SB475 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Priscilla Dunn

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Bessemer, bingo, authorized for certain charitable or educational purposes, penalties, const. amend.

Summary

A local Alabama constitutional amendment to allow nonprofit groups to operate bingo in the City of Bessemer under strict rules for charitable and educational purposes.

What This Bill Does

The bill would let the City of Bessemer approve bingo operated by nonprofit organizations for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes. It sets licensing, regulation, and enforcement requirements by the city council and police, imposes age and location restrictions, caps prizes, and imposes advertising and labeling rules. It also specifies penalties for violations and provides for a local election to decide whether the amendment should be adopted.

Who It Affects

• Nonprofit organizations in Bessemer that would be allowed to operate bingo games under a city-approved license and accompanying rules.
• Residents and potential players in Bessemer (age 19 and over) who may participate in bingo under designated locations, prize limits, and advertising restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Defines bingo, equipment, and nonprofit organization terms for the purposes of the amendment.
• Allows bingo to be operated by a nonprofit organization in the City of Bessemer; the Bessemer City Council will create licensing, permitting, and operation rules, with enforcement by the police chief.
• Imposes age restrictions: no one under 19 may play or participate in operating bingo.
• Bingo must be conducted on premises owned or leased by the nonprofit organization and specified in its application.
• Nonprofits may not contract with outside parties to operate bingo, pay consulting fees, or lend their name to third parties for bingo activities.
• Equipment labeling requirements prevent use of other organizations’ equipment and require clear identification of the nonprofit’s name.
• Prizes are capped at $10,000 per bingo session, in cash or equivalent value.
• Advertising of bingo is restricted to rules set by the city council, with, if allowed, a requirement to state how net proceeds will be used.
• The nonprofit must display its bingo license conspicuously at the location of the game.
• The city council will determine the days and hours of bingo operation.
• Violations would be Class A misdemeanors under general law.
• Section 2 outlines a local election to approve the amendment, with the description to appear on ballots.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County