HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2918

As Passed House:

February 15, 2002

Title:  An act relating to authorizing bona fide charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo.

Brief Description:  Authorizing certain organizations to conduct bingo.

Sponsors:  By Representative Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  2/7/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/15/02, 82-16.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

$Removes the three-time per week limit on bingo games at a single location.

$Permits non-profit bingo operators to share facilities at one location.

$Restricts the issuance of any new bingo licenses until July 1, 2007.

$Requires a warning against pathological gambling.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Clements, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Kenney and Lysen.

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

By definition, the game of bingo may be conducted by charitable non-profit organizations only.  A non-profit group may conduct bingo up to three times per week, or it may allow its facility to be used to conduct bingo up to three times per week.  No group may conduct bingo at any location where bingo is offered more than three times per week.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

The three-time per week restriction is lifted for conducting bingo games.  A nonprofit organization may conduct bingo more than three times per week and may allow its facility to be used to conduct bingo more than three times per week.  An organization that conducts or allows its facility to be used to conduct bingo more than three times per week must include a warning against pathological gambling in any advertising or promotion of the organization=s gambling activities.  Non-profit bingo operators may share facilities at one location.  The Gambling Commission may not issue a new license to conduct bingo until July 1, 2007.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.