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HB455 would expand prizes and increase pay for volunteer bingo workers, sponsors say
Summary
Representative Powell told the Rules committee HB455 would double prize limits for nonprofit bingo sessions, allow up to three sessions a day, and raise daily pay for game operators from $30 to $150.
ATLANTA — Representative Powell presented House Bill 455 to the Senate Rules committee March 25, proposing several changes to Georgia’s charitable bingo statutes.
Powell said current law permits 501(c)(3) and other charitable organizations to give up to $3,000 in prizes for a bingo session. HB455 would double the per-session prize cap to $6,000 and permit up to three sessions per day, while keeping a monthly limit of 31 sessions to prevent commercialization. The bill also raises allowable compensation for people who run games from $30 per day to $150 per day, Powell said.
Nut graf: Supporters said the change updates outdated statutory amounts and increases flexibility for nonprofit fundraisers while retaining numerical safeguards meant to distinguish charity bingo from commercial gambling.
Committee response: The presenter and committee exchanged lighthearted remarks about bingo culture; one senator asked whether the bill would affect modern coin-operated or electronic machines and Powell said it applies to “old style” paper-card bingo and not COAM machines. Powell requested inclusion on the Rules slate; HB455 was advanced for committee consideration.
