Louisiana § RS 4:732 - Progressive bingo

§ RS 4:732. Progressive bingo

            A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the governing authority of any parish or municipality may permit any charitable licensed organization to conduct progressive bingo or progressive mega jackpot bingo games. For the purpose of conducting a progressive bingo or progressive mega jackpot bingo game, such organizations shall:

            (1) Establish electronic links or networks, on an Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Device and related system or otherwise, between locations, commercial or noncommercial, where licensed charitable bingo games are being conducted.

            (2) For a progressive bingo game, deposit a predetermined amount of money not to exceed two hundred dollars per organization into a special account before each licensed call bingo gaming session. Every two-hundred-dollar contribution shall not constitute part of the total amount of prizes awarded during that session.

            (3) For progressive mega jackpot bingo, contributions deposited before each gaming session shall not constitute part of the total amount of prizes awarded during that session.

            B.(1) The mega jackpot for a progressive bingo game played pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section may exceed the limit established in R.S. 4:714 but shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars, if the game is played on bingo paper, bingo cards, or by using an Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Device.

            (2) The mega jackpot for a progressive mega jackpot bingo game played pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section and networked or linked together pursuant to Subsection G of this Section may exceed the limit established in R.S. 4:714 but shall not exceed thirty thousand dollars. Portions of players' contributions to progressive mega jackpot bingo games may be used for consolation prizes and to contribute to the progressive mega prize pool and shall not be considered part of the limit established in R.S. 4:714.

            C. If required, such games shall be offered in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the governing authority of each municipality or the parish which issued a license to any respective organization which participates in a progressive mega jackpot bingo game, and in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the office in Subsection D of this Section.

            D. The office shall adopt rules and regulations governing progressive bingo and progressive mega jackpot bingo games to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and any additional regulations of the state relative to charitable gaming laws.

            E. Any licensed charitable organization or organizations playing at the same location may conduct progressive bingo games in accordance with rules established and in effect on August 15, 1995, and as follows:

            (1) Any such organization or organizations which conduct progressive bingo games in accordance with this Subsection may offer a second progressive bingo game, in addition to the game authorized in this Subsection.

            (2) Any such organization or organizations which conduct progressive bingo games in accordance with this Subsection may establish a maximum jackpot or cap for each progressive bingo game offered by the organization. The participating organizations may continue contributions to the Charitable Gaming Progressive Jackpot Account to accumulate a backup jackpot which may be applied to either or both progressive games.

            (3) The dollar amount of each jackpot cap shall be continuously and conspicuously displayed along with the current dollar amount of the progressive jackpot.

            (4) The second progressive jackpot game may be added to any call bingo game played during a bingo session.

            (5) During the course of a progressive jackpot, the participating organizations may, prior to a jackpot win, raise but not lower the jackpot cap. In the event that the jackpot cap is raised, contributions in the amount of two hundred dollars per game shall recommence.

            F. Repealed by Acts 2005, No. 373, §2.

            G. Organizations may network or link together, including through the use of an Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Device to conduct progressive mega jackpot bingo games, as provided in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section, provided the local governing authority of each parish has authorized the conducting of such games in the parish.

            H. Eighty percent of the net win from the progressive bingo and progressive mega jackpot bingo games shall be paid to the charitable organization as defined in R.S. 4:703. Twenty percent of the net win from the progressive bingo and progressive mega jackpot bingo games shall be paid to the distributor as defined in R.S. 4:703.

            I. Sales of progressive mega jackpot bingo on an Electronic Bingo Card Dabber Device for any organization shall not exceed thirty games per hour. The office may suspend the sales of progressive mega jackpot bingo for any organization that violates the provisions of this Subsection until the organization becomes compliant.

            Acts 1999, No. 568, §3, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 730, §1, eff. June 25, 2001; Acts 2005, No. 373, §§1, 2; Acts 2017, No. 214, §1; Acts 2022, No. 523, §1.