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Council updates bingo and pull‑tab rules to align with state and IRS guidance
Summary
The Ceres City Council adopted ordinance amendments clarifying definitions and enforcement for charitable bingo and pull-tab games, allowing pull-tab bingo under limited federal/penal-code criteria and improving enforceability for police and staff. The change passed unanimously.
The Ceres City Council on Aug. 11 adopted amendments to the municipal code that clarify how charitable bingo and associated pull-tab games may be conducted within the city. Staff revised the ordinance after public discussion and legal review to ensure compliance with state law and IRS guidance.
The updated language retains a prohibition on unlawful "hot-ball" bingo structures but specifically allows pull-tab bingo when operators meet the narrow criteria defined by state penal code and IRS guidance. City staff and the police chief said the clarified code will make enforcement more straightforward and reduce ambiguity for operators and regulators. A local bingo operator thanked staff and council for the revisions, saying the language will allow charitable organizations to operate in compliance with the law.
Council adopted the ordinance on first reading and approval (roll-call vote 5–0).
What happens next: The ordinance amendments will be codified in the Ceres Municipal Code. Code-enforcement and police staff will apply the clarified standards when reviewing and inspecting bingo operations.
