HCS HB 620 & 671 -- BINGO

SPONSOR:  Day (Hoskins, 121)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Veterans
by a vote of 10 to 0 with 1 present.

This substitute changes the laws regarding bingo.  In its main
provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Allows organizations with abbreviated licenses to conduct
bingo games up to 15 times annually;

(2)  Requires all organizations licensed to conduct bingo games
to pay a $50 annual license fee;

(3)  Authorizes the Missouri Gaming Commission to establish the
daily prize amount for nonprogressive bingo games;

(4)  Removes the provision allowing licensees to require players
to purchase more than a standard pack of bingo cards in order to
participate in a bingo game;

(5)  Allows licensees to conduct bingo games twice a week instead
of once a week;

(6)  Increases the amount which may be used for advertising from
2% to 10% of the total amount expended from bingo receipts;

(7)  Removes the advertising provision which prohibits licensees
from referencing aggregate values of bingo prizes;

(8)  Prohibits bingo games from operating between the hours of 1
a.m. and 7 a.m.  Currently, no games can be conducted between
midnight and 10 a.m.;

(9)  Allows licensees to own or lease commission-approved
pull-tab vending machines from a licensed supplier and prohibits
organizations from sharing machines;

(10)  Requires all licensees to make quarterly reports to the
commission;

(11)  Changes the record retention requirement from three to two
years;

(12)  Increases the one-time application fee for a manufacturer's
license to an amount not to exceed $5,000 and the renewal fee to
an amount not to exceed $1,000;

(13)  Requires the applicant for a supplier's or manufacturer's
license to be responsible for all investigative costs incurred by
the commission; and

(14)  Repeals the 2% gross receipts sales tax on pull-tab cards.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2010,
FY 2011, and FY 2012.  Estimated Cost on Other State Funds of
Less than $592,500 in FY 2010, Less than $712,500 in FY 2011, and
Less than $712,500 in FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of House Bill 620 say that the number of
bingo operators is dwindling, approximately from 900 to 380.  By
repealing the gross receipts tax, it will free up more money for
prizes and community programs.

Supporters of House Bill 671 say that the bingo laws are
antiquated and have too many restrictions.  Charitable
organizations are having trouble conducting bingo games.  By
loosening the law, it will allow these organizations to provide
more assistance to the local communities.

Testifying for HB 620 were Representatives Hoskins (121), Salva,
and Dougherty; Mike Michaelson, Elks Lodges of Missouri; and
Dewey Riehn, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
Missouri Department and Missouri Association of Veterans
Organizations.

Testifying for HB 671 were Representative Lair; Missouri Gaming
Commission, Department of Public Safety; Dewey Riehn, Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States, Missouri Department; Dick
Sopp, Shriners International; and David Nevill and Tom Murphy,
Missouri Association of Charitable Games.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose House Bill 671 say that any changes
in the gaming laws should go to a vote of the people.

Testifying against HB 671 was Missouri Family Network.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am