§ 4:701. Citation
This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law”.
§ 4:702. Declaration of purpose
A. The Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize the state’s role and responsibilities in ensuring that the net proceeds of charitable games of chance conducted pursuant to the Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law are contributed to bona fide charitable causes. The legislature further finds that it is in the public interest to prevent infiltration of elements of organized crime or professional gambling into charitable gaming.
B. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the state of Louisiana to decrease the potential for fraud in charitable games of chance and to increase compliance with the provisions of the Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law and other applicable laws and regulations through monitoring and enforcement as well as public education and awareness of the purposes of these laws and regulations.
C. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish mechanisms to effectuate such purposes, including but not limited to:
(1) A state licensing system for charitable organizations conducting such games of chance, commercial lessors, and for manufacturers and distributors of supplies and equipment used in such games.
(2) Provision of specialized instruction and training for local law enforcement agencies and for licensees.
§ 703. Definitions
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)(a) Except as provided in R.S. 4:707(C), “charitable organization” shall mean a nonprofit board, association, corporation, or other organization domiciled in this state and qualified with the United States Internal Revenue Service for an exemption from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) The provisions of this Paragraph shall be retroactive to January 1, 1989. No charitable organization as defined in this Paragraph or member or employee thereof which is qualified for an exemption from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(5) or (6) and which applied for a license under the former provisions of Part V-A of Chapter 14 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 by October 1, 1989, shall be subject to any penalties for holding, operating, or conducting any game of chance authorized by that Part prior to the issuance or written denial of such license.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, an auxiliary group associated with a nonprofit veterans association, which functions in a subsidiary capacity to the parent organization and exists for the benefit and enhancement of the parent organization, shall be considered part of the parent organization for purposes of this Chapter.
(2) “Commercial lessor” means any person or other entity other than a bona fide nonprofit organization licensed under this Chapter who leases any building, structure, or premises to organizations licensed under the provisions of this Chapter.
(3) “Distributor” means any person or other entity who sells, offers for sale, or otherwise furnishes to any person supplies or equipment for use in the conduct of any game of chance authorized under this Chapter and any private contractor qualified to conduct games of chance as authorized under the provisions of R.S. 4:729.
(4) “Immediate family” means the subject individual’s spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters, spouses of children, and spouses of brothers and sisters.
(5) “Manufacturer” means any person or other entity who manufactures for sale, offers for sale, or otherwise furnishes any gaming supplies or equipment to a licensed distributor for use in the conduct of any game of chance authorized under this Chapter.
(6) A “municipality” shall mean an incorporated municipality.
(7) “Non-commercial lessor” means any bona fide nonprofit organization licensed under this Chapter to conduct games of chance and who leases any building, structure, or premises to other organizations licensed under the provisions of this Chapter for the purpose of conducting charitable games of chance.
(8) “Office” means the office of charitable gaming within the Department of Revenue.
(9) “Pull-tabs” shall mean single or banded tickets or cards each with its face covered to conceal one or more numbers or symbols, where one or more cards or tickets in each set have been designated in advance as a winner. The sale of pull-tabs by licensed charitable organizations during authorized sessions pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall constitute charitable gaming, and all revenues realized from the sale thereof shall be exempt from state income taxation and from federal income taxation to the extent allowable by the Internal Revenue Code.
(10) “Qualified association of licensed charitable organizations” means an association which, for not less than one year, has consisted of not less than ten licensed charitable organizations as defined by Subparagraph (1)(a) of this section or 707(C), and whose member organizations have contributed annual dues which average not less than three hundred dollars per member organization during the previous twelve months.
§ 704. Office of charitable gaming; creation; employees; records and reports
A. The office of charitable gaming is hereby created and established in the Department of Revenue. The secretary for the Department of Revenue shall employ such persons as he considers qualified, consistent with civil service regulations, and may incur such expenses as may be required to carry out the provisions of this Chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the office shall be subject to the division of administrative law, and all administrative hearings shall be conducted in accordance therewith.
B. Subject to the exceptions contained in Article VII, Section 9(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, all fees and fines collected or received by the office pursuant to this Chapter shall be paid into the state treasury on or before the twenty-fifth day of each month following such collection or receipt and shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
C. The office shall annually prepare and submit a comprehensive report on the scope and nature of charitable gaming activities in this state and the impact of the office on such activities. The report shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section B.
D. Neither the secretary nor any employee of the office shall be an officer, director, or manager of any organization licensed by the state to conduct charitable games of chance or have a direct or indirect financial interest in a commercial lessor or any entity manufacturing or distributing supplies or equipment used in such games.
§ 705. Office functions, duties, and responsibilities
The office shall have the following functions, duties, and responsibilities:
(1) To issue and renew annual state licenses required by law for organizations conducting games of chance pursuant to the Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law, for manufacturers or distributors of supplies or equipment for such games, and for commercial lessors of premises on which such games are conducted.
(2) To establish, assess, and collect the following fees for issuance of licenses and special licenses and for license renewals as follows:
(a) Manufacturer’s license and renewal fee shall be two thousand five hundred dollars.
(b) Distributor’s license and renewal fee shall not be more than two hundred fifty dollars, except the license and renewal fee for a private contractor licensed to conduct games of chance authorized under the provisions of R.S. 4:729 shall be two hundred dollars.
(c) Licensed organization’s license and renewal fee shall be seventy-five dollars.
(d) Special events license and renewal fee shall be one hundred dollars.
(e) Commercial lessor’s license and renewal fee shall be five hundred dollars.
(3) To establish and collect a fee of not more than three percent of the ideal net proceeds at the point of sale on all pull-tabs or break open tickets, a fee of not more than five percent on the actual value of all other gaming supplies, and an additional fee of not more than three percent of the lease or rental price of electronic dabber devices other than those which use disposable bingo paper.
(4) To deny applications for licensure or license renewal and to issue orders for restriction, suspension, or revocation of licenses issued pursuant to R.S. 4:718.
(5) To establish and assess fees for identification stamps to be affixed to gaming supplies and equipment by manufacturers and distributors of such supplies or equipment as further provided in R.S. 4:726.
(6) To monitor licensees to ensure compliance with all provisions of law and regulations relative to charitable gaming through routine scheduled and unscheduled inspections and when warranted, investigations and audits.
(7) To enforce all provisions of law and regulations relative to charitable gaming and to assist local law enforcement agencies in these enforcement responsibilities and to direct to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, any indication of the commission of any crime established in Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 for investigation and disposition by such office.
(8) To establish and assess penalties for violations of provisions of law or regulations relative to gambling or charitable gaming, not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation, as further provided in R.S. 4:721(D).
(9) To familiarize the general public, and in particular members of organizations which conduct charitable games of chance, with provisions of the Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law and other applicable laws and regulations.
(10)(a) To adopt rules and regulations to provide for the sale or transfer of surplus supplies or equipment from one licensed organization to another and such other rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of this Chapter strictly in accordance with Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.
(b) All rules and regulations adopted by the office shall be adopted only pursuant to specific and express statutory authorization and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, except that all rules authorized by this Chapter shall also require the affirmative approval of the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section B.
(11)(a) To determine certain person or persons in certain relationships between an applicant or licensee and other persons to be unsuitable to participate in charitable gaming and to bar any such persons from participation in charitable gaming after notice and opportunity for hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(b) In determining the suitability of an applicant, licensee, or other person, the office shall consider the person’s:
(i) General character, including honesty and integrity.
(ii) Financial security and stability, competency, and business experience.
(iii) Record, if any, of violations which may affect the legal and proper operation of charitable gaming, including a violation affecting another licensee or applicant, and any violation of the laws of this state or other states or countries, without limitations as to the nature of the violation.
(iv) Prior activities, arrest, or criminal record, if any, reputation, habits, and associations which may pose a threat to the public interest of this state or to the effective regulation and control of gaming operations, or create or enhance the dangers of unsuitable, unfair, or illegal practices, methods, and activities in the conduct of gaming operations or the carrying on of the business and financial arrangements incidental thereto.
(v) Refusal to provide records, information, equipment, or access to premises to any member of the office or any peace officers when such access is reasonably necessary to insure or protect public health, safety, or welfare or to insure the integrity of the charitable gaming industry or security of charitable gaming proceeds.
(vi) Association or relationship to other applicants or licensees.
§ 706. Decision whether to permit raffles, bingo, and keno
A. The governing authority of each such municipality shall decide whether charitable raffles, bingo, and keno as provided for in this Chapter shall be permitted within the limits of the municipality.
B. The governing authority of each parish shall decide whether charitable raffles, bingo, and keno as provided for in this Chapter shall be permitted within the parish.
C. (1) If the local governing authority elects to license and regulate charitable raffles, bingo, and keno within its jurisdiction, it may adopt rules, regulations, and ordinances for charitable organizations, as defined in R.S. 4:703(1), to hold and operate games of chance authorized in R.S. 4:707 and to enforce any local provisions regarding said games of chance.
(2) No local governing authority shall issue a license to any organization unless that organization has first obtained a license from the office in accordance with this Chapter.
(3) No local governing authority shall adopt any ordinance, rule, or regulation for operating a game of chance which conflicts with the provisions of this Chapter.
(4) No local governing authority in Orleans Parish shall adopt any ordinance, rule, or regulation for operating a game of chance which in the determination of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board may violate any of the terms or provisions of Section 1.3 of the Amended and Renegotiated Casino Operating Contract entered into pursuant to R.S. 27:201 et seq., on October 30, 1998, as amended, effective October 19, 1999, March 29, 2001, and March 31, 2001. Any ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted in violation of this Paragraph shall be null and void.
D. For the purposes of and as used in this Section, the term “bingo” shall include “electronic video bingo”.
§ 707. Authorization to license certain organizations; exemption; requirement for state license
A. The office may, consistent with the provisions of this Chapter, license charitable organizations, as defined in R.S. 4:703(1), to hold and operate the following specific games of chance:
(1) The game of chance commonly known as raffle or raffles played by drawing for prizes or the allotment of prizes by chance, by the selling of shares, tickets, or rights to participate in such game or games, and by conducting the game or games accordingly.
(2) The game of chance commonly known as bingo or keno played for prizes with cards bearing numbers or other designations, five or more in one line, the holder covering numbers, as objects, similarly numbered, are drawn from a receptacle, and the game being won by the person who first covers a previously designated arrangement of numbers on such a card.
(3) The game of chance commonly known as pull-tabs played for prizes with cards or tickets and as defined in R.S. 4:725 or played as electronic pull-tabs as provided in R.S. 4:733.
(4) Electronic video bingo as provided for in R.S. 4:724 and as defined by rules of the office.
(5) Fund-raising events generally known as “Las Vegas Nights” or “Casino Nights” as provided for in R.S. 4:729 as defined by rules of the office.
B. In addition to the licensing required in Subsection A of this Section, the governing authority of any municipality or parish may, consistent with the provisions of this Chapter, license charitable organizations as defined in R.S. 4:703(1) to hold and operate the following specific games of chance:
(1) The game of chance commonly known as raffle or raffles played by drawing for prizes or the allotment of prizes by chance, by the selling of shares, tickets, or rights to participate in such game or games, and by conducting the game or games accordingly.
(2) The game of chance commonly known as bingo or keno played for prizes with cards bearing numbers or other designations, five or more in one line, the holder covering numbers, as objects, similarly numbered, are drawn from a receptacle, and the game being won by the person who first covers a previously designated arrangement of numbers on such a card.
(3) The game of chance commonly known as pull-tabs played for prizes with cards or tickets, as defined in R.S. 4:725, or played as electronic pull-tabs as provided in R.S. 4:733.
(4) Electronic video bingo as provided for in R.S. 4:724 and as defined by rules of the office.
(5) Fund-raising events generally known as “Las Vegas Nights” or “Casino Nights” as provided for in R.S. 4:729 and as defined by rules of the office.
C. Any such organization so licensed may sell shares, tickets, or rights to participate in such games and may conduct the games accordingly when the entire net proceeds of such games of chance are to be devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious, or public spirited uses, and when so licensed, may hold, operate, and conduct such games of chance exclusively by its members pursuant to this Chapter, except to the extent that the services of members of other bona fide licensed organizations as enumerated in this Section are volunteered by their organization for the sole purpose of selling shares, tickets, or rights in such games. Any such organization so licensed may sell shares, tickets, or rights to participate in such game or games of chance pursuant to rules and regulations for the supervision and conduct thereof, as prescribed by the office and, when applicable, by the governing authority of the municipality or parish not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter. Further, any person or persons may participate in and play such games of chance conducted under any license.
D. (1) In addition to the authority granted in Subsection A of this Section, the office may license the following organizations, as defined herein, to hold and operate the specific kind of game or games of chance enumerated in Subsection A of this Section without the requirement that any such organization qualify with the Internal Revenue Service for an exemption from federal income tax as specified by R.S. 4:703(1): Mardi Gras carnival organizations, civic or service associations, qualified associations of licensed charitable organizations, volunteer fire companies, booster clubs, and parent-teacher associations.
(2) In addition to the authority granted in Subsection B of this Section, the governing authority of any parish or municipality may license the following organizations, as defined herein, to hold and operate the specific kind of game or games of chance enumerated in Subsection B of this Section without the requirement that any such organization qualify with the Internal Revenue Service for an exemption from federal income tax as specified by R.S. 4:703(1): Mardi Gras carnival organizations, civic or service associations, qualified associations of licensed charitable organizations, volunteer fire companies, booster clubs, and parent-teacher associations.
E. In addition to the provisions of R.S. 4:703, the following definitions shall apply for the purposes of this Section:
(1) A “Mardi Gras carnival organization” shall mean an organization domiciled in this state which presents pre-Lenten festivities, including street parades, and which has received a permit to parade from a municipal or parish governing authority.
(2) A “civic or service association” shall mean an organization domiciled in this state which is operated for the purpose of promoting the social welfare or providing service to the community and which has derived five thousand dollars or less in gross receipts from its charitable games of chance during the prior calendar year.
(3) A “volunteer fire company” shall mean an organization which has been engaged by the governing authority of a parish, municipality, or fire protection district to provide fire protection services to the area of this state under its jurisdiction and which is comprised predominantly of individuals who provide such services voluntarily and without compensation.
(4) A “booster club” shall mean an organization which promotes and supports the activities, functions, or programs of a public or a private nonprofit elementary or secondary school in this state and which has been designated by the school board of the parish or city in which such school is located to collect funds in the name of that school.
(5) A “parent-teacher association” shall mean an organization which is comprised of teachers and parents of children enrolled in a public or a private nonprofit elementary or secondary school in this state and which has been designated by the school board of the parish or city in which such school is located to collect funds in the name of that school.
F. (1)(a) A bona fide senior citizen recreation club, upon application to the municipality or parish, shall be exempt from the licensing and reporting procedure enumerated in R.S. 4:708 through 716 of this Chapter in a municipality or parish whose governing authority has decided to permit raffles, bingo, and keno within its limits as provided in R.S. 4:706.
(b) A “senior citizen recreation club” for the purpose of this Chapter shall be defined as an organization which is sanctioned by the local council on aging and composed of a group of persons sixty years of age or older whose only function is to provide amusement and diversion for its members.
(2) Any club, organization, group, or association which has a membership comprised exclusively of children enrolled in a public or private nonprofit elementary or secondary school in this state and which is approved to conduct activities in such school by the principal of such school in accordance with school board policy shall be exempt from the licensing and reporting procedures enumerated in R.S. 4:708 through 716 of this Chapter in a municipality or parish whose governing authority has decided to permit raffles, bingo, and keno within its limits as provided in R.S. 4:706. Such club, organization, group, or association shall be exempted from licensing and reporting procedures only for the conducting of raffles as a means of fund-raising.
(3) A charitable organization, upon application to the municipality or parish, shall be exempt from the licensing and reporting requirements provided in R.S. 4:708 through 716 of this Chapter for the purpose of conducting a raffle as defined in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section in any municipality or parish the governing authority of which has decided to permit raffles, bingo, and keno within its limits as provided in R.S. 4:706, provided the municipality or parish finds, upon such application, that the charitable organization is conducting such raffle for the purpose of providing support to any elementary or secondary school in the municipality or parish or for other purposes of community support.
(4) Any bona fide conservation organization, which is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated principally to the conservation of a specific species, genus, or family of game animal, including but not limited to the conservation of ducks, waterfowl generally, quail, and turkeys which is otherwise permitted by law to conduct charitable gaming shall be exempted from the licensing and reporting procedures enumerated in R.S. 4:708 through 716 of this Chapter solely for conducting raffles as a means of fund-raising in a municipality or parish whose governing authority has decided to permit raffles, bingo, and keno within its limits as provided in R.S. 4:706.
G. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary, no municipal or parish governing authority shall license any organization as authorized in this Chapter unless that organization has first obtained a charitable gaming license from the office, as further provided in R.S. 4:705.
H. (1) No person or organization shall hold, operate, or conduct any game of chance enumerated in Subsection A of this Section without obtaining a charitable gaming license or a special charitable gaming license from the office, as further provided in R.S. 4:718.
(2) Organizations closely connected to one another shall not hold, operate, or conduct any game of chance enumerated in Subsection A of this Section under a single state charitable gaming license. Each organization shall be required to obtain a separate license from the office in order to conduct such games. Any otherwise eligible organization shall be deemed to be closely connected when any one of the following conditions are met:
(a) Membership in one organization automatically qualifies an individual as a member of another organization.
(b) Membership in one organization is dependent upon membership in another organization, including social membership.
(c) The existence of an organization is dependent upon the existence of another organization.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, a chartered auxiliary group associated with a nonprofit, licensed organization shall not be required to obtain a separate license in order to assist in the holding, operating, or conducting of any game of chance being operated by the parent organization. The parent organization shall notify the office of charitable gaming annually of the names of members who will assist in the gaming operations. Nothing in this Paragraph shall prohibit a qualified chartered auxiliary group from receiving its own gaming license.
I. Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit a charitable organization from contributing to a qualified association of licensed charitable organizations as defined by R.S. 4:703(10). Such an association shall not be subject to audit by the office except as otherwise provided by law.
§ 708. Application for license
A. Each applicant for such a license shall file with the office and the clerk of the municipality or with the governing body of any parish a written application therefor in the form prescribed in said rules and regulations, duly executed and verified, in which shall be stated:
(1) The name and address of the applicant together with sufficient facts relating to its incorporation and organization to enable the municipality or governing body of any parish to determine whether or not it is a bona fide organization or association.
(2) The names and addresses of its officers.
(3) The specific kind of game or games of chance intended to be held, operated, and conducted by the applicant, and the place or places where, and the date or dates and the time or times when, such game or games of chance are intended to be conducted, by the applicant, under the license applied for.
(4) The items of expense intended to be incurred or paid in connection with the holding, operating, and conducting of such game or games of chance and the names and addresses of the persons to whom, and the purposes for which they are to be paid.
(5) The purposes to which the entire net proceeds of such game or games of chance are to be devoted and in what manner.
(6) Except as provided in R.S. 4:715, that no commission, salary, compensation, reward, or recompense will be paid to any person for holding, operating, or conducting such games of chance.
(7) A description of all prizes to be offered and given in all such games of chance to be held, operated, and conducted under such license.
(8) Such other information as shall be prescribed by such rules and regulations.
B. (1) In each application there shall be designated an active member or members of the applicant under whom the game or games of chance described in the application are to be held, operated, and conducted, and with the application shall be included a statement executed by the applicant and by the member or members, so designated, that he or they will be responsible for the holding, operation, and conduct of such game or games of chance in accordance with the terms of the license and the provisions of said rules and regulations governing the holding, operation, and conduct of such game or games of chance and of this Chapter, if such license is granted.
(2) Prior to the commencement of the holding, operation, and conduct of the game or games of chance, any member designated in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall receive mandatory training from the office of charitable gaming.
§ 709. Investigation of qualifications of applicant; issuance of license; limitation on license fee; duration of license; report to central registry
A. The office shall investigate the qualifications of each applicant and the merits of the application, with due expedition after the filing of the application, and shall make the following determinations:
(1) That the applicant is duly qualified to hold, operate, and conduct games of chance under the provisions of this Chapter and the rules and regulations governing the holding, operation, and conduct thereof in the municipality or parish.
(2) That the member or members of the applicant designated in the application to hold, operate, or conduct or assist in holding, operating, or conducting the game or games of chance for which the license application is made are bona fide active members of the applicant and persons of good moral character who have never been convicted of certain related offenses as established by the office.
(3) That such game or games of chance are to be held, operated, and conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the holding, operation, and conduct thereof and that the proceeds thereof are to be disposed of as provided by this Chapter.
B. If the municipal or parish governing authority decides to license and regulate charitable gaming in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 4:706(C) and 707(B) and is satisfied that, except as provided in R.S. 4:715, no commission, salary, compensation, reward, or recompense whatever will be paid or given to any person holding, operating, or conducting any such game of chance, it shall issue a license to the applicant for the holding, operation, and conducting of the specific kind of games of chance applied accordingly.
C. No license for holding, operating, or conducting of any game or games of chance shall be issued under this Chapter to be effective for a period of more than one year.
D. The name, address, and location of any such establishment licensed for operating, holding, or conducting any authorized game, gaming or wagering activity, or game of chance issued pursuant to this Chapter, including the names and addresses of every person who has or controls, directly or indirectly, more than five percent ownership, income, or profit interest, shall be submitted, and updated at least quarterly, to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board for inclusion in a central registry of licensed gaming operators pursuant to R.S. 27:15(B)(3)(c).
§ 710. Issuance of special licenses
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary, the office may provide by rule for the issuance of a special license for the conduct of no more than two bingo sessions annually at which the total amount of prizes which may be awarded on any one calendar day under such a license shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars in cash or other thing or things of value. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all other provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the issuance of such special licenses.
B. Pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:706(C) and 707(B), a municipal or parish governing authority may also issue a special license as provided in Subsection A of this Section; however, no such municipal or parish governing authority shall issue a special license to any organization as provided herein unless that organization has first obtained a special charitable gaming license from the office as further provided in R.S. 4:718.
§ 711. Hearing; amendment of license
A. No application for the issuance of a license shall be refused by the issuing authority until after a hearing is held on due notice to the applicant, at which the applicant shall be entitled to be heard upon the qualifications of the applicant and the merits of the application.
B. Any license issued under this Chapter may be amended, upon application made to the authority which issued it, if the subject matter of the proposed amendment could lawfully and properly have been included in the original license.
§ 712. Form of license
Each license shall be in such form as shall be prescribed in the rules and regulations promulgated by the office or the municipality or governing body of the parish and shall contain a description of the kind or kinds of game or games of chance authorized to be held, operated, and conducted thereunder, a statement of the name and address of the licensee, of the names and addresses of the member or members of the applicant under whom such game or games of chance will be held, operated, and conducted, of the number of times, or the hours during which such game or games of chance are authorized to be conducted and the place or places where and the date or dates and time or times when such game or games of chance are to be conducted and of the purposes to which the entire net proceeds of such game or games of chance are to be devoted, and any other information which may be required by said rules and regulations to be contained therein. Each license issued for the conduct of any game of chance shall be conspicuously displayed at the place where any game is to be conducted thereunder at all times during the conduct thereof.
§ 713. Control and supervision over games
A. The office, when applicable, and the governing authority of any municipality or parish issuing any license under this Chapter shall regulate all games of chance held, operated, or conducted under such license issued by it, to assure that they are fairly held, operated, and conducted in accordance with the provisions of the license, the provisions of this Chapter, and the rules promulgated and adopted pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:705(10)(b). The issuing authority may suspend or revoke any license issued by it for violation of any such provision, and its officers and agents may enter and inspect any premises where any such game of chance is being held, operated, and conducted or is intended to be held, operated, and conducted, or where any equipment is being used or intended to be used in the conduct thereof.
B. Each licensee shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter, and all rules and regulations properly adopted by the office pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no governing authority of any municipality or parish shall require by ordinance, rule, or other regulation, that as a condition for granting a charitable gaming license, a charitable organization must be domiciled in that parish or municipality.
§ 714. Restrictions; requirements; transfers; prohibitions
A. No licensee shall hold, operate, or conduct any game of chance under this Chapter more often than on fifteen days in any one calendar month.
B. The total amount of prizes which may be awarded in any one session by a licensee shall not exceed four thousand five hundred dollars in cash or other thing or things of value, except as specifically provided in R.S. 4:707(A)(1) and (5), 710, 724, 725, 725.1, and 732. The office shall establish by rule the method of calculating the value of any thing offered as a prize.
C. In addition to the requirement of R.S. 4:712 to display its local license, each licensee shall conspicuously display its charitable gaming license issued by the office at the premises where any game is conducted at all times during such conduct.
D. Each licensee shall designate an active member and a sufficient number of alternate members of the organization to be in charge of and primarily responsible for each session of a game of chance. Such individual, or alternates, who shall be designated as the member-in-charge, shall supervise all activities of such session and be responsible for the conduct of all games of such session. The member-in-charge or alternate shall be present at all times on the premises during the session. In addition, each licensee shall designate an active member of the organization to be responsible for the documentation of receipts and disbursements as well as the maintenance of all financial records. Such individual designated shall have been a member in good standing of the organization and shall be familiar with the provisions of this Chapter, applicable local ordinances and regulations, and the rules and regulations of the office.
E. No licensee shall purchase or otherwise obtain any gaming supplies or equipment from any distributor or manufacturer until it has first determined that the individual selling or otherwise offering such supplies or equipment has a valid license issued by the office.
F. No licensee shall allow any person under eighteen years of age to assist in the holding, operation, or conduct of any game of chance. Charitable raffles as provided for in R.S. 4:707(D)(2) shall be exempted from requirements of this Subsection.
G. (1) All proceeds from each gaming session, other than that amount paid out as cash prizes and that amount retained as a cash bank, shall be deposited into a bank account, known as a charitable gaming account, maintained by the charitable organization solely for such deposits. Such deposits shall occur no later than the second banking day following the date the gaming session begins, but in no case more than five calendar days later.
(2) Any charitable organization may transfer gaming proceeds from its charitable gaming account to any other bank account controlled by the organization, subject to the administrative rules promulgated by the office pursuant to R.S. 4:705(10)(b).
§ 715. Personnel to hold games; commissions or salaries; equipment and supplies; expenses
A. (1) No person shall hold, operate, or conduct or assist in holding, operating, or conducting any game or games of chance under any license issued under this Chapter except an active member of an organization or association issued a charitable gaming license under the provisions of this Chapter. However, only an active bona fide member of an organization or association can act in a managerial capacity in accordance with the Louisiana Charitable Gaming laws, rules, and regulations. Bingo callers need not be managerial positions.
(2)(a) No commission, salary, compensation, reward, or recompense, including but not limited to granting or use of bingo cards without charge or at a reduced charge, shall be paid or given directly or indirectly to any person holding, operating, or conducting any licensed game or games of chance.
(b) Any person, association, or corporation licensed to hold, operate, or conduct any games of chance under any license issued pursuant to this Chapter may compensate, for services rendered, any fifteen employees, including a bingo caller, who assist in the holding, operating, or conducting of such games. The rate of compensation shall be no more than ten dollars per hour and in any event shall not exceed fifty dollars per session for any employee. Each employee or volunteer worker may also be provided meals and beverages to be eaten on the premises not to exceed a total value of fifteen dollars per person. Expenditures made under the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to the reporting provisions of R.S. 4:716. Compensation provided for in this Paragraph shall not constitute a violation of the prohibition against the payment or giving of a commission, salary, compensation, reward, or recompense to any person holding, operating, or conducting any such game.
(3)(a) No manufacturer, distributor, commercial lessor, or his agents or employees, who directly or indirectly leases premises or sells, leases, or otherwise distributes gaming supplies or equipment, or furnishes any commodities or services in relation to the conduct of any charitable game of chance shall take part in the holding, operation, or conduct of a game of chance. However, nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit the owner of a premises from having a representative present to protect his interests in the premises.
(b) Any distributor or noncommercial lessor who owns electronic bingo machines as provided for in R.S. 4:724, or electronic pull- tab devices as provided for in R.S. 4:733 shall assign an employee or agent to be present at all times that the machines owned by that distributor or noncommercial lessor are in use. No person other than the distributor, noncommercial lessor, or his employee or agent shall pay the winnings to each person who wins cash prizes from the machines owned by a distributor or noncommercial lessor.
(4) No such game of chance shall be conducted with any supplies or equipment except such as shall be owned absolutely, provided without payment of any compensation by the licensee, or purchased from a licensed manufacturer or distributor of such supplies or equipment, unless permitted by rules of the office.
(5) No item of expense shall be incurred or paid in connection with the holding, operating, or conducting of any game of chance held, operated, or conducted pursuant to any license issued under this Chapter, except such as are bona fide items of reasonable amount of goods, wares, equipment, and merchandise furnished or services rendered, which are reasonably necessary to be purchased or furnished for the holding, operating, or conducting thereof, under any circumstances whatever.
(6) No licensee shall pay any consulting fees to any person for any service performed in relation to the conduct of any charitable game of chance or concession fees to any person who provides refreshments to the participants in any such games.
(7) No lease providing for a rental arrangement for premises or equipment shall provide for payment in excess of the reasonable market rental rate for such premises or equipment and in no case shall any payment be based on a percentage of gross receipts or profits derived from a game of chance.
B. (1) No person shall hold, operate, or conduct or assist in holding, operating, or conducting of any game or games of chance under any license issued under this Chapter except an active member of an organization or association issued a charitable gaming license under the provisions of this Chapter. However, only an active bona fide member of an organization or association can act in a managerial capacity in accordance with the Louisiana Charitable Gaming laws, rules, and regulations. Bingo callers need not be managerial positions. No such game of chance shall be conducted with any equipment except such as shall be owned absolutely or used without payment of any compensation therefor by the licensee, and no item of expense shall be incurred or paid in connection with the holding, operating, or conducting of any game of chance, held, operated, or conducted pursuant to any license issued under this Chapter, except such as are bona fide items of reasonable amount of goods, wares, equipment, and merchandise furnished or services rendered, which are reasonably necessary to be purchased or furnished for the holding, operating, or conducting thereof, under any circumstances whatever, and no commission, salary, compensation, reward, or recompense whatever shall be paid or given, directly or indirectly, to any person holding, operating, or conducting, or assisting in the holding, operation, or conduct, of any game of chance so held, operated, or conducted.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person, association, or corporation licensed to hold, operate, or conduct any games of chance that benefit the visually and hearing impaired or either, paraplegics, quadriplegics, mentally retarded, or persons sixty years of age or older, under any license issued pursuant to this Chapter, may compensate for services rendered, any fifteen employees who assist in the holding, operating, or conducting of such games. The rate of compensation shall be no more than ten dollars per hour and in any event shall not exceed fifty dollars per session for any employee. Each employee or volunteer worker may also be provided meals and beverages to be eaten on the premises not to exceed a total value of fifteen dollars per person. Expenditures made under the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to the reporting provisions of R.S. 4:716. Compensation provided for in this Subsection shall not constitute a violation of the prohibition against the payment or giving of a commission, salary, compensation, reward, or recompense to any person holding, operating, or conducting, or assisting in the holding, operation, or conduct of any such game.
§ 716. Statement of receipts; expenditures; books and records
A. The organization or association which held, operated, or conducted the game and its member or members who were in charge thereof, shall furnish to the clerk of the municipality or governing body of the parish and the office the following information not less than quarterly:
(1) A verified statement showing the amount of the gross receipts derived from each such game of chance, that shall include receipts from the sale of shares, tickets, or rights in any manner connected with participation in said game or the right to participate therein.
(2) Each item of expense incurred, or paid, and each item of expenditure made or to be made.
(3) Name and address of each person to whom each such item has been, or is to be paid, with a detailed description of the merchandise purchased or the service rendered therefor.
(4) The net profit derived from each such game of chance and the uses to which such net profit has been or is to be applied.
(5) A list of prizes offered or given, with the respective values thereof.
B. Each licensee shall maintain and keep such books and records as may be necessary to substantiate the particulars of each such report.
C. All licensees shall maintain records and submit reports as provided by rules of the office. Such rules may require that all income of a licensee derived from charitable gaming be recorded to the extent necessary to disclose gross and net income.
§ 717. Examination of books and records and personnel
A. The office and the municipality or governing body of the parish shall have power to examine or to cause to be examined the books, gaming account, and records of any organization or association to which such license is issued so far as they may relate to any transactions connected with the holding and conducting of any game of chance thereunder, and to examine the books and records of any entity for the purposes of determining if net gaming proceeds are devoted entirely to the purposes allowable under R.S. 4:707(B), and to examine any manager, officer, director, agent, member, or employee thereof under oath in relation to the conduct of any such game of chance under any such license, but any information so received shall not be disclosed except so far as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter.
B. The office and the municipality or governing body of the parish shall have power:
(1) To examine or to cause to be examined the books, gaming account, and records of any organization exempt from licensure under this Chapter so far as they may relate to any transactions connected with the holding and conducting of any game of chance for which a license is otherwise required under this Chapter.
(2) To examine the books and records of any entity for the purposes of determining if net gaming proceeds are devoted entirely to the purposes allowable under R.S. 4:707(B).
(3) To examine any manager, officer, director, agent, member, or employee thereof under oath in relation to the conduct of any such game of chance for which a license is otherwise required under this Chapter, but any information so received shall not be disclosed except so far as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter.
§ 718. Licensure
A. (1) Any organization or person seeking licensure as a charitable gaming organization, as a manufacturer or distributor of gaming supplies or equipment, or as a commercial lessor shall submit an application to the office on forms provided for such purposes. Such application shall contain such information as may be reasonably required by rules of the office. The application shall be accompanied by the fee established pursuant to R.S. 4:705(2).
(2) The office shall review all applications for licensure and, in addition to the information required on the application, may require the applicant to furnish such additional information reasonably necessary.
B. The office shall not issue a license of any type to:
(1) Any person who has been convicted of certain related offenses as established by the office within the last five years or who presently has such a charge pending in any state or federal court.
(2) Any person who has ever been convicted of a gambling-related offense in any state or federal court.
(3) Any person who is or has ever been a professional gambler.
(4) Any firm, organization, or corporation in which any person specified in Paragraphs (1) through (3) of this Subsection is an officer or director, whether compensated or not, or in which such person has a direct or indirect financial interest.
C. Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 4:720, the office may issue a license for a period not exceeding one year to applicants meeting the requirements of this Chapter and rules and regulations adopted pursuant to it.
D. (1) The office may deny an application for licensure, refuse to renew a license, or restrict, suspend, or revoke a license for any reason consistent with the purposes of this Chapter which it deems to be in the interest of the public. However, policies regarding such denial, suspension, revocation, restriction, or refusal to renew shall be established by rule, and all proceedings with regard to such actions shall be in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary, the office shall not deny a license to or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of any organization defined in R.S. 4:707(C) solely on the basis that such organization has not qualified with the Internal Revenue Service for an exemption from federal income tax as specified by R.S. 4:703(1), provided that the organization demonstrates or establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that it is a legitimate nonprofit organization eligible under R.S. 4:707 and is not otherwise eligible for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code.
E. Any significant change in the information submitted on its application for licensure shall be filed by a licensee with the office within ten days of the change. A significant change shall include but not be limited to any change in the officers, directors, managers, proprietors, or persons having a direct or indirect financial interest in any licensed organization or entity.
F. Any license, permit, approval, or thing obtained or issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter is expressly declared by the legislature to be a pure and absolute revocable privilege and not a right, property or otherwise, under the constitution of the United States or of the state of Louisiana. The legislature declares that no holder of any license or permit acquires any vested interest or right therein or thereunder.
G. Consent agreements or other agreements by which a license applicant is bound by certain rules, mandates, or other restrictions as a condition for licensing shall be absolutely null. This Subsection shall not apply to consent agreements executed as a result of a notice of violation. Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, any consent agreement entered into by the division of charitable gaming, office of state police, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, and a manufacturer of electronic bingo dabber card devices prior to May 1, 1999, which approves and authorizes the use of electronic bingo dabber card devices as a charitable gaming supply, subject to certain conditions and requirements shall remain valid until January 1, 2000, provided that all conditions and requirements in such agreement are complied with until such date.
§ 719. Commercial lessor license
A. Any person leasing any premises for the conducting of charitable gaming activities shall obtain a commercial lessor’s license for each premises to be licensed. A commercial lessor’s license shall authorize a person to lease specific premises to licensees for the conducting of charitable gaming activities. The office, upon application and compliance with other provisions for licensure contained in this Chapter, shall issue a commercial lessor’s license to qualified persons.
B. No lease of any premises by a commercial lessor to any charitable organization for any charitable gaming session shall provide for payment in excess of the reasonable market rental rate for such premises as provided in the local licensing ordinance. No lease shall provide for rental for less than a two-hour session.
C. No commercial lessor shall require the payment of any other cost or fee from a charitable organization other than the rental amount provided for by the rental agreement or contract or charge admission fees to persons entering the premises to participate in the charitable gaming activities.
D. No commercial lessor leasing premises for authorized charitable gaming activities shall enter into any agreement with a distributor of gaming supplies for the use, purchase, promotion, or sale of charitable gaming supplies.
E. Commercial and non-commercial lessors shall be required to verify that lessees are properly licensed to conduct charitable games or games of chance authorized by the office.
§ 720. Qualifications for distributor license; additional requirements; bond; license term
A. No person shall be granted or issued a distributor license unless the applicant demonstrates to the office that the applicant is domiciled in and resides in the state of Louisiana at the time of application. If the applicant is a corporation, the applicant must demonstrate to the office that a majority of the stock of the applicant corporation is owned or controlled by individuals who are domiciled in and reside in the state of Louisiana at the time of application. The provisions of this Subsection shall apply to all applications for a distributor license.
B. The office may revoke, suspend, or condition the license of any licensed charitable organization, distributor, or manufacturer who fails to comply with any office rule, state law, or municipal or parish ordinance providing for the levy, assessment, collection, or remission of sales and use taxes.
C. The term for a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be for three years. Any fees associated with the awarding of this license shall be paid annually as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
§ 721. Enforcement responsibilities
A. The office shall monitor the conduct or business of licensees, both on a routine scheduled and an unscheduled basis, to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of charitable gaming laws and regulations of the state, particularly this Chapter.
B. In carrying out its enforcement responsibilities, the office may:
(1) Inspect and examine all premises in which charitable games of chance are conducted or supplies or equipment for such games are manufactured or distributed.
(2) Inspect all such supplies and equipment in, upon, or about such premises.
(3) Seize and remove from such premises and impound such supplies and equipment for the purpose of examination and inspection pursuant to an appropriate court order.
(4) Demand access to and audit and inspect books and records of licensees for the purpose of determining compliance with laws and regulations relative to charitable gaming.
(5) Conduct in-depth audits and investigations when warranted.
C. The office may require licensees to maintain records and submit reports as further provided in R.S. 4:716(C) and 726(D).
D. (1) In addition to license revocation or suspension or any criminal penalty imposed pursuant to R.S. 4:735(B), the office may assess a fine against any person who violates any law or regulation relative to gambling or charitable gaming. Such a fine shall be assessed only after notice and opportunity for a hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(2) Any indication of the commission of a crime established in Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 shall be directed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, for investigation and disposition by such office.
E. All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, officers, and institutions of the state and all subdivisions thereof, in particular local law enforcement entities, shall cooperate with the office in carrying out its enforcement responsibilities.
§ 722. Educational responsibilities
A. The office shall provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies in carrying out their responsibilities relative to enforcement of charitable gaming laws and regulations. Such assistance may include but shall not be limited to specialized training programs on such enforcement for local law enforcement personnel.
B. The office shall be responsible for educating the general public, particularly members of organizations which conduct charitable games of chance, with regard to the provisions of an interpretation of laws and regulations relative to charitable gaming. Such education may include but shall not be limited to training programs for licensees on such laws and regulations for the purpose of increasing their understanding of and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and restrictions.
§ 723. Immunity
No persons, association, or corporation
(1) Possessing, selling or in any manner disposing of, in any municipality or parish, any shares, tickets, or rights to participate in any game or games of chance conducted or to be conducted under any license lawfully issued pursuant to this Chapter,
(2) Lawfully conducting or participating in the conduct of any such game of chance, or
(3) Permitting the conduct of any such game of chance upon premises owned by him or it, of any game of chance conducted or to be conducted under any license lawfully issued pursuant to this Chapter,
shall be liable to prosecution or conviction for violation of any provision of R.S. 14:90; however, this immunity shall not extend to any person or corporation knowingly conducting or participating in the conduct of any game of chance under any license obtained by any false pretense or statement made in any application for such license or otherwise, or possessing, selling, or disposing of shares, tickets, or rights to participate in, or permitting the conduct upon any premises owned by him or it of any game of chance conducted under any license known to him or it to have been obtained by any such false or fraudulent pretense or statement.
§ 724. Use of electronic or video bingo games
A. Electronic or video machines, hereafter termed “electronic bingo machines”, for public playing of bingo may be made available at any location licensed under this Chapter for charitable bingo, provided that all requirements of this Chapter not in conflict with the provisions of this Section are met.
B. Any such electronic bingo machine shall be subject to the following requirements and restrictions concerning its operation and use:
(1) The cost of each game play shall be not less than twenty-five cents nor more than one dollar.
(2) Payout shall be not less than eighty percent and not more than ninety-four percent of the total amount wagered.
(3) The maximum prize awarded shall be not more than one thousand dollars.
(4) A machine shall dispense no cash, only tickets verifiable as valid indicating the prize amount.
(5) A machine shall play the game of bingo as described in R.S. 4:707(A)(2), except that a random number generator in the machine shall replace the drawing of numbered objects from a receptacle, and may play “cover-all bingo” in which all numbers of the card must be covered.
(6) A machine shall allow the player a choice of cards on which to play and must show a “BINGO” at the end of play.
(7) A machine shall allow only a linear-based payout in which the amount of the payout follows a straight line progression in direct proportion to the amount wagered.
(8) A machine shall provide for an electronic readout giving, at a minimum, a summary of total wagers, total plays, total payout, and current prize allotment since the last date of summary or the last date of reset of the machine.
(9) No person under the age of eighteen shall assist in the holding, operation, or conducting of electronic or video bingo games.
C. An electronic bingo machine may be leased by any holder of a bingo license issued pursuant to this Chapter. However, in no case shall any lease agreement entered into authorize the lessor to receive a percentage of the receipts from the machine.
D. Only cash prizes may be awarded winners of games on an electronic bingo machine.
E. At least forty-five percent of the net win from the machine must be paid to the licensee owning or leasing it.
F. The office may adopt, pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:705(10)(b), additional rules and regulations governing the use of electronic bingo machines and may establish a list of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and lessors authorized to provide electronic bingo machines or a list of acceptable models of the machines, or acceptable serial numbers on such models or manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, or lessors.
G. The office may assess whatever fees may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Section and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Subsection F.
H. Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit a distributor of electronic bingo machines from having a representative present during the operation of their machines.
I. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to restrict the authority of local governments to restrict or prohibit the conducting of electronic video bingo.
J.(1) Any person who is licensed as a distributor shall be permitted to operate electronic video bingo machines which are not in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 4:724(B)(5) if either of the following occurs:
(a) The licensed distributor has purchased or has entered into a lease agreement approved by the office for the total number of electronic video bingo machines to be placed at a specific location and the electronic video bingo machines have been permitted by the office and placed at a location which has been approved by the office on or prior to August 15, 2008; or (b) The licensed distributor has delivered to the office or has sent by certified mail an application with the required fees to have electronic video bingo machines permitted, which application has been received, but not approved by the office on or prior to August 15, 2008, and the application includes one of the following:
(i) Proof of purchase for the total number of video bingo machines to be placed at a specific location.
(ii) A nonrefundable deposit of a minimum of twenty-five percent of the fair market value of the wholesale purchase price of the total number of machines to be placed at a specific location.
(iii) A nonrefundable deposit on a lease agreement which is equivalent in value to a minimum of twenty-five percent of the fair market value of the wholesale purchase price of the total number of machines to be placed at a specific location.
(2) Electronic video bingo machines authorized by the provisions of this Subsection shall only be placed at one of the following locations:
(a) A location which has been approved by the office on or prior to August 15, 2008; or (b) A location for which a completed application with the required fees for the licensing to conduct charitable gaming at a specific location has been received by the office on or prior to August 15, 2008. However, locations which have not been approved by the office prior to August 15, 2008, but for which an application has been timely filed as provided by this Subparagraph, shall have received final approval from the office and must be occupied by August 15, 2009, in order to operate electronic video bingo machines which are not in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 4:724(B)(5).
K. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section to the contrary, any electronic video bingo machine authorized pursuant to Subsection J of this Section which is destroyed or rendered inoperable in any manner may be replaced by an electronic video bingo machine of a similar make and model which is not in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 4:724(B)(5) even if such replacement electronic video bingo machine was purchased after August 15, 2008.
§ 725. Pull-tabs
A. No organization, distributor, or manufacturer, or any representative thereof, either with knowledge or in circumstances whereunder he reasonably should have known, shall possess, display, put out for play, sell, or otherwise furnish to any person any deal of pull-tabs:
(1) In which the winning pull-tabs have not been completely and randomly distributed and mixed among all other pull-tabs in the deal;
(2) In which the location or approximate location of any of the winning pull- tabs can be determined in advance of opening the pull-tabs in any manner or by any device, including but not limited to any pattern in the manufacture, assembly, or packaging of pull-tabs by the manufacturer, by any markings on the pull-tabs or container, or by the use of a light; or
(3) Which does not conform in any respect to these requirements as to manufacturer, assembly, or packaging.
B. Effective January 1, 1986 [FN1], a distributor shall not purchase or be furnished any deal of pull-tabs from a manufacturer of pull-tabs unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The manufacturer’s label or trademark has been registered with the office of charitable gaming.
(2) Each individual pull-tab manufactured has conspicuously set forth on it the name of the manufacturer or a label or trademark which identifies its manufacturer.
(3) The pull-tab is of a type approved by the office of charitable gaming for use in Louisiana.
§ 725.1. Progressive pull-tabs
A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any organization licensed to hold, operate, or conduct games of chance pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, shall be authorized to hold, operate, or conduct progressive pull-tabs pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
B. An organization authorized to hold, operate, or conduct progressive pull-tabs shall offer progressive pull-tabs only during their licensed session and shall not network or link with any other licensed organization.
C. The jackpot for progressive pull-tabs shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.
D. The contribution per deal of pull-tabs for the progressive jackpot shall not exceed five hundred dollars.
E. An organization authorized to hold, operate, or conduct progressive pull-tabs shall comply with the provisions of R.S. 4:725, any other provisions of this Chapter, and any rules adopted by the office pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
F. The office shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this Section. All rules shall be adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
§ 726. License for manufacturers or distributors of gaming supplies or equipment; prohibitions; requirement
A. (1) No person or other entity shall fabricate, concoct, or manufacture any supplies or equipment for use in the conduct of any game of chance authorized under this Chapter, including but not limited to bingo equipment and pull-tabs, within this state or for use within this state without having obtained a manufacturer’s license from the office, as provided in R.S. 4:718. No manufacturer shall contract with a distributor, agree to, or otherwise perform any duty associated with the distribution of equipment or supplies.
(2) No person or other entity shall sell, offer for sale, or otherwise furnish any other person any supplies or equipment for use in the conduct of any game of chance authorized under this Chapter, including but not limited to bingo equipment and pull-tabs, without having obtained a distributor’s license from the office, as provided in R.S. 4:718. No manufacturer shall contract with a distributor, agree to, or otherwise perform any duty associated with the distribution of equipment or supplies.
B. No person or other entity licensed as a manufacturer or distributor shall sell on behalf of the distributor or otherwise make available any such gaming supplies or equipment to any individual unless he has first determined that the individual is a licensed distributor or is acting as an agent of an organization which has a valid license issued by the office.
C. No manufacturer or distributor of gaming supplies or equipment shall directly or indirectly give gifts, trips, prizes, premiums, or other such gratuities to any charitable gaming organization, its employees, or commercial lessors other than nominal promotional items used in the conduct of charitable gaming as provided by law.
D. Each manufacturer or distributor of gaming supplies or equipment shall maintain records and submit reports as required by rules of the office. The rules may require maintenance of purchase and sale invoices of all gaming supplies and equipment manufactured or distributed, whether by sale, lease, rental, loan, or donation, to any charitable gaming organization.
E. Each distributor or manufacturer shall purchase state identification stamps from the office for supplies or equipment as required by rules of the office. Each distributor or manufacturer shall be responsible for affixing such a stamp to each such item sold or otherwise disposed of at the point of such sale or disposal.
F. Each manufacturer or distributor of gaming supplies or equipment shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter, and all rules and regulations adopted by the office pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
§ 727. Combination of interests prohibited
A. Except as otherwise provided for in this Chapter, no organization which conducts charitable games of chance shall be a manufacturer or distributor of supplies or equipment for such games. This prohibition shall not apply to a charitable organization which distributes electronic video bingo machines or electronic pull-tab devices in a building used, leased, or owned by the licensed charitable organization in which it conducts games authorized in this Chapter in a parish or incorporated municipality where an ordinance has been adopted allowing gaming by means of electronic video bingo.
B. No officer, director, or manager of an organization which conducts charitable games of chance shall either:
(1) Have a direct or indirect financial interest in any entity which manufactures or distributes supplies or equipment for charitable games of chance or which leases space for charitable games of chance.
(2) Serve as an officer, director, shareholder of more than two percent of the shares, proprietor, or employee of an entity which manufactures or distributes supplies or equipment for charitable games of chance.
C. No entity which manufactures or distributes supplies or equipment for charitable games of chance, any officer, director, owner of more than two percent of the business, proprietor, or employee of such an entity, or any person having a direct or indirect financial interest in such an entity shall lease premises, directly or indirectly, to an organization for purposes of conducting charitable games of chance.
D. No entity or person described in Subsection A, B, or C shall serve as a commercial lessor.
E. (1) No person licensed as a commercial lessor or his immediate family shall either:
(a) Have a direct or indirect financial interest in any entity which manufactures or distributes supplies or equipment for charitable games of chance.
(b) Serve as a proprietor, employee, officer, director, shareholder, or owner of more than two percent ownership interest, of any entity which manufactures or distributes supplies or equipment for charitable games of chance.
(2) No person licensed as a commercial lessor or his spouse shall either:
(a) Serve as an officer or director of any charitable organization which rents, leases, or uses the commercial premises for conducting games of chance.
(b) Hold, operate, conduct, or assist in the holding, operating, or conducting of a charitable game of chance at the commercial premises.
§ 728. Use of monies derived from enforcement of bingo regulations by the governing authority of Livingston Parish
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any monies collected by the governing authority of Livingston Parish from charitable organizations conducting bingo games in that parish pursuant to the rules and regulations of said governing authority which are in excess of the amount of monies necessary to pay the cost of adequate enforcement of such rules and regulations may be expended by said governing authority for purposes other than paying the cost of such enforcement, including but not limited to defraying the cost of operation of parish government.
§ 729. Fund-raising events
A. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Chapter to the contrary, a charitable organization licensed to operate, hold, or conduct any game or games of chance may enter into a contract with a private contractor who meets the qualifications prescribed by the office to conduct the operation and management of fund-raising events generally known as “casino night” or “Las Vegas night”.
B. Each private contractor shall possess the skills and have the personnel and equipment available to conduct such games.
C. The contract shall stipulate that the contract price is a professional service fee based upon the equipment and personnel to be used as well as the types of games to be played. The office shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the reasonable compensation of the contractor. The private contractor may use his own personnel only for the actual operation of the leased equipment.
D. For the purpose of this Section, “casino night” and “Las Vegas night ” shall mean a charitable fund-raising event sponsored by a licensed charitable organization as defined pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:703. The office shall promulgate rules which specify the kinds of casino games that may be conducted and the manner in which such games shall be operated.
E. The sponsors shall sell tickets to the charitable event and each individual shall receive for each ticket purchased, in connection with the event, an equal number of chips to be used in playing the various authorized games. The sponsor may award prizes at such events.
F. The office of charitable gaming within the Department of Revenue may adopt additional rules and regulations governing such events pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:705(10)(b).
§ 730. Use of monies derived from enforcement of bingo regulations by a municipal or parish governing authority
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any monies collected by the governing authority of a municipality or parish from charitable organizations conducting bingo games in that municipality or parish pursuant to the rules and regulations of said governing authority which are in excess of the amount of monies necessary to pay the cost of adequate enforcement of such rules and regulations may be expended by said governing authority for purposes other than paying the cost of such enforcement, including but not limited to defraying the cost of operation of municipal or parish government.
§ 731. City of New Orleans; cable television bingo; licensing; restrictions; prohibitions
A. (1) The governing authority of the city of New Orleans may license bona fide veterans, charitable, educational, religious, or fraternal organizations and civic and service clubs, which possess the appropriate nonprofit designation issued by the federal Internal Revenue Service, to hold and operate the game of chance commonly known as cable television bingo played for prizes with cards and as defined in this Subsection.
(2) For the purposes of this Section, “cable television bingo” shall mean a charitable game of chance transmitted by a cable television channel and played for prizes with cards bearing numbers or other designations, five or more in one line, the holder covering numbers as eight or more similarly numbered objects are displayed, and the game being won by any player who covers a previously designated arrangement of numbers of such a card with any four or five numbers and a free spot.
B. Cable television bingo shall be transmitted only to the area within the jurisdiction of the city of New Orleans. Transmission of such games to any area outside the city of New Orleans shall be expressly prohibited.
C. Licensees to hold, operate, or conduct cable television bingo shall not be subject to the provisions of R.S. 4:714(A) and (B.
D. Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, in particular R.S. 4:715, a charitable organization licensed to conduct cable television bingo may enter into a contract with a private contractor possessing demonstrated skills in the conduct and administration of charitable games of chance to provide for the operation and management of its games. Any such contract shall stipulate that payment to the contractor for professional services shall be in accordance with an estimated fee schedule based upon the number of cards sold and shall require the use of volunteer members of charitable organizations in the actual conduct of and assisting in the conduct of such games.
E. The office may adopt additional rules and regulations governing the operation of cable television bingo pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:705(10)(b). The office may also assess whatever fees may be necessary to implement this Section and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Subsection.
§ 732. Progressive bingo
A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the governing authority of any parish or municipality may permit any charitable licensed organization to conduct progressive mega jackpot bingo games. For the purpose of conducting a progressive bingo game, such organizations shall:
(1) Establish links or networks, electronic or otherwise, between locations, commercial or noncommercial, where licensed charitable bingo games are being conducted.
(2) Deposit a predetermined amount of money not to exceed two hundred dollars per organization into a special account before each licensed call bingo gaming session. Every two-hundred-dollar contribution shall constitute part of the total amount of prizes awarded during that session.
B. The mega jackpot for a progressive bingo game played pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section may exceed the limit established in R.S. 4:714 but shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars.
C. Such game shall be offered in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the governing authority of each municipality or the parish which issued a license to any respective organization which participates in a progressive mega jackpot bingo game, in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the office in Subsection D of this Section.
D. The office shall adopt rules and regulations governing progressive mega jackpot bingo games to insure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and any additional regulations of the state relative to charitable gaming laws.
E. Any licensed charitable organization or organizations playing at the same location may conduct progressive blackout bingo games in accordance with rules established and in effect on August 15, 1995, and as follows:
(1) Any such organization or organizations which conduct progressive bingo games in accordance with this Subsection may offer a second progressive bingo game, in addition to the game authorized in this Subsection.
(2) Any such organization or organizations which conduct progressive bingo games in accordance with this Subsection may establish a maximum jackpot or cap for each progressive bingo game offered by the organization. The participating organizations may continue contributions to the Charitable Gaming Progressive Jackpot Account to accumulate a backup jackpot which may be applied to either or both progressive games.
(3) The dollar amount of each jackpot cap shall be continuously and conspicuously displayed along with the current dollar amount of the progressive jackpot.
(4) The second progressive jackpot game may be added to any call bingo game played during a bingo session.
(5) During the course of a progressive jackpot, the participating organizations may, prior to a jackpot win, raise but not lower the jackpot cap. In the event that the jackpot cap is raised, contributions in the amount of two hundred dollars per game shall recommence.
F. Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 373, § 2.
G. Organizations may network or link together to conduct progressive mega jackpot bingo games, as provided in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section, provided the local governing authority of each parish has authorized the conducting of such games in the parish.
§ 733. Electronic pull-tab devices
A. (1) Electronic or video machines, hereafter termed “electronic pull-tab devices”, and defined in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, for public playing of pull-tabs may be made available at any locations licensed under this Chapter for charitable gaming, provided that all requirements of this Chapter not in conflict with the provisions of this Section are met.
(2) “Electronic pull-tab device” means any unit, mechanism, or device authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, that, upon insertion of cash, produces electronic facsimiles of pull-tab tickets or cards and is available to play or simulate the play of the game of pull-tabs as described in R.S. 4:703(3), utilizing a cathode ray tube or video display screen and microprocessors in which the player may win games or credits that can be redeemed for cash only. The term does not include a device that directly dispenses coins, cash, tokens, or anything else of value, except the ticket voucher required in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
B. Each device shall:
(1) Be inspected by the office or its designee for certification and compliance.
(2) Be connected with a system consisting of player operated terminals and a self-contained control computer.
(3) Not have any device or program that will alter the reading of the values or amounts of play to reflect values or amounts other than actually played or any switches, jumpers, wire posts, or any other means of manipulation that could affect the operation or outcome of a game.
(4) Not have any device, switch, program, or function that can alter the readings of the actual amounts or values relating to any function or occurrence of the device.
(5) Have separate secure areas with locking doors for the game logic board and software, the cash compartment, and the mechanical meters as required by the rules and regulations of the office. These areas must be locking and separated. Access to one from the other must not be allowed at any time.
(a) The device must be capable of printing a ticket voucher for the player at the completion of each game. If credits are owed the player, the ticket must contain each of the following:
(i) The name of the location licensed to conduct charitable gaming.
(ii) The name of the municipality or parish in which the location licensed to conduct charitable gaming is located.
(iii) The value of the prize in numbers.
(iv) The value of the prize in words.
(v) The time of day, in hours and minutes in a twenty-four-hour format.
(vi) The date.
(vii) The device license number or serial number up to eight digits.
(viii) The sequential number of the ticket voucher.
(ix) An encrypted validation number from which the validity of the prize can be determined.
(b) The device may have a mechanism that accepts cash in the form of bills with a denomination not to exceed ten dollars.
(c) An exact copy of each printed ticket voucher must be printed and retained within the device.
(d) The device must have nonresettable mechanical meters housed in a secure compartment that keep a permanent record of all of the following:
(i) Total coins accepted.
(ii) Total credits generated by the bill acceptor if the device has a bill acceptor.
(iii) Total credits played by players.
(iv) Total credits won by players.
(v) Total credits printed out by the ticket voucher printer.
(e) The device must contain electronic metering using meters that record all of the following:
(i) Total coins in the coin acceptor or acceptors and, if the device has a bill acceptor, the total credits generated by the bill acceptor.
(ii) Total credits in, total credits played, total credits won, and total credits paid.
(iii) Total errors from the logic board random access memory.
(iv) Total examination of electronic meters.
(f) The device may not have any functions or parameters adjustable by or through any separate video display or input codes, except for the adjustment of features that are wholly cosmetic.
(g) The device must issue, by activation of an external switch, an accounting ticket containing a performance synopsis of the device. The ticket must contain:
(i) The name of the location licensed to conduct charitable gaming.
(ii) The name of the city, town, or parish in which the location licensed to conduct charitable gaming is located.
(iii) The license number of the device.
(iv) The time of day, in hours and minutes in a twenty-four-hour format.
(v) The date.
(vi) A circuit-interrupting device, method, or capability which will disable the machine if the office-approved program is accessed or altered.
(h) The device must be linked by telecommunication to a central computer for purposes of polling or reading device activities and for central computer remote shutdown of device operations.
(6) Each electronic pull-tab device shall have a serial number or other identification number permanently affixed to the device by the manufacturer.
C. The office may provide for additional specifications for devices to be approved and authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter as it deems necessary to maintain the integrity of electronic pull-tab devices and operations. The office shall not provide for any additional specifications which would have the effect of reducing to fewer than four the number of manufacturers who make devices that meet the specifications of this Chapter.
D. A device may not allow more than two dollars to be placed on a game or award won games or credits in excess of the value of five hundred dollars.
E. The office shall prescribe the expected payback value of one credit played to be at least eighty percent of the value of a credit. Each electronic pull-tab device must have an electronic accounting device that the office may use to verify the winning percentage. The office may not publish or otherwise disseminate income figures and other statistics obtained in the payback verification process or contained in payback verification reports in a manner that allows or helps a person to identify a particular device or to match a particular device with a particular income or statistic except as is required for enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter.
F. An electronic pull-tab device may be leased by any charitable organization licensed by the office.
G. At least sixty percent of the net win from the device must be paid to the charitable organization leasing it. No more than ten percent of the net win from the device may be paid to the commercial lessor leasing the premises at which the devices are located.
H. The office shall adopt any additional rules and regulations necessary to govern the specification, use, and operation of electronic pull-tab devices and shall establish a list of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and lessors authorized to provide electronic pull-tab devices or a list of acceptable models of the devices, acceptable serial numbers on such models or manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, or lessors. All rules shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act except that all rules shall also require the affirmative approval of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Section B.
I. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a facility licensed to conduct charitable gaming may not place more than thirty-five electronic machines or devices licensed to conduct charitable gaming at the facility.
J. Any licensed charitable organization operating more than fifteen electronic pull-tab devices as provided by this Section shall not offer for play pull-tabs as provided in R.S. 4:725.
§ 734. Sale of tickets at fund-raising event
Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, a candidate for public office, as provided for in R.S. 18:1483(3), or his principal campaign committee, as provided for in R.S. 18:1483(15), may conduct a fund-raising activity involving the sale of tickets which afford the purchaser an opportunity to win a door prize, raffle, or similar gift or prize.
§ 735. Violations; penalties
A. Any person, association, or corporation which violates any provision of this Chapter including the specifically enumerated acts contained in Subsection B of this Section or any rule or regulation of the office shall be subject to a civil penalty imposed by the office as further provided in R.S. 4:721 and to suspension or revocation of its license as further provided in R.S. 4:705.
B. Any person, association, or corporation which commits any of the following acts shall, upon conviction, be subject to a criminal penalty, and be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for one year, or both:
(1) Making any false statement in any application for a license under this Chapter or a license issued pursuant to R.S. 4:718.
(2) Holding, operating, or conducting any game of chance either without a license issued by a parish or municipal governing authority or without a license issued by the office.
(3) Knowingly falsifying or making any false entry in any books or records with respect to any transaction connected with the holding, operating, and conducting of any game of chance.
(4) Refusing to allow the licensing parish or municipal governing authority or the office access to any premises where a game of chance is being conducted or to any record or book relative to gaming activity.
(5) Intentionally causing, aiding, abetting, or conspiring with another to cause any person to violate any provision of this Subsection. In addition to suffering any such penalty which may be imposed, a licensee shall forfeit any license issued to it under this Chapter.
(6) Offering for sale, lease, rental, or furnishing in any other manner whatsoever, any electronic video bingo machine, or part, component, or supply, intended for use therewith except an authorized manufacturer, supplier, or distributor pursuant to R.S. 4:724(F) and R.S. 4:733(H).
(7) Possessing any electronic video machine or component, parts, or supplies intended for use therewith except manufacturers, distributors, or lessors and organizations licensed by a municipality or parish to conduct electronic video bingo who are in possession of such machines under the provisions of R.S. 4:724 and R.S. 4:733 and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to R.S. 4:724(F) and R.S. 4:733(H).
(8) Possessing, displaying, selling, or otherwise furnishing to any person any deal pull-tabs except as provided for in R.S. 4:725.
(9) Using net gaming proceeds in whole or in part for any uses other than educational, charitable, patriotic, religious, or public spirited purposes. For purposes of this Section “net gaming proceeds” shall not include accounting or other professional services not otherwise prohibited by R.S. 4:715(A)(6).
C. Any person, association, or corporation which violates any other provision of this Chapter not listed in Subsection B may be imprisoned for not more than six months or fined not more than five hundred dollars, or both.
§ 736. Legal representation of the office; attorney general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the attorney general shall be the legal advisor to the office and, except as otherwise provided by law, shall counsel and advise the office, shall represent it in all legal proceedings, and shall prosecute any civil action for a violation of the provisions of this Chapter or the rules and regulations of the office. The office shall compensate the attorney general for representation of the office.
§ 737. Venue; trial de novo; appeals
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the venue for judicial review or appeal from any administrative proceeding involving a charitable gaming licensee or license applicant or a petition for a stay as provided for in R.S. 49:964(C) or for recovery under R.S. 49:965.1 or other injunctive relief shall be the domicile of the licensee or applicant. The petition for judicial review or appeal from an administrative proceeding involving a licensee or licensee applicant under this Chapter shall be filed in the district court of the parish of the domicile of the licensee or applicant within sixty days of the mailing of the notice of the adverse administrative decision. Upon timely filing of the petition of the charitable organization, judicial review shall be by trial de novo and conducted by summary procedure. Evidence of warnings issued by the office to a charitable organization on matters which are not the subject of the administrative proceeding under review shall not be admissible in the trial de novo. The provisions of this Section shall be procedural in nature.
§ 738. Toll-free telephone assistance for compulsive gamblers; posting of signs on premises
The office shall require the posting of one or more signs on licensed premises at points of entry into the areas where organizations licensed under this Chapter are conducting games of chance authorized under the provisions of R.S. 4:707(A)(2), (3), and (4), 732, and 733 to inform patrons of a toll-free telephone number available to provide information and referral services regarding compulsive or problem gambling. Failure by the owner of the licensed premises to post and maintain such a sign or signs shall be cause for the imposition of a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars per day.
§ 739. Use of electronic bingo card dabber devices
A. (1) Electronic bingo card dabber devices, hereafter referred to as electronic dabber devices, and defined in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, for the public playing of bingo may be made available at any location licensed under the provisions of this Chapter provided that all requirements of this Section and all requirements of this Chapter not in conflict with this Section are met.
(2) “Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Device”, or “Electronic Dabber Device”, or “EBCDD” means an electronic device used by a bingo player to monitor bingo cards purchased and electronically mark bingo cards downloaded into the device, at the time and place of the licensed charitable bingo session, and which:
(a) Provides a means to bingo players to electronically mark numbers announced by the bingo caller.
(b) Compares numbers called to the numbers contained on bingo cards for that session previously stored in the data base of the device.
(c) Identifies winning bingo patterns.
(d) Signals the bingo player when a winning bingo pattern is waiting or received.
(e) Will not accept coins, currency, or tokens to activate play.
(3)(a) The electronic dabber device shall be capable of use with disposable bingo paper or other approved bingo paper which shall be downloaded into the device prior to the start of each game. If disposable paper is used, only disposable bingo paper produced by licensed manufacturers shall be used with electronic dabber devices. Such disposable bingo paper shall be unique and for use exclusively with an electronic dabber device so that such paper cannot be used in play without the device. No more than one hundred forty-four faces shall be entered for play of any one game at a session.
(b) Each electronic dabber device shall be capable of clearing all disposable bingo card faces downloaded into the device for a specific session upon turning the device off after the last game of the session has been played.
(c) No electronic dabber device shall allow a player to design or redesign bingo cards by generating, arranging, rearranging, or otherwise placing numbers on a card.
B. (1) A manufacturer shall sell, rent, lease, or otherwise supply or provide any electronic dabber device only to a licensed distributor. Devices shall be delivered directly to the distributor’s facility. Contracts for sale, rent, lease, or other provision of electronic dabbing device shall be negotiated by a licensed distributor.
(2) No manufacturer shall sell, rent, lease, or otherwise supply or provide any electronic dabber device to any commercial lessor or his immediate family.
C. (1) A distributor shall sell, rent, lease, or otherwise supply or provide any electronic dabber device only to a licensed charitable organization, qualified association of licensed charitable organizations, or licensed distributor.
(2) No distributor shall sell, rent, lease, or otherwise supply or provide any electronic dabber device to any commercial lessor or his immediate family.
(3) Unless otherwise provided by rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Chapter, each distributor shall have at least one employee on site during use of its devices. The licensed distributor shall request payment from the licensed organization immediately after each session in an amount equal to the rental price multiplied by the number of devices used, rented, leased, or otherwise supplied or provided at the session, plus applicable taxes and fees. Payment shall be made by check payable only from the licensed organization’s gaming account and made payable only to the licensed distributor immediately after each session.
D. (1) No commercial lessor or his immediate family shall own or offer for sale, rent, lease, or otherwise supply or provide to anyone any electronic dabber device.
(2) No entity, any officer, director, or owner of more than two percent of such enterprise which serves as a commercial lessor or the immediate family of any individual referred to in this sentence shall own, sell, rent, lease, or otherwise supply or provide to anyone any electronic dabber device or accept remuneration for storage thereof.
E. (1) No more than two electronic dabber devices may be issued to any one patron who has purchased bingo paper packs for use with the device.
(2) There shall be at least one electronic dabber device to be used as a back up in the event that a device in play malfunctions.
(3) Each device shall be returned at the conclusion of each session and all cards or faces downloaded for play for the concluded session shall be cleared.
F. The office shall adopt any additional rules and regulations necessary to govern the specifications, use, and operation of electronic dabber devices and shall establish a list of manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers authorized to provide electronic dabber devices or a list of acceptable models of the devices, acceptable serial numbers on such models, or manufacturers, distributors, or suppliers.
§ 740. Session defined
A. A session represents authorized games of chance played within a time limit not to exceed six consecutive hours, with a minimum of twelve hours between sessions. A session of keno or bingo when the licensee possesses a special license is limited to six consecutive hours. Sessions are limited to not more than one session per calendar day per licensee. Organizations are not allowed to begin their session until the stated time on their license issued by the office.
B. Selling of pull-tabs, bingo paper, or bingo cards constitutes the beginning of a session.
C. In no instance shall two organizations be allowed to conduct sessions simultaneously at the same location.
§ 27:402. Raffles under two hundred fifty dollars
A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a raffle or raffles may be conducted by any person twenty-one years of age or older for any purpose provided that the value of the prize played for does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
B. For purposes of this Section, “raffle or raffles” means any game of chance played by drawing for prizes or the allotment of prizes by chance, by the selling of shares, tickets, or rights to participate in such game or games, or by conducting the game or games accordingly.
See also: Louisiana Gambling Laws / Lousiana Online Casinos
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