Bingo

Participants match randomly drawn numbers on 5x5 matrices referred to as cards, with the first person achieving a specified pattern from the drawn numbers calling out “Bingo.” Wins are reviewed before issuing a prize and beginning a new game.

• Municipalities issue one-year bingo licenses, with a fee of $18.75 per occasion to the municipality.
• The maximum single prize is $5,000 and the maximum prize per occasion is $15,000.
• Individuals under the age of 18 years of age are permitted to attend bingo occasions but are not permitted to play bingo. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 may perform non-gaming activities, such as concessions, cleaning, maintenance and site preparation.

• File an Application for Registration and Identification Number (Form 1A) with the Commission obtain a bingo identification number.
• Apply for a bingo license by filing Forms BC-2, BC-2A and BC-2B with the municipality where the organization is domiciled and intends to conduct bingo. The bingo license fee is $18.75 per occasion, payable to the municipality.
• The municipality where the organization is located determines if an organization is eligible to conduct bingo, regardless of whether the Commission issues an identification number.
• The municipal clerk reviews the qualifications and the merits of each application and records their findings and determinations. If approved, the bingo license is issued by the municipality on Form BC-5.
• Persons operating any game of bingo must be bona fide members of such authorized organization, auxiliary or affiliated organization.
• Licenses expire 12 months from date of issuance.
• Bingo is limited to 18 days per quarter.

• Organizations must file Form BC-7 with the clerk of the applicable municipality within seven days after each bingo session. Organizations must also submit Form BC-7B detailing each receipt relating to bingo sales, the names of workers charged with such sale, bingo supplies sold and rent received.
• Organizations must pay the clerk of the applicable municipality an additional license fee totaling 3 percent of the reported net proceeds, if any.
• Within 15 days after the end of a quarter during which there has been any bingo, organizations must file Form BC-7Q with the Commission and the clerk of the municipality.

• Bingo may only be conducted in a municipality with an enacted a bingo local law or ordinance pursuant to NYS General Municipal Law Sections 477 and 478.
• All municipalities must file their bingo law or ordinance with the Commission, including the text of the law, certified vote tally, and receipt or acknowledgment letter from the NYS Department of State. If a municipality’s bingo law or ordnance is revoked, the municipality must notify the Commission.
• Each municipality with a local law authorizing the conduct of Games of Chance and/or Bingo is required to submit a report of their Games of Chance and Bingo statistics on or before February 1 of each year.
• On or before the 30th day of each month, the treasurer of the municipality must transmit $11.25 per occasion of all bingo license fees to the New York State Comptroller. 

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