Tex.
Occ. Code Section 2001.551
Unlawful Bingo; Offense
(a)
In this section, “bingo” or “game” means a specific game of chance, commonly known as bingo or lotto, in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card conforming to numbers or symbols selected at random, whether or not a person who participates as a player furnishes something of value for the opportunity to participate.(b)
A person conducting, promoting, or administering bingo commits an offense if the person conducts, promotes, or administers bingo other than:(1)
under a license issued under this chapter;(2)
within the confines of a home for purposes of amusement or recreation when:(A)
no player or other person furnishes anything of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate;(B)
participation in the game does not exceed 15 players; and(C)
the prizes awarded or to be awarded are nominal;(3)
on behalf of an organization of individuals 60 years of age or over, a senior citizens’ association, a senior citizens’ community center program operated or funded by a governmental entity, the patients in a hospital or nursing home, residents of a retirement home, or the patients in a Veteran’s Administration medical center or a military hospital, solely for the purpose of amusement and recreation of its members, residents, or patients, when:(A)
no player or other person furnishes anything of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate; and(B)
the prizes awarded or to be awarded are nominal; or(4)
on behalf of a business conducting the game for promotional or advertising purposes if:(A)
the game is conducted by or through a newspaper or a radio or television station;(B)
participation in the game is open to the general public and is not limited to customers of the business;(C)
playing materials are furnished without charge to a person on request; and(D)
no player is required to furnish anything of value for the opportunity to participate.(c)
An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the third degree.(d)
This section applies to a political subdivision regardless of local option status.(e)
A game exempted under Subsection (b)(2), (3), or (4) is not required to be licensed under this chapter.(f)
A game exempted under Subsection (b)(4) is subject to the following restrictions:(1)
a person licensed or required to be licensed under this chapter or having an interest in a license under this chapter may not be involved, directly or indirectly, in bingo, except that a licensed manufacturer or licensed distributor may sell or otherwise furnish bingo equipment or supplies for use in a game;(2)
a person conducting bingo may purchase or otherwise obtain bingo equipment or supplies through a newspaper, a radio or television station, or an advertising agency and, unless otherwise authorized by the commission, only from a licensed manufacturer or licensed distributor;(3)
a licensed manufacturer or licensed distributor may sell or otherwise furnish bingo equipment or supplies for use in a game only to or through a newspaper or a radio or television station or through an advertising agency acting on behalf of a person authorized to conduct the game; and(4)
the commission by rule may require a person conducting or involved in conducting the game to:(A)
notify the commission of:(i)
the persons involved in conducting the game;(ii)
the manner in which the game is to be conducted; and(iii)
any other information required by the commission; and(B)
keep records of all transactions connected with the game available for commission inspection.
Source:
Section 2001.551 — Unlawful Bingo; Offense, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.2001.htm#2001.551 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
