Section 520. Game play requirements

A. Any device that sells network bingo cards shall be clearly labeled so as to inform the public or game worker that no one younger than 18 years of age is allowed to play or redeem a network bingo card.

B. A network bingo provider shall have physical on-site independent supervision while the numbers for a network bingo game are called by a live caller. This independent supervision shall be unbiased in verifying the outcome of the network bingo game and uphold the department's objective of maintaining the highest level of integrity in charitable gaming. A written agreement specifying the terms of any arrangement between the entity or person providing the physical on-site independent supervision and the network bingo provider shall be required prior to any supervision being performed on the network bingo game. This written agreement shall be maintained by the network bingo provider for a minimum of three years from the close of the fiscal year, unless otherwise specified.

C. A network bingo provider shall ensure qualified organizations participating in its network bingo comply with § 18.2-340.28:1 F of the Code of Virginia.

D. A network bingo provider or the live caller shall announce the prize amount and the predetermined pattern to players immediately before the start of the network bingo game. Each location where a qualified organization is selling network bingo cards shall be equipped to visually display the broadcast or signal of the numbers as they are being called by a live caller.

E. Gross receipts from the sale of network bingo cards shall be allocated in the following manner:

1. Up to 50% of such receipts to the organization selling network bingo cards;

2. Up to 50% of gross receipts to the prize pool; and

3. Any remaining amount to the network bingo provider.

However, if the prize pool reaches the maximum prize limitation, then the network bingo provider shall enable the organization to retain those gross receipts normally allocated to the prize pool.

F. All written agreements specifying the terms of any arrangement between the qualified organization and network bingo provider shall be maintained by both parties for a minimum of three years from the close of the fiscal year, unless otherwise specified.

G. Network bingo prizes must be claimed by the player within 30 days of winning the game and if not, the network bingo provider shall roll the unclaimed prize into the prize pool for the next network bingo game. The network bingo provider shall pay the prize by check to the winning player within 30 days. If the outcome of a network bingo game results in multiple winning players, then the prize amount shall be equally divided among them.

H. No single network bingo prize shall exceed the prize limitation set forth in § 18.2-340.28:1 I of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 33, Issue 04, eff. November 17, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 18.2-340.15 of the Code of Virginia.