SB41 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

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

A constitutional amendment would legalize electronic bingo for charitable or educational purposes in the Town of White Hall and Lowndes County, using games approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It would authorize the Town of White Hall to regulate and license electronic bingo for nonprofit organizations. Bingo machines must be those approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama. It also sets age restrictions and licensing rules for nonprofits, including existence, premises, contractual arrangements, and prize limits, with 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, subject to licensing and regulatory rules.
• Residents and visitors who participate in electronic bingo in White Hall and Lowndes County, particularly those aged 18 and over (no one under 18 may play).

Key Provisions

• Legalizes operation of bingo games, including electronic bingo, for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes in White Hall and Lowndes County, under town council rules.
• Bingo may be played on machines/devices authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama.
• Age restrictions: no one under 18 may play; no one under 19 may conduct or assist in operating a bingo game.
• Nonprofits must have existed for at least two years before receiving a bingo license; bingo must be operated on premises owned or leased by the nonprofit, with lease terms not based on a percentage of receipts unless allowed by rules.
• Nonprofit organizations may contract with individuals or firms to operate bingo, but cannot pay consulting fees for bingo services; nonprofits cannot have their name used by others in operation or advertising unless they directly and solely operate the bingo.
• Prizes must not exceed regulated cash amounts or gifts of equivalent value set by regulations.
• Violations carry a Class C misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.

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