2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 4:724 — Use of electronic or video bingo games

§724.  Use of electronic or video bingo games

A.  Electronic or video machines, hereafter termed "electronic bingo machines", for public playing of bingo may be made available at any location licensed under this Chapter for charitable bingo, provided that all requirements of this Chapter not in conflict with the provisions of this Section are met.

B.  Any such electronic bingo machine shall be subject to the following requirements and restrictions concerning its operation and use:

(1)  The cost of each game play shall be not less than twenty-five cents nor more than one dollar.

(2)  Payout shall be not less than eighty percent and not more than ninety-four percent of the total amount wagered.

(3)  The maximum prize awarded shall be not more than one thousand dollars.

(4)  A machine shall dispense no cash, only tickets verifiable as valid indicating the prize amount.

(5)  A machine shall play the game of bingo as described in R.S. 4:707(A)(2), except that a random number generator in the machine shall replace the drawing of numbered objects from a receptacle, and may play "cover-all bingo" in which all numbers of the card must be covered.

(6)  A machine shall allow the player a choice of cards on which to play and must show a "BINGO" at the end of play.

(7)  A machine shall allow only a linear-based payout in which the amount of the payout follows a straight line progression in direct proportion to the amount wagered.

(8)  A machine shall provide for an electronic readout giving, at a minimum, a summary of total wagers, total plays, total payout, and current prize allotment since the last date of summary or the last date of reset of the machine.

(9)  No person under the age of eighteen shall assist in the holding, operation, or conducting of electronic or video bingo games.

C.  An electronic bingo machine may be leased by any holder of a bingo license issued pursuant to this Chapter.  However, in no case shall any lease agreement entered into authorize the lessor to receive a percentage of the receipts from the machine.

D.  Only cash prizes may be awarded winners of games on an electronic bingo machine.

E.  At least forty-five percent of the net win from the machine must be paid to the licensee owning or leasing it.

F.  The office may adopt, pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 4:705(10)(b), additional rules and regulations governing the use of electronic bingo machines and may establish a list of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and lessors authorized to provide electronic bingo machines or a list of acceptable models of the machines, or acceptable serial numbers on such models or manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, or lessors.

G.  The office may assess whatever fees may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Section and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Subsection F.

H.  Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit a distributor of electronic bingo machines from having a representative present during the operation of their machines.

I.  Nothing in this Section shall be construed to restrict the authority of local governments to restrict or prohibit the conducting of electronic video bingo.

Acts 1999, No. 568, §3, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 602, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2003, No. 614, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2005, No. 373, §1.