CHARITABLE BINGO
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, forms of gambling “become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.” (2413)
In stating our opposition to casino gambling initiatives, we are often questioned about our Church’s involvement in charitable bingo. It is a fact that many of our institutions rely upon this form of fundraising. We would prefer, and in fact have encouraged, our institutions, where feasible, to raise needed funds through alternate forms of fundraising because there are a variety of social ills that can also become associated with charitable bingo.
At the same time, however, charitable bingo benefits the community and involves community members in ways distinct from casino gambling. Bingo games in Ohio use 100% of the net proceeds for charitable purposes. These charities are churches, schools, fraternal groups, youth athletic programs, volunteer fire departments, senior citizen clubs, neighborhood organizations, and various service programs. Thousands of volunteers donate their time to staff such games. Communities have been generally supportive of this form of “lower stakes” charitable fundraising. Adapted from statements by the Catholic Bishops of Ohio 2006, 2008
2012 OHIO CHARITABLE GAMING BINGO LAWS &
PRINTABLE FORMS
CLICK HERE for a compilation of the Ohio Charitable Gaming Bingo Laws and to download 2012 Printable Application Forms
To assist you with completing the 2011 Charitable Bingo Application the Catholic Conference of Ohio has completed a copy with recommended responses.
2012 Bingo Application Instructions
2012 Bingo Application with Recommended Responses
2012 Bingo Application Checklist
Please note the following:
- Attachments D-2, E & F do not need to be filled out.
- If you plan to conduct Instant Bingo other than at Traditional Bingo you must complete Attachment B
- All Applicants must complete Attachment C
- All "Renewal" Applicants must complete Attachment D-1
VENDOR'S LICENSE APPLICATION
It is necessary for you to collect sales tax on the sale of food, beverages, daubers and other related items at your bingo game.
In order to collect and pay the tax you need to obtain a vendor's license.
Please fill out the Ohio Department of Taxation's Application for Vendor’s License to Make Taxable Sales ST1 Form.
This form is to be submitted to the county auditor where the bingo game is being held.
CHANGES IN OHIO BINGO LAWS (September 10, 2010)
Several changes have been made in Ohio’s law governing charitable gaming. These changes become effective on September 10, 2010. The changes:
- Authorize a charitable organization licensed to conduct instant bingo to purchase, lease, and use instant bingo ticket dispensers to sell instant bingo tickets or cards.
- Specify that an instant bingo ticket may be in place of a cash prize won by an instant bingo game, and that in no case may an instant bingo ticket or card be sold or provided for a price different from the price printed on the ticket or card by the manufacturer.
- Increase from two to three the number of bingo sessions that a charitable organization can conduct in any seven-day period.
- Increase the aggregate prize limit distributed at a bingo session from $3,500 to $6,000.
- Authorize a distributor to accept payment for the sale or other provision of bingo supplies, by check or, alternatively, by electronic fund transfer.
Note: Increasing from two to three the number of bingo sessions that an organization conducts will require the organization to file an amended bingo license. By statute, the cost of amending a bingo license is $250.
Further information is available from the Attorney General’s office.
If you have any questions you may call Carolyn Jurkowitz at 614-224-7147 or E-mail cjurkowitz@ohiocathconf.org
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