BINGO IS A CASINO GAME

While many people regard Bingo as a casino game, many others regard it as a lottery. So, should Bingo be classified as a casino game?

Bingo is often dismissed by casino patrons as a game for church or school fundraisers, at best a lottery. Others, including American lawmakers, regard bingo as a casino game.

This article will look closely at US laws to see if bingo casinos are right for you.

WARNING: We are not lawyers, so consider this an opinion piece rather than legal advice!

WHY IS BINGO A CASINO GAME?

Bingo rooms, both in person and online, are a type of gambling. Bingo, like the lottery or keno, is a number game. During each session, players compete to have the first ticket with the winning numbers. While you have no control over the orientation of the numbers on your ticket, you do have control over the number of tickets in play for each session. In other words, players can increase their bet by buying more tickets to increase their chances of winning a bingo session.

Don't take our word for it. David Yocom, a former Salt Lake District Attorney, stated, "Gambling occurs whenever you put something of value at risk in order to win something of value. It is, in my opinion, gambling under the law." Yocom's statement stems from a West Valley City court case that was opened after Annie's Dinner & Bingo Club was found to be in violation of state law when holding a bingo event.

Bingo establishments such as Annie's Dinner & Bingo Club are legal as long as the bingo cards are free and participants do not have to pay. When participants order additional meals, the establishment provides them with additional cards. Selling more cards to give players a better chance of winning has made bingo an illegal activity.

From a different perspective, are bingo casinos as exciting as other forms of gambling? Bingo payouts are the highest of any game on the gambling floor in terms of cash prizes. Jackpots in Las Vegas bingo halls can range from $600 to $2,000.

Bingo tournaments typically have multiple sessions with payouts of more than $1,000. These tournaments also have massive prizes of more than $10,000 for players who achieve significant accomplishments, such as coveralls ranging from 45 to 52.

WHY IS BINGO NOT CALLED GAMBLING?

Bingo is a gambling game, according to the law. So, why are they so common at church, school, or non-governmental organization events?

Organizations can legally hold bingo events because the game is considered a legal activity in certain states, such as Florida, as long as the proceeds go to charity.

Other aspects of the law must be considered in order to keep a bingo game legal. Returning to Florida, there is a limit to how much a bingo game can pay out to participants. Session jackpots must not exceed $250 in cash or object value. Furthermore, players must be 18 or older to participate in any bingo game.

Certain US states, such as Michigan, have slightly looser bingo laws than others. This state allows organizations to keep half of the proceeds from bingo events as long as the rest is donated to charity.

BINGO CHARITABLE GAMING LICENSE

A charitable gaming license is needed for groups that want to host bingo games at charity events or to raise money for a good cause. The state requires applicants for this license to have been active for at least three years.

Charitable gaming licenses are only valid for one event and cannot be renewed. Organizations, on the other hand, can sign up for multiple licenses if they plan to hold more than one bingo session in a year.

In terms of the law and payout, bingo at casinos is on par with other gambling games such as keno, blackjack, and racebook. Bingo can also be a legal activity in some states if the proceeds go to charity.