As used in this chapter, "bingo" shall mean a game of chance
in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or
symbols on a card, which numbers or symbols conform to numbers or
symbols selected at random.
(Part 1, Ord. 531, eff. October 28, 1976, as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 800, eff. August 8, 2008)
Bingo games may be conducted in the City only by organizations
exempted from the payment of bank and corporation taxes by Sections
23701(a), 23701(b), 23701(d), 23701(e), 23701(f), 23701(g), and 23701(1)
of the
Revenue and Taxation Code of the State and by mobile home park
associations and senior citizens organizations provided the proceeds
of such games are used only for charitable purposes.
(Part 1, Ord. 531, eff. October 28, 1976, as amended by Part 1, Ord. 559, eff. June 22, 1978, as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 800, eff. August 8, 2008)
Each qualified organization desiring to conduct bingo games
shall first obtain from the City a license authorizing such organization
to conduct bingo games. The application for such license shall be
executed under penalty of perjury by two officers of the organization
and shall include a statement that the applicant is a qualified organization
in good standing, the names of all officers and directors or trustees
of the organization, the location of the property owned or leased
by the organization to be used for bingo games, and the proposed days
and hours each week when such games will be conducted. The license
shall be approved for issuance by the Council on an annual basis or
such lesser period as the Council deems appropriate. The Council may
impose a license fee not to exceed the actual cost of issuing such
license.
(Part 1, Ord. 531, eff. October 28, 1976, as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 800, eff. August 8, 2008)
Qualified organizations conducting bingo games shall observe
the following regulations:
(a) No
person shall receive a profit, wage, or salary from any bingo game.
(b) No
minor shall be allowed to participate in any bingo game.
(c) 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 for an office or for the performance of the purposes
for which the organization is organized.
(d) All
bingo games shall be open to the public, not just to the members of
the nonprofit charitable organization.
(e) A
bingo game shall be operated and staffed only by members of the nonprofit
charitable organization which organized the bingo game. 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 such game.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) The
total value of prizes awarded during the conduct of any bingo game
shall not exceed $250 in cash or kind, or both, for each separate
game which is held.
(Part 1, Ord. 531, eff. October 28, 1976, as amended by Part 1, Ord. 533, eff. November 25, 1976, as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 800, eff. August 8, 2008)
Any bingo game conducted in violation of any provision of this
chapter shall be a public nuisance and may be enjoined or abated by
the City in addition to any other remedies or penalties available
for such violations.
(Part 1, Ord. 531, eff. October 28, 1976, as renumbered by § 2, Ord. 800, eff. August 8, 2008)