SB398 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Bingo, White Hall and Lowndes Co., legalizing certain operations of electronic bingo for prizes or money for charitable or educational purposes, const, amend.

Summary

SB398 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to legalize electronic bingo for charitable or educational purposes in White Hall and Lowndes County, to be run by nonprofits and operated on devices approved for Indian gaming.

What This Bill Does

It would authorize the Town of White Hall to license and regulate electronic bingo for prizes or money, using devices approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama. It sets age limits (no players under 18; no operators under 19), requires nonprofits to have existed for at least two years to obtain a license, and restricts how premises, contracts, and advertising are handled, including prize limits and penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Nonprofit organizations in White Hall and Lowndes County that want to operate electronic bingo for charitable or educational purposes; they would need to obtain a license, follow town rules, and meet conditions on premises, operations, and finances.
• Native American tribes in Alabama that would operate the electronic bingo devices used in White Hall and Lowndes County, since the devices must be authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission and operated by tribes.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Legalizes and regulates electronic bingo in White Hall and Lowndes County, allowing nonprofit groups to operate and license games, with machines/devices authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama, subject to town ordinances.
• Provision 2: Establishes operating safeguards and penalties, including age restrictions (no players under 18, no operators under 19), licensing requirements (nonprofits must exist at least two years), premises and contractual rules, prize limits, prohibition on improper use of nonprofit names, and misdemeanor penalties for violations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments