This chapter is enacted pursuant to Article IV, Section 19 of the California Constitution.
(Ord. 851 § 1)
(a) 
Each organization seeking a license to conduct bingo games shall file with the police chief an application and license fee of twenty-five dollars. In the event an application for license is denied, one-half of the license fee paid shall be refunded to the organization. Except as provided in this section, the license shall be nonrefundable.
(b) 
The application shall be filed at least five working days prior to the initial game and shall include:
(1) 
The name and address of the organization which is seeking to conduct the game.
(2) 
The name and address of the organization for whose benefit the game is conducted.
(3) 
The names and addresses of the officers of the organization or organizations, set forth pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(4) 
The building or location where the game will be conducted.
(5) 
The days or dates and hours during which the game will be conducted.
(6) 
Such other information as the police chief deems relevant to the enforcement of this chapter.
(Ord. 851 § 4; Ord. 1110 § 1)
The chief of police, fire chief and building official shall investigate the applicants and locations of the proposed games to determine if the applicants meet the requirements of this chapter and to determine if the locations and times of the games comport with the public health, safety, welfare and morals.
(Ord. 851 § 5)
Upon finding that the applicant meets the qualifications of this chapter, and that the location and times of the proposed games comport with the public health, safety, welfare and morals, the police chief shall issue a license to the organization setting the location, times and other conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety, welfare and morals in the conduct of the game.
(Ord. 851 § 6; Ord. 1110 § 1)
(a) 
The chief of police may revoke or temporarily suspend any license issued under this chapter if one of the following occurs:
(1) 
The licensee is in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Penal Code of the State of California, or any other applicable federal, state or local law, rule or regulation; or
(2) 
The chief of police finds that by reason of criminal activity occurring on the premises where the bingo game is being conducted, or by virtue of acts by the patrons of the bingo game, that the public is subject to the immediate risk of harm or criminal or deceitful practices.
(b) 
Revocation and temporary suspension—Notice of suspension/revocation. The revocation or temporary suspension of the license shall be effective twenty-four hours following delivery of a notice of suspension/revocation to the licensee. Notice may be delivered personally or by mail to the licensee or, if the licensee is unavailable, to the person in charge of the bingo game.
(c) 
Appeal. Any aggrieved person wishing to appeal the decision of the police chief may do so by filing a written notice of appeal with the city clerk within ten calendar days of the date of decision. Upon failure to file such notice within the ten-day period, the action of the police chief shall be final. Upon receipt of a timely filed appeal, the city manager may hire or appoint a hearing officer or may serve as the hearing officer. The hearing officer shall schedule, notice, and hold a hearing on the appeal. If the city manager hired or appointed a hearing officer, then following the hearing and after reviewing the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a recommendation to the city manager regarding the propriety of the police chief's determination. Based upon a review of the hearing transcript (if available) and the evidence, the city manager shall accept, amend and accept, or reject the hearing officer's recommendation. Such action shall constitute the city manager's determination of the appeal, which determination shall be final.
(Ord. 851 § 7; Ord. 2390 § 15, 2012)
No person under eighteen years of age shall be allowed to participate in any bingo game.
(Ord. 851 § 9)
A licensed organization shall conduct a bingo game only on property owned or leased by it, and which property is used by such organization for an office or for performance of the purposes for which the organization is organized.
(Ord. 851 § 10; Ord. 1110 § 1)
All bingo games shall be open to the public and not just to the members of the licensed organization.
(Ord. 851 § 11; Ord. 1110 § 1)
A bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members of the licensed organization which organized it. Such members shall not receive a profit, wage or salary from any bingo game. Only the organization authorized to conduct a bingo game shall operate such game or participate in the promotion, supervision or any other phase of the game.
(Ord. 851 § 12; Ord. 1110 § 1)
No individual, corporation, partnership or other legal entity, except the organization authorized to conduct a bingo game, shall hold a financial interest in the conduct of such bingo game.
(Ord. 851 § 13)
With respect to organizations exempt from payment of the bank and corporation tax by Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all profits derived from the bingo game shall be kept in a special fund or account and shall not be commingled with any other fund or account. Such profit shall be used only for charitable purposes. With respect to other organizations authorized to conduct bingo games pursuant to this chapter, all proceeds 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. Such proceeds shall be used only for charitable purposes, except as follows:
(a) 
Such proceeds may be used for prizes.
(b) 
A portion of such proceeds, not to exceed ten percent of the proceeds before the deduction for prizes, or five hundred dollars per month, whichever is less, may be used for rental of property, overhead, including the purchase of bingo equipment, and administrative expenses.
(c) 
Such proceeds may be used to pay license fees.
(Ord. 851 § 14; Ord. 1110 § 1)
No person shall be allowed to participate in a bingo game unless the person is physically present at the time and place in which the bingo game is being conducted.
(Ord. 851 § 15)
The total value of prizes awarded during the conduct of any bingo game shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars in cash or kind or both for each separate game which is held.
(Ord. 851 § 16)
Licensees shall keep and maintain full, complete and accurate records and accounts and shall include in such accounts the amount of money obtained from players, the amount of money or type and value of prizes given for each game played and the disposition of all funds generated by the conduct of bingo games. The city shall have the right to inspect such records at any reasonable time.
(Ord. 851 § 17)