2022 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 17: CRIMES
Chapter 13-A: BEANO OR BINGO
17 §311. Definitions

§311. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following words have the following meanings.   [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

1.  Beano.  "Beano" means a specific kind of group game of chance, regardless of whether such a game is characterized by another name. Wherever the term "beano" is used, the word "bingo" or any other word used to characterize such a game may be interchanged. In "beano," each participant is given or sold one or more tally cards, so-called, each of which contains preprinted numbers or letters and may or may not be arranged in vertical or horizontal rows. The participant covers or marks the numbers or letters as objects similarly numbered or lettered are drawn from a receptacle and the winner or winners are determined by the sequence in which those objects are drawn. The manner in which the winner is determined must be clearly announced or displayed before any game is begun. For the purposes of this chapter, to hold, conduct or operate beano includes charging a fee or offering something of value to play in exchange for the opportunity to receive something of value for winning a game.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

1-A.  Commercial beano hall permit.  "Commercial beano hall permit" means written authority from the Gambling Control Unit issued to a permittee who rents or leases premises for profit to a licensee to hold, conduct or operate "beano."  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

1-B.  Chief of State Police. 

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (RP).]

2.  Equipment.  "Equipment" means the receptacle and numbered objects to be drawn from it; the master board upon which such objects are placed as drawn; the tally cards or sheets bearing such numbers to be covered and the objects used to cover them; the boards or signs, however operated, used to display the numbers as they are drawn; public address systems; and any other articles essential to the operation, conduct and playing of "Beano."  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

2-A.  Director.  "Director" means the Executive Director of the Gambling Control Board and the Gambling Control Unit.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (NEW).]

2-B.  Gambling Control Unit.  "Gambling Control Unit" or "unit" means the bureau within the Department of Public Safety under Title 25, section 2902, subsection 12 or an authorized representative of the Gambling Control Unit.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (NEW).]

3.  License.  "License" means written authority from the Gambling Control Unit to hold, conduct or operate "Beano".  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

4.  Licensee.  "Licensee" means any organization, including a federally recognized Indian tribe in the State, that has been granted a license by the Gambling Control Unit to hold, conduct or operate "Beano" or "Bingo."  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

5.  Location permit.  "Location permit" means that card issued by the Gambling Control Unit, describing the premises or area in which "Beano" may be conducted. Such location permit must be accompanied by a license. Only such locations expressly described in the location permit are used for the conduct of any game.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

5-A.  Member.  "Member" means a bona fide member of a firm, corporation, association, organization, department or class or a combination thereof who has been duly admitted as a member according to the laws, rules, regulations, ordinances or bylaws governing membership in the firm, corporation, association, organization, department, class or combination thereof.  

[PL 2019, c. 56, §1 (NEW).]

6.  Organization.  "Organization" means any firm, association or corporation authorized to conduct "Beano" in accordance with this chapter.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

7.  Period.  "Period" means the number of calendar weeks authorized by a single license for the operation of "Beano" or "Bingo."  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD).]

7-A.  Permittee.  "Permittee" means an individual, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association that rents or leases a building or facilities for profit to a licensee to hold, conduct or operate "beano."  

[PL 1999, c. 74, §1 (NEW).]

7-B.  Wild number beano. 

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (RP).]

8.  Winner-take-all round. 

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (RP).]

9.  Registrant.  "Registrant" means a person or organization registered with the Gambling Control Unit to hold, conduct or operate beano games for which a license is not required.  

[PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1975, c. 307, §2 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 272 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 197, §1 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 426, §1 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 796, §2 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 74, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 419, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 342, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. JJJJJ, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 56, §1 (AMD).