Committee clears public hearing on bill to modernize raffle rules tied to bingo games

Senate Bill 160 would modernize statutory rules governing raffles conducted in conjunction with bingo games, including removing a requirement that tickets be sold sequentially, allowing higher per‑ticket denominations and increasing maximum prize or wholesale‑cost caps for raffle prizes held with bingo.

Sponsor Sen. Tim Lang told the committee the bill is an industry‑requested cleanup to reflect contemporary practice: raffle tickets are often sold in nonsequential blocks and operators offer bundled pricing rather than only single‑ticket purchases. “This was a modernization bill,” Lang said.

Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Lottery staff told the committee the Lottery regulates bingo but does not regulate raffles; enforcement and licensing for raffles fall to the attorney general’s office and local licensing when relevant. Several witnesses representing suppliers and operators said the bill would clarify current practice and relieve inadvertent technical violations.

Representative questions focused on how the draft language would apply in practice. Committee members asked whether the proposed $1,200 threshold for prize wholesale cost would trigger federal reporting or withholding obligations. Witnesses and Lottery staff discussed federal tax reporting thresholds: internal revenue rules require reporting for certain prize levels (for example, there are W‑2G reporting thresholds for specified gambling winnings), and operators should ensure compliance if prizes exceed federal reporting thresholds.

No committee action was taken. Witnesses recommended coordination with the attorney general’s office for enforcement guidance and with Lottery staff to align practical operations for bingo halls and charitable gaming nights.