Qualified organizations need a sheriff-issued permit to operate bingo games, must apply and pay the required fee, and permits are limited to one permit and one location.
(a) No qualified organization shall be permitted to operate a bingo game unless the sheriff first issues a permit to the organization 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 such time as 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. (b) Any qualified organization desiring to obtain a permit to operate bingo games in a calendar year shall make application to the sheriff on forms prescribed by the sheriff and shall pay an annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for such issuance, to be used by the sheriff to help offset the cost of administration. Renewal application 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 evidence its prior existence for at least five years and provide the following information: (1) The name and home address of the applicant, and if the applicant is a corporation, association, or other similar legal entity, the names and home addresses of each of the officers of the organization, as well as the names and addresses of the directors, or other persons similarly situated, of the organization. (2) The names and home addresses of each of the persons who will be operating or promoting the bingo game. (3) The names and home addresses of any persons, organizations or other legal entities that will act as surety for the applicant. (4) The location at which the applicant will conduct the bingo games. (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.