Qualified organizations or clubs need a sheriff-issued permit to operate bingo games, and the permit has strict application, fee, location, and transfer limits.
(a) No qualified organization or club shall be permitted to operate a bingo game unless the sheriff of the county first issues a permit to the organization or club authorizing it to do so. The permit described in this article is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other business licenses which may be required by law, and no bingo game shall be operated until all required licenses have been obtained. A permit holder may hold only one permit and that permit is valid for only one location. A permit is not assignable or transferable. Only one permit may be issued for any location. (b) Any qualified organization or club desiring to obtain a permit to operate bingo games in a calendar year shall apply to the sheriff, on forms provided by that office, and shall pay an annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100). Renewal applications shall also be filed with the sheriff. The sheriff shall refuse to grant a bingo permit to any applicant who fails to fully provide the information required by this subsection. Each applicant for a permit shall prove its length of existence and the ownership of real property in Russell County for at least the five years immediately preceding the application and provide the following information: (1) The name and home address of the applicant and, if the applicant is a corporation, association, private club, or other similar legal entity, the names and home addresses of each of the officers of the organization or club, as well as the names and addresses of the directors, or other persons similarly situated, of the organization or club. (2) The names and home addresses of each person who will be operating or promoting the bingo game. (3) The names and home addresses of persons, organizations, clubs, or other legal entities that will act as surety for the applicant. (4) The location at which the applicant will conduct the bingo games. Bingo games shall be held only on the premises wholly owned by a qualified permit holder with exception to a rental agreement pursuant to this article. (5) A statement showing the convictions, if any, for criminal offenses, other than minor traffic offenses, of each of the persons listed in subdivisions (1), (2), and (3). (c) Permits may be amended upon resubmission of application, surrender of permit, and payment of a twenty-five dollar ($25) fee.