Bingo shall be legal in the Town of Voluntown in accordance with the Connecticut State Statutes governing such games, including without limitation C.G.S. § 7-169 et seq., as the same may be amended from time to time. In accordance with Public Act 17-231, effective January 1, 2018, the Town will be responsible for the permitting and enforcement of all bingo games. In addition, the Town will be responsible for receiving and monitoring the post-event reporting by the organization.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Voluntown 3-3-2020. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Bingo registrations may be issued to qualifying nonprofit organizations by the First Selectman. Registration forms are available on the Town's website or at the Selectmen's office. The registration form, proof of nonprofit status and fees shall be submitted to the Selectmen's office. Qualified entities may apply for any of the following bingo permits:
B.
Individual operators are required to submit a PIN operator registration form with the Selectmen's office prior to operating a bingo. All PIN operator registrations previously approved by the State of Connecticut remain in effect. Individual operators must provide state documentation to the Selectmen's office for recording.
A.
Class A, Class B and Class C permits shall be as defined in C.G.S. § 7-169 et seq. Bingo registration forms shall be accompanied by the fee as outlined in the table below:
[Amended 9-14-2021]
Registration Class | Permit Fee |
|---|---|
Class A | $75 |
Class B | $10 per day |
Class C | $50 |
B.
Payment shall be made payable to the "Town of Voluntown" and submitted with the registration forms to the Selectmen's office.
A.
For Class A and Class C permits, a financial return shall be filed with the Town by the organization at the end of each quarter. Financial returns are due by the last day of the month following the close of the quarter (i.e., April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31). Financial returns must include payment of the 5% of the net profit for each bingo event. Payment shall be made payable to the "Town of Voluntown". Financial returns must be submitted to the Selectmen's office on or before the due date.
B.
For Class B permits, a financial return shall be filed with the Town by the organization at the completion of the bingo event. The financial return must be submitted within 10 days and provide the pertinent event information, including the gross receipts, prizes awarded and net profit. Financial returns must include payment of 5% of the net profit for the bingo event. Payment shall be made payable to the "Town of Voluntown". Financial returns must be submitted to the Selectmen's office on or before the due date.
The First Selectman shall have the authority to investigate potential violations of this chapter and the applicable state statutes and, in his or her discretion, to protect the public welfare, may immediately suspend or revoke any permit issued under this chapter and order that the person holding such permit cease and desist from the actions constituting any such violation. Any person aggrieved by such order shall have the right to appeal such decision as provided by state statute. In the event the First Selectman revokes a permit issued pursuant to this chapter, no bingo permit shall be issued to such permittee for a period of one year after the date of such revocation.
No holder of a permit under this chapter, by itself or by its agents or servants, shall permit any person under 18 years of age, unless accompanied by his or her parents or guardians, to enter or be in any hall, room or place in which such permit holder is operating or promoting bingo games. No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted to assist in the conduct, management or promotion of such games.
[Amended 9-14-2021]
Failure of any organization to file the required permit application, PIN registration or financial return shall be a violation of this chapter. Any organization violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined as determined by the Board of Selectmen on an as-needed basis, not to exceed the statutory maximum, and subject to revocation of its permit or PIN.