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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 2915 | Gambling

 
 
 
Section
Section 2915.01 | Gambling definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Bookmaking" means the business of receiving or paying off bets.

(B) "Bet" means the hazarding of anything of value upon the result of an event, undertaking, or contingency, but does not include a bona fide business risk.

(C) "Scheme of chance" means a slot machine unless authorized under Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code, lottery unless authorized under Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code, numbers game, pool conducted for profit, or other scheme in which a participant gives a valuable consideration for a chance to win a prize, but does not include bingo, a skill-based amusement machine, or a pool not conducted for profit. "Scheme of chance" includes the use of an electronic device to reveal the results of a game entry if valuable consideration is paid, directly or indirectly, for a chance to win a prize. Valuable consideration is deemed to be paid for a chance to win a prize in the following instances:

(1) Less than fifty per cent of the goods or services sold by a scheme of chance operator in exchange for game entries are used or redeemed by participants at any one location;

(2) Less than fifty per cent of participants who purchase goods or services at any one location do not accept, use, or redeem the goods or services sold or purportedly sold;

(3) More than fifty per cent of prizes at any one location are revealed to participants through an electronic device simulating a game of chance or a "casino game" as defined in section 3772.01 of the Revised Code;

(4) The good or service sold by a scheme of chance operator in exchange for a game entry cannot be used or redeemed in the manner advertised;

(5) A participant pays more than fair market value for goods or services offered by a scheme of chance operator in order to receive one or more game entries;

(6) A participant may use the electronic device to purchase additional game entries;

(7) A participant may purchase additional game entries by using points or credits won as prizes while using the electronic device;

(8) A scheme of chance operator pays out in prize money more than twenty per cent of the gross revenue received at one location; or

(9) A participant makes a purchase or exchange in order to obtain any good or service that may be used to facilitate play on the electronic device.

As used in this division, "electronic device" means a mechanical, video, digital, or electronic machine or device that is capable of displaying information on a screen or other mechanism and that is owned, leased, or otherwise possessed by any person conducting a scheme of chance, or by that person's partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, or contractors. "Electronic device" does not include an electronic instant bingo system.

(D) "Game of chance" means poker, craps, roulette, or other game in which a player gives anything of value in the hope of gain, the outcome of which is determined largely by chance, but does not include bingo.

(E) "Game of chance conducted for profit" means any game of chance designed to produce income for the person who conducts or operates the game of chance, but does not include bingo.

(F) "Gambling device" means any of the following:

(1) A book, totalizer, or other equipment for recording bets;

(2) A ticket, token, or other device representing a chance, share, or interest in a scheme of chance or evidencing a bet;

(3) A deck of cards, dice, gaming table, roulette wheel, slot machine, or other apparatus designed for use in connection with a game of chance;

(4) Any equipment, device, apparatus, or paraphernalia specially designed for gambling purposes;

(5) Bingo supplies sold or otherwise provided, or used, in violation of this chapter.

(G) "Gambling offense" means any of the following:

(1) A violation of this chapter;

(2) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States substantially equivalent to any provision of this chapter or a violation of section 2915.06 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996;

(3) An offense under an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States, of which gambling is an element;

(4) A conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in committing, any offense under division (G)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(H) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, "charitable organization" means either of the following:

(1) An organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) A volunteer rescue service organization, volunteer firefighter's organization, veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(c)(4), (c)(7), (c)(8), (c)(10), or (c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.

To qualify as a "charitable organization," an organization shall have been in continuous existence as such in this state for a period of two years immediately preceding either the making of an application for a bingo license under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code or the conducting of any game of chance as provided in division (D) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Religious organization" means any church, body of communicants, or group that is not organized or operated for profit and that gathers in common membership for regular worship and religious observances.

(J) "Veteran's organization" means any individual post or state headquarters of a national veteran's association or an auxiliary unit of any individual post of a national veteran's association, which post, state headquarters, or auxiliary unit is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation and either has received a letter from the state headquarters of the national veteran's association indicating that the individual post or auxiliary unit is in good standing with the national veteran's association or has received a letter from the national veteran's association indicating that the state headquarters is in good standing with the national veteran's association. As used in this division, "national veteran's association" means any veteran's association that has been in continuous existence as such for a period of at least five years and either is incorporated by an act of the United States congress or has a national dues-paying membership of at least five thousand persons.

(K) "Volunteer firefighter's organization" means any organization of volunteer firefighters, as defined in section 146.01 of the Revised Code, that is organized and operated exclusively to provide financial support for a volunteer fire department or a volunteer fire company and that is recognized or ratified by a county, municipal corporation, or township.

(L) "Fraternal organization" means any society, order, state headquarters, or association within this state, except a college or high school fraternity, that is not organized for profit, that is a branch, lodge, or chapter of a national or state organization, that exists exclusively for the common business or sodality of its members.

(M) "Volunteer rescue service organization" means any organization of volunteers organized to function as an emergency medical service organization, as defined in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Charitable bingo game" means any bingo game described in division (O)(1) or (2) of this section that is conducted by a charitable organization that has obtained a license pursuant to section 2915.08 of the Revised Code and the proceeds of which are used for a charitable purpose.

(O) "Bingo" means either of the following:

(1) A game with all of the following characteristics:

(a) The participants use bingo cards or sheets, including paper formats and electronic representation or image formats, that are divided into twenty-five spaces arranged in five horizontal and five vertical rows of spaces, with each space, except the central space, being designated by a combination of a letter and a number and with the central space being designated as a free space.

(b) The participants cover the spaces on the bingo cards or sheets that correspond to combinations of letters and numbers that are announced by a bingo game operator.

(c) A bingo game operator announces combinations of letters and numbers that appear on objects that a bingo game operator selects by chance, either manually or mechanically, from a receptacle that contains seventy-five objects at the beginning of each game, each object marked by a different combination of a letter and a number that corresponds to one of the seventy-five possible combinations of a letter and a number that can appear on the bingo cards or sheets.

(d) The winner of the bingo game includes any participant who properly announces during the interval between the announcements of letters and numbers as described in division (O)(1)(c) of this section, that a predetermined and preannounced pattern of spaces has been covered on a bingo card or sheet being used by the participant.

(2) Instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, and raffles.

(P) "Conduct" means to back, promote, organize, manage, carry on, sponsor, or prepare for the operation of bingo or a game of chance, a scheme of chance, or a sweepstakes.

(Q) "Bingo game operator" means any person, except security personnel, who performs work or labor at the site of bingo, including, but not limited to, collecting money from participants, handing out bingo cards or sheets or objects to cover spaces on bingo cards or sheets, selecting from a receptacle the objects that contain the combination of letters and numbers that appear on bingo cards or sheets, calling out the combinations of letters and numbers, distributing prizes, selling or redeeming instant bingo tickets or cards, selling or redeeming electronic instant bingo tickets, credits, or vouchers, accessing an electronic instant bingo system other than as a participant, supervising the operation of a punch board, selling raffle tickets, selecting raffle tickets from a receptacle and announcing the winning numbers in a raffle, and preparing, selling, and serving food or beverages. "Bingo game operator" does not include a person who is installing, maintaining, updating, or repairing an electronic instant bingo system.

(R) "Participant" means any person who plays bingo.

(S) "Bingo session" means a period that includes both of the following:

(1) Not to exceed five continuous hours for the conduct of one or more games described in division (O)(1) of this section, instant bingo, and electronic instant bingo;

(2) A period for the conduct of instant bingo and electronic instant bingo for not more than two hours before and not more than two hours after the period described in division (S)(1) of this section.

(T) "Gross receipts" means all money or assets, including admission fees, that a person receives from bingo without the deduction of any amounts for prizes paid out or for the expenses of conducting bingo. "Gross receipts" does not include any money directly taken in from the sale of food or beverages by a charitable organization conducting bingo, or by a bona fide auxiliary unit or society of a charitable organization conducting bingo, provided all of the following apply:

(1) The auxiliary unit or society has been in existence as a bona fide auxiliary unit or society of the charitable organization for at least two years prior to conducting bingo.

(2) The person who purchases the food or beverage receives nothing of value except the food or beverage and items customarily received with the purchase of that food or beverage.

(3) The food and beverages are sold at customary and reasonable prices.

(U) "Security personnel" includes any person who either is a sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal, township constable, or member of an organized police department of a municipal corporation or has successfully completed a peace officer's training course pursuant to sections 109.71 to 109.79 of the Revised Code and who is hired to provide security for the premises on which bingo is conducted.

(V) "Charitable purpose" means that the net profit of bingo, other than instant bingo or electronic instant bingo, is used by, or is given, donated, or otherwise transferred to, any of the following:

(1) Any organization that is described in subsection 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is either a governmental unit or an organization that is tax exempt under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) A veteran's organization that is a post, chapter, or organization of veterans, or an auxiliary unit or society of, or a trust or foundation for, any such post, chapter, or organization organized in the United States or any of its possessions, at least seventy-five per cent of the members of which are veterans and substantially all of the other members of which are individuals who are spouses, widows, or widowers of veterans, or such individuals, provided that no part of the net earnings of such post, chapter, or organization inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, and further provided that the net profit is used by the post, chapter, or organization for the charitable purposes set forth in division (B)(12) of section 5739.02 of the Revised Code, is used for awarding scholarships to or for attendance at an institution mentioned in division (B)(12) of section 5739.02 of the Revised Code, is donated to a governmental agency, or is used for nonprofit youth activities, the purchase of United States or Ohio flags that are donated to schools, youth groups, or other bona fide nonprofit organizations, promotion of patriotism, or disaster relief;

(3) A fraternal organization that has been in continuous existence in this state for fifteen years and that uses the net profit exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, if contributions for such use would qualify as a deductible charitable contribution under subsection 170 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(4) A volunteer firefighter's organization that uses the net profit for the purposes set forth in division (K) of this section.

(W) "Internal Revenue Code" means the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1, as now or hereafter amended.

(X) "Youth athletic organization" means any organization, not organized for profit, that is organized and operated exclusively to provide financial support to, or to operate, athletic activities for persons who are twenty-one years of age or younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or association.

(Y) "Youth athletic park organization" means any organization, not organized for profit, that satisfies both of the following:

(1) It owns, operates, and maintains playing fields that satisfy both of the following:

(a) The playing fields are used for athletic activities by one or more organizations, not organized for profit, each of which is organized and operated exclusively to provide financial support to, or to operate, athletic activities for persons who are eighteen years of age or younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or association.

(b) The playing fields are not used for any profit-making activity at any time during the year.

(2) It uses the proceeds of bingo it conducts exclusively for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of its playing fields of the type described in division (Y)(1) of this section.

(Z) "Bingo supplies" means bingo cards or sheets; instant bingo tickets or cards; electronic bingo aids; raffle tickets; punch boards; seal cards; instant bingo ticket dispensers; electronic instant bingo systems; and devices for selecting or displaying the combination of bingo letters and numbers or raffle tickets. Items that are "bingo supplies" are not gambling devices if sold or otherwise provided, and used, in accordance with this chapter. For purposes of this chapter, "bingo supplies" are not to be considered equipment used to conduct a bingo game.

(AA) "Instant bingo" means a form of bingo that shall use folded or banded tickets or paper cards with perforated break-open tabs, a face of which is covered or otherwise hidden from view to conceal a number, letter, or symbol, or set of numbers, letters, or symbols, some of which have been designated in advance as prize winners, and may also include games in which some winners are determined by the random selection of one or more bingo numbers by the use of a seal card or bingo blower. "Instant bingo" also includes a punch board game. In all "instant bingo" the prize amount and structure shall be predetermined. "Instant bingo" does not include electronic instant bingo or any device that is activated by the insertion of a coin, currency, token, or an equivalent, and that contains as one of its components a video display monitor that is capable of displaying numbers, letters, symbols, or characters in winning or losing combinations.

(BB) "Seal card" means a form of instant bingo that uses instant bingo tickets in conjunction with a board or placard that contains one or more seals that, when removed or opened, reveal predesignated winning numbers, letters, or symbols.

(CC) "Raffle" means a form of bingo in which the one or more prizes are won by one or more persons who have purchased a raffle ticket. The one or more winners of the raffle are determined by drawing a ticket stub or other detachable section from a receptacle containing ticket stubs or detachable sections corresponding to all tickets sold for the raffle. "Raffle" does not include the drawing of a ticket stub or other detachable section of a ticket purchased to attend a professional sporting event if both of the following apply:

(1) The ticket stub or other detachable section is used to select the winner of a free prize given away at the professional sporting event; and

(2) The cost of the ticket is the same as the cost of a ticket to the professional sporting event on days when no free prize is given away.

(DD) "Punch board" means a form of instant bingo that uses a board containing a number of holes or receptacles of uniform size in which are placed, mechanically and randomly, serially numbered slips of paper that may be punched or drawn from the hole or receptacle. A player may punch or draw the numbered slips of paper from the holes or receptacles and obtain the prize established for the game if the number drawn corresponds to a winning number or, if the punch board includes the use of a seal card, a potential winning number.

(EE) "Gross profit" means gross receipts minus the amount actually expended for the payment of prize awards.

(FF) "Net profit" means gross profit minus expenses.

(GG) "Expenses" means the reasonable amount of gross profit actually expended for all of the following:

(1) The purchase or lease of bingo supplies;

(2) The annual license fee required under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code;

(3) Bank fees and service charges for a bingo session or game account described in section 2915.10 of the Revised Code;

(4) Audits and accounting services;

(5) Safes;

(6) Cash registers;

(7) Hiring security personnel;

(8) Advertising bingo;

(9) Renting premises in which to conduct a bingo session;

(10) Tables and chairs;

(11) Expenses for maintaining and operating a charitable organization's facilities, including, but not limited to, a post home, club house, lounge, tavern, or canteen and any grounds attached to the post home, club house, lounge, tavern, or canteen;

(12) Payment of real property taxes and assessments that are levied on a premises on which bingo is conducted;

(13) Any other product or service directly related to the conduct of bingo that is authorized in rules adopted by the attorney general under division (F)(1) of section 2915.08 of the Revised Code.

(HH) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and includes any firm or any other legal entity, however organized.

(II) "Revoke" means to void permanently all rights and privileges of the holder of a license issued under section 2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 of the Revised Code or a charitable gaming license issued by another jurisdiction.

(JJ) "Suspend" means to interrupt temporarily all rights and privileges of the holder of a license issued under section 2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 of the Revised Code or a charitable gaming license issued by another jurisdiction.

(KK) "Distributor" means any person who purchases or obtains bingo supplies and who does either of the following:

(1) Sells, offers for sale, or otherwise provides or offers to provide the bingo supplies to another person for use in this state;

(2) Modifies, converts, adds to, or removes parts from the bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale for use in this state.

(LL) "Manufacturer" means any person who assembles completed bingo supplies from raw materials, other items, or subparts or who modifies, converts, adds to, or removes parts from bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale.

(MM) "Gross annual revenues" means the annual gross receipts derived from the conduct of bingo described in division (O)(1) of this section plus the annual net profit derived from the conduct of bingo described in division (O)(2) of this section.

(NN) "Instant bingo ticket dispenser" means a mechanical device that dispenses an instant bingo ticket or card as the sole item of value dispensed and that has the following characteristics:

(1) It is activated upon the insertion of United States currency.

(2) It performs no gaming functions.

(3) It does not contain a video display monitor or generate noise.

(4) It is not capable of displaying any numbers, letters, symbols, or characters in winning or losing combinations.

(5) It does not simulate or display rolling or spinning reels.

(6) It is incapable of determining whether a dispensed bingo ticket or card is a winning or nonwinning ticket or card and requires a winning ticket or card to be paid by a bingo game operator.

(7) It may provide accounting and security features to aid in accounting for the instant bingo tickets or cards it dispenses.

(8) It is not part of an electronic network and is not interactive.

(OO)(1) "Electronic bingo aid" means an electronic device used by a participant to monitor bingo cards or sheets purchased at the time and place of a bingo session and that does all of the following:

(a) It provides a means for a participant to input numbers and letters announced by a bingo caller.

(b) It compares the numbers and letters entered by the participant to the bingo faces previously stored in the memory of the device.

(c) It identifies a winning bingo pattern.

(2) "Electronic bingo aid" does not include any device into which a coin, currency, token, or an equivalent is inserted to activate play.

(PP) "Deal" means a single game of instant bingo tickets, or a single game of electronic instant bingo tickets, all with the same serial number.

(QQ)(1) "Slot machine" means either of the following:

(a) Any mechanical, electronic, video, or digital device that is capable of accepting anything of value, directly or indirectly, from or on behalf of a player who gives the thing of value in the hope of gain;

(b) Any mechanical, electronic, video, or digital device that is capable of accepting anything of value, directly or indirectly, from or on behalf of a player to conduct bingo or a scheme or game of chance.

(2) "Slot machine" does not include a skill-based amusement machine, an instant bingo ticket dispenser, or an electronic instant bingo system.

(RR) "Net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo" means gross profit minus the ordinary, necessary, and reasonable expense expended for the purchase of bingo supplies for the purpose of conducting instant bingo or electronic instant bingo, and, in the case of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo conducted by a veteran's, fraternal, or sporting organization, minus the payment by that organization of real property taxes and assessments levied on a premises on which instant bingo or electronic instant bingo is conducted.

(SS) "Charitable instant bingo organization" means an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is a charitable organization as defined in this section. A "charitable instant bingo organization" does not include a charitable organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is created by a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization in regards to bingo conducted or assisted by a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization pursuant to section 2915.13 of the Revised Code.

(TT) "Game flare" means the board or placard, or electronic representation of a board or placard, that accompanies each deal of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo tickets and that includes the following information for the game:

(1) The name of the game;

(2) The manufacturer's name or distinctive logo;

(3) The form number;

(4) The ticket count;

(5) The prize structure, including the number of winning tickets by denomination and the respective winning symbol or number combinations for the winning tickets;

(6) The cost per play;

(7) The serial number of the game.

(UU)(1) "Skill-based amusement machine" means a mechanical, video, digital, or electronic device that rewards the player or players, if at all, only with merchandise prizes or with redeemable vouchers redeemable only for merchandise prizes, provided that with respect to rewards for playing the game all of the following apply:

(a) The wholesale value of a merchandise prize awarded as a result of the single play of a machine does not exceed ten dollars;

(b) Redeemable vouchers awarded for any single play of a machine are not redeemable for a merchandise prize with a wholesale value of more than ten dollars;

(c) Redeemable vouchers are not redeemable for a merchandise prize that has a wholesale value of more than ten dollars times the fewest number of single plays necessary to accrue the redeemable vouchers required to obtain that prize; and

(d) Any redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes are distributed at the site of the skill-based amusement machine at the time of play.

A card for the purchase of gasoline is a redeemable voucher for purposes of division (UU)(1) of this section even if the skill-based amusement machine for the play of which the card is awarded is located at a place where gasoline may not be legally distributed to the public or the card is not redeemable at the location of, or at the time of playing, the skill-based amusement machine.

(2) A device shall not be considered a skill-based amusement machine and shall be considered a slot machine if it pays cash or one or more of the following apply:

(a) The ability of a player to succeed at the game is impacted by the number or ratio of prior wins to prior losses of players playing the game.

(b) Any reward of redeemable vouchers is not based solely on the player achieving the object of the game or the player's score;

(c) The outcome of the game, or the value of the redeemable voucher or merchandise prize awarded for winning the game, can be controlled by a source other than any player playing the game.

(d) The success of any player is or may be determined by a chance event that cannot be altered by player actions.

(e) The ability of any player to succeed at the game is determined by game features not visible or known to the player.

(f) The ability of the player to succeed at the game is impacted by the exercise of a skill that no reasonable player could exercise.

(3) All of the following apply to any machine that is operated as described in division (UU)(1) of this section:

(a) As used in division (UU) of this section, "game" and "play" mean one event from the initial activation of the machine until the results of play are determined without payment of additional consideration. An individual utilizing a machine that involves a single game, play, contest, competition, or tournament may be awarded redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes based on the results of play.

(b) Advance play for a single game, play, contest, competition, or tournament participation may be purchased. The cost of the contest, competition, or tournament participation may be greater than a single noncontest, competition, or tournament play.

(c) To the extent that the machine is used in a contest, competition, or tournament, that contest, competition, or tournament has a defined starting and ending date and is open to participants in competition for scoring and ranking results toward the awarding of redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes that are stated prior to the start of the contest, competition, or tournament.

(4) For purposes of division (UU)(1) of this section, the mere presence of a device, such as a pin-setting, ball-releasing, or scoring mechanism, that does not contribute to or affect the outcome of the play of the game does not make the device a skill-based amusement machine.

(VV) "Merchandise prize" means any item of value, but shall not include any of the following:

(1) Cash, gift cards, or any equivalent thereof;

(2) Plays on games of chance, state lottery tickets, or bingo;

(3) Firearms, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages; or

(4) A redeemable voucher that is redeemable for any of the items listed in division (VV)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(WW) "Redeemable voucher" means any ticket, token, coupon, receipt, or other noncash representation of value.

(XX) "Pool not conducted for profit" means a scheme in which a participant gives a valuable consideration for a chance to win a prize and the total amount of consideration wagered is distributed to a participant or participants.

(YY) "Sporting organization" means a hunting, fishing, or trapping organization, other than a college or high school fraternity or sorority, that is not organized for profit, that is affiliated with a state or national sporting organization, including but not limited to, the league of Ohio sportsmen, and that has been in continuous existence in this state for a period of three years.

(ZZ) "Community action agency" has the same meaning as in section 122.66 of the Revised Code.

(AAA)(1) "Sweepstakes terminal device" means a mechanical, video, digital, or electronic machine or device that is owned, leased, or otherwise possessed by any person conducting a sweepstakes, or by that person's partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, or contractors, that is intended to be used by a sweepstakes participant, and that is capable of displaying information on a screen or other mechanism. A device is a sweepstakes terminal device if any of the following apply:

(a) The device uses a simulated game terminal as a representation of the prizes associated with the results of the sweepstakes entries.

(b) The device utilizes software such that the simulated game influences or determines the winning of or value of the prize.

(c) The device selects prizes from a predetermined finite pool of entries.

(d) The device utilizes a mechanism that reveals the content of a predetermined sweepstakes entry.

(e) The device predetermines the prize results and stores those results for delivery at the time the sweepstakes entry results are revealed.

(f) The device utilizes software to create a game result.

(g) The device reveals the prize incrementally, even though the device does not influence the awarding of the prize or the value of any prize awarded.

(h) The device determines and associates the prize with an entry or entries at the time the sweepstakes is entered.

(2) As used in this division and in section 2915.02 of the Revised Code:

(a) "Enter" means the act by which a person becomes eligible to receive any prize offered in a sweepstakes.

(b) "Entry" means one event from the initial activation of the sweepstakes terminal device until all the sweepstakes prize results from that activation are revealed.

(c) "Prize" means any gift, award, gratuity, good, service, credit, reward, or any other thing of value that may be transferred to a person, whether possession of the prize is actually transferred, or placed on an account or other record as evidence of the intent to transfer the prize.

(d) "Sweepstakes terminal device facility" means any location in this state where a sweepstakes terminal device is provided to a sweepstakes participant, except as provided in division (G) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code.

(BBB) "Sweepstakes" means any game, contest, advertising scheme or plan, or other promotion where consideration is not required for a person to enter to win or become eligible to receive any prize, the determination of which is based upon chance. "Sweepstakes" does not include bingo as authorized under this chapter, pari-mutuel wagering as authorized by Chapter 3769. of the Revised Code, lotteries conducted by the state lottery commission as authorized by Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code, and casino gaming as authorized by Chapter 3772. of the Revised Code.

(CCC)(1) "Electronic instant bingo" means a form of bingo that consists of an electronic or digital representation of instant bingo in which a participant wins a prize if the participant's electronic instant bingo ticket contains a combination of numbers or symbols that was designated in advance as a winning combination, and to which all of the following apply:

(a) Each deal has a predetermined, finite number of winning and losing tickets and a predetermined prize amount and deal structure, provided that there may be multiple winning combinations in each deal and multiple winning tickets.

(b) Each electronic instant bingo ticket within a deal has a unique serial number that is not regenerated.

(c) Each electronic instant bingo ticket within a deal is sold for the same price.

(d) After a participant purchases an electronic instant bingo ticket, the combination of numbers or symbols on the ticket is revealed to the participant.

(e) The reveal of numbers or symbols on the ticket may incorporate an entertainment or bonus theme, provided that the reveal does not include spinning reels that resemble a slot machine.

(f) The reveal theme, if any, does not require additional consideration or award any prize other than any predetermined prize associated with the electronic instant bingo ticket.

(2) "Electronic instant bingo" shall not include any of the following:

(a) Any game, entertainment, or bonus theme that replicates or simulates any of the following:

(i) The gambling games of keno, blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, other casino-style table games;

(ii) Horse racing;

(iii) Gambling games offered in this state on slot machines or video lottery terminals. As used in this division, "video lottery terminal" has the same meaning as in section 3770.21 of the Revised Code.

(b) Any device operated by dropping one or more coins or tokens into a slot and pulling a handle or pushing a button or touchpoint on a touchscreen to activate one to three or more rotating reels marked into horizontal segments by varying symbols, where the predetermined prize amount depends on how and how many of the symbols line up when the rotating reels come to a rest;

(c) Any device that includes a coin or token slot, tray, or hopper and the ability to dispense coins, cash, tokens, or anything of value other than a credit ticket voucher.

(DDD) "Electronic instant bingo system" means both of the following:

(1) A mechanical, electronic, digital, or video device and associated software to which all of the following apply:

(a) It is used by not more than one player at a time to play electronic instant bingo on a single screen that is physically connected to the device;

(b) It is located on the premises of the principal place of business of a veteran's or fraternal organization that holds a type II or type III bingo license to conduct electronic instant bingo at that location issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) Any associated equipment or software used to manage, monitor, or document any aspect of electronic instant bingo.

Last updated August 9, 2021 at 11:26 AM

Section 2915.02 | Gambling.
 

(A) No person shall do any of the following:

(1) Engage in bookmaking, or knowingly engage in conduct that facilitates bookmaking;

(2) Establish, promote, or operate or knowingly engage in conduct that facilitates any game of chance conducted for profit or any scheme of chance;

(3) Knowingly procure, transmit, exchange, or engage in conduct that facilitates the procurement, transmission, or exchange of information for use in establishing odds or determining winners in connection with bookmaking or with any game of chance conducted for profit or any scheme of chance;

(4) Engage in betting or in playing any scheme or game of chance as a substantial source of income or livelihood;

(5) Conduct, or participate in the conduct of, a sweepstakes with the use of a sweepstakes terminal device at a sweepstakes terminal device facility and either:

(a) Give to another person any item described in division (VV)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code as a prize for playing or participating in a sweepstakes; or

(b) Give to another person any merchandise prize, or a redeemable voucher for a merchandise prize, the wholesale value of which is in excess of ten dollars and which is awarded as a single entry for playing or participating in a sweepstakes. Redeemable vouchers shall not be redeemable for a merchandise prize that has a wholesale value of more than ten dollars.

(6) Conduct, or participate in the conduct of, a sweepstakes with the use of a sweepstakes terminal device at a sweepstakes terminal device facility without first obtaining a current annual "certificate of registration" from the attorney general as required by division (F) of this section;

(7) With purpose to violate division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of this section, acquire, possess, control, or operate any gambling device.

(B) For purposes of division (A)(1) of this section, a person facilitates bookmaking if the person in any way knowingly aids an illegal bookmaking operation, including, without limitation, placing a bet with a person engaged in or facilitating illegal bookmaking. For purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, a person facilitates a game of chance conducted for profit or a scheme of chance if the person in any way knowingly aids in the conduct or operation of any such game or scheme, including, without limitation, playing any such game or scheme.

(C) This section does not prohibit conduct in connection with gambling expressly permitted by law.

(D) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) Games of chance, if all of the following apply:

(a) The games of chance are not craps for money or roulette for money.

(b) The games of chance are conducted by a charitable organization that is, and has received from the internal revenue service a determination letter that is currently in effect, stating that the organization is, exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(c) The games of chance are conducted at festivals of the charitable organization that are conducted not more than a total of five days a calendar year, and are conducted on premises owned by the charitable organization for a period of no less than one year immediately preceding the conducting of the games of chance, on premises leased from a governmental unit, or on premises that are leased from a veteran's or fraternal organization and that have been owned by the lessor veteran's or fraternal organization for a period of no less than one year immediately preceding the conducting of the games of chance.

A charitable organization shall not lease premises from a veteran's or fraternal organization to conduct a festival described in division (D)(1)(c) of this section if the veteran's or fraternal organization already has leased the premises twelve times during the preceding year to charitable organizations for that purpose. If a charitable organization leases premises from a veteran's or fraternal organization to conduct a festival described in division (D)(1)(c) of this section, the charitable organization shall not pay a rental rate for the premises per day of the festival that exceeds the rental rate per bingo session that a charitable organization may pay under division (B)(1) of section 2915.09 of the Revised Code when it leases premises from another charitable organization to conduct bingo games.

(d) All of the money or assets received from the games of chance after deduction only of prizes paid out during the conduct of the games of chance are used by, or given, donated, or otherwise transferred to, any organization that is described in subsection 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is either a governmental unit or an organization that is tax exempt under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(e) The games of chance are not conducted during, or within ten hours of, a bingo game conducted for amusement purposes only pursuant to section 2915.12 of the Revised Code.

No person shall receive any commission, wage, salary, reward, tip, donation, gratuity, or other form of compensation, directly or indirectly, for operating or assisting in the operation of any game of chance.

(2) Any tag fishing tournament operated under a permit issued under section 1533.92 of the Revised Code, as "tag fishing tournament" is defined in section 1531.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) Bingo conducted by a charitable organization that holds a license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code.

(E) Division (D) of this section shall not be construed to authorize the sale, lease, or other temporary or permanent transfer of the right to conduct games of chance, as granted by that division, by any charitable organization that is granted that right.

(F) Any person desiring to conduct, or participate in the conduct of, a sweepstakes with the use of a sweepstakes terminal device at a sweepstakes terminal device facility shall first register with the office of the attorney general and obtain an annual certificate of registration by providing a filing fee of two hundred dollars and all information as required by rule adopted under division (H) of this section. Not later than the tenth day of each month, each sweepstakes terminal device operator shall file a sweepstakes terminal device monthly report with the attorney general and provide a filing fee of fifty dollars and all information required by rule adopted under division (H) of this section. All information provided to the attorney general under this division shall be available to law enforcement upon request.

(G) A person may apply to the attorney general, on a form prescribed by the attorney general, for a certificate of compliance that the person is not operating a sweepstakes terminal device facility. The form shall require the person to include the address of the business location where sweepstakes terminal devices will be used and to make the following certifications:

(1) That the person will not use more than two sweepstakes terminal devices at the business location;

(2) That the retail value of sweepstakes prizes to be awarded at the business location using sweepstakes terminal devices during a reporting period will be less than three per cent of the gross revenue received at the business location during the reporting period;

(3) That no other form of gaming except lottery ticket sales as authorized under Chapter 3770. of the Revised Code will be conducted at the business location or in an adjoining area of the business location;

(4) That any sweepstakes terminal device at the business location will not allow any deposit of any money, coin, or token, or the use of any credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or any other method of similar payment to be used, directly or indirectly, to participate in a sweepstakes;

(5) That notification of any prize will not take place on the same day as a participant's sweepstakes entry; and

(6) That the person consents to provide any other information to the attorney general as required by rule adopted under division (H) of this section.

The filing fee for a certificate of compliance is two hundred fifty dollars. The attorney general may charge up to an additional two hundred fifty dollars for reasonable expenses resulting from any investigation related to an application for a certificate of compliance.

A certificate of compliance is effective for one year. The certificate holder may reapply for a certificate of compliance. A person issued a certificate of compliance shall file semiannual reports with the attorney general stating the number of sweepstakes terminal devices at the business location and that the retail value of prizes awarded at the business location using sweepstakes terminal devices is less than three per cent of the gross revenue received at the business location.

(H) The attorney general shall adopt rules setting forth:

(1) The required information to be submitted by persons conducting a sweepstakes with the use of a sweepstakes terminal device at a sweepstakes terminal device facility as described in division (F) of this section; and

(2) The requirements pertaining to a certificate of compliance under division (G) of this section, which shall provide for a person to file a consolidated application and a consolidated semiannual report if a person has more than one business location.

The attorney general shall issue a certificate of registration or a certificate of compliance to all persons who have successfully satisfied the applicable requirements of this section. The attorney general shall post online a registry of all properly registered and certified sweepstakes terminal device operators.

(I) The attorney general may refuse to issue an annual certificate of registration or certificate of compliance to any person or, if one has been issued, the attorney general may revoke a certificate of registration or a certificate of compliance if the applicant has provided any information to the attorney general as part of a registration, certification, monthly report, semiannual report, or any other information that is materially false or misleading, or if the applicant or any officer, partner, or owner of five per cent or more interest in the applicant has violated any provision of this chapter.

(J) The attorney general may take any necessary and reasonable action to determine a violation of this chapter, including requesting documents and information, performing inspections of premises, or requiring the attendance of any person at an examination under oath.

(K) Whoever violates this section is guilty of gambling, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of any gambling offense, gambling is a felony of the fifth degree. Notwithstanding this division, failing to file a sweepstakes terminal device monthly report as required by division (F) of this section or the semiannual report required by division (G) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Last updated November 12, 2021 at 4:10 PM

Section 2915.03 | Operating a gambling house.
 

(A) No person, being the owner or lessee, or having custody, control, or supervision of premises, shall:

(1) Use or occupy such premises for gambling in violation of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code;

(2) Recklessly permit such premises to be used or occupied for gambling in violation of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of operating a gambling house, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a gambling offense, operating a gambling house is a felony of the fifth degree.

(C) Premises used or occupied in violation of this section constitute a nuisance subject to abatement pursuant to sections 3767.01 to 3767.99 of the Revised Code.

Section 2915.04 | Public gaming.
 

(A) No person, while at a hotel, restaurant, tavern, store, arena, hall, or other place of public accommodation, business, amusement, or resort shall make a bet or play any game of chance or scheme of chance.

(B) No person, being the owner or lessee, or having custody, control, or supervision, of a hotel, restaurant, tavern, store, arena, hall, or other place of public accommodation, business, amusement, or resort shall recklessly permit those premises to be used or occupied in violation of division (A) of this section.

(C) Divisions (A) and (B) of this section do not prohibit conduct in connection with gambling expressly permitted by law.

(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of public gaming. Except as otherwise provided in this division, public gaming is a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of any gambling offense, public gaming is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(E) Premises used or occupied in violation of division (B) of this section constitute a nuisance subject to abatement under Chapter 3767. of the Revised Code.

Section 2915.05 | Cheating - corrupting sports.
 

(A) No person, with purpose to defraud or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud, shall engage in conduct designed to corrupt the outcome of any of the following:

(1) The subject of a bet;

(2) A contest of knowledge, skill, or endurance that is not an athletic or sporting event;

(3) A scheme or game of chance;

(4) Bingo.

(B) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Offer, give, solicit, or accept anything of value to corrupt the outcome of an athletic or sporting event;

(2) Engage in conduct designed to corrupt the outcome of an athletic or sporting event.

(C)(1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of cheating. Except as otherwise provided in this division, cheating is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the potential gain from the cheating is one thousand dollars or more or if the offender previously has been convicted of any gambling offense or of any theft offense, as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, cheating is a felony of the fifth degree.

(2) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of corrupting sports. Corrupting sports is a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree on each subsequent offense.

Section 2915.06 | Skill-based amusement machine prohibited conduct.
 

(A) No person shall give to another person any item described in division (VV)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code in exchange for a noncash prize, toy, or novelty received as a reward for playing or operating a skill-based amusement machine or for a free or reduced-price game won on a skill-based amusement machine.

(B) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of skill-based amusement machine prohibited conduct. A violation of division (A) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree for each redemption of a prize that is involved in the violation. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (A) of this section, a violation of that division is a felony of the fifth degree for each redemption of a prize that is involved in the violation. The maximum fine authorized to be imposed for a felony of the fifth degree shall be imposed upon the offender.

Section 2915.061 | Regulation of skill-based amusement machines.
 

Any regulation of skill-based amusement machines shall be governed by this chapter and not by Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code.

Section 2915.07 | Conducting illegal bingo.
 

(A) No person, except a charitable organization that has obtained a license pursuant to section 2915.08 of the Revised Code, shall conduct or advertise bingo. This division does not apply to a raffle that a charitable organization conducts or advertises.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of conducting illegal bingo, a felony of the fourth degree.

Section 2915.08 | Application for license to conduct bingo, instant bingo.
 

(A)(1) Except as otherwise permitted under section 2915.092 of the Revised Code, annually before the first day of January, a charitable organization that desires to conduct bingo shall apply to the attorney general for one or more of the following types of licenses to conduct bingo, as appropriate:

(a) A type I license to conduct bingo as described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) A type II license to conduct instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, or both at a bingo session;

(c) A type III license to conduct instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, or both other than at a bingo session, in accordance with sections 2915.093 to 2915.095 or sections 2915.13 to 2915.15 of the Revised Code, as applicable.

(2) A veteran's organization or fraternal organization that is authorized under section 2915.14 of the Revised Code to conduct electronic instant bingo may be issued only one license to conduct electronic instant bingo at any one time. The organization may conduct electronic instant bingo under that license at only one location specified on the license, which shall be the organization's principal place of business.

(B) The application shall be accompanied by a license fee as follows:

(1) If the charitable organization was not licensed to conduct bingo under this chapter before July 1, 2003, a fee established by the attorney general by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code.

(2) If the charitable organization was licensed to conduct bingo under this chapter before July 1, 2003, the following applicable fee:

(a) For a type I license for a charitable organization that wishes to conduct bingo during twenty-six or more weeks in any calendar year, a license fee of two hundred dollars;

(b) For a type II or type III license for a charitable organization that previously has not been licensed under this chapter to conduct instant bingo or electronic instant bingo and that wishes to conduct bingo during twenty-six or more weeks in any calendar year, a license fee of five hundred dollars;

(c) For a type II or type III license for a charitable organization that previously has been licensed under this chapter to conduct instant bingo or electronic instant bingo and that desires to conduct bingo during twenty-six or more weeks in any calendar year, a license fee that is based upon the gross profits received by the charitable organization from the operation of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo during the one-year period ending on the thirty-first day of October of the year immediately preceding the year for which the license is sought, and that is one of the following:

(i) Five hundred dollars, if the total is fifty thousand dollars or less;

(ii) One thousand two hundred fifty dollars plus one-fourth per cent of the gross profit, if the total is more than fifty thousand dollars but less than two hundred fifty thousand one dollars;

(iii) Two thousand two hundred fifty dollars plus one-half per cent of the gross profit, if the total is more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars but less than five hundred thousand one dollars;

(iv) Three thousand five hundred dollars plus one per cent of the gross profit, if the total is more than five hundred thousand dollars but less than one million one dollars;

(v) Five thousand dollars plus one per cent of the gross profit, if the total is one million one dollars or more.

(c) (d) For a type I, type II, or type III license for a charitable organization that desires to conduct bingo during fewer than twenty-six weeks in any calendar year, a reduced license fee established by the attorney general by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code.

(C) The application shall be in the form prescribed by the attorney general, shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant, and shall contain all of the following:

(1) The name and post-office address of the applicant;

(2) A statement that the applicant is a charitable organization and that it has been in continuous existence as a charitable organization in this state for two years immediately preceding the making of the application;

(3) The location at which the organization will conduct bingo, which location shall be within the county in which the principal place of business of the applicant is located, the days of the week and the times on each of those days when bingo will be conducted, whether the organization owns, leases, or subleases the premises, and a copy of the rental agreement if it leases or subleases the premises;

(4) A statement of the applicant's previous history, record, and association that is sufficient to establish that the applicant is a charitable organization, and a copy of a determination letter that is issued by the Internal Revenue Service and states that the organization is tax exempt under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(5) A statement as to whether the applicant has ever had any previous application refused, whether it previously has had a license revoked or suspended, and the reason stated by the attorney general for the refusal, revocation, or suspension;

(6) A statement of the charitable purposes for which the net profit derived from bingo described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code will be used, or a statement of how the net profit derived from instant bingo or electronic instant bingo will be distributed in accordance with section 2915.101 of the Revised Code, as applicable;

(7) Other necessary and reasonable information that the attorney general may require by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code;

(8) If the applicant is a charitable trust as defined in section 109.23 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has registered with the attorney general pursuant to section 109.26 of the Revised Code or filed annual reports pursuant to section 109.31 of the Revised Code, and, if it is not required to do either, the exemption in section 109.26 or 109.31 of the Revised Code that applies to it;

(9) If the applicant is a charitable organization as defined in section 1716.01 of the Revised Code, a statement as to whether it has filed with the attorney general a registration statement pursuant to section 1716.02 of the Revised Code and a financial report pursuant to section 1716.04 of the Revised Code, and, if it is not required to do both, the exemption in section 1716.03 of the Revised Code that applies to it;

(10) In the case of an applicant seeking to qualify as a youth athletic park organization, a statement issued by a board or body vested with authority under Chapter 755. of the Revised Code for the supervision and maintenance of recreation facilities in the territory in which the organization is located, certifying that the playing fields owned by the organization were open for use to all residents of that territory, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin, for athletic activities by youth athletic organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin, and that the fields were not used for any profit-making activity at any time during the year. That type of board or body is authorized to issue the statement upon request and shall issue the statement if it finds that the applicant's playing fields were so used.

(D) The attorney general, within thirty days after receiving a timely filed application from a charitable organization that has been issued a license under this section that has not expired and has not been revoked or suspended, shall send a temporary permit to the applicant specifying the date on which the application was filed with the attorney general and stating that, pursuant to section 119.06 of the Revised Code, the applicant may continue to conduct bingo until a new license is granted or, if the application is rejected, until fifteen days after notice of the rejection is mailed to the applicant. The temporary permit does not affect the validity of the applicant's application and does not grant any rights to the applicant except those rights specifically granted in section 119.06 of the Revised Code. The issuance of a temporary permit by the attorney general pursuant to this division does not prohibit the attorney general from rejecting the applicant's application because of acts that the applicant committed, or actions that the applicant failed to take, before or after the issuance of the temporary permit.

(E) Within thirty days after receiving an initial license application from a charitable organization to conduct bingo, the attorney general shall conduct a preliminary review of the application and notify the applicant regarding any deficiencies. Once an application is deemed complete, or beginning on the thirtieth day after the application is filed, if the attorney general failed to notify the applicant of any deficiencies, the attorney general shall have an additional sixty days to conduct an investigation and either grant, grant with limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions, or deny the application based on findings established and communicated in accordance with divisions (F) and (I) of this section. As an option to granting, granting with limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions, or denying an initial license application, the attorney general may grant a temporary license and request additional time to conduct the investigation if the attorney general has cause to believe that additional time is necessary to complete the investigation and has notified the applicant in writing about the specific concerns raised during the investigation.

(F)(1) The attorney general shall adopt rules to enforce sections 2915.01, 2915.02, and 2915.07 to 2915.15 of the Revised Code to ensure that bingo is conducted in accordance with those sections and to maintain proper control over the conduct of bingo. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the rules shall be adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The attorney general shall license charitable organizations to conduct bingo in conformance with this chapter and with the licensing provisions of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) If any of the following applies to an organization, the attorney general may refuse to grant a license to the organization, may revoke or suspend the organization's license, or may place limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on the organization's license for a limited or indefinite period, as determined by the attorney general:

(a) The organization fails or has failed at any time to meet any requirement of section 109.26, 109.31, or 1716.02, or sections 2915.07 to 2915.15 of the Revised Code, or violates or has violated any provision of sections 2915.02 or 2915.07 to 2915.13 of the Revised Code or any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this chapter.

(b) The organization makes or has made an incorrect or false statement that is material to the granting of the license in an application filed under this section.

(c) The organization submits or has submitted any incorrect or false information relating to an application if the information is material to the granting of the license.

(d) The organization maintains or has maintained any incorrect or false information that is material to the granting of the license in the records required to be kept pursuant to section 2915.10 of the Revised Code, if applicable.

(e) The attorney general has good cause to believe that the organization will not conduct bingo in accordance with sections 2915.07 to 2915.15 of the Revised Code or with any rule adopted by the attorney general pursuant to this chapter.

(3) If the attorney general has good cause to believe that any director or officer of the organization has breached the director's or officer's fiduciary duty to, or committed theft or any other type of misconduct related to, the organization or any other charitable organization that has been issued a bingo license under this chapter, the attorney general may refuse to grant a license to the organization, may impose limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on the license, or may revoke or suspend the organization's license for a period not to exceed five years.

(4) The attorney general may impose a civil fine on an organization licensed or permitted under this chapter for failure to comply with any restrictions, limits, or probationary conditions on its license, and for failure to comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, according to a schedule of fines that the attorney general shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(5) For the purposes of division (F) of this section, any action of an officer, trustee, agent, representative, or bingo game operator of an organization is an action of the organization.

(G) The attorney general may grant licenses to charitable organizations that are branches, lodges, or chapters of national charitable organizations.

(H) The attorney general shall send notice of any of the following actions in writing to the prosecuting attorney and sheriff of the county in which the charitable organization is located and to any other law enforcement agency in that county that so requests, of all of the following:

(1) The issuance of a license under this section;

(2) The issuance of an amended license under this section;

(3) The rejection of an application for and refusal to grant a license under this section;

(4) The revocation of any license previously issued under this section;

(5) The suspension of any license previously issued under this section;

(6) The placing of any limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions placed on a license issued under this section.

(I) A license issued by the attorney general under this section shall set forth the information contained on the application of the charitable organization that the attorney general determines is relevant, including, but not limited to, the location at which the organization will conduct bingo, whether the license is a type I, type II, or type III license, and the days of the week and the times on each of those days when bingo will be conducted. If the attorney general refuses to grant, places limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on, or revokes or suspends a license, the attorney general shall notify the applicant in writing and specifically identify the reason for the refusal, revocation, limit, restriction, probationary condition, or suspension in narrative form and, if applicable, by identifying the section of the Revised Code violated. The failure of the attorney general to give the written notice of the reasons for the refusal, revocation, limit, restriction, probationary condition, or suspension or a mistake in the written notice does not affect the validity of the attorney general's refusal to grant, or the revocation or suspension of, or limit, restriction, probationary condition on, a license. If the attorney general fails to give the written notice or if there is a mistake in the written notice, the applicant may bring an action to compel the attorney general to comply with this division or to correct the mistake, but the attorney general's order refusing to grant, or placing a limit, restriction, or probationary condition on, or revoking or suspending, a license shall not be enjoined during the pendency of the action.

(J)(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (J)(2) of this section, a charitable organization that has been issued a license under this section but that cannot conduct bingo at the location, or on the day of the week or at the time, specified on the license due to circumstances that make it impractical to do so, or that desires to conduct instant bingo other than at a bingo session at additional locations not identified on the license, may apply in writing, together with an application fee of two hundred fifty dollars, to the attorney general, at least thirty days prior to a change in or addition of a location, day of the week, or time, and request an amended license.

(b) As applicable, the application shall describe the causes making it impractical for the organization to conduct bingo in conformity with its license and shall indicate the location, days of the week, and times on each of those days when it desires to conduct bingo and, as applicable, shall indicate the additional locations at which it desires to conduct instant bingo other than at a bingo session.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in division (J)(3) of this section, the attorney general shall issue the amended license in accordance with division (I) of this section, and the organization shall surrender its original license to the attorney general.

(2)(a) A charitable organization that has been issued a license under this section to conduct electronic instant bingo but that cannot conduct electronic instant bingo at the location, or on the day of the week or at the time, specified on the license due to circumstances that make it impractical to do so, may apply in writing, together with an application fee of two hundred fifty dollars, to the attorney general, at least thirty days prior to a change in a location, day of the week, or time, and request an amended license. A charitable organization may not apply for an amended license to conduct electronic instant bingo at any additional location.

(b) The application shall describe the causes making it impractical for the organization to conduct electronic instant bingo in conformity with its license and shall indicate the location, days of the week, and times on each of those days when it desires to conduct electronic instant bingo.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in division (J)(3) of this section, the attorney general shall issue the amended license in accordance with division (I) of this section, and the organization shall surrender its original license to the attorney general.

(3) The attorney general may refuse to grant an amended license under division (J)(1) or (2) of this section according to the terms of division (F) of this section.

(K) The attorney general may enter into a written contract with any other state agency to delegate to that state agency the powers prescribed to the attorney general under Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.

(L) The attorney general, by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code, may adopt rules to determine the requirements for a charitable organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to be in good standing in the state.

Last updated August 9, 2021 at 11:51 AM

Section 2915.081 | Illegally operating as distributor of bingo supplies.
 

(A) No distributor shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide bingo supplies to another person, or modify, convert, add to, or remove parts from bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale, for use in this state without having obtained a license from the attorney general under this section.

(B)(1) The attorney general may issue a distributor license to any person that meets the requirements of this section. The application for the license shall be on a form prescribed by the attorney general and be accompanied by the annual fee prescribed by this section. The license is valid for a period of one year, and the annual fee for the license is five thousand dollars.

(2) Upon applying for or renewing a license under this section, an applicant shall file with and have approved by the attorney general a bond in which the applicant shall be the principal obligor, in the sum of fifty thousand dollars, with one or more sureties authorized to do business in this state. The applicant shall maintain the bond in effect as long as the license is valid; however, the liability of the surety under the bond shall not exceed an all-time aggregate liability of fifty thousand dollars. The bond, which may be in the form of a rider to a larger blanket liability bond, shall run to the state and to any person who may have a cause of action against the principal obligor of the bond for any liability arising out of a violation by the obligor of any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(C) The attorney general may refuse to issue a distributor license to any person to which any of the following applies, or to any person that has an officer, partner, or other person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more and to whom any of the following applies:

(1) The person, officer, or partner has been convicted of a disqualifying offense as determined in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

(2) The person, officer, or partner has made an incorrect or false statement that is material to the granting of a license in an application submitted to the attorney general under this section or in a similar application submitted to a gambling licensing authority in another jurisdiction if the statement resulted in license revocation through administrative action in the other jurisdiction.

(3) The person, officer, or partner has submitted any incorrect or false information relating to the application to the attorney general under this section, if the information is material to the granting of the license.

(4) The person, officer, or partner has failed to correct any incorrect or false information that is material to the granting of the license in the records required to be maintained under division (F) of section 2915.10 of the Revised Code.

(5) The person, officer, or partner has had a license related to gambling revoked or suspended under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(6) The attorney general has good cause to believe that a person, officer, or partner has committed a breach of fiduciary duty, theft, or other type of misconduct related to a charitable organization that has obtained a bingo license issued under this chapter.

(D) The attorney general shall not issue a distributor license to any person that is involved in the conduct of bingo on behalf of a charitable organization or that is a lessor of premises used for the conduct of bingo. This division does not prohibit a distributor from advising charitable organizations on the use and benefit of specific bingo supplies or prohibit a distributor from advising a customer on operational methods to improve bingo profitability.

(E)(1) No distributor shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide bingo supplies to any person, or modify, convert, add to, or remove parts from bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale, for use in this state except to or for the use of a charitable organization that has been issued a license under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code or to another distributor that has been issued a license under this section. No distributor shall accept payment for the sale or other provision of bingo supplies other than by check or electronic fund transfer.

(2) No distributor may donate, give, loan, lease, or otherwise provide any bingo supplies or equipment, or modify, convert, add to, or remove parts from bingo supplies to further their promotion or sale, to or for the use of a charitable organization for use in a bingo session conditioned on or in consideration for an exclusive right to provide bingo supplies to the charitable organization. A distributor may provide a licensed charitable organization with free samples of the distributor's products to be used as prizes or to be used for the purpose of sampling.

(3) No distributor shall purchase bingo supplies for use in this state from any person except from a manufacturer issued a license under section 2915.082 of the Revised Code or from another distributor issued a license under this section. Subject to division (D) of section 2915.082 of the Revised Code, no distributor shall pay for purchased bingo supplies other than by check or electronic fund transfer.

(4) No distributor shall participate in the conduct of bingo on behalf of a charitable organization or have any direct or indirect ownership interest in a premises used for the conduct of bingo.

(5) No distributor shall knowingly solicit, offer, pay, or receive any kickback, bribe, or undocumented rebate, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in return for providing bingo supplies to any person in this state.

(F)(1) No distributor shall knowingly sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide an electronic instant bingo system to any person for use in this state, or install, maintain, update, or repair an electronic instant bingo system, without first obtaining an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to the person's distributor license issued under this section. An applicant for a distributor license under this section may apply simultaneously for an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to that license.

(2) An applicant for an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement shall submit the application on a form prescribed by the attorney general and shall submit one complete set of fingerprints directly to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for the purpose of conducting a criminal records check. The applicant shall provide the fingerprints using a method the superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and shall fill out the form the superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(1) of that section. Upon receiving an application for an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement, the attorney general shall request the superintendent, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprint impressions in accordance with division (A)(18) of that section. The applicant shall pay any fee required under division (C)(3) of that section.

(3) The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to an applicant unless the attorney general has received the results of the criminal records check described in division (F)(2) of this section. The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement to an applicant if the applicant, any officer or partner of the applicant, or any person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the applicant has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general under this chapter or has violated any existing or former law or rule of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general under this chapter.

(4) An electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement issued under this section shall be valid for the period of the underlying distributor license.

(G) The attorney general may suspend, place limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on, or revoke a distributor license or an electronic instant bingo distributor endorsement, for a limited or indefinite period of time at the attorney general's discretion, for any of the following reasons:

(1) Any reason for which the attorney general may refuse to issue the license or endorsement;

(2) The distributor holding the license or endorsement violates any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general under this chapter;

(3) The distributor or any officer, partner, or other person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the distributor is convicted of either of the following:

(a) A felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States;

(b) Any gambling offense.

(H) The attorney general may adopt rules for the application, acceptance, denial, suspension, revocation, limitation, restriction, or condition of a distributor license or endorsement, and to enforce any other provisions of this section, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(I) The attorney general may impose a civil fine on a distributor licensed or permitted under this chapter for failure to comply with any restrictions, limits, or probationary conditions on its license, or for failure to comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, according to a schedule of fines that the attorney general shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(J) Whoever violates division (A), (E), or (F) of this section is guilty of illegally operating as a distributor. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegally operating as a distributor is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (A), (E), or (F) of this section, illegally operating as a distributor is a felony of the fifth degree.

Last updated January 24, 2022 at 10:54 AM

Section 2915.082 | Illegally operating as manufacturer of bingo supplies.
 

(A) No manufacturer shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide bingo supplies for use in this state without having obtained a license from the attorney general under this section.

(B)(1) The attorney general may issue a manufacturer license to any person that meets the requirements of this section. The application for the license shall be on a form prescribed by the attorney general and be accompanied by the annual fee prescribed by this section. The license is valid for a period of one year, and the annual fee for the license is five thousand dollars.

(2) Upon applying for or renewing a license under this section, an applicant shall file with and have approved by the attorney general a bond in which the applicant shall be the principal obligor, in the sum of fifty thousand dollars, with one or more sureties authorized to do business in this state. The applicant shall maintain the bond in effect as long as the license is valid; however, the liability of the surety under the bond shall not exceed an all-time aggregate liability of fifty thousand dollars. The bond, which may be in the form of a rider to a larger blanket liability bond, shall run to the state and to any person who may have a cause of action against the principal obligor of the bond for any liability arising out of a violation by the obligor of any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(C) The attorney general may refuse to issue a manufacturer license to any person to which any of the following applies, or to any person that has an officer, partner, or other person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more and to whom any of the following applies:

(1) The person, officer, or partner has been convicted of a disqualifying offense as determined in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

(2) The person, officer, or partner has made an incorrect or false statement that is material to the granting of a license in an application submitted to the attorney general under this section or in a similar application submitted to a gambling licensing authority in another jurisdiction if the statement resulted in license revocation through administrative action in the other jurisdiction.

(3) The person, officer, or partner has submitted any incorrect or false information relating to the application to the attorney general under this section, if the information is material to the granting of the license.

(4) The person, officer, or partner has failed to correct any incorrect or false information that is material to the granting of the license in the records required to be maintained under division (G) of section 2915.10 of the Revised Code.

(5) The person, officer, or partner has had a license related to gambling revoked or suspended under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(6) The attorney general has good cause to believe that the person, officer, or partner has committed a breach of fiduciary duty, theft, or other type of misconduct, related to a charitable organization that has obtained a bingo license under this chapter.

(D)(1) No manufacturer shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide bingo supplies to any person for use in this state except to a distributor that has been issued a license under section 2915.081 of the Revised Code. No manufacturer shall accept payment for the sale of bingo supplies other than by check or electronic fund transfer.

(2) No manufacturer shall knowingly solicit, offer, pay, or receive any kickback, bribe, or undocumented rebate, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, in return for providing bingo supplies to any person in this state.

(E)(1) No manufacturer shall knowingly sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide an electronic instant bingo system to any person for use in this state, or submit an electronic instant bingo system for testing and approval under section 2915.15 of the Revised Code, without first obtaining an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement to the person's manufacturer license issued under this section. An applicant for a manufacturer license under this section may apply simultaneously for an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement to that license.

(2) A manufacturer licensed under this section may only sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide electronic instant bingo systems that contain proprietary software owned by or licensed to the manufacturer. If the proprietary software is licensed to the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall provide a copy of the license along with the application for an endorsement under this section.

(3) An applicant for an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement shall submit the application on a form prescribed by the attorney general and shall submit one complete set of fingerprints directly to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for the purpose of conducting a criminal records check. The applicant shall provide the fingerprints using a method the superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and shall fill out the form the superintendent prescribes pursuant to division (C)(1) of that section. Upon receiving an application for an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement, the attorney general shall request the superintendent, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprint impressions in accordance with division (A)(18) of that section. The applicant shall pay any fee required under division (C)(3) of that section.

(4) The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement to an applicant unless the attorney general has received the results of the criminal records check described in division (E)(3) of this section. The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement to an applicant if the applicant, any officer or partner of the applicant, or any person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the applicant has violated any existing or former law or rule of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general under this chapter.

(F)(1) The attorney general may suspend, place limits, restrictions, or probationary conditions on, or revoke a manufacturer license or an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement for a limited or indefinite period of time for any of the following reasons:

(a) Any reason for which the attorney general may refuse to issue the license or endorsement;

(b) The manufacturer holding the license or endorsement violates any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted by the attorney general under this chapter;

(c) The manufacturer or any officer, partner, or other person who has an ownership interest of ten per cent or more in the manufacturer is convicted of either of the following:

(i) A felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States;

(ii) Any gambling offense.

(2) The attorney general may perform an onsite inspection of a manufacturer of bingo supplies that is selling, offering to sell, or otherwise providing or offering to provide bingo supplies or that is applying for a license to sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide bingo supplies in this state.

(3)(a) The attorney general shall establish by rule an application and renewal fee for an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement in an amount sufficient to cover the costs the attorney general incurs in processing applications for electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsements and investigating an applicant's suitability.

(b) If the cost of processing a particular application and investigating the applicant's suitability exceeds the amount of the application and renewal fee, the attorney general may charge the applicant an additional fee as necessary to cover that cost.

(c) The attorney general shall not issue an electronic instant bingo manufacturer endorsement unless the attorney general has received payment in full from the applicant for all fees to be charged under this section.

(G) The attorney general may adopt rules for the application, acceptance, denial, suspension, revocation, limitation, restriction, or condition of a manufacturer license or endorsement described in this section, and to enforce any other provisions of this section, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(H) The attorney general may impose a civil fine on a manufacturer licensed or permitted under this chapter for failure to comply with any restrictions, limits, or probationary conditions on its license, and for failure to comply with this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, according to a schedule of fines that the attorney general shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(I) Whoever violates division (A), (D), or (E) of this section is guilty of illegally operating as a manufacturer. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegally operating as a manufacturer is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (A), (D), or (E) of this section, illegally operating as a manufacturer is a felony of the fifth degree.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 4:49 AM

Section 2915.09 | Illegally conducting bingo game - rules.
 

(A) No charitable organization that conducts bingo shall fail to do any of the following:

(1) Own all of the equipment used to conduct bingo or lease that equipment from a charitable organization that is licensed to conduct bingo, or from the landlord of a premises where bingo is conducted, for a rental rate that is not more than is customary and reasonable for that equipment;

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(3) of this section, use all of the gross receipts from bingo for paying prizes, for reimbursement of expenses for or for renting premises in which to conduct a bingo session, for reimbursement of expenses for or for purchasing or leasing bingo supplies used in conducting bingo, for reimbursement of expenses for or for hiring security personnel, for reimbursement of expenses for or for advertising bingo, or for reimbursement of other expenses or for other expenses listed in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, provided that the amount of the receipts so spent is not more than is customary and reasonable for a similar purchase, lease, hiring, advertising, or expense. If the building in which bingo is conducted is owned by the charitable organization conducting bingo and the bingo conducted includes a form of bingo described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, the charitable organization may deduct from the total amount of the gross receipts from each session a sum equal to the lesser of six hundred dollars or forty-five per cent of the gross receipts from the bingo described in that division as consideration for the use of the premises.

(3) Use, or give, donate, or otherwise transfer, all of the net profit derived from bingo described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code for a charitable purpose listed in its license application and described in division (V) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, or distribute all of the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo as stated in its license application and in accordance with section 2915.101 of the Revised Code, as applicable.

(B) No charitable organization that conducts a bingo game described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code shall fail to do any of the following:

(1) Conduct the bingo game on premises that are owned by the charitable organization, on premises that are owned by another charitable organization and leased from that charitable organization for a rental rate not in excess of the lesser of six hundred dollars per bingo session or forty-five per cent of the gross receipts of the bingo session, on premises that are leased from a person other than a charitable organization for a rental rate that is not more than is customary and reasonable for premises that are similar in location, size, and quality but not in excess of four hundred fifty dollars per bingo session, or on premises that are owned by a person other than a charitable organization, that are leased from that person by another charitable organization, and that are subleased from that other charitable organization by the charitable organization for a rental rate not in excess of four hundred fifty dollars per bingo session. No charitable organization is required to pay property taxes or assessments on premises that the charitable organization leases from another person to conduct bingo sessions. If the charitable organization leases from a person other than a charitable organization the premises on which it conducts bingo sessions, the lessor of the premises shall provide the premises to the organization and shall not provide the organization with bingo game operators, security personnel, concessions or concession operators, bingo supplies, or any other type of service. A charitable organization shall not lease or sublease premises that it owns or leases to more than three other charitable organizations per calendar week for conducting bingo sessions on the premises. A person that is not a charitable organization shall not lease premises that it owns, leases, or otherwise is empowered to lease to more than three charitable organizations per calendar week for conducting bingo sessions on the premises. In no case shall more than nine bingo sessions be conducted on any premises in any calendar week.

(2) Display its license conspicuously at the premises where the bingo session is conducted;

(3) Conduct the bingo session in accordance with the definition of bingo set forth in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) No charitable organization that conducts a bingo game described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code shall do any of the following:

(1) Pay any compensation to a bingo game operator for operating a bingo session that is conducted by the charitable organization or for preparing, selling, or serving food or beverages at the site of the bingo session, permit any auxiliary unit or society of the charitable organization to pay compensation to any bingo game operator who prepares, sells, or serves food or beverages at a bingo session conducted by the charitable organization, or permit any auxiliary unit or society of the charitable organization to prepare, sell, or serve food or beverages at a bingo session conducted by the charitable organization, if the auxiliary unit or society pays any compensation to the bingo game operators who prepare, sell, or serve the food or beverages;

(2) Pay consulting fees to any person for any services performed in relation to the bingo session;

(3) Pay concession fees to any person who provides refreshments to the participants in the bingo session;

(4) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(4) of this section, conduct more than three bingo sessions in any seven-day period. A volunteer firefighter's organization or a volunteer rescue service organization that conducts not more than five bingo sessions in a calendar year may conduct more than three bingo sessions in a seven-day period after notifying the attorney general when it will conduct the sessions.

(5) Pay out more than six thousand dollars in prizes for bingo games described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code during any bingo session that is conducted by the charitable organization. "Prizes" does not include awards from the conduct of instant bingo.

(6) Conduct a bingo session at any time during the eight-hour period between two a.m. and ten a.m., at any time during, or within ten hours of, a bingo game conducted for amusement only pursuant to section 2915.12 of the Revised Code, at any premises not specified on its license, or on any day of the week or during any time period not specified on its license. Division (A)(6) of this section does not prohibit the sale of instant bingo tickets beginning at nine a.m. for a bingo session that begins at ten a.m. If circumstances make it impractical for the charitable organization to conduct a bingo session at the premises, or on the day of the week or at the time, specified on its license, or if a charitable organization wants to conduct bingo sessions on a day of the week or at a time other than the day or time specified on its license, the charitable organization may apply in writing to the attorney general for an amended license pursuant to division (J) of section 2915.08 of the Revised Code. A charitable organization may apply twice in each calendar year for an amended license to conduct bingo sessions on a day of the week or at a time other than the day or time specified on its license. If the amended license is granted, the organization may conduct bingo sessions at the premises, on the day of the week, and at the time specified on its amended license.

(7) Permit any person whom the charitable organization knows, or should have known, is under the age of eighteen to work as a bingo game operator;

(8) Permit any person whom the charitable organization knows, or should have known, has been convicted of a felony or gambling offense in any jurisdiction to be a bingo game operator;

(9) Permit the lessor of the premises on which the bingo session is conducted, if the lessor is not a charitable organization, to provide the charitable organization with bingo game operators, security personnel, concessions, bingo supplies, or any other type of service;

(10) Purchase or lease bingo supplies from any person except a distributor issued a license under section 2915.081 of the Revised Code;

(11)(a) Use or permit the use of electronic bingo aids except under the following circumstances:

(i) For any single participant, not more than ninety bingo faces can be played using an electronic bingo aid or aids.

(ii) The charitable organization shall provide a participant using an electronic bingo aid with corresponding paper bingo cards or sheets.

(iii) The total price of bingo faces played with an electronic bingo aid shall be equal to the total price of the same number of bingo faces played with a paper bingo card or sheet sold at the same bingo session but without an electronic bingo aid.

(iv) An electronic bingo aid cannot be part of an electronic network other than a network that includes only bingo aids and devices that are located on the premises at which the bingo is being conducted or be interactive with any device not located on the premises at which the bingo is being conducted.

(v) An electronic bingo aid cannot be used to participate in bingo that is conducted at a location other than the location at which the bingo session is conducted and at which the electronic bingo aid is used.

(vi) An electronic bingo aid cannot be used to provide for the input of numbers and letters announced by a bingo caller other than the bingo caller who physically calls the numbers and letters at the location at which the bingo session is conducted and at which the electronic bingo aid is used.

(b) The attorney general may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that govern the use of electronic bingo aids. The rules may include a requirement that an electronic bingo aid be capable of being audited by the attorney general to verify the number of bingo cards or sheets played during each bingo session.

(12) Permit any person the charitable organization knows, or should have known, to be under eighteen years of age to play bingo described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(3) of this section, no charitable organization shall provide to a bingo game operator, and no bingo game operator shall receive or accept, any commission, wage, salary, reward, tip, donation, gratuity, or other form of compensation, directly or indirectly, regardless of the source, for conducting bingo or providing other work or labor at the site of bingo during a bingo session.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(3) of this section, no charitable organization shall provide to a bingo game operator any commission, wage, salary, reward, tip, donation, gratuity, or other form of compensation, directly or indirectly, regardless of the source, for conducting instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, or both other than at a bingo session at the site of instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, or both other than at a bingo session.

(3) Nothing in division (D) of this section prohibits an employee of a fraternal organization, veteran's organization, or sporting organization from selling instant bingo tickets or cards to the organization's members or invited guests, as long as no portion of the employee's compensation is paid from any receipts of bingo.

(E) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, a charitable organization that, prior to December 6, 1977, has entered into written agreements for the lease of premises it owns to another charitable organization or other charitable organizations for the conducting of bingo sessions so that more than two bingo sessions are conducted per calendar week on the premises, and a person that is not a charitable organization and that, prior to December 6, 1977, has entered into written agreements for the lease of premises it owns to charitable organizations for the conducting of more than two bingo sessions per calendar week on the premises, may continue to lease the premises to those charitable organizations, provided that no more than four sessions are conducted per calendar week, that the lessor organization or person has notified the attorney general in writing of the organizations that will conduct the sessions and the days of the week and the times of the day on which the sessions will be conducted, that the initial lease entered into with each organization that will conduct the sessions was filed with the attorney general prior to December 6, 1977, and that each organization that will conduct the sessions was issued a license to conduct bingo games by the attorney general prior to December 6, 1977.

(F) This section does not prohibit a bingo licensed charitable organization or a game operator from giving any person an instant bingo ticket as a prize.

(G) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is guilty of illegally conducting a bingo game, a felony of the fourth degree. Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A)(1) or (3), (B)(1), (2), or (3), (C)(1) to (11), or (D) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (A)(1) or (3), (B)(1), (2), or (3), (C)(1) to (11), or (D) of this section, a violation of division (A)(1) or (3), (B)(1), (2), or (3), (C), or (D) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Whoever violates division (C)(12) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, or if the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (C)(12) of this section, a felony of the fourth degree.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 4:32 PM

Section 2915.091 | Illegally conducting instant bingo - rules.
 

(A) No charitable organization that conducts instant bingo shall do any of the following:

(1) Fail to comply with the requirements of divisions (A)(1), (2), and (3) of section 2915.09 of the Revised Code;

(2) Conduct instant bingo unless either of the following applies:

(a) That organization is, and has received from the internal revenue service a determination letter that is currently in effect stating that the organization is, exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a), is described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is a charitable organization as defined in section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, is in good standing in the state pursuant to section 2915.08 of the Revised Code, and is in compliance with Chapter 1716. of the Revised Code;

(b) That organization is, and has received from the internal revenue service a determination letter that is currently in effect stating that the organization is, exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a), is described in subsection 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) or is a veteran's organization described in subsection 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and conducts instant bingo under section 2915.13 of the Revised Code.

(3) Conduct instant bingo on any day, at any time, or at any premises not specified on the organization's license issued pursuant to section 2915.08 of the Revised Code;

(4) Permit any person whom the organization knows or should have known has been convicted of a felony or gambling offense in any jurisdiction to be a bingo game operator in the conduct of instant bingo;

(5) Purchase or lease supplies used to conduct instant bingo or punch board games from any person except a distributor licensed under section 2915.081 of the Revised Code;

(6) Sell or provide any instant bingo ticket or card for a price different from the price printed on it by the manufacturer on either the instant bingo ticket or card or on the game flare;

(7) Sell an instant bingo ticket or card to a person under eighteen years of age;

(8) Fail to keep unsold instant bingo tickets or cards for less than three years;

(9) Pay any compensation to a bingo game operator for conducting instant bingo that is conducted by the organization or for preparing, selling, or serving food or beverages at the site of the instant bingo game, permit any auxiliary unit or society of the organization to pay compensation to any bingo game operator who prepares, sells, or serves food or beverages at an instant bingo game conducted by the organization, or permit any auxiliary unit or society of the organization to prepare, sell, or serve food or beverages at an instant bingo game conducted by the organization, if the auxiliary unit or society pays any compensation to the bingo game operators who prepare, sell, or serve the food or beverages;

(10) Pay fees to any person for any services performed in relation to an instant bingo game, except as provided in division (D) of section 2915.093 of the Revised Code;

(11) Pay fees to any person who provides refreshments to the participants in an instant bingo game;

(12)(a) Allow instant bingo tickets or cards to be sold to bingo game operators at a premises at which the organization sells instant bingo tickets or cards or to be sold to employees of a D permit holder who are working at a premises at which instant bingo tickets or cards are sold;

(b) Division (A)(12)(a) of this section does not prohibit a licensed charitable organization or a bingo game operator from giving any person an instant bingo ticket as a prize in place of a cash prize won by a participant in an instant bingo game. In no case shall an instant bingo ticket or card be sold or provided for a price different from the price printed on it by the manufacturer on either the instant bingo ticket or card or on the game flare.

(13) Fail to display its bingo license, and the serial numbers of the deal of instant bingo tickets or cards to be sold, conspicuously at each premises at which it sells instant bingo tickets or cards;

(14) Possess a deal of instant bingo tickets or cards that was not purchased from a distributor licensed under section 2915.081 of the Revised Code as reflected on an invoice issued by the distributor that contains all of the information required by division (E) of section 2915.10 of the Revised Code;

(15) Fail, once it opens a deal of instant bingo tickets or cards, to continue to sell the tickets or cards in that deal until the tickets or cards with the top two highest tiers of prizes in that deal are sold;

(16) Possess bingo supplies that were not obtained in accordance with this chapter.

(B) A charitable organization may purchase, lease, or use instant bingo ticket dispensers to sell instant bingo tickets or cards.

(C) The attorney general may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that govern the conduct of instant bingo by charitable organizations. Before those rules are adopted, the attorney general shall reference the recommended standards for opacity, randomization, minimum information, winner protection, color, and cutting for instant bingo tickets or cards, seal cards, and punch boards established by the North American gaming regulators association.

(D) Whoever violates division (A) of this section or a rule adopted under division (C) of this section is guilty of illegal instant bingo conduct. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegal instant bingo conduct is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (A) of this section or of such a rule, illegal instant bingo conduct is a felony of the fifth degree.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 4:32 PM

Section 2915.092 | Raffles - Illegal conduct of raffle - penalties.
 

(A)(1) Subject to division (A)(2) of this section, a person or entity may conduct a raffle to raise money for the person or entity and does not need a license to conduct bingo in order to conduct a raffle drawing that is not for profit if the person or entity is any of the following:

(a) Exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(b) A school district, community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, STEM school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code, college-preparatory boarding school established under Chapter 3328. of the Revised Code, or chartered nonpublic school;

(c) Exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) If a person or entity that is described in division (A)(1)(c) of this section conducts a raffle, the person or entity shall distribute at least fifty per cent of the net profit from the raffle to a charitable purpose described in division (V) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.

(B) Except as provided in division (A) of this section, no person shall conduct a raffle drawing that is for profit or a raffle drawing that is not for profit.

(C) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of illegal conduct of a raffle. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegal conduct of a raffle is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (B) of this section, illegal conduct of a raffle is a felony of the fifth degree.

Last updated February 28, 2023 at 10:47 AM

Section 2915.093 | Charitable organization conducting instant bingo other than at bingo session at location where primary activity is instant bingo.
 

(A) As used in this section, "retail income from all commercial activity" means the income that a person receives from the provision of goods, services, or activities that are provided at the location where instant bingo other than at a bingo session is conducted, including the sale of instant bingo tickets. A religious organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, at not more than one location at which it conducts its charitable programs, may include donations from its members and guests as retail income.

(B)(1) If a charitable instant bingo organization conducts instant bingo other than at a bingo session under a type III license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code, the charitable instant bingo organization shall enter into a written contract with the owner or lessor of the location at which the instant bingo is conducted to allow the owner or lessor to assist in the conduct of instant bingo other than at a bingo session, identify each location where the instant bingo other than at a bingo session is being conducted, and identify the owner or lessor of each location.

(2) A charitable instant bingo organization that conducts instant bingo other than at a bingo session under a type III license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code is not required to enter into a written contract with the owner or lessor of the location at which the instant bingo is conducted, provided that the owner or lessor is not assisting in the conduct of the instant bingo other than at a bingo session and provided that the conduct of the instant bingo other than at a bingo session at that location is not more than five days per calendar year and not more than ten hours per day.

(C) Except as provided in division (F) of this section, no charitable instant bingo organization shall conduct instant bingo other than at a bingo session at a location where the primary source of retail income from all commercial activity at that location is the sale of instant bingo tickets.

(D) The owner or lessor of a location that enters into a contract pursuant to division (B) of this section shall pay the full gross profit to the charitable instant bingo organization, in return for the deal of instant bingo tickets. The owner or lessor may retain the money that the owner or lessor receives for selling the instant bingo tickets, provided, however, that after the deal has been sold, the owner or lessor shall pay to the charitable instant bingo organization the value of any unredeemed instant bingo prizes remaining in the deal of instant bingo tickets.

The charitable instant bingo organization shall pay six per cent of the total gross receipts of any deal of instant bingo tickets for the purpose of reimbursing the owner or lessor for expenses described in this division.

As used in this division, "expenses" means those items provided for in divisions (GG)(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (12), and (13) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code and that percentage of the owner's or lessor's rent for the location where instant bingo is conducted. "Expenses," in the aggregate, shall not exceed six per cent of the total gross receipts of any deal of instant bingo tickets.

As used in this division, "full gross profit" means the amount by which the total receipts of all instant bingo tickets, if the deal had been sold in full, exceeds the amount that would be paid out if all prizes were redeemed.

(E) A charitable instant bingo organization shall provide the attorney general with all of the following information:

(1) That the charitable instant bingo organization has terminated a contract entered into pursuant to division (B) of this section with an owner or lessor of a location;

(2) That the charitable instant bingo organization has entered into a written contract pursuant to division (B) of this section with a new owner or lessor of a location;

(3) That the charitable instant bingo organization is aware of conduct by the owner or lessor of a location at which instant bingo is conducted that is in violation of this chapter.

(F) Division (C) of this section does not apply to a volunteer firefighter's organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that conducts instant bingo other than at a bingo session on the premises where the organization conducts firefighter training, that has conducted instant bingo continuously for at least five years prior to July 1, 2003, and that, during each of those five years, had gross receipts of at least one million five hundred thousand dollars.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 4:33 PM

Section 2915.094 | Owner or lessor conducting instant bingo other than at bingo session at location where primary activity is instant bingo.
 

(A) No owner or lessor of a location shall assist a charitable instant bingo organization in the conduct of instant bingo other than at a bingo session at that location unless the owner or lessor has entered into a written contract, as described in section 2915.093 of the Revised Code, with the charitable instant bingo organization to assist in the conduct of instant bingo other than at a bingo session.

(B) The location of the lessor or owner shall be designated as a location where the charitable instant bingo organization conducts instant bingo other than at a bingo session.

(C) No owner or lessor of a location that enters into a written contract as prescribed in division (A) of this section shall violate any provision of Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code, or permit, aid, or abet any other person in violating any provision of Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.

(D) No owner or lessor of a location that enters into a written contract as prescribed in division (A) of this section shall violate the terms of the contract.

(E)(1) Whoever violates division (C) or (D) of this section is guilty of illegal instant bingo conduct. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegal instant bingo conduct is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (C) or (D) of this section, illegal instant bingo conduct is a felony of the fifth degree.

(2) If an owner or lessor of a location knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly violates division (C) or (D) of this section, any license that the owner or lessor holds for the retail sale of any goods on the owner's or lessor's premises that is issued by the state or a political subdivision is subject to suspension, revocation, or payment of a monetary penalty at the request of the attorney general.

Section 2915.095 | Standard contract for the conduct of instant bingo other than at bingo session.
 

The attorney general, by rule adopted pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code, shall establish a standard contract to be used by a charitable instant bingo organization, a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization for the conduct of instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, or both other than at a bingo session under a type III license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code. The terms of the contract shall be limited to the provisions in Chapter 2915. of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 4:34 PM

Section 2915.10 | Bingo records retention.
 

(A) No charitable organization that conducts bingo or a game of chance pursuant to division (D) of section 2915.02 of the Revised Code shall fail to maintain the following records for at least three years from the date on which the bingo or game of chance is conducted:

(1) An itemized list of the gross receipts of each bingo session, each game of instant bingo by serial number, each electronic instant bingo game by serial number, each raffle, each punch board game, and each game of chance, and an itemized list of the gross profits of each game of instant bingo by serial number and each electronic instant bingo game by serial number;

(2) An itemized list of all expenses, other than prizes, that are incurred in conducting bingo, the name of each person to whom the expenses are paid, and a receipt for all of the expenses;

(3) A list of all prizes awarded during each bingo session, each raffle, each punch board game, and each game of chance conducted by the charitable organization, the total prizes awarded from each game of instant bingo by serial number and each electronic instant bingo game by serial number, and the name, address, and social security number of all persons who are winners of prizes of six hundred dollars or more in value;

(4) An itemized list of the recipients of the net profit of the bingo or game of chance, including the name and address of each recipient to whom the money is distributed, and if the organization uses the net profit of bingo, or the money or assets received from a game of chance, for any charitable or other purpose set forth in division (V) of section 2915.01, division (D) of section 2915.02, or section 2915.101 of the Revised Code, a list of each purpose and an itemized list of each expenditure for each purpose;

(5) The number of persons who participate in any bingo session or game of chance that is conducted by the charitable organization;

(6) A list of receipts from the sale of food and beverages by the charitable organization or one of its auxiliary units or societies, if the receipts were excluded from gross receipts under division (T) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code;

(7) An itemized list of all expenses incurred at each bingo session, each raffle, each punch board game, or each game of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo conducted by the charitable organization in the sale of food and beverages by the charitable organization or by an auxiliary unit or society of the charitable organization, the name of each person to whom the expenses are paid, and a receipt for all of the expenses.

(B) A charitable organization shall keep the records that it is required to maintain pursuant to division (A) of this section at its principal place of business in this state or at its headquarters in this state and shall notify the attorney general of the location at which those records are kept.

(C) The gross profit from each bingo session or game described in division (O)(1) or (2) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code shall be deposited into a checking account devoted exclusively to the bingo session or game. Payments for allowable expenses incurred in conducting the bingo session or game and payments to recipients of some or all of the net profit of the bingo session or game shall be made only by checks or electronic fund transfers drawn on the bingo session or game account.

(D) Each charitable organization shall conduct and record an inventory of all of its bingo supplies as of the first day of November of each year.

(E) The attorney general may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish standards of accounting, record keeping, and reporting to ensure that gross receipts from bingo or games of chance are properly accounted for.

(F) A distributor shall maintain, for a period of three years after the date of its sale or other provision, a record of each instance of its selling or otherwise providing to another person bingo supplies for use in this state. The record shall include all of the following for each instance:

(1) The name of the manufacturer from which the distributor purchased the bingo supplies and the date of the purchase;

(2) The name and address of the charitable organization or other distributor to which the bingo supplies were sold or otherwise provided;

(3) A description that clearly identifies the bingo supplies;

(4) Invoices that include the nonrepeating serial numbers of all paper bingo cards and sheets and all instant bingo deals sold or otherwise provided to each charitable organization.

(G) A manufacturer shall maintain, for a period of three years after the date of its sale or other provision, a record of each instance of its selling or otherwise providing bingo supplies for use in this state. The record shall include all of the following for each instance:

(1) The name and address of the distributor to whom the bingo supplies were sold or otherwise provided;

(2) A description that clearly identifies the bingo supplies, including serial numbers;

(3) Invoices that include the nonrepeating serial numbers of all paper bingo cards and sheets and all instant bingo deals sold or otherwise provided to each distributor.

(H) The attorney general or any law enforcement agency may do all of the following:

(1) Investigate any charitable organization, distributor, or manufacturer or any officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee of the organization, distributor, or manufacturer;

(2) Examine the accounts and records of the charitable organization, distributor, or manufacturer or of any officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee of the organization, distributor, or manufacturer;

(3) Conduct inspections, audits, and observations of bingo or games of chance;

(4) Conduct inspections of the premises where bingo or games of chance are conducted or where bingo supplies are manufactured or distributed;

(5) Take any other necessary and reasonable action to determine if a violation of any provision of this chapter has occurred and to determine whether section 2915.11 of the Revised Code has been complied with.

If any law enforcement agency has reasonable grounds to believe that a charitable organization, distributor, or manufacturer or an officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee of the organization, distributor, or manufacturer has violated any provision of this chapter, the law enforcement agency may proceed by action in the proper court to enforce this chapter, provided that the law enforcement agency shall give written notice to the attorney general when commencing an action as described in this division.

(I) No person shall destroy, alter, conceal, withhold, or deny access to any accounts or records of a charitable organization, distributor, or manufacturer that have been requested for examination, or obstruct, impede, or interfere with any inspection, audit, or observation of bingo or a game of chance, of premises where bingo or a game of chance is conducted, or of premises where bingo supplies are manufactured or distributed, or refuse to comply with any reasonable request of, or obstruct, impede, or interfere with any other reasonable action undertaken by, the attorney general or a law enforcement agency pursuant to division (H) of this section.

(J) Whoever violates division (A) or (I) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Last updated August 3, 2023 at 2:46 PM

Section 2915.101 | Distributing net profit from proceeds of sale of instant bingo.
 

Except as otherwise provided by law, a charitable organization that conducts instant bingo or electronic instant bingo shall distribute the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo as follows:

(A)(1) If a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization conducted the instant bingo or electronic instant bingo, the organization shall distribute the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo, as follows:

(a) For the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or a greater amount prescribed by the attorney general to adjust for changes in prices as measured by the consumer price index as defined in section 325.18 of the Revised Code and other factors affecting the organization's expenses, as defined in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, or less of net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo generated in a calendar year:

(i) At least twenty-five per cent shall be distributed to an organization described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.

(ii) Not more than seventy-five per cent may be deducted and retained by the organization for reimbursement of or for the organization's expenses, as defined in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, in conducting the instant bingo or electronic instant bingo game.

(b) For any net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo of more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars or an adjusted amount generated in a calendar year:

(i) A minimum of fifty per cent shall be distributed to an organization described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.

(ii) Five per cent may be distributed for the organization's own charitable purposes or to a community action agency.

(iii) Forty-five per cent may be deducted and retained by the organization for reimbursement of or for the organization's expenses, as defined in division (GG) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, in conducting the instant bingo or electronic instant bingo game.

(2) If a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization does not distribute the full percentages specified in divisions (A)(1)(a) and (b) of this section for the purposes specified in those divisions, the organization shall distribute the balance of the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo not distributed or retained for those purposes to an organization described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) If a charitable organization other than a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization conducted the instant bingo or electronic instant bingo, the organization shall distribute one hundred per cent of the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo to an organization described in division (V)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.

(C) Nothing in this section prohibits a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization from distributing any net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo to an organization that is described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code when the organization that is described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is one that makes donations to other organizations and permits donors to advise or direct such donations so long as the donations comply with requirements established in or pursuant to subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Last updated August 3, 2023 at 2:47 PM

Section 2915.11 | Bingo game operator requirements.
 

(A) No person shall be a bingo game operator unless he is eighteen years of age or older.

(B) No person who has been convicted of a felony or a gambling offense in any jurisdiction shall be a bingo game operator.

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(D) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Section 2915.12 | Bingo games conducted for amusement only.
 

(A) Sections 2915.07 to 2915.15 of the Revised Code do not apply to bingo games that are conducted for the purpose of amusement only. A bingo game is conducted for the purpose of amusement only if it complies with all of the requirements specified in either division (A)(1) or (2) of this section:

(1)(a) The participants do not pay any money or any other thing of value including an admission fee, or any fee for bingo cards or sheets, objects to cover the spaces, or other devices used in playing bingo, for the privilege of participating in the bingo game, or to defray any costs of the game, or pay tips or make donations during or immediately before or after the bingo game.

(b) All prizes awarded during the course of the game are nonmonetary, and in the form of merchandise, goods, or entitlements to goods or services only, and the total value of all prizes awarded during the game is less than one hundred dollars.

(c) No commission, wages, salary, reward, tip, donation, gratuity, or other form of compensation, either directly or indirectly, and regardless of the source, is paid to any bingo game operator for work or labor performed at the site of the bingo game.

(d) The bingo game is not conducted either during or within ten hours of any of the following:

(i) A bingo session during which a charitable bingo game is conducted pursuant to sections 2915.07 to 2915.11 of the Revised Code;

(ii) A scheme or game of chance, or bingo described in division (O)(2) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(e) The number of players participating in the bingo game does not exceed fifty.

(2)(a) The participants do not pay money or any other thing of value as an admission fee, and no participant is charged more than twenty-five cents to purchase a bingo card or sheet, objects to cover the spaces, or other devices used in playing bingo.

(b) The total amount of money paid by all of the participants for bingo cards or sheets, objects to cover the spaces, or other devices used in playing bingo does not exceed one hundred dollars.

(c) All of the money paid for bingo cards or sheets, objects to cover spaces, or other devices used in playing bingo is used only to pay winners monetary and nonmonetary prizes and to provide refreshments.

(d) The total value of all prizes awarded during the game does not exceed one hundred dollars.

(e) No commission, wages, salary, reward, tip, donation, gratuity, or other form of compensation, either directly or indirectly, and regardless of the source, is paid to any bingo game operator for work or labor performed at the site of the bingo game.

(f) The bingo game is not conducted during or within ten hours of either of the following:

(i) A bingo session during which a charitable bingo game is conducted pursuant to sections 2915.07 to 2915.15 of the Revised Code;

(ii) A scheme of chance or game of chance, or bingo described in division (O)(2) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(g) All of the participants reside at the premises where the bingo game is conducted.

(h) The bingo games are conducted on different days of the week and not more than twice in a calendar week.

(B) The attorney general or any local law enforcement agency may investigate the conduct of a bingo game that purportedly is conducted for purposes of amusement only if there is reason to believe that the purported amusement bingo game does not comply with the requirements of either division (A)(1) or (2) of this section. A local law enforcement agency may proceed by action in the proper court to enforce this section if the local law enforcement agency gives written notice to the attorney general when commencing the action.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 4:35 PM

Section 2915.13 | Veteran's organization or fraternal organization authorized to conduct bingo session.
 

(A) Subject to the requirements of sections 2915.14 and 2915.15 of the Revised Code concerning electronic instant bingo, a veteran's organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization authorized to conduct a bingo session pursuant to this chapter may conduct instant bingo, electronic instant bingo, or both other than at a bingo session under a type III license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code if all of the following apply:

(1) The veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization limits the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo to twelve hours during any day, provided that the sale does not begin earlier than ten a.m. and ends not later than two a.m.

(2) The veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization limits the sale of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo to its own premises and to its own members and invited guests.

(3) The veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization is raising money for an organization that is described in subsection 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is either a governmental unit or an organization that maintains its principal place of business in this state, that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that is in good standing in this state and executes a written contract with that organization as required in division (B) of this section.

(B) If a veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization authorized to conduct instant bingo or electronic instant bingo pursuant to division (A) of this section is raising money for another organization that is described in subsection 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is either a governmental unit or an organization that maintains its principal place of business in this state, that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that is in good standing in this state, the veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization shall execute a written contract with the organization that is described in subsection 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is either a governmental unit or an organization that maintains its principal place of business in this state, that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that is in good standing in this state in order to conduct instant bingo or electronic instant bingo. That contract shall include a statement of the percentage of the net proceeds that the veteran's, fraternal, or sporting organization will be distributing to the organization that is described in subsection 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is either a governmental unit or an organization that maintains its principal place of business in this state, that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that is in good standing in this state.

(C)(1) If a veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization authorized to conduct instant bingo or electronic instant bingo pursuant to division (A) of this section has been issued a liquor permit under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code, that permit may be subject to suspension, revocation, or cancellation if the veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization violates a provision of this chapter.

(2) No veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization that enters into a written contract pursuant to division (B) of this section shall violate any provision of this chapter or permit, aid, or abet any other person in violating any provision of this chapter.

(D) A veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization shall give all required proceeds earned from the conduct of instant bingo or electronic instant bingo to the organization with which the veteran's organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization has entered into a written contract.

(E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of illegal instant bingo or electronic instant bingo conduct. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegal instant bingo or electronic instant bingo conduct is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section, illegal instant bingo or electronic instant bingo conduct is a felony of the fifth degree.

Last updated August 4, 2021 at 4:36 PM

Section 2915.14 | Illegal electronic instant bingo conduct.
 

(A) No charitable organization shall conduct electronic instant bingo unless all of the following are true:

(1) The organization is a veteran's organization described in division (J) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, or is a fraternal organization described in division (L) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, and the organization qualified as a veteran's organization or fraternal organization, as applicable, on or before June 30, 2021.

(2) The organization is a veteran's organization described in subsection 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code or is, and has received from the internal revenue service a determination letter that is currently in effect stating that the organization is, exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a), and is described in subsection 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) The organization has not conducted a raffle in violation of division (B) of section 2915.092 of the Revised Code using an electronic raffle machine, as described in Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition v. DeWine, Case No. 13-CV-13610 (C.P. Franklin Co. February 23, 2018), at any time on or after January 1, 2022.

(B) No charitable organization that conducts electronic instant bingo shall do any of the following:

(1) Possess an electronic instant bingo system that was not obtained in accordance with this chapter or with any rule adopted under this chapter;

(2) Conduct electronic instant bingo on any day, at any time, or on any premises not specified on the organization's type II or type III license issued under section 2915.08 of the Revised Code;

(3) Hold more than one valid license to conduct electronic instant bingo at any one time;

(4) Conduct electronic instant bingo on more than one premises or on any premises other than the charitable organization's principal place of business;

(5) Operate more than ten electronic bingo systems at the premises on which the charitable organization conducts electronic instant bingo under its license;

(6) Fail to display both of the following conspicuously at the premises on which the charitable organization conducts electronic instant bingo:

(a) The charitable organization's bingo license;

(b) The serial number of each deal of electronic instant bingo tickets being sold.

(7) Permit any person the charitable organization knows, or should have known, to be under eighteen years of age to play electronic instant bingo;

(8) Sell or provide to any person an electronic instant bingo ticket for a price different from the price displayed on the game flare for that deal, except that the charitable organization may give a participant who wins an electronic instant bingo game an electronic instant bingo ticket as a prize in place of a cash prize;

(9) Fail, once an electronic instant bingo deal is begun, to continue to sell tickets in that deal until all prizes have been awarded;

(10) Permit any person whom the organization knows, or should have known, has been convicted of a felony or gambling offense in any jurisdiction to be a bingo game operator in the conduct of electronic instant bingo;

(11) Permit a bingo game operator to play electronic instant bingo;

(12)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(12)(b) of this section, pay compensation to a bingo game operator for conducting electronic instant bingo.

(b) Division (B)(12)(a) of this section does not prohibit an employee of a veteran's organization or fraternal organization from redeeming electronic instant bingo tickets or vouchers for the organization's members or invited guests, so long as no portion of the employee's compensation is paid from any bingo receipts.

(13) Pay consulting fees to any person in relation to electronic instant bingo.

(C) No person shall sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide or offer to provide an electronic instant bingo system to any person for use in this state unless the electronic instant bingo system has been approved under section 2915.15 of the Revised Code.

(D) The attorney general shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to ensure the integrity of electronic instant bingo, including, but not limited to, rules governing all of the following:

(1) The requirements to receive a license or endorsement to conduct electronic instant bingo;

(2) The location and number of electronic instant bingo systems in use, which shall not exceed ten at the single licensed location per organization;

(3) The times when electronic instant bingo may be offered;

(4) Signage requirements in facilities where electronic instant bingo is offered;

(5) Electronic instant bingo device and system specifications, including reveal features and game themes;

(6) Procedures and standards for the review, approval, inspection, and monitoring of electronic instant bingo systems, as described in section 2915.15 of the Revised Code;

(7) Procedures and standards for the review and approval of any changes to technology, systems, or games licensed or permitted under this chapter;

(8) The fees to be charged under section 2915.15 of the Revised Code for review, approval, inspection, and monitoring of electronic instant bingo systems;

(9) Procedures allowing the attorney general to seek a summary suspension of a license to conduct electronic instant bingo or a license to manufacture or distribute electronic instant bingo systems if the attorney general has good cause to believe that the person or organization licensed to conduct electronic instant bingo, or the person or organization licensed to manufacture or distribute electronic instant bingo systems, or any of the organization's employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, or partners, has violated this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(E) Whoever knowingly violates division (A), (B), or (C) of this section or a rule adopted under division (D) of this section is guilty of illegal electronic instant bingo conduct. Illegal electronic instant bingo conduct is a misdemeanor of the first degree, except that if the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (A) or (B) of this section or of a rule adopted under division (D) of this section, illegal instant bingo conduct is a felony of the fifth degree.

Last updated September 9, 2021 at 12:22 PM

Section 2915.15 | Approval, inspection, removal from service of electronic instant bingo system.
 

(A)(1) Before selling, offering to sell, or otherwise providing or offering to provide an electronic instant bingo system to any person for use in this state, a manufacturer shall submit the electronic instant bingo system to an independent testing laboratory that is licensed by the state lottery commission under section 3770.02 of the Revised Code, or that is certified under section 3772.31 of the Revised Code, for testing and evaluation to determine whether the electronic instant bingo system meets the requirements of this chapter and of rules adopted under this chapter. The manufacturer shall pay all costs of that testing and evaluation.

(2) If the independent testing laboratory certifies that the electronic instant bingo system meets the requirements of this chapter and of rules adopted under this chapter, the manufacturer may submit the electronic instant bingo system, along with a copy of the laboratory's certification and a fee established by the attorney general by rule under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, to the attorney general for review and approval. The manufacturer also shall submit a fee established by the attorney general by rule under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, which the attorney general shall use to pay the cost of reviewing and approving electronic instant bingo systems under division (A) of this section.

(3) The attorney general shall approve the system for use in this state if the attorney general determines that the electronic instant bingo system meets the requirements of this chapter and of the rules adopted under this chapter. The attorney general shall consult the Ohio casino control commission for assistance in determining whether an electronic instant bingo system is prohibited for use under this chapter on the ground that it is a slot machine.

(4) An electronic instant bingo system shall be verified and sealed by the attorney general before the electronic instant bingo system is placed into service.

(5) Before an electronic instant bingo system is removed from service, the attorney general's seal shall be removed by the attorney general's designee. If the seal is removed after an electronic instant bingo system is sealed by the attorney general but before the electronic instant bingo system is placed into service, or if the seal is removed before an electronic instant bingo system is removed from service, or if the seal is removed by someone other than the attorney general's designee, the electronic instant bingo system shall be returned to an independent testing laboratory described in division (A)(1) of this section.

(B) Any electronic instant bingo system approved for use in this state shall have a central server located in Ohio which is accessible to the attorney general and shall include an internal report management system that records information concerning the operation of the system and that meets the requirements adopted by the attorney general by rule under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The internal report management system shall permit the attorney general or another person designated by the attorney general to access the internal report management system, monitor the electronic instant bingo system, and remotely deactivate the electronic instant bingo system or any aspect of the system.

(C) The attorney general may inspect any electronic instant bingo system in use in this state at any time to ensure that the system is in compliance with this chapter and with the rules adopted under this chapter. If the attorney general determines that any person or any electronic instant bingo system is in violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted under this chapter, the attorney general may order that the violation immediately cease and may deactivate the electronic instant bingo system or any aspect of it.

(D) The attorney general may establish by rule adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code an annual fee to be paid by distributors licensed under section 2915.081 of the Revised Code who have electronic instant bingo distributor endorsements to their licenses in order to pay the cost of monitoring the systems under division (B) of this section and the cost of inspecting systems under division (C) of this section.

Last updated September 9, 2021 at 12:24 PM