Most people who are not bona fide members of a licensed authorized organization may not run, promote, administer, or help with bingo, and the commission has some rulemaking power over certain commercial lessors.
Sec. 2001.411. PERSONS OPERATING OR CONDUCTING BINGO. (a) Except as provided by this section, a person other than a bona fide member of a licensed authorized organization may not conduct, promote, or administer, or assist in conducting, promoting, or administering, bingo. (b) Only an active member of a licensed authorized organization may be an operator responsible for conducting, promoting, or administering bingo. (c) A person may not assist in conducting, promoting, or administering bingo except a person who is: (1) an active member of the licensed authorized organization; (2) a member of an organization that is an auxiliary to the licensed authorized organization; (3) a member of an organization of which the licensed authorized organization is an auxiliary; (4) a member of an organization that is affiliated with the licensed authorized organization by being, with it, auxiliary to another organization; or (5) a bookkeeper, an accountant, a cashier, an usher, or a caller. (c-1) An organization may designate as members of the organization one or more individuals who elect to become members, including all of the organization's directors, and the designated members are bona fide members of the organization for purposes of this section and other law. (d) The commission, without regard to a person's membership status in a licensed authorized organization, by rule may restrict involvement in the conduct, promotion, or administration of bingo by: (1) a licensed commercial lessor; (2) a person having an interest in or who is active in a licensed commercial lessor; or (3) a person related in the first degree by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code, to a person having an interest in or active in a licensed commercial lessor. (e) The commission may not prohibit an operator responsible for conducting, promoting, or administering bingo from acting as a bingo caller for a licensed authorized organization during a bingo occasion. This subsection does not relieve the operator of the duty to be available to a commission employee or bingo player if required by this chapter. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1114, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 1474), Sec. 27, eff. October 1, 2009.