PRINTER'S NO. 1896

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

1399

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY KAUFER, DAVIS, KOTIK, BOBACK, DIAMOND, MILLARD,

THOMAS, D. COSTA AND COHEN, JUNE 24, 2015

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, JUNE 24, 2015

is amended by adding a chapter to read:

Sec.

13B01. Definitions.

13B02. Operation.

13B03. Regulation and enforcement by board.

13B04. Application for license.

13B05. Board consideration of application.

13B06. Licensing fee.

"Bingo." A game in which:

(1) Each player has a card or board containing five

horizontal rows all but the central one containing five

figures.

(2) The central row has four figures with the word

"free" marked in the center thereof.

(3) Any preannounced combination of spaces when

completed by a player constitutes bingo.

(4) In the absence of a preannouncement of a combination

of spaces, any combination of five in a row whether

horizontal or vertical when completed by a player constitutes

chapter which authorizes a licensed gaming entity to offer bingo

to players within the licensed facility.

"Gross bingo revenue." The total of all fees or cash

equivalents paid by players to a licensee to participate in

bingo minus:

(1) The total of cash or cash equivalents paid out to

players as prizes.

(2) The cash equivalent value of any merchandise awarded

to players as prizes.

(3) Cash or cash equivalents paid to purchase annuities

license.

"Prize." Cash, cash equivalents or merchandise.

§ 13B02. Operation.

(a) License required.--A licensed gaming entity that holds a

valid bingo license from the board may offer bingo to players

within the licensed facility.

(b) Conduct of bingo.--Bingo games operated by a licensee

shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) The minimum age for participating in bingo shall be

21 years of age.

(2) The game of bingo shall only be offered to players

for the operation of bingo by licensees and shall enforce the

regulations.

(b) Powers and duties.--The board shall authorize licensees

to conduct bingo, subject to the provisions of this chapter. The

board shall also develop standards for evaluating and approving

bingo, including bingo cards, boards and number selection

devices.

§ 13B04. Application for license.

(a) Filing of application.--Ninety days after the effective

date of this section, a licensed gaming entity may apply for a

(2) Identification and a description of the specific

type or form of bingo the applicant proposes to make

available, including prizes to be awarded to winning

participants.

(3) Other information as the board, in its discretion,

may determine to require.

§ 13B05. Board consideration of application.

(a) Suitability.--A holder, or an affiliate of a holder, of

a slot machine license and table game operation certificate,

whose license and certificate are in good standing, shall be

considered suitable to be issued a bingo license by the board

(2) If the board approves an application, it may impose

reasonable conditions of licensure consistent with the

requirements of this chapter.

§ 13B06. Licensing fee.

If the board grants an application under section 13B04

(relating to application for license), within 30 days of entry

of the board's order, the successful applicant shall pay a

licensing fee of $25,000.

§ 13B07. Bingo tax.

(a) Imposition.--A licensee shall report to the department

(b) Deposits and distributions.--

(1) The tax imposed under subsection (a) shall be

payable to the department on a monthly basis and shall be

based upon gross bingo revenue derived during the previous

month.

(2) All funds owed to the Commonwealth under this

section shall be held in trust for the Commonwealth by the

licensee until the funds are paid to the department. Unless

otherwise agreed to by the board, a licensee shall establish

a separate bank account into which gross tournament revenue

shall be deposited and maintained until such time as the

with the provisions of this chapter.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.