Remote Caller Bingo - Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
GeneralWhat is a remote caller bingo game?
I have a complaint regarding the operation of a bingo game. Where can I file a complaint?
City or County Approval
Organization Eligibility to Conduct Remote Caller Bingo
Which nonprofit organizations are eligible to conduct remote caller bingo?
Our organization is eligible to conduct remote caller bingo.
How does our organization become authorized by the California Gambling Control Commission
to conduct remote caller bingo games?
Remote Caller Bingo Licenses and Permits
Who is required to be issued licenses and permits by the Commission in order to participate in the operation of remote caller bingo games?
How do I become licensed by the Commission to conduct remote caller bingo?
General
What is a remote caller bingo game?
A remote caller bingo game means a game of bingo in which the numbers or symbols on randomly drawn plastic balls are announced by a natural person present at the site at which the live game is conducted. The organization conducting the bingo game uses audio and video technology to link any of its in-state facilities for the purpose of transmitting the remote calling of a live bingo game from a single location to multiple locations. The locations must be owned, leased, or rented by that organization, or the use of which has been donated to the organization.
I have a complaint regarding the operation of a bingo game. Where can I file a complaint?
Complaints regarding the conduct of remote caller bingo games should be submitted to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau). The Bureau may be contacted as follows:
Bureau of Gambling Control
P.O. Box 168024
Sacramento, CA 95816-8024
Phone: (916) 227-3584 – Fax: (916) 227-2342
Email: GamblingControl@doj.ca.gov
Complaints regarding the conduct of bingo games that are not remote caller bingo games should be submitted to the local city or county government offices that oversee bingo. This may be the police department, sheriff's office, or business permit office.
City or County Approval
If a city or county wishes to authorize remote caller bingo games in its jurisdiction, what must the local ordinance include? The local ordinance must require remote caller bingo games to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Penal Code Section 326.3,including the following requirements:
- The game may be conducted only by the following organizations:
- An organization that is exempted from the payment of the taxes imposed under the Corporation tax Law by Section 23701a, 23701b, 23701d, 23701e, 23701f, 23701g, 23701k, 23701l, or 23701w of the Revenue and Taxation (R&T) Code.
- A mobilehome park association.
- A senior citizens' organization.
- Charitable organizations affiliated with a school district.
- The organization conducting the game shall have been incorporated or in existence for three years or more.
- The organization conducting the game shall be licensed pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 326.5.
- The receipts of the game shall be used only for charitable purposes. The organization conducting the game shall determine the disbursement of the net receipts of the game.
- The operation of bingo may not be the primary purpose for which the organization is formed.
Organization Eligibility to Conduct Remote Caller Bingo
Which nonprofit organizations are eligible to conduct remote caller bingo?
In order to be eligible to conduct remote caller bingo nonprofit organizations must meet the requirements described in Penal Code Section 326.3(b)(1), which should be reviewed for specific information. The following is a partial summary of these legal provisions:
- a mobilehome park association
- a senior citizens' organization
- a charitable organization affiliated with a school district
- An organization that is exempted from the payment of the taxes imposed under the Corporation Tax Law by the Revenue and Taxation (R&T) Code:
- a labor, agricultural or horticultural organization (R&T Code sec. 23701a)
- a fraternal order (R&T Code sec. 23701b)
- a corporation, community chest or trust, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educations purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition, etc. (R&T Code sec. 23701d)
- a business league, chamber of commerce, real estate board, or board of trade (R&T Code sec. 23701e)
- a civic league, social welfare organization, or local organization of employees (R&T Code sec. 23701f)
- a social organization (R&T Code sec. 23701g)
- religious or apostolic corporations (R&T Code sec. 23701k)
- a domestic fraternal society (R&T Code sec. 23701l)
- a veterans organization (R&T Code 23701w)
- The organization must have been in existence for three years or more;
- The organization must be licensed by the local jurisdiction (city or county);
- Receipts of the game must be used only for charitable purposes; and
- Operation of bingo may not be the primary purpose for which the organization is formed.
Our organization is eligible to conduct remote caller bingo. How does our organization become authorized by the California Gambling Control Commission to conduct remote caller bingo games?
In order for the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission) to authorize an
organization as to conduct remote caller bingo, the highest ranking officer of the organization
must submit a Statement of Eligibility to Conduct Remote Caller Bingo, BGC-618, to the Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau). The Bureau will review the statement and, if complete, will forward it to the Commission to be scheduled for consideration at a noticed meeting.
Remote Caller Bingo Licenses and Permits
Who is required to be issued licenses and permits by the Commission in order to participate in the operation of remote caller bingo games?
Individuals that will perform duties in the capacity of a fiduciary or caller, are required to have a valid license issued by the Commission. Any administrative, managerial, technical, financial, and security personnel must obtain valid work permits issued by the Commission.
For further information, please review the Remote Caller Bingo Regulations link on the
Remote Caller Bingo web page.
How do I become licensed by the Commission to conduct remote caller bingo?
The Commission has established an interim license and interim work permit process to expedite the implementation of remote caller bingo. Applicants will be subject to a criminal history review to determine suitability for an interim license or work permit. Once the review is complete consideration for approval will be set at a noticed Commission meeting
An Application for Interim License for Remote Caller Bingo, BGC-620, must be submitted to the Bureau for individuals with the following responsibilities for remote caller bingo games:
- Fiduciary
- Caller
An Application for Interim Work Permit for Remote Caller Bingo, BGC-622, must be submitted to the Bureau for anyone employed by the organization that is responsible for the performance of duties in any of the following categories:
- Administrative
- Managerial
- Technical
- Financial
- Security
An Application for Interim License for Bingo Equipment Manufacturers and Distributors, BGC-610, must be submitted to the Bureau for owners with a 10 percent or greater ownership interest in a business that manufactures or distributes card-minding devices, or other bingo supplies, equipment, or services used in the playing of remote caller bingo.
