Kansas Bingo Newsletter - March 2006

Published by the Kansas Department of Revenue
Patsy Congrove, Administrator of Charitable Gaming
Docking State Office Building - Room 230
915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66625-3512
Phone: 785-296-6127 / Fax: 785-296-7185
E-mail: bingo@kdor.state.ks.us

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The legislator’s are in town and working on a variety of new bills. If there is a gaming bill introduced it will most likely start in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. Many of you have been asking if there are any changes predicted for bingo. To the best of our knowledge we are not anticipating any changes in the bingo laws.

SELF AUDITS ARE IN AND BEING TABULATED
Organizations who only conduct bingo a few times a year or have a small attendance were selected for a self-audit. Once they have been evaluated we will release some of the results collected from the audits. This is one way to ensure that every organization receives an audit and stays familiar with the statutes. It also helps save the State dollars by not sending an agent every year. If an organization receives a complaint from a player they are not eligible for a self-audit.

SMALL TOWNS LOVE IT
In some communities we hear about great pies and cakes being served prior to bingo. This is a popular event and provides something for the community members at a low charge or free. This is just one way organizations are trying to keep bingo alive in their community.

QUESTION AND ANSWER
Question: If I don’t have enough volunteers to help with bingo can I use the staff at the parlor to help?
Answer: [K.S.A. 79-4706 (c)]
No lessor, employee of such lessor or employee, officer or shareholder of a for profit corporation which is the lessor shall play any game of bingo or participate in any drawing on premises leased by any such lessor nor shall such person be responsible for or assist in the management, operation or conduct of any game or drawing on such premises.

Question: Can I just pre-determine an amount to pay out on the minis. We are really pushed for time to get the regular games started and it would be easier to just have a set amount.
Answer: [K.S.A. 79-4706 ( m) ]
The prize for each mini game must be at least 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the cards or faces for that game but cannot exceed $50.00.

Question: Our community is having a festival and we would like to sponsor bingo at the festival. Is that possible?
Answer: [ K.S.A. 79-4703 (d)]
Each licensee may conduct bingo games up to five days in a license year at locations different than the location specified on their license certificate. However, those locations where bingo games are conducted must be within the county where the organization is licensed. The Administrator of Charitable Gaming must be notified in writing at least three days in advance.