SB477 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Priscilla Dunn

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Jefferson Co., bingo, authorized for certain charitable or educational purposes, regulation by sheriff, penalties, Amendment 386 (Section 2, Jefferson County, Local Amendments, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), repealed, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would put a Jefferson County local constitutional amendment to a vote to allow nonprofit groups to operate bingo for charitable or educational purposes, repealing the current local bingo amendment.

What This Bill Does

If approved, Jefferson County could permit bingo games run by nonprofit organizations for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes. The sheriff would regulate licensing, operation, and various rules (including age limits, venue requirements, and restrictions on advertising and contracts), and there would be a $10,000 per-session prize cap. Violations would be Class A misdemeanors, and the bill would repeal Amendment 386 (the existing local bingo amendment).

Who It Affects

• Nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County that want to run bingo games; they would need to obtain licenses, operate on their own premises, follow specific rules, and comply with advertising, equipment, and prize restrictions.
• Residents aged 19 and older who participate in bingo games in Jefferson County; they would be subject to the age restrictions and the regulated operating rules for bingo.

Key Provisions

• Repeals Amendment No. 386 to the Alabama Constitution (the current Jefferson County bingo provision).
• Authorizes a local constitutional amendment in Jefferson County allowing nonprofit organizations to operate bingo games for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes.
• Sheriff of Jefferson County would promulgate licensing and operating rules for bingo and enforce compliance with these rules.
• Age restrictions: no one under 19 may play or assist in operating bingo.
• Bingo must be conducted on premises owned or leased by the nonprofit organization and specified in its application.
• Nonprofit organizations may not contract with individuals or firms to operate bingo, pay consulting fees, or let others operate on their behalf.
• Nonprofit organizations cannot use another group’s name or identity to promote a bingo game they do not directly operate.
• Equipment must be clearly marked with the nonprofit’s name and no equipment may be used that bears another nonprofit’s name.
• Prizes are limited to $10,000 per bingo session.
• Advertising bingo is restricted to what the sheriff allows, and if allowed, proceeds must be used for the organization’s stated charitable or educational purposes.
• Bingo license must be displayed conspicuously at the location of the game.
• The sheriff may set the days and hours of operation for bingo.
• Violations of these provisions are Class A misdemeanors.

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