By Wohlgemuth H.B. No. 2629
77R7676 YDB-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to authorizing certain community bingo games offered
1-3 without charge and with nominal prizes.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 2001.551(b), Occupations Code, is amended
1-6 to read as follows:
1-7 (b) A person conducting, promoting, or administering bingo
1-8 commits an offense if the person conducts, promotes, or administers
1-9 bingo other than:
1-10 (1) under a license issued under this chapter;
1-11 (2) within the confines of a home for purposes of
1-12 amusement or recreation when:
1-13 (A) no player or other person furnishes anything
1-14 of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate;
1-15 (B) participation in the game does not exceed 15
1-16 players; and
1-17 (C) the prizes awarded or to be awarded are
1-18 nominal;
1-19 (3) on behalf of an organization of individuals 60
1-20 years of age or over, a senior citizens' association, a senior
1-21 citizens' community center program operated or funded by a
1-22 governmental entity, the patients in a hospital or nursing home,
1-23 residents of a retirement home, or the patients in a Veteran's
1-24 Administration medical center or a military hospital, solely for
2-1 the purpose of amusement and recreation of its members, residents,
2-2 or patients, when:
2-3 (A) no player or other person furnishes anything
2-4 of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate; and
2-5 (B) the prizes awarded or to be awarded are
2-6 nominal; [or]
2-7 (4) on behalf of a business conducting the game for
2-8 promotional or advertising purposes if:
2-9 (A) the game is conducted by or through a
2-10 newspaper or a radio or television station;
2-11 (B) participation in the game is open to the
2-12 general public and is not limited to customers of the business;
2-13 (C) playing materials are furnished without
2-14 charge to a person on request; and
2-15 (D) no player is required to furnish anything of
2-16 value for the opportunity to participate; or
2-17 (5) on behalf of a business conducting the game as a
2-18 community service if:
2-19 (A) the game is restricted to players 55 years
2-20 of age or over;
2-21 (B) participation in the game is open to the
2-22 general public and is not limited to customers of the business;
2-23 (C) playing materials are furnished without
2-24 charge to a person on request;
2-25 (D) no player or other person furnishes anything
2-26 of more than nominal value for the opportunity to participate; and
2-27 (E) the prizes awarded or to be awarded are
3-1 nominal.
3-2 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.