REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATORS, LESSORS, PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. XX, ch. 692, pt. 3

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 692.301 Bingo equipment.

Sec. 692.301. - Bingo equipment. (a) A bingo card may be either disposable or reusable. If the bingo card is: (1) Disposable, it shall not be used for more than one series of designated bingo games. It shall be serially numbered and color-coded, and shall be sold to players at a constant unit price, which shall be quoted in all advertising and published in all printed material distributed in relation to bingo. The serial number shall be imprinted on one side of the bingo card, together with the trade name or logo of the manufacturer. Receipts records shall be maintained by serial number and color code of the number of disposable bingo cards sold at each session of play. (2) Reusable, it shall be sold to players at a constant unit price, which shall be quoted in all advertising and published in all printed material distributed in relation to bingo. At the time of sale, each player shall be issued a serially numbered, color-coded admission ticket which indicates the number of bingo cards he is authorized to play during the session and the price paid. Receipts records shall be maintained by serial number and color code of the number of tickets issued at each session of play. (b) Supplies and equipment bought by an operator for bingo games shall be purchased from a distributor authorized to do business in the State and maintaining an office within the State. (c) A distributor of bingo equipment and supplies who sells, rents or leases equipment or supplies to an operator shall provide the operator with a placard having dimensions no less than 24 inches by 36 inches stating the name and address of the manufacturer of the bingo cards supplied by the distributor. The operator shall display the placard on a wall clearly visible to persons using the premises during each bingo game the supplied bingo cards are used. (Ord. 78-1324-661, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 692.302 Conduct of bingo.

Sec. 692.302. - Conduct of bingo. Each bingo game shall be conducted under the following conditions of play: (a) An operator may not conduct bingo during any calendar week any more often than is permitted by F.S. § 849.093(4). (b) Prizes, including jackpot and all other awards, shall not exceed the limits established by F.S. § 849.093(5) and (6). (c) No service or thing of value shall be given, offered or distributed by an operator to encourage or entice participation in the play of any bingo game, except that the furnishing by an operator of non-alcoholic beverages and edibles to players to be consumed on the premises without cost shall not be construed as encouragement or enticement. (d) On two days of play in November and two days of play in December in each year an operator may accept items of food in lieu of money for the purchase of bingo cards for the sole purpose of providing baskets of food for the needy. For these special days, the operator shall keep adequate records of all items taken in and their disposition. Notice in writing shall be given to the Sheriff at least two weeks in advance of the day scheduled for a special day, and the Sheriff may, to prevent confusion and to provide an orderly series of special days of play under this subsection, assign and allot days among operators. (e) All winners shall be determined and all prizes shall be awarded within the same calendar day as that upon which the game is conducted. If the operator is an authorized organization, the requirements of F.S. § 849.093(3), relative to exhaustion of the entire net proceeds of the bingo game, shall apply and, if the operator is required by the provisions of that Section to conduct bingo games without any charge to the players until the exhaustion of the entire net proceeds, a sign or placard to that effect shall be conspicuously displayed on the premises from the time that the first bingo game without charge commences until the last bingo game without charge is completed. No prize shall be awarded unless the player shows his signed bingo card to the operator, who shall indicate thereon the amount, character and value of the prize awarded, and all the bingo cards shall be surrendered at the end of play for that day to the operator. The operator shall retain the surrendered bingo cards for a period of 90 days, or longer if required by the Sheriff. (f) No person under the age of 18 years shall: (1) Participate or be permitted to participate in any bingo game. (2) Be present or permitted to be present in that part of the premises where a bingo game is being conducted. (g) No bingo card shall be removed from the premises where the bingo game is being conducted for any reason whatsoever while a bingo game is in progress. (h) No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted, consumed or allowed to be consumed in that part of any premises where a bingo game is being conducted. (i) No other game of chance or skill whatsoever shall be offered, played, conducted or participated in by any person on the premises where a bingo game is in progress or is to be played or conducted. (j) The game of bingo shall not be conducted or played under any other name, designation, title, label, term or pseudonym. (k) Each person operating or assisting in the operation of a bingo game shall wear a legible tag bearing his name and the name of the operator. The representative of the operator shall be present on the premises at all times when a bingo game is in progress, except when excused for extraordinary reasons as provided in the rules promulgated by the Sheriff. The representative shall not conduct bingo for any other operator or lessor, or any other person, whether or not licensed under this Chapter. (l) During the course of a bingo game, the operator shall post in a conspicuous place, in letters and numbers no less than three inches high, the following information: (1) The names of all persons operating or assisting in the conduct of the bingo game, including also the name of the representative, and the name of the operator. (2) The total gross receipts collected at each bingo game or series of bingo games. (3) The total value of all prizes, whether in money or other thing of value, to be awarded at each bingo game or series of bingo games. (4) The net receipts collected but not awarded as prizes. The information required by subsections (l)(2), (3) and (4) of this Section shall be posted after each bingo game or series of bingo games is completed and separate entries for each game or series of bingo games shall be indicated. All figures shall remain posted until the last bingo game is played for that day. (Ord. 78-1324-661, § 1; Ord. 82-86-25, § 5; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 692.303 Operators.

Sec. 692.303. - Operators. (a) Licensure required. It shall be unlawful for a person to conduct a bingo game unless the person is a licensed organization holding a current and effective class A or class B license, which license shall not be under suspension or permanently or conditionally revoked. No licensed organization shall allow the use of its name in any manner or for any reason whatsoever for the conduct of bingo by any other person. (b) Separate bank account. The entire proceeds derived from the conduct of bingo by an operator shall be deposited at the conclusion of each day of play in a checking account in a bank located within the City, which shall be maintained separate and apart from all other accounts of the operator and which shall not be used for the deposit of funds received from any other activity than the conduct of bingo. Two of the principal officers of the operator shall be required to sign all checks, drafts and other instruments withdrawing or transferring funds from the checking account, without exception. The provisions of this subsection shall not preclude: (1) In the case of a charitable organization, the periodic transfer of the entire net proceeds derived from the conduct of bingo into a savings or other account established for the charitable, religious, educational, fraternal, patriotic, civic, community or benevolent endeavor for which the bingo games were played. (2) In the case of an authorized organization, the withdrawal of the entire net proceeds, or the necessary portion thereof, to be used on the next scheduled day of play as prizes pursuant to the requirement of F.S. § 849.093(3). (c) Maintenance of records. An operator shall maintain adequate records according to generally accepted accounting practices and in a form prescribed by the Sheriff, which records shall show: (1) Gross proceeds from any source related to the conduct of bingo, including a method of cash control with respect to admissions, concessions and other related activities. (2) Receipts records as required by Section 692.301(a). (3) Actual expenses. (4) Entire or net proceeds. (5) The distribution or disposition of the entire or net proceeds. These records shall be made available on demand for immediate inspection by the Sheriff or his authorized representative at reasonable times during normal business and whenever a bingo game is in progress, but the Sheriff or his authorized representative shall not interrupt an actual bingo game or interfere with the operation of the premises where bingo is played unless necessary in order to make an inspection. All records shall be retained by the operator for a minimum time of three years or for such longer period as may be required by the Sheriff. (d) Financial statement; other reports. Annually, or more frequently if the Sheriff requires, each operator shall file with the Sheriff a financial statement, in the form prescribed by the Sheriff, containing the sources and the amount of the gross revenue derived by the operator from the conduct of bingo during the twelve-month or other period for which the statement is being filed and stating the names of the distributees of the net revenues and the amounts received by each. This financial statement shall be certified as correct by a principal officer, one of the partners or one who controls the operator, but need not be audited; provided, that the foregoing language shall not prohibit an operator from filing an audited financial statement nor the Sheriff from requiring the filing of an audited financial statement whenever he determines that an audited financial statement is necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the operator is obeying the law and the rules promulgated under the authority of Section 692.201. The Sheriff may also require an operator to submit other reports, on a periodic basis or upon demand by the Sheriff, concerning the activities connected with or related to the conduct of bingo, which reports shall be certified as prescribed for financial statements but need not be audited. (e) Active membership of representative and assistants. The representative and any other person involved in or assisting with the conduct of any bingo game shall have been an active member of the licensed organization for a period of at least three months prior to his appointment or designation to conduct bingo, and proof of the length of membership shall be furnished by the licensed organization upon demand by the Sheriff or his authorized representative. The possession by the representative or other person of a valid identification or membership card issued by the licensed organization, containing the date of active membership and full name of the person to whom it is issued. A change of a principal officer or of a representative of a licensed organization may be made at any time, but such change shall require the immediate filing with the Sheriff of an amendment of the licensed organization's application as prescribed by Section 692.208. (f) Compensation prohibited. No salary, compensation or reward in any form whatsoever shall be offered, paid or given, directly or indirectly, to any person conducting or assisting in the conduct of bingo. (Ord. 78-1324-661, § 1; Ord. 82-86-25, § 6; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 692.304 Lessors.

Sec. 692.304. - Lessors. (a) Licensure required. It shall be unlawful for a person to lease, sublease, assign or rent any premises for the conduct of bingo, or agree to the use of any premises for the conduct of bingo, unless the person shall have a current and valid class C license under this Chapter, which license shall not be under suspension or permanently or conditionally revoked. This requirement for a class C license shall not apply when a licensed organization holding a class A or class B license is the owner of the premises upon which it conducts bingo games only and solely for its own benefit. (b) Interest in bingo prohibited. No lessor and no officer, director, stockholder, employer or any other person having an interest in the lessor shall conduct, assist or participate in the conduct of bingo, or render any service or offer, distribute or give anything of value to anyone conducting, assisting or participating in the conduct of bingo or to any member of a licensed organization. (c) Separate bank account. The entire proceeds derived by a lessor from the leasing of premises upon which bingo is conducted shall be deposited in a checking account in a bank located within the City, which shall be maintained separate and apart from all other accounts of the lessor and shall not be used for the deposit of funds received from any other activity than the leasing of premises for the conduct of bingo. If the lessor is other than an individual, two of the principal officers or partners shall be required to sign all checks, drafts and other instruments withdrawing or transferring funds from the checking account, without exception. The provisions of this subsection shall not preclude the periodic withdrawal or transfer of the net proceeds, after payment of the actual business expenses related to the premises from which the funds were derived, for the use of the lessor. (d) Maintenance of records. A lessor shall maintain adequate records according to generally accepted accounting practices and in a form prescribed by the Sheriff, which records shall show all gross proceeds, actual business expenses and the entire or net proceeds from leases or rentals of premises for the conduct of bingo, and which shall also include the executed leases or agreements, if any, for that premises. These records shall be made available on demand for immediate inspection by the Sheriff or his authorized representative at reasonable times during normal business hours. All records shall be maintained by the lessor for a minimum time of three years or for such longer period as may be required by the Sheriff. (e) Financial statement; other reports. Annually, or more frequently if the Sheriff requires, each lessor shall file with the Sheriff a financial statement, in the form prescribed by the Sheriff, containing the sources and the amount of the gross revenue derived by the lessor from the leasing of premises for the conduct of bingo during the twelve-month or other period for which the statement is being filed and stating the actual business expenses related to the premises. This financial statement shall be certified as correct by a principal officer, one of the partners or one who controls the lessor, but need not be audited; provided, that the foregoing language shall not prohibit a lessor from filing an audited financial statement nor the Sheriff from requiring the filing of an audited financial statement whenever he determines that an audited financial statement is necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the lessor is obeying the law and the rules promulgated under the authority of Section 692.201. The Sheriff may also require a lessor to submit other reports, on a periodic basis or upon demand by the Sheriff, concerning the activities connected with or related to the leasing of premises for the conduct of bingo, which reports shall be certified as prescribed for financial statements but need not be audited. (Ord. 78-1324-661, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 692.305 Use of premises.

Sec. 692.305. - Use of premises. A premises may be used to conduct bingo under the following conditions: (a) Bingo shall not be conducted between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 9:00 a.m. (b) Bingo may be conducted on Sunday. (c) Not more than one licensed organization shall lease any premises for the conduct of bingo in any 24-hour period, and no other licensed organization shall conduct bingo upon the same premises in that time period. This prohibition shall not extend to or affect the leasing, rental or use of premises for any other purpose than the conduct of bingo. (d) A premises shall be leased, rented or used for the conduct of bingo only if the lessor has included the premises on his application for the class C license. (e) The rental fee for the lease of any premises on which bingo games are to be conducted shall not be calculated on a percentage basis of the seating capacity of the leased premises, of the game receipts before or after payment of the actual business expenses or of the number of persons attending any occasion that includes the play of bingo games. The amount paid for such lease shall not exceed the fair market value of the leasehold interest. (f) When the rental fee for the lease of any premises on which bingo games are to be conducted includes the use of equipment, tables, chairs and other articles essential to the conduct of bingo, the provisions of subsection (e) of this Section shall apply, except that the amount paid for the lease may exceed the fair market value of the leasehold interest by not more than 15 percent. (g) When a lessor rents or leases any premises to more than one licensed organization at a time, so that each licensed organization is allowed to use the premises to conduct bingo for a specified period of time, after which another licensed organization is allowed to do so, the total rental fee for all the leases together shall not exceed the limitations contained in subsections (e) and (f) of this Section. The Sheriff may authorize a lessor to exceed the limitations contained in subsections (e) and (f) of this Section only upon: (1) A showing by the lessor that economic hardship would otherwise result. (2) A finding by the Sheriff that an authorization pursuant to this sentence will not be contrary to the public interest. (h) The lessor or the operator may provide, or may license a concessionaire to provide, food and non-alcoholic beverages for the persons on the premises while bingo games are being conducted. These items shall be provided without cost or they may be sold for a price determined by the seller of the items; provided, that if the items are sold for a price, the operator may not require that any of the items be purchased as a condition of playing a bingo game. If a concessionaire is licensed to provide the items, neither the concessionaire nor an officer, director, stockholder, employee or other person having an interest in the concessionaire shall conduct, assist or participate in the conduct of bingo, or render any service (other than as the licensed concessionaire) or offer, distribute or give anything of value (other than the food and non-alcoholic beverage items it is licensed to provide) to anyone conducting, assisting or participating in the conduct of bingo or to any member of a licensed organization. Payments by a concessionaire to a lessor or operator under and strictly according to the terms of the concession license shall not be deemed an unlawful contribution to or interest in bingo, and all payments shall be shown by the recipient lessor or operator on the financial statements required by Sections 692.303(d) and 692.304(e). All concession licenses or concession agreements shall be in writing, and the lessor or operator shall keep an executed copy thereof in the records he is required by Section 692.303(e) or Section 692.304(d) to maintain. (Ord. 78-1324-661, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXXPUWECOPR_CH692BI_PT3REOPLEPREQFetched: 10/27/2026