Source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/smithville/latest/smithville_oh/0-0-0-13648
Timestamp: 2020-04-09 02:17:18
Document Index: 156848376

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 509', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 5739', '§ 170', '§ 122', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 2915', '§ 3772', '§ 109', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 146', '§ 4765', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 509', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 1531', '§ 1533', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2913', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 509', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 509', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 509', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 509', '§ 501', '§ 501', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 2915', '§ 2915', '§ 134', '§ 134', '§ 2915']

CHAPTER 134: GAMBLING OFFENSES
134.02 Prohibitions against gambling; exception
134.03 Operating a gambling house
134.04 Public gaming
134.05 Cheating
134.06 Regulations concerning operation of licensed bingo game
134.07 Records to be kept
134.08 Requirements for bingo game operators
134.09 Bingo games for amusement only
134.10 Prohibitions where instant bingo game is conducted
134.11 Raffle drawings
134.12 Instant bingo other than at bingo sessions
134.13 Restrictions on owner or lessor of location at instant bingo
134.14 Skill-based amusement machines; prohibited conduct
Conducting an illegal bingo game, felony, see R.C. § 2915.07
Licensing bingo games by Attorney General, see R.C. § 2915.08
Licensing distributors of bingo supplies by Attorney General, see R.C. § 2915.081
Licensing manufacturers of bingo supplies by Attorney General, see R.C. § 2915.082
§ 134.01 DEFINITIONS.
BET. The hazarding of anything of value upon the result of an event, undertaking, or contingency, but does not include a bona fide business risk.
BINGO. Either of the following:
(a) The participants use bingo cards or sheets, including paper formats and electronic representation or image formats, that are divided into 25 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 75 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 75 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 (1)(c) of this definition, that a predetermined and pre-announced pattern of spaces has been covered on a bingo card or sheet being used by the participant.
BINGO GAME OPERATOR. 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, 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 SESSION. 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 (1) of the definition of “bingo” in this section, instant bingo, and seal cards;
(2) A period for the conduct of instant bingo and seal cards for not more than two hours before and not more than two hours after the period described in division (1) of this definition.
BINGO SUPPLIES. Bingo cards or sheets; instant bingo tickets or cards; electronic bingo aids; raffle tickets; punch boards; seal cards; instant bingo ticket dispensers; 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 or R.C. Chapter 2915. For purposes of this chapter, “bingo supplies” are not to be considered equipment used to conduct a bingo game.
BOOKMAKING. The business of receiving or paying off bets.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Any organization of individuals, professionals, and businesses that has the purpose to advance the commercial, financial, industrial, and civic interests of the community and that is, and has received from the Internal Revenue Service a determination letter that currently is in effect stating that the organization is, exempt from federal income taxation under IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(6).
CHARITABLE BINGO GAME. Any bingo game described in divisions (1) or (2) of the definition of “bingo” in this section that is conducted by a charitable organization that has obtained a license pursuant to R.C. § 2915.08 and the proceeds of which are used for a charitable purpose.
CHARITABLE INSTANT BINGO ORGANIZATION. An organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3) and is a charitable organization as defined in this section. The term does not include a charitable organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3) 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 R.C. § 2915.13, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, “charitable organization” means either of the following:
(a) An 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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3);
(b) 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 IRC §§ 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10) or 501(c)(19).
(2) 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 R.C. § 2915.08 or the conducting of any game of chance as provided in R.C. § 2915.02(D), or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
CHARITABLE PURPOSE. Means that the net profit of bingo, other than instant bingo, is used by, or is given, donated, or otherwise transferred to, any of the following:
(1) Any organization that is described in IRC §§ 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) and is either a governmental unit or an organization that is tax exempt under IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3);
(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 75% 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 R.C. § 5739.02(B)(12), is used for awarding scholarships to or for attendance at an institution mentioned in that division of the Ohio 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 15 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 IRC § 170;
(4) A volunteer firefighter’s organization that uses the net profit for the purposes set forth in the definition of “volunteer firefighter’s organization” in this section.
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 122.66.
CONDUCT. 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.
DEAL OF INSTANT BINGO TICKETS. A single game of instant bingo tickets all with the same serial number.
DISTRIBUTOR. Any person who purchases or obtains bingo supplies and who does either of the following:
ELECTRONIC BINGO AID.
(1) 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:
(2) The term does not include any device into which a coin, currency, token, or an equivalent is inserted to activate play.
EXPENSES. The reasonable amount of gross profit actually expended for all of the following:
(2) The annual license fee required under R.C. § 2915.08;
(3) Bank fees and service charges for a bingo session or game account described in R.C. § 2915.10;
(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;
(13) Any other product or service directly related to the conduct of bingo that is authorized in rules adopted by the Attorney General under R.C. § 2915.08(B)(1).
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION. 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.
GAMBLING DEVICE. Any of the following:
(1) A book, totalizer, or other equipment used for recording bets;
(5) Bingo supplies sold or otherwise provided, or used, in violation of this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915.
GAMBLING OFFENSE. Any of the following:
(1) A violation of R.C. § 2915.02, 2915.03, 2915.04, 2915.05, 2915.06, 2915.07, 2915.08, 2915.081, 2915.082, 2915.09, 2915.091, 2915.092, 2915.10, or 2915.11;
(2) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or of the United States substantially equivalent to any section listed in division (1) of this definition or a violation of R.C. § 2915.06 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 of the United States, of which gambling is an element;
GAME FLARE. The board or placard that accompanies each deal of instant bingo tickets and that has printed on or affixed to it the following information for the game:
(2) The manufacturer’s name or distinctive logo;
GAME OF CHANCE. 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.
GAME OF CHANCE CONDUCTED FOR PROFIT. Any game of chance designed to produce income for the person who conducts or operates the game of chance, but does not include bingo.
GROSS ANNUAL REVENUES. The annual gross receipts derived from the conduct of bingo described in division (1) of the definition of “bingo” in this section plus the annual net profit derived from the conduct of bingo described in division (2) of the definition of “bingo” in this section.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross receipts minus the amount actually expended for the payment of prize awards.
GROSS RECEIPTS. 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. The term 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:
HISTORIC RAILROAD. All or a portion of the tracks and right-of-way of a railroad that was owned and operated by a for profit common carrier in this state at any time prior to January 1, 1950.
INSTANT BINGO. 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. In all “instant bingo” the prize amount and structure shall be predetermined. The term does not include 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.
INSTANT BINGO TICKET DISPENSER. A mechanical device that dispenses an instant bingo ticket or card as the sole item of value dispensed and that has the following characteristics:
(6) It is incapable of determining whether a dispensed bingo ticket or card is a winning or non-winning ticket or card and requires a winning ticket or card to be paid by a bingo game operator.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC). The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq., as now or hereafter amended.
MANUFACTURER. 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.
MERCHANDISE PRIZE. Any item of value, but shall not include any of the following:
(4) A redeemable voucher that is redeemable for any of the items listed in division (1), (2), or (3) of this definition.
NET PROFIT. Gross profit minus expenses.
NET PROFIT FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF INSTANT BINGO. Gross profit minus the ordinary, necessary, and reasonable expense expended for the purchase of instant bingo supplies, and, in the case of 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 is conducted.
PARTICIPANT. Any person who plays bingo.
PERSON. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 1.59 and includes any firm or any other legal entity, however organized.
POOL NOT CONDUCTED FOR PROFIT. 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.
PUNCH BOARD. 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 when used in conjunction with instant bingo. 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.
RAFFLE. 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. The term 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:
REDEEMABLE VOUCHER. Any ticket, token, coupon, receipt, or other noncash representation of value.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION. 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.
REVOKE. To void permanently all rights and privileges of the holder of a license issued under R.C. § 2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 or a charitable gaming license issued by another jurisdiction.
SCHEME OF CHANCE.
(1) A slot machine unless authorized under R.C. Chapter 3772, lottery unless authorized under R.C. Chapter 3770, 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:
(a) Less than 50% 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;
(b) Less than 50% 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;
(c) More than 50% 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 R.C. § 3772.01;
(d) 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;
(e) 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;
(f) A participant may use the electronic device to purchase additional game entries;
(g) A participant may purchase additional game entries by using points or credits won as prizes while using the electronic device;
(h) A scheme of chance operator pays out in prize money more than 20% of the gross revenue received at one location; or
(i) 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.
(2) 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.
SEAL CARD. 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.
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 R.C. §§ 109.71 through 109.79 and who is hired to provide security for the premises on which bingo is conducted.
SKILL-BASED AMUSEMENT MACHINE.
(1) (a) 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:
1. The wholesale value of a merchandise prize awarded as a result of the single play of a machine does not exceed $10;
2. Redeemable vouchers awarded for any single play of a machine are not redeemable for a merchandise prize with a wholesale value of more than $10;
3. Redeemable vouchers are not redeemable for a merchandise prize that has a wholesale value of more than $10 times the fewest number of single plays necessary to accrue the redeemable vouchers required to obtain that prize; and
4. Any redeemable vouchers or merchandise prizes are distributed at the site of the skill- based amusement machine at the time of play.
(b) A card for the purchase of gasoline is a redeemable voucher for purposes of division (1) of this definition 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;
(3) All of the following apply to any machine that is operated as described in division (1) of this definition:
(a) As used in this definition of “skill-based amusement machine”, 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 non- contest, competition, or tournament play.
(4) For purposes of division (1) of this definition, 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.
(2) The term does not include a skill-based amusement machine or an instant bingo ticket dispenser.
SPORTING ORGANIZATION. 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.
SUSPEND. To interrupt temporarily all rights and privileges of the holder of a license issued under R.C. § 2915.08, 2915.081, or 2915.082 or a charitable gaming license issued by another jurisdiction.
SWEEPSTAKES. 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 R.C. Chapter 2915, pari-mutuel wagering as authorized by R.C. Chapter 3769, lotteries conducted by the State Lottery Commission as authorized by R.C. Chapter 3770, and casino gaming as authorized by R.C. Chapter 3772.
SWEEPSTAKES TERMINAL DEVICE.
(1) 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:
(2) As used in this definition and in § 134.02:
ENTER. The act by which a person becomes eligible to receive any prize offered in a sweepstakes.
ENTRY. One event from the initial activation of the sweepstakes terminal device until all the sweepstakes prize results from that activation are revealed.
PRIZE. 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.
SWEEPSTAKES TERMINAL DEVICE FACILITY. Any location in this state where a sweepstakes terminal device is provided to a sweepstakes participant, except as provided in § 134.02(G) and R.C. § 2915.02(G).
VETERAN’S ORGANIZATION. 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 definition, 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 5,000 persons.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER’S ORGANIZATION. Any organization of volunteer firefighters, as defined in R.C. § 146.01, 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.
VOLUNTEER RESCUE SERVICE ORGANIZATION. Any organization of volunteers organized to function as an emergency medical service organization, as defined in R.C. § 4765.01.
YOUTH ATHLETIC ORGANIZATION. 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 21 years of age or younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or association.
YOUTH ATHLETIC PARK ORGANIZATION. Any organization, not organized for profit, that satisfies both of the following:
(a) The playing fields are used at least 100 days per year 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 18 years of age or younger by means of sponsoring, organizing, operating, or contributing to the support of an athletic team, club, league, or association.
(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 (1) of this definition.
(R.C. § 2915.01) (Rev. 2014)
§ 134.02 PROHIBITIONS AGAINST GAMBLING; EXCEPTION.
(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.
(a) Give to another person any item described in R.C. § 2915.01(VV)(1), (VV)(2), (VV)(3), or (VV)(4) 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 $10 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 $10.
(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 R.C. § 2915.02(F).
(7) With purpose to violate division (A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), (A)(5), or (A)(6) of this section, acquire, possess, control, or operate any gambling device.
(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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3).
(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 this division, if the veteran’s or fraternal organization already has leased the premises 12 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 this division, 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 R.C. § 2915.09(B)(1) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance 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, given, donated or otherwise transferred to any organization that is described in IRC § 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) and is either a governmental unit or an organization that is tax exempt under IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3).
(e) The games of chance are not conducted during or within ten hours of a bingo game conducted for amusement purposes only pursuant to R.C. § 2915.12 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance. 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, as defined in R.C. § 1531.01, operated under a permit issued under R.C. § 1533.92.
(3) Bingo conducted by a charitable organization that holds a license issued under R.C. § 2915.08.
(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 $200 and all information as required by rule adopted under R.C. § 2915.02(H). 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 $50 and all information required by rule adopted under R.C. § 2915.02(H). All information provided to the Attorney General under this division shall be available to law enforcement upon request.
(G) (1) 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:
(a) That the person will not use more than two sweepstakes terminal devices at the business location;
(b) 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 3% of the gross revenue received at the business location during the reporting period;
(c) That no other form of gaming except lottery ticket sales as authorized under R.C. Chapter 3770 will be conducted at the business location or in an adjoining area of the business location;
(d) 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;
(e) That notification of any prize will not take place on the same day as a participant’s sweepstakes entry; and
(f) That the person consents to provide any other information to the Attorney General as required by rule adopted under R.C. § 2915.02(H).
(2) The filing fee for a certificate of compliance is $250. The Attorney General may charge up to an additional $250 for reasonable expenses resulting from any investigation related to an application for a certificate of compliance.
(3) 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 3% of the gross revenue received at the business location.
(H) 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 to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. 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.
(R.C. § 2915.02(A) - (G), (K)) (Rev. 2014)
§ 134.03 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 the premises for gambling in violation of R.C. § 2915.02 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(2) Recklessly permit the premises to be used or occupied for gambling in violation of R.C. § 2915.02 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(B) Whoever violates division (A) of 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 to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(C) Premises used or occupied in violation of this section constitute a nuisance subject to abatement under R.C. Chapter 3767.
(R.C. § 2915.03) (Rev. 2003)
§ 134.04 PUBLIC GAMING.
(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 R.C. Chapter 3767.
(R.C. § 2915.04) (Rev. 2003)
§ 134.05 CHEATING.
(1) The subject of a bet.
(2) A contest of knowledge, skill, or endurance that is not an athletic or sporting event.
(1) Offer, give, solicit, or accept anything of value 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 $1,000 or more or if the offender previously has been convicted of any gambling offense or of any theft offense as defined in R.C. § 2913.01, cheating is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(2) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of corrupting sports. Corrupting sports is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2915.05) (Rev. 2012)
§ 134.06 REGULATIONS CONCERNING OPERATION OF LICENSED BINGO GAME.
(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 bingo, 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 the definition for “expenses” in R.C. § 2915.01, 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 (1) of the definition of “bingo” in R.C. § 2915.01, the charitable organization may deduct from the total amount of the gross receipts from each session a sum equal to the lesser of $600 or 45% 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, other than instant bingo, for a charitable purpose listed in its license application and described in the definition for “charitable purpose” in R.C. § 2915.01, or distribute all of the net profit from the proceeds of the sale of instant bingo as stated in its license application and in accordance with R.C. § 2915.101.
(B) No charitable organization that conducts a bingo game described in division (1) of the definition of “bingo” in R.C. § 2915.01 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 $650 per bingo session or 45% 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 $450 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 $450 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 only 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;
(3) Conduct the bingo session in accordance with division (1) of the definition of “bingo” in R.C. § 2915.01.
(C) No charitable organization that conducts a bingo game described in division (1) of the definition of “bingo” in R.C. § 2915.01 shall do any of the following:
(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 $6,000 in prizes for bingo games described in R.C. § 2915.01(S)(1) 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 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., at any time during, or within ten hours of, a bingo game conducted for amusement only pursuant to R.C. § 2915.12 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, 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. This division does not prohibit the sale of instant bingo tickets beginning at 9:00 a.m. for a bingo session that begins at 10:00 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 R.C. § 2915.08(F). 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 18 to work as 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 R.C. § 2915.081;
(11) (a) Use or permit the use of electronic bingo aids except under the following circumstances:
1. For any single participant, not more than 90 bingo faces can be played using an electronic bingo aid or aids.
2. The charitable organization shall provide a participant using an electronic bingo aid with corresponding paper bingo cards or sheets.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 R.C. Chapter 119 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 18 years of age to play bingo described in division (1) of the definition of “bingo” in R.C. § 2915.01.
(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 other than at a bingo session at the site of instant bingo other than at a bingo session.
(3) Nothing in this 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.
(G) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is guilty of illegally conducting a bingo game, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A)(1), (A)(3), (B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(3), (C)(1) through (C)(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), (A)(3), (B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(3), (C)(1) through (C)(11), or (D) of this section, a violation of division (A)(1), (A)(3), (B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(3), (C)(1) through (C)(11), 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. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of division (C)(12) of this section, a violation of division (C)(12) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2915.09) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.07 RECORDS TO BE KEPT.
(A) No charitable organization that conducts bingo or a game of chance pursuant to R.C. § 2915.02(D), or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, 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:
(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 the name, address, and social security number of all persons who are winners of prizes of $600 or more in value;
(4) An itemized list of the recipients of the net profit of 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 R.C. § 2915.01(V), R.C. § 2915.02(D), or R.C. § 2915.101, a list of each purpose and an itemized list of each expenditure for each purpose;
(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 R.C. § 2915.01(T);
(C) The gross profit from each bingo session or game described in division (1) or (2) of the definition of “bingo” in R.C. § 2915.01 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.
(E) The Attorney General may adopt rules in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119 that establish standards of accounting, record keeping, and reporting to ensure that gross receipts from bingo or games of chance are properly accounted for.
(H) (1) The Attorney General or any law enforcement agency may do all of the following:
(a) Investigate any charitable organization or any officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee of the organization;
(b) Examine the accounts and records of the organization;
(c) Conduct inspections, audits, and observations of bingo or games of chance;
(d) Conduct inspections of the premises where bingo or games of chance are conducted;
(e) Take any other necessary and reasonable action to determine if a violation of any provision of this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915 has occurred and to determine whether R.C. § 2915.11, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, has been complied with.
(2) If any law enforcement agency has reasonable grounds to believe that a charitable organization or an officer, agent, trustee, member, or employee of the organization has violated any provision of this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915, the law enforcement agency may proceed by action in the proper court to enforce this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915, provided that the law enforcement agency shall give written notice to the Attorney General when commencing an action as described in this division.
(R.C. § 2915.10) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.08 REQUIREMENTS FOR BINGO GAME OPERATORS.
(A) No person shall be a bingo game operator unless the person is 18 years of age or older.
(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(R.C. § 2915.11) (Rev. 2003)
§ 134.09 BINGO GAMES FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY.
(A) Sections 134.06 through 134.13 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 (A)(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 non-monetary, and in the form of merchandise, goods, or entitlement to goods or services only, and the total value of all prizes awarded during the game is less than $100.
(d) The bingo game is not conducted either during or within ten hours of any of the following:
1. A bingo session during which a charitable bingo game is conducted pursuant to R.C. §§ 2915.07 through 2915.11 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
2. A scheme or game of chance, or bingo described in R.C. § 2915.01(O)(2).
(e) The number of players participating in the bingo game does not exceed 50.
(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 $0.25 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 $100.
(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 $100.
(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:
1. A bingo session during which a charitable bingo game is conducted pursuant to R.C. §§ 2915.07 through 2915.11 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance;
2. A scheme of chance or a game of chance, or bingo described in R.C. § 2915.01(O)(2).
(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 (A)(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.
(R.C. § 2915.12) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.10 PROHIBITIONS WHERE INSTANT BINGO GAME IS CONDUCTED.
(A) No charitable organization that conducts instant bingo shall do any of the following:
(1) Fail to comply with the requirements of R.C. § 2915.09(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3), or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance;
(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 IRC § 501(a), is described in IRC § 501(c)(3), is a charitable organization as defined in R.C. § 2915.01, is in good standing in the state pursuant to R.C. § 2915.08, and is in compliance with R.C. Chapter 1716;
(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 IRC § 501(a), is described in IRC § 501(c)(7), (c)(8), (c)(10), or (c)(19) or is a veteran’s organization described in IRC § 501(c)(4), and conducts instant bingo under R.C. § 2915.13.
(3) Conduct instant bingo on any day, at any time, or at any premises not specified on the organization’s license issued pursuant to R.C. § 2915.08;
(5) Purchase or lease supplies used to conduct instant bingo or punch board games from any person except a distributor licensed under R.C. § 2915.081;
(7) Sell an instant bingo ticket or card to a person under 18 years of age;
(10) Pay fees to any person for any services performed in relation to an instant bingo game, except as provided in R.C. § 2915.093(D);
(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.
(14) Possess a deal of instant bingo tickets or cards that was not purchased from a distributor licensed under R.C. § 2915.081 as reflected on an invoice issued by the distributor that contains all of the information required by R.C. § 2915.10(E);
(16) Possess bingo supplies that were not obtained in accordance with R.C. Chapter 2915.
(C) Pursuant to R.C. § 2915.091(C), the Attorney General may adopt rules in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119 that govern the conduct of instant bingo by charitable organizations.
(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 adopted under division (C) of this section, illegal instant bingo conduct is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2915.091) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.11 RAFFLE DRAWINGS.
(A) (1) Subject to division (A)(2) of this section, a charitable organization, a public school, a chartered nonpublic school, a community school, or a veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under IRC § 501(a) and is described in IRC §§ 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) may conduct a raffle to raise money for the organization or school and does not need a license to conduct bingo in order to conduct a raffle drawing that is not for profit.
(2) If a charitable organization that is described in division (A)(1) of this section, but that is not also described in IRC § 501(c)(3), conducts a raffle, the charitable organization shall distribute at least 50% of the net profit from the raffle to a charitable purpose described in R.C. § 2915.01(V) or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.
(D) Whoever violates division (C) 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 (C) of this section, illegal conduct of a raffle is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2915.092) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.12 INSTANT BINGO OTHER THAN AT BINGO SESSIONS.
(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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3), 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, 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 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) (1) 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.
(2) The charitable instant bingo organization shall pay 6% 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.
(3) As used in this division, EXPENSES means those items provided for in R.C. § 2915.01(GG)(4), (GG)(5), (GG)(6), (GG)(7), (GG)(8), (GG)(12), and (GG)(13) 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 6% of the total gross receipts of any deal of instant bingo tickets.
(4) As used in this division, FULL GROSS PROFIT means the amount by which the total receipts of all instant bingo tickets, if the deal has 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 R.C. Chapter 2915.
(F) Division (C) of this section does not apply to a volunteer firefighter’s organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3), 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 $1,500,000.
(R.C. § 2915.093) (Rev. 2013)
(G) (1) A veteran’s organization, a fraternal organization, or a sporting organization authorized to conduct a bingo session pursuant to R.C. Chapter 2915 may conduct instant bingo other than at a bingo session if all of the following apply:
(a) The veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization limits the sale of instant bingo to 12 hours during any day, provided that the sale does not begin earlier than 10:00 a.m. and ends not later than 2:00 a.m.
(b) The veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization limits the sale of instant bingo to its own premises and to its own members and invited guests.
(c) The veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization is raising money for an organization that is described in IRC § 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) 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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3), and that is in good standing in this state and executes a written contract with that organization as required in division (G)(2) of this section.
(2) If a veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization authorized to conduct instant bingo pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section is raising money for another organization that is described in IRC § 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) 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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c), 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 IRC § 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) 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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c), and that is in good standing in this state in order to conduct 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 IRC § 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) 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 IRC § 501(a) and described in IRC § 501(c)(3), and that is in good standing in this state.
(3) (a) If a veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization authorized to conduct instant bingo pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section has been issued a liquor permit under R.C. Chapter 4303, 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 or R.C. Chapter 2915.
(b) No veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization that enters into a written contract pursuant to division (G)(2) of this section shall violate any provision of this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915, or permit, aid, or abet any other person in violating any provision of this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915.
(4) A veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization shall give all required proceeds earned from the conduct of instant bingo to the organization with which the veteran’s organization, fraternal organization, or sporting organization has entered into a written contract.
(5) Whoever violates division (G) 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 (G) of this section, illegal instant bingo conduct is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2915.13) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.13 RESTRICTIONS ON OWNER OR LESSOR OF LOCATION AT 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 R.C. § 2915.093, with the charitable instant bingo organization to assist in the conduct of 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 this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915, or permit, aid, or abet any other person in violating any provision of this chapter or R.C. Chapter 2915.
(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 to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(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.
(R.C. § 2915.094) (Rev. 2013)
§ 134.14 SKILL-BASED AMUSEMENT MACHINES; PROHIBITED CONDUCT.
(A) No person shall give to another person any item described in division (1), (2), (3), or (4) of the definition for “merchandise prize” in § 134.01 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 to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2915.06) (Rev. 2008)