2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 23. Parks, Recreation, Sports, and Gambling › Chapter 5. Gambling › Part 4. Bingo, Keno, Raffles, and Heads or Tails › 23-5-412. Card prices and prizes -- exception

23-5-412. Card prices and prizes -- exception.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2):
(a) the price for an individual keno card may not exceed 50 cents; and
(b) a prize may not exceed the value of $100 for each individual keno card.
(2) A variation of the game of keno, as approved by the department, in which a player selects three or more numbers and places a wager on various combinations of these numbers is permissible if:
(a) no more than 50 cents is wagered on each combination of numbers; and
(b) a winning combination does not pay more than $100.
(3) A player may give a keno caller a card with instructions on the card to play that card and its marked numbers for up to the number of successive games that the house allows and that the player has indicated on the card, upon payment of the price per game times the number of successive games indicated. The player shall remain on the house premises until the card is played or withdrawn. The caller shall keep the card until the end of the number of games indicated, and the department may by rule provide that at that time the caller shall pay the player any prizes won.
(4) A bingo session must last at least 2 consecutive hours or 20 or more consecutive bingo games. A bingo session may not begin less than 2 hours after the conclusion of a prior session conducted on the same premises.
(5) Except as provided in subsections (6), (7), and (9):
(a) the price for an individual bingo card may not exceed $1;
(b) a prize may not exceed the value of $800 for each individual bingo game, and total bingo prize payouts may not exceed $3,000 during a bingo session.
(6) A variation of the game of bingo, as approved by the department, in which prizes may be awarded for each winning bingo pattern on a card is permissible if:
(a) no more than 50 cents is wagered on each bingo pattern; and
(b) a winning pattern does not pay more than $100.
(7) Subject to the department's approval, an operator licensed to conduct live bingo games may conduct up to five special bingo sessions a year, in which a bingo prize may not exceed the value of $800 and the total bingo prize payouts may not exceed $5,000 during the special bingo session. At least 30 days must elapse between the conclusion of one special bingo session and the beginning of the next special bingo session. Before the start of a special bingo session, the operator shall submit to the department an application for a special bingo session event permit. The application must be accompanied by a $10 fee, which the department shall retain for administrative purposes. An exempt charitable organization under 23-5-406 that offers live bingo activities is not eligible for a special bingo session event permit.
(8) Any bingo card other than a standard card with 5 columns and 25 squares with 1 number appearing in each square or any card that allows the player to print numbers on the card must be approved by the department prior to being offered for play.
(9) An exempt charitable organization under 23-5-406 that conducts live bingo activities at a place other than its main premises or place of operations:
(a) is not limited to a maximum per-session prize payout limit;
(b) may not charge more than 50 cents for an individual bingo card; and
(c) may not award a bingo prize that exceeds $100 in value.
(10) If a licensed operator conducts a promotional game of chance involving bingo or keno, the value of the prize awarded as a result of the promotional game of chance may not exceed $100.
(11) It is unlawful to combine, in any manner, any bingo or keno games so as to increase the ultimate value of the prize. Bingo and keno prizes may be paid in either tangible personal property or cash or in any combination of tangible personal property and cash.
History: En. 62-716 by Sec. 2, Ch. 294, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 62-716(part); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 465, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 39, Ch. 642, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 647, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 626, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 134, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 355, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 66, L. 2011.