563.51 Restrictions on the conduct of bingo.

742 words·~3 min read·/wi/chapter-563/563-51-4

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)Who conducts. Only a person licensed under s. 563.15 shall conduct bingo.

(2t)Prohibited places. Bingo may not be conducted at a place owned, operated or controlled by a person who has been convicted of having operated a gambling place within the past 5 years.

(4)Sufficient space to play. Purchase of a bingo card shall entitle each player to a place with sufficient room in which to play.

(7)Equipment; supplies.

(a)A licensed organization shall purchase or receive bingo supplies and equipment specifically designed or adapted for use in the conduct of bingo only from a licensed supplier or another licensed organization.

(b)Any equipment used in the conduct of bingo shall be owned absolutely by the licensed organization or borrowed from another licensed organization without payment of any compensation therefor by the licensed organization.

(c)The equipment and supplies used in the conduct of bingo shall be maintained in good repair and sound condition.

(8)Profits used for proper and legitimate expenditures. The profits from any bingo game shall be used exclusively for proper and legitimate expenditures of the licensed organization.

(9)Limitation on value of prizes.

(a)Except as provided in paragraphs

(b)and (c), no prize in a single bingo game shall exceed $500 and the aggregate value of prizes at any bingo occasion may not exceed $2,500.

(b)The aggregate value of prizes at a bingo occasion may exceed $2,500 by the amount resulting from the awarding of minimum prizes under sub.

(27).

(c)The limits under par.

(a)do not apply to progressive jackpot bingo.

(10)Prohibited prizes.

(a)No licensed organization shall award any prize consisting of alcoholic or fermented malt beverages or an interest in real estate or securities.

(b)No bonus or additional prizes shall be awarded on the basis of either a specific arrangement of the numbers or the type of card required to win a game. Except as provided for progressive jackpot bingo under s. 563.54 , no prize shall be determined on the basis of a specified number of calls.

(11)Merchandise prizes. If any merchandise prize is awarded in a bingo game, its value shall be its current retail price. The current retail price of merchandise prizes donated to a licensed organization shall not be reported as an expenditure in its financial statement of bingo operations. No merchandise prize shall be redeemable or convertible into cash directly or indirectly by the licensed organization.

(12)Management and operation of bingo. No person shall receive remuneration for participating in the management or operation of any bingo game.

(13)Age limitations.

(a)A minor may not play a bingo game conducted by a licensed organization unless an adult who is a relative of the minor by blood, marriage, or adoption, or the minor’s guardian, is present in the building or on the premises while the minor plays the game.

(b)A minor may not conduct or assist in the conduct of bingo.

(14)Only proper and legitimate expenditures permitted. No expenditures other than proper and legitimate expenditures may be made in connection with the conduct of bingo by a licensed organization.

(15)Regular bingo game fee. A fee of not more than $1 may be charged for admission to premises at which a regular bingo game is conducted. The fee entitles the person to participate, without additional charge, in all regular bingo games played at such bingo occasion, except that a fee of not more than $1 may be charged for each extra regular card.

(16)Winners and prizes; same day. Except as provided for progressive jackpot bingo under s. 563.54 , each bingo winner shall be determined and every prize shall be awarded and delivered on the same day on which the bingo occasion is conducted.

(18)Sale of supplies, merchandise and refreshments. In addition to the sale of bingo supplies by the licensed organization or the sale of food or refreshments, merchandise may be sold on the premises where bingo is conducted when authorized by the licensed organization.

(19)Bingo cards; printing. Bingo cards shall be printed only on one side.

(20)Separate count of bingo cards. The licensed organization shall keep an accurate, separate count of the number of regular bingo cards, extra regular cards and special bingo cards which are sold, rented or used. Such information shall be available for inspection at the close of the bingo occasion.