HB446 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize electronic bingo games in Jefferson County and its municipalities, operated by nonprofit organizations for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes.

• Allows bingo to be played on machines or devices authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.) and operated by Native American tribes in Alabama.

• Prohibits persons under age 18 from playing bingo and persons under age 19 from conducting or assisting in bingo operations.

• Requires nonprofit organizations to have existed for at least two years before obtaining a bingo license and establishes licensing authority with the county commission and municipal city councils.

• Violations constitute a Class C misdemeanor on first conviction and a Class A misdemeanor for subsequent violations.