As featured in the latest edition of Bowler Magazine
Bingo remains a popular and engaging activity in licensed clubs across Queensland, offering not only entertainment and social benefits but also a valuable means of fundraising. However, operating a bingo game is subject to strict legal obligations under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 (the Act) and associated regulations.
Bingo is defined as a game in which each player is given a ticket with numbers, letters, or symbols printed on it and the winner is decided by the player matching randomly selected numbers, letters, or symbols on the player’s ticket.
Under the Act, bingo is considered either a category 1 game or a category 2 game. A non-profit association can conduct a category 1 game if the gross proceeds of all games in the bingo session do not exceed $2,000. Otherwise, only an eligible non-profit association can conduct a category 2 game if the gross proceeds of all games in the bingo session exceed $2,000 but are not more than $20,000. Â A bingo game cannot be conducted if the gross proceeds of all games in that bingo session are more than $20,000.
The definition of an eligible non-profit association includes an association formed and operated principally for a charitable, community or sporting purpose which:
- Has a management committee elected by members and holds regular meetings, including an annual general meeting;
- Keeps minutes of its meetings;
- Has a treasurer who keeps proper financial records including an audited income and expenditure statement and balance sheet for the annual general meeting;
- Operates bank accounts in its name and requires any cheques issued to be signed by at least 2 authorised members; and
- Has a constitution which provides for its assets upon dissolution to be distributed to a fund with objects similar to the association’s objects or a fund used exclusively for charitable purposes.
It is highly likely that most bowls clubs fall within this definition.
There is no formal licence or permit required to conduct either a category 1 game or a category 2 game, however, there are licensing considerations if the bingo game is to be operated at a ‘bingo centre’ (which is a premises where 2 or more eligible non-profit associations conduct  more than 25 bingo sessions each week).
Despite the absence of licensing or permits for bingo, there are still:
- strict requirements around prizes, participation, tickets, advertising, ineligibility, record keeping and auditing, as set out in the Act, associated regulations, and guidelines; and
- responsible gambling/harm minimisation practices which apply and should be implemented.
Any non-compliance with the Act or associated regulations can result in financial penalties, as well as expose the licensee to compliance action which could include suspension or cancellation of its licences (liquor and gaming). Therefore, understanding and complying with the obligations under the Act and associated regulations when conducting charitable or non-profit gaming such as bingo is essential for ensuring lawful operation.
If your club is considering hosting bingo or other charitable or non-profit games, or is reviewing its policies and procedures in relation to existing gaming, we strongly recommend consulting an experienced professional for tailored advice.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me on (07) 3324 0353 if I can assist you with this.
