FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 2918

C 369 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing certain organizations to conduct bingo.

Sponsors:  By Representative Wood.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions

Background:

By definition, the game of bingo may be conducted by charitable nonprofit organizations only.  A nonprofit 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:

The three-times-per-week restriction is removed 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.  Currently licensed bingo operators also may share facilities at one location.  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.

Votes on Final Passage:

House8216

Senate3513(Senate amended)

House7125(House concurred)

Effective:  June 13, 2002