designed or adapted for use in the bingo operation only from a licensed supplier or another licensed organization, if the licensed organization selling the used equipment is currently licensed or had been licensed not less than twelve (12) months preceding the sale.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3804 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1404 BINGO CARDS
1404.1 In addition to the requirements listed in D.C. Code §2-2530 (1994 Repl. Vol.), bingo cards shall meet the following requirements:

(a) The twenty-five (25) playing spaces on a regular bingo card or an extra regular bingo card shall be contained within an area not less than four inches square (4 in.);

(b) The twenty-five (25) playing spaces on a special bingo card shall be contained within an area not less than three inches square (3 in.);

(c) On each regular bingo card and extra regular card, and on each grouping of regular bingo cards and extra regular bingo card, there shall be printed or otherwise permanently marked the name of the licensed organization which owns the card or grouping of cards;

(d) Bingo cards shall be printed only on one (1) side;

(e) Only United States currency or coin shall be accepted by a licensed organization as payment for an admission charge to any bingo operation, for any bingo card, bingo supplies, or charity game tickets;

(f) Cards shall be sold or rented only on the premises at which bingo is being conducted and only by the licensed organization;

(g) Each licensed organization shall maintain records revealing the number of bingo cards owned by the licensed organization; and

(h) The licensed organization shall keep an accurate and separate count of the number of regular bingo cards, extra regular cards, special bingo cards, and charity game tickets which are sold, rented, or used at each bingo operation, and the series numbers of all special bingo cards and charity game tickets sold or used at each bingo operation.

SOURCE : Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3805 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE : Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1405 METHOD OF PLAY
1405.1 At each bingo operation, the licensed organization shall supply each player a sheet which lists the following:

(a) The number of games to be played as well as the kind and type of each game to be played;

(b) Any house rules;

(c) The amount of prizes to be awarded in each game;

(d) The retail value of any door prize if that door prize is merchandise, or the amount of any cash door prize;

(e) The cost of regular bingo cards, special bingo cards, extra regular bingo cards, and charity game tickets; and

(f) The name of the member-in-charge.

1405.2 Each person admitted to a bingo operation purchasing a regular bingo card shall be allowed to play in all regular bingo games conducted at the bingo operation.

1405.3 Regular bingo cards sold as a part of the admission cost pursuant to §1402.1 shall be of a different color from all extra regular bingo cards.

1405.4 At any bingo operation, any player buying or renting an extra regular bingo card shall be entitled to use the card in all regular games conducted after that person buys or rents the card.

1405.5 All bingo cards shall be sold face down and in a random fashion.

1405.6 No number on a bingo card shall be given free to players in any bingo game other than that center space designated the "free" space.

1405.7 The objects to be drawn shall be essentially the same in size, shape, weight, balance, and other characteristics so that at all times during a bingo operation each object possesses the capacity for equal opportunity of selection.

1405.8 All seventy-five (75) objects shall be present in the receptacle at the beginning of each bingo game.

1405.9 A display tote board showing each number as called shall always be used in each room where bingo is played.

1405.10 All seventy-five (75) numbers shall be posted on the tote board at the beginning of each bingo game.

1405.11 The announcement by the caller of all numbers drawn shall be clearly audible to the players  present and visibly indicated on the tote board.

1405.12 Where more than one room is used for any bingo game, the receptacle and the caller and any assistant shall be in the room where the greatest number of players is present and all numbers shall be announced in a manner clearly audible to the players in each room.

1405.13 In any multihall bingo game the receptacle and the caller and any assistant shall be located at a single premise within or outside the District of Columbia, and all numbers shall be drawn and announced in conformity with the provisions of this chapter respecting the drawing and announcing of numbers at licensed premises located within the District of Columbia.

1405.14 Once removed, no object shall be returned to the receptacle until after the conclusion of the game.

1405.15 In all bingo games, other than Class C multihall bingo games, the receptacle and caller shall be visible to the majority of players at the premises at all times.

1405.16 Bingo shall be called immediately. If a bingo is overlooked, the subsequent number or numbers shall be declared the winner.

1405.17 Prior to each bingo game, the particular arrangement of numbers required to be covered in order to win shall be clearly displayed in a model and audibly announced to the players.

1405.18 Prior to each bingo game, the amount of the prize shall be audibly announced and clearly displayed to the players.

1405.19 No more than six (6) early bird games may be held during a regular bingo operation.

1405.20 No regular bingo cards or supplies, except charity game tickets and special bingo cards, shall be sold during any bingo operation after completion of three-fourths (3/4) of the bingo games scheduled, excluding early bird games.

1405.21 No more than six (6) early bird games may be held during a limited period bingo operation.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3805 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048, 2052 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1406 VERIFICATION OF WINNER
1406.1 In the immediate presence of at least one other player, an authorized checker shall audibly call to the players present the numbers appearing on the winning card or cards prior to the time a winner is determined and at the same time, verify with the caller the winning numbers off of the card or cards called as winners.

1406.2 When more than one (1) player is found to be the winner on the call of the same number in the same bingo game the prize shall be divided equally and rounded to the next highest dollar, Title 30 District of Columbia Municipal Regulations
14-8 except that when more than one Class D regular bingo license player is found to be the winner on the call of the same number in the same bingo game the prize shall be divided equally and rounded to the next highest cent.

1406.3 Each bingo winner shall be determined and every prize shall be awarded and delivered at the conclusion of each bingo game.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3807 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1407 PAYMENT OF WINNERS
1407.1 Bingo prizes, charity game prizes, and any cash door prizes shall be paid by funds provided by a cashier from a separate bank used only for that purpose, except that the foregoing shall not apply to multihall bingo prizes permitted by §1408.6.

1407.2 In no event shall bingo prizes be paid from the bank of a checker collecting money from the sale of bingo cards, supplies, or charity game tickets.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3807 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048, 2052 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1408 BINGO PRIZES
1408.1 A licensed organization operating under a Class A, a Class B, or a Class C regular bingo license shall not award any prize in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000) in any single bingo game or ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in any single bingo operation, except that multihall bingo game prizes may be paid in accordance with the provisions of §1408.6.

1408.2 A licensed organization operating under a Class A, a Class B, or a Class C limited period bingo license shall have no limit on the value of prizes offered.

1408.3 A licensed organization operating under a Class D regular bingo license shall not award any prize in excess of five dollars ($5) in any single game or fifty dollars ($50) in any single bingo operation.

1408.4 All prizes for a bingo operation shall be cash prizes; except that multihall bingo prize may be paid pursuant to §1408.6 and door prizes may be awarded in the form of merchandise according to §1408.11.

1408.5 All cash prizes shall be paid by the licensed organization in United States currency or coin; Provided, that at the request of the winner, any prize in excess of ten dollars ($10) shall be paid by check.

1408.6 Payments of multihall bingo prizes of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more may be paid in whole, or in part, pursuant to an annuity contract purchased for a period of time not to exceed twenty-five (25) years.

1408.7 An annuity contract shall be purchased within thirty (30) days after the prize is won and shall be for the benefit of the multihall bingo game winner.

1408.8 An annuity contract authorized by this section shall be purchased from a nationally recognized insurer licensed to do business in the District of Columbia.

1408.9 All or part of a multihall bingo game prize of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more may be paid in cash or by check by the provider of prize fulfillment services.

1408.10 A licensed organization shall not offer, distribute or give any service, or thing of value, or opportunity to play bingo without charge.

1408.11 The awarding of any door prize shall require that all persons paying an admission charge be given equal changes to win.
SOURCE : Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3808 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2051, 2052 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1409 CHARITY GAME TICKETS
1409.1 The tab lottery game known as charity game or Nevada chips shall be permitted during all Class A, Class B, and Class C bingo and raffle operations.

1409.2 Licensed organizations shall purchase charity game tickets from the Board; except if the charity game tickets are not available from the Board, the charity game tickets may be purchased from a supplier licensed pursuant to §1208 of this title.

1409.3 Before a licensed organization may sell charity game tickets purchased from a licensed supplier, the licensed organization shall present to the Board a sample of the charity game ticket in order that the Board may determine whether the charity game ticket provides sufficient protection such that the prizes awarded cannot be determined prior to the sale of the charity game ticket to the player.

1409.4 All unsold charity game tickets shall be returned to the Board for destruction at the end of the event; except for events licensed pursuant to §1204.1.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3808 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1410 RECORDKEEPING
1410.1 Each licensed organization shall keep complete and accurate records within the District of Columbia of all gross receipts and disbursements from any bingo operation.

1410.2 All deductions from gross receipts from a bingo operation shall be documented with receipts or other records.

1410.3 The Board shall have access to all books and records of any licensed organization for the purpose of examining and investigating its books and records.

1410.4 A licensed organization shall retain and make available for inspection by the Board all records, books of account, bank statements, and other papers incidental to the operation of bingo for a period of five (5) years from the close of the calendar year to which the records apply.

1410.5 All bingo records required to be maintained and retained under this section or any other section of this chapter shall be kept within the District.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3809 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1411 DISBURSEMENT OF BINGO RECEIPTS
1411.1 All gross receipts from each bingo operation, less the amount awarded as cash prizes, shall be deposited in a separate bingo bank account by the end of the next business day following the date of each bingo operation; Provided, that for recreational bingo played under a Class D license all gross receipts from each bingo operation must be paid out for prizes and for expenses pursuant to §§1408.3, 1412.1, and 1412.2.

1411.2 Money shall be withdrawn from the bingo account for only the following:

(a) Payment of expenses in accordance with §1411; and

(b) Disbursement from net proceeds for the lawful purpose stated in the application.

1411.3 Use of gross receipts less prizes shall be completed pursuant to §1411.2 within thirty (30) days of each bingo operation.

1411.4 The licensed organization shall not commingle any funds derived from the operation of bingo with any other funds, except in compliance with §1411.2.

1411. 5 If a licensed organization fails to renew its license to conduct bingo or its license is suspended or revoked, the licensed organization shall immediately distribute all net proceeds pursuant to §1411.2.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3809 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1412 EXPENSES
1412. 1 No expense, including compensation, shall be incurred or amounts paid in connection with a bingo operation by a licensed organization, except those reasonably expended and directly related to the operation.

1412.2 A licensed organization may reimburse each worker no more than fifteen dollars ($15) for expenses per occasion.

1412.3 No expense, including compensation, shall be incurred or amounts paid based on a percentage of gross receipts, or net proceeds from a bingo operation, except payments based upon a percentage of gross receipts to provide a combined prize fund for, or to compensate for services rendered in connection with, a multihall bingo game.

1412.4 Money for reasonable and necessary expenses ordinarily incidental to bingo operations shall be paid from the gross receipts only by checks having consecutive numbers drawn on the bingo bank account according to §1411.

1412.5 Each check drawn on the bingo account shall be made payable to the specific payee providing the goods or rendering the service which gives rise to the expense.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3810 (May 20, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048, 2052 (April 5, 1991).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1413 FINANCIAL REPORT
1413.1 A licensed organization shall complete and file a financial report on a form provided by the Board within ten (10) days of a regular bingo operation and within thirty (30) days of a limitedperiod bingo operation.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 3788, 3810 (May 20, 1988).
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to May 20, 1988, the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board published Final Rulemaking at 29 DCR 5016, 5028 (November 12, 1982).

1414 MULTIHALL BINGO LICENSE
1414.1 Subject to the provisions of Chapter 12, the Board may issue a special multihall bingo game license to any organization holding a Class A, Class B or Class C regular bingo license or a Class A, Class B or Class C limited period bingo license.

1414.2 Nothing in this title shall preclude organizations eligible for a regular or limited period bingo license from co-sponsoring bingo, including multihall bingo.

1414.3 The Board shall require a non-refundable application fee for a special multihall bingo game license in the following amounts:

(a) Class A regular multihall bingo license $500;

(b) Class B regular multihall bingo license $250;

(c) Class C regular multihall bingo license $ 50;

(d) Class A limited period multihall bingo license $200;

(e) Class B limited period multihall bingo license $100; and

(f) Class C limited period multihall bingo license $ 25.

1414.4 If the books, records and operations of a provider of services are located outside the District of Columbia, the Agency may assess additional licensing fees to review, inspect and audit the books, records and operations.

1414.5 The fee shall be equal to the Agency's cost for conducting a review, divided by the number of licensees using the services of the provider of services.

1414.6 In no event shall the Agency's cost include any expenditure by Agency personnel which is inconsistent with the Travel Regulations contained in Title 1 DCMR, Chapter 8.

1414.7 A special multihall bingo game license shall not extend beyond the expiration date of the bingo license held by the licensed organization. The Agency may reduce the fees specified in §1414.3 on a pro rata basis pursuant to this subsection.

1414.8 A licensed organization holding a Class A, Class B, or Class C regular bingo license or a Class A, Class B or Class C limited period bingo license may apply for a multihall bingo game license on a form provided by the Agency.

1414.9 A licensed organization may satisfy the bonding requirements of §1205.3 by providing a bond in an amount equal to the cost to pay the highest prize offered plus fifteen percent (15%).

1414.10 The Agency may limit the number of multihall bingo games that are offered in any bingo operation.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 2048, 2049 (April 5, 1991).