HB446 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Bingo, Jefferson Co., legalizing certain operations of electronic bingo for prizes or money for charitable or educational purposes, const, amend.

Summary

HB 446 would amend the Alabama Constitution to legalize electronic bingo for charitable or educational purposes in Jefferson County and its municipalities, with local licensing and devices operated by Native American tribes under federal gaming rules.

What This Bill Does

It creates a constitutional framework to allow electronic bingo in Jefferson County and its municipalities and lets local governments license and regulate it. It requires devices to be those authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama. It sets age restrictions (no players under 18; no operators under 19) and establishes rules for nonprofit eligibility, where bingo can be conducted, and how prizes are set. It also outlines licensing, contracting, advertising, penalties for violations, and how the amendment would be implemented and voted on.

Who It Affects

• Nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County that want to operate electronic bingo (they must have existed for at least two years to qualify for a license).
• Residents and visitors of Jefferson County who may participate in bingo games (participants must be at least 18).
• Native American tribes in Alabama that would operate eligible bingo devices under federal rules.
• Jefferson County and the county municipalities' governments (county commission and city councils) who would license and regulate bingo operations.
• People or entities involved in bingo operations (e.g., contract operators) who must follow licensing, leasing, and advertising restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Legalizes electronic bingo for prizes or money by nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County and its municipalities for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes.
• Authorizes the county commission and city councils to license and regulate bingo games and to enforce rules.
• Bingo devices must be those authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama.
• Imposes age restrictions: no one under 18 may play, and no one under 19 may operate or assist in operating a bingo game.
• Nonprofit license eligibility requires at least two years of existence prior to licensing.
• Bingo must operate on premises owned or leased by the nonprofit; leases cannot be based on a percentage of receipts unless allowed by regulations.
• Nonprofit organizations may contract with individuals or firms to operate bingo, but cannot pay consulting fees related to bingo operations.
• Nonprofits cannot lend their name or allow others to use their identity for bingo operations they do not directly operate.
• Prizes cannot exceed regulated cash amounts or gifts of equivalent value.
• Violations are Class C misdemeanors on first offense and Class A misdemeanors for subsequent offenses; local implementation through resolutions or ordinances is allowed.
• Ballot language and election process are specified to approve the constitutional amendment.

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