Bingo

Bingo cards must be purchased from a licensed supplier of lottery products, and each game card must have at least 15 different numbers. All bingo cards must:

• be the same price
• give an equal chance of winning
• be accurately recorded
• be kept in a secure place.

If a session is licensed, the bingo cards must have a serial number at the bottom.

Players must be at least 18 years old unless accompanied by an adult. Bingo cards must not be given out more than one session in advance. Sessions must not be longer than three hours and no more than three sessions can be played each week. There must be a break of at least 30 minutes between sessions. At least two members of the management committee or staff must be present at a session and they must be held at the place and day the licence says.

Bingo advertising must not:

• be aimed at people aged less than 18 years, or demonstrate them gambling
• exaggerate the prizes or suggest the chance of winning is better than it really is
• suggest that someone’s skill means a better chance of winning
• imply that the lottery can increase social, sexual or employment opportunities
• link the lottery with drinking too much alcohol
• exaggerate the connection between the lottery and how the proceeds will be used
• suggest that the lottery can fix personal or financial problems, or to cover expenses.

If a session is licensed, all advertising must include the licence number.

Bingo sessions can’t promote or have as prizes:

• tobacco products
• firearms, antique firearms and ammunition
• dangerous articles and prohibited weapons
• cosmetic surgery or similar procedures
• goods or services that are illegal to sell in South Australia.

Prizes can’t be subsidised from other games of chance and can't:

• be less than 20% of the gross proceeds (less the amount allowed for a jackpot) per session
• jackpot more than 10% of the gross proceeds of the session
• for major bingo, jackpot more than 10% of the gross proceedings of the session
• be added to the next session if no-one wins.

Liquor can't be offered as an incentive to play.

Cash prizes must be paid immediately after the game, and divided equally if there's more than one winner.

The gross proceeds from each session must not be more than $9,000. Funds raised can only be used an approved purpose and can include:

• promoting literature, science or the arts
• religious, educational, charitable or benevolent purposes
• providing medical treatment or promoting the interests of someone who has a particular physical, mental or intellectual disability
• establishing, running or improving a community centre
• promoting the interests of a local community or group
• sport, recreation or amusement
• promoting animal welfare
• conserving resources or preserving the environmental, historical or cultural heritage of South Australia
• promoting the interests of students or education staff
• political purpose
• promoting the common interests of people connected to a business, trade or industry.

At least 20% of the gross proceeds, as well as all net proceeds, must be used for an approved purpose. The funds raised can’t be used to benefit a member of the organisation or a registered corporation that returns profits to its members.

Records must be kept for one year from when a bingo licence expires for:

• bingo cards
• prizes
• proceeds for each game.

Unsold bingo cards must be kept for three months. The net proceeds of all bingo sessions must be paid into the organisation’s bank account. You must send a financial statement outlining the bingo session turnover to Consumer and Business Services each year.

If gross proceeds are more than $100,000, you must provide an auditor's report with your financial statement.

Anyone who acts dishonestly in connection to bingo is guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty is $50,000 or two years imprisonment.