HB738 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment for Mobile County to legalize bingo games operated by nonprofit organizations for charitable, educational, and other lawful purposes, replacing the previous Amendment 440.

• Establishes that the Mobile County sheriff shall promulgate rules and regulations for licensing, permitting, and operating bingo games, including determining days and hours of operation.

• Sets operational restrictions including: participants and operators must be at least 19 years old, games must occur on nonprofit-owned or leased premises, prizes cannot exceed $10,000 per session, and nonprofits cannot contract third parties to operate games or pay consulting fees.

• Requires equipment to be marked with the nonprofit organization's name in letters at least one-half inch in height, prohibits name lending to other entities, and mandates public display of bingo licenses at game locations.

• Violations constitute a Class A misdemeanor; election will be held per Amendment 555 to the Alabama Constitution with ballot language describing the amendment's authorization of bingo operations by nonprofits.