Chapter 5.20 BINGO

Pursuant to the authority provided in Section 19(c) of Article IV of the California State Constitution and Section 526.5 of the Penal Code, the City of Rio Dell establishes the following requirements for the conduct of bingo games by nonprofit charitable organizations in the City of Rio Dell. [Ord. 126 § 1, 1977.]

5.20.020 Bingo defined.

As used in this chapter, “bingo” means a game of chance in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card which conforms to numbers or symbols selected at random. [Ord. 126 § 2, 1977.]

5.20.030 Organizations permitted to conduct bingo.

No person, organization or other legal entity shall be permitted to conduct bingo games in the City of Rio Dell unless such persons, organizations or other legal entities possess a valid certificate or letter from the Franchise Tax Board and the Internal Revenue Service stating that they are exempted from the payment of the bank and corporation tax by Section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code and that a contribution or gift to them would be a charitable contribution under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and possess a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 126 § 3, 1977.]

5.20.040 Minors.

No minors shall be allowed to participate in any bingo game. [Ord. 126 § 4, 1977.]

5.20.050 Open to the public.

All bingo games shall be open to the public, not just to the members of the nonprofit charitable organization. [Ord. 126 § 5, 1977.]

5.20.060 Staffing and operation.

A bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members of the nonprofit charitable organization which organized it. Only an organization authorized to conduct a bingo game by permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall operate such game, or engage in the promotion, supervision or any other phase of such fame. [Ord. 126 § 6, 1977.]

5.20.070 No profit, wage or salary.

No person or agent of such person shall receive a profit, wage, salary or other income from any bingo game authorized by this chapter, except as a bona fide prize received as a participant in such bingo game. [Ord. 126 § 7, 1977.]

5.20.080 Where bingo may be conducted.

A nonprofit, charitable organization shall conduct a bingo game only on property owned or leased by it, and which property is used by such organization solely for an office or for performance of the purposes for which the organization is organized. [Ord. 126 § 8, 1977.]

5.20.090 Bingo equipment.

All equipment used in the operation of bingo games shall be owned by the organization authorized by permit and license to conduct such bingo games. [Ord. 126 § 9, 1977.]

5.20.100 Financial interest.

No individual corporation, partnership, or other legal entity except the organization authorized by permit to conduct a bingo game shall hold a financial interest in the conduct of such bingo game. [Ord. 126 § 10, 1977.]

5.20.110 Separate fund.

All profits derived from a bingo game shall be kept in a special fund or account and shall not be commingled with any other fund or account. [Ord. 126 § 11, 1977.]

5.20.120 Records.

Each organization conducting a bingo game shall maintain detailed records of all profits, expenditures, prizes and other expenses associated with the operation of bingo games. Said records shall be retained for such period of time as required by State and Federal law and for a period of three years for purposes of this chapter. [Ord. 126 § 12, 1977.]

5.20.130 Total value of prizes.

The total value of prizes awarded during the conduct of any bingo games shall not exceed $250.00 in cash or kind, or both, for each separate game which is held. [Ord. 126 § 13, 1977.]

5.20.140 Physical presence at bingo game required.

No person shall be allowed to participate in a bingo game unless such person is physically present at the time and place at which the bingo game is being conducted. [Ord. 126 § 14, 1977.]

5.20.150 Hours of operation.

All bingo games shall be conducted only during the hours of noon to midnight. [Ord. 126 § 15, 1977.]

5.20.160 Violations – Penalties.

(1) Any person who violates RDMC 5.20.040 through 5.20.060, 5.20.080 through 5.20.140, 5.20.180 or 5.20.190 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25.00 and not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) A violation of RDMC 5.20.070 shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, which fine shall be deposited in the City general fund. [Ord. 126 § 16, 1977.]

5.20.170 Authority to inspect premises and records.

(1) The Chief of Police shall have the authority to inspect the premises in order to ensure that the operation of bingo games at the premises does not constitute a violation of any State or Federal law or provision of this chapter.

(2) The Chief of Police may inspect the records and special bank accounts containing profits derived from bingo games of any organization conducting bingo games whenever deemed reasonable and appropriate to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 126 § 17, 1977.]

5.20.180 Permit required.

No person or organization shall conduct a bingo game without first obtaining a permit from the City Council to do so. [Ord. 126 § 18, 1977.]

5.20.190 Application for permit required.

Written application for a permit required by this chapter shall be made by affidavit under penalty of perjury and filed with the City Clerk. Such application shall contain:

(1) Name of organization; names, signatures and addresses of all the officers of the organization.

(2) Days and hours of operation of bingo games.

(3) Attached copies of certificates or letters evidencing exempt status under Section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, received from the Franchise Tax Board and the Internal Revenue Service.

(4) Address of premises where bingo games will be conducted.

(5) Statement of ownership or lease of premises.

(6) Purposes for which such premises are used by the organization.

(7) Statement of ownership of bingo equipment used in the operation of bingo games.

(8) Statement of consent for Chief of Police to inspect any bank accounts containing profits derived from bingo games.

(9) Name of each individual, corporation, partnership or other legal entity which has a financial interest in the conduct of bingo games.

(10) Name of person responsible for the operation of the bingo games.

(11) Such further information as may be required by the City Council. [Ord. 126 § 19, 1977.]

5.20.200 Notice and hearing by City Council.

The City Clerk shall set the time and place for public hearing on each application for a bingo permit and shall mail notice thereof to the applicant and to any other person who has filed a written request for such notice. [Ord. 126 § 20, 1977.]

5.20.210 Final action by the City Council.

(1) At the time and place set for public hearing on the application for a bingo permit, the City Council shall consider the records, papers, files and any other evidence it deems relevant and shall render its decision either granting or denying the permit.

(2) If the permit is approved, the City Council may include such restrictions and conditions in the permit as the Council deems reasonable and necessary under the circumstances to ensure compliance with the purposes and intent of this chapter. [Ord. 126 § 21, 1977.]

5.20.220 Denial of permit.

The City Council may refuse to issue a permit if, after consideration of the application and any other papers, records and files it deems relevant, it is determined that the operation of a bingo game would be injurious to the health, safety and morals of the people of the City, or that the permit application or proposed mode of operation of the bingo game is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 126 § 22, 1977.]

5.20.230 Permits and licenses nontransferable.

Permits granted under this chapter shall not be transferable, either as to the permittee or the location. Any attempt to transfer shall render the permit in question invalid. [Ord. 126 § 23, 1977.]

5.20.240 Revocation or suspension of permit authorized.

Any permit issued under this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the City Council on its own motion or an application of the Chief of Police for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or any provisions of Federal or State law. [Ord. 126 § 24, 1977.]

5.20.250 Notice of hearing on revocation or suspension.

The holder of a bingo permit shall be given prompt notice of revocation or suspension of said permit and shall immediately desist from conducting or operating any bingo game. Said notice shall fix a time and place, not less than five nor more than 60 days after service thereof, at which time the holder of said permit may appear before the City Council and be granted a hearing upon the merits of said suspension or revocation. [Ord. 126 § 25, 1977.]