Header:
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
TITLE 4. BUSINESS REGULATIONS
DIVISION 18. CALIFORNIA GAMBLING CONTROL COMMISSION
CHAPTER 8. BINGO
ARTICLE 5. REMOTE CALLER BINGO REQUIREMENTS; STANDARDS OF PLAY
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
ยง 12511. Standards of Play for Remote Caller Bingo
(a) Prior to conducting a remote caller bingo game, the organization shall submit to the Commission the controls, methodology, and standards of game play, including the equipment used to select bingo numbers and create or originate cards, control or maintenance, distribution to participating locations, and distribution to the players.
(b) The controls, methodologies, and standards shall be subject to prior approval by the Commission, provided that controls shall be deemed approved by the Commission after 90 days from the date of submission unless disapproved.
(c) No person may operate, supervise, or staff a remote caller bingo game unless that person is a member of the authorized organization or they have been approved by the Commission to work in an administrative, managerial, technical, financial, or security personnel capacity.
(d) The following standards related to the location of play shall be in place for each remote caller bingo game.
(1) A remote caller bingo game shall not include any site that is not located within the state of California.
(2) Games shall be conducted only on property that is owned or leased by the organization or donated to the organization.
(3) Games are to be open to the public, not just to the members of the authorized organization.
(e) The following standards related to bingo prizes shall be in place for each remote caller bingo game.
(1) Every game shall be played until a winner is declared.
(2) Prizes awarded during the conduct of any remote caller bingo game shall not exceed 37 percent of the gross receipts for that game.
(3) Progressive prizes are prohibited.
(4) To claim a prize a player must present a covered or marked tangible card.
(5) Prizes are to be paid only by check. Organizations may issue a check to the winner at the time of the game, or may send a check to the declared winner by US Postal Service certified mail, return receipt requested.
(6) The declared winner of a remote caller bingo game shall provide his or her identifying information and mailing address to the onsite manager of the remote caller bingo game.
(7) Prize money exceeding state and federal exemption limits shall be subject to income tax reporting and withholding and shall be forwarded, within ten business days, to the appropriate state or federal agency on behalf of the winner.
(f) The following standards related to players shall be in place for each remote caller bingo game.
(1) No persons under the age of 18 shall be allowed to participate.
(2) No more than 750 players per site may participate in a game, unless the Governor of California or the President of the United States declares a state of emergency in response to a natural disaster and the net proceeds of the games are donated to or expended exclusively for the relief of the victims of the disaster, in which case the organization must advise the Commission in writing at least ten days prior to conducting the game.
(3) No person shall be allowed to participate unless the person is physically present at the time and place where the remote caller bingo game is being conducted.
(4) A player shall not use a card-minding device unless the device is both portable and hand-held.
(g) The following standards related to game play shall be in place for each remote caller bingo game.
(1) Electronics or video displays shall not be used in connection with the game of bingo, except in connection with the caller's drawing of numbers or symbols and the public display of that drawing, or Commission-approved card-minding devices.
(2) The drawing of each ball bearing a number or symbol shall be visible to all players as the ball is drawn, including through simultaneous live video feed at remote locations.
(3) Any game interrupted by a transmission failure, electrical outage, or act of God shall be considered void in the location that was affected. A refund for a canceled game or games shall be provided to the purchasers.
(4) The winning cards shall not be known prior to the game by any person participating in the playing or operation of the bingo game.
(5) All preprinted cards shall bear the legend, "For sale or use only in a bingo game authorized under California law and pursuant to local ordinance."
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