Occupations Code § 2001.002

Sec. 2001.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Authorized commercial lessor" means a person eligible for a commercial license to lease bingo premises under Subchapter D. (2) "Authorized organization" means a person eligible for a license to conduct bingo. (3) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636, Sec. 42(1), eff. October 1, 2009. (4) "Bingo" or "game" means, except as provided by Section 2001.551, a specific game of chance, commonly known as bingo or lotto, in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols conforming to randomly selected numbers or symbols. (4-a) "Bingo chairperson" means an officer or member of the board of directors of a licensed authorized organization who is designated in writing by the organization as responsible for overseeing the organization's bingo activities and reporting to the membership relating to those activities. (5) "Bingo equipment" means equipment used, made, or sold for the purpose of use in bingo. The term: (A) includes: (i) a machine or other device from which balls or other items are withdrawn to determine the letters and numbers or other symbols to be called; (ii) an electronic or mechanical cardminding device; (iii) a pull-tab dispenser; (iv) a bingo card; (v) a bingo ball; and (vi) any other device commonly used in the direct operation of a bingo game; and (B) does not include: (i) a bingo game set commonly manufactured and sold as a child's game for a retail price of $20 or less unless the set or a part of the set is used in bingo subject to regulation under this chapter; or (ii) a commonly available component part of bingo equipment such as a light bulb or fuse. (6) "Bingo occasion" means a single gathering or session at which a bingo game or a series of bingo games, including selling and redeeming pull-tab bingo tickets, are conducted on the day and at the times listed on the license issued to a licensed authorized organization. (7) "Charitable purpose" means a purpose described by Section 2001.454. (8) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. (8-a) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. (9) "Distributor" means a person who obtains, by purchase or otherwise, bingo equipment or supplies for use in bingo in this state and sells or furnishes the items to another person for use, resale, display, or operation. (10) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department. (11) "Fraternal organization" means: (A) a nonprofit organization organized to perform and engaged primarily in performing charitable, benevolent, patriotic, employment-related, or educational functions that meet the other requirements of this chapter; or (B) a nonprofit National Historical District Association representing the owners and lessees of a majority of the real property located in a National Historical District designated for not less than five years by the National Register of Historic Places, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service of the United States Department of the Interior, if the association's net proceeds are used for restoration, construction, maintenance, and security in the district. The term "fraternal organization" does not include an organization whose members are predominantly veterans or dependents of veterans of the armed services of the United States. (12) "Governing body" means the commissioners court with regard to a county or justice precinct or the city council or other chief legislative body with regard to a municipality. (13) "Gross receipts" means the total amount received from the sale, rental, transfer, or use of bingo cards and entrance fees charged at premises at which bingo is conducted. (14) "Licensed authorized organization" means an authorized organization that holds a license to conduct bingo. (15) "Licensed commercial lessor" means a person licensed to lease premises and act as a commercial lessor. (16) "Manufacturer" means: (A) a person who assembles from raw materials or subparts a completed piece of bingo equipment or supplies for use in bingo games in this state; or (B) a person who converts, modifies, adds to, or removes parts from any bingo equipment, item, or assembly to further its promotion or sale for or use in a bingo game in this state. (17) "Municipal secretary" means the officer of a municipality performing the duties of municipal secretary. (18) "Net proceeds" means: (A) in relation to the gross receipts from one or more bingo occasions, the amount remaining after deducting the reasonable sums necessarily and actually expended for expenses under Section 2001.458 and the fee on prizes under Section 2001.502; and (B) in relation to the gross rent or other consideration received by a licensed authorized organization for the use of its premises, fixtures, or equipment by another license holder, the amount remaining after deducting the reasonable sums necessarily and actually expended for any janitorial services and utility supplies directly attributable to the use of the premises, fixtures, or equipment. (19) "Nonprofit organization" means an unincorporated association or a corporation that is incorporated or holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 22, Business Organizations Code. The organization: (A) may not distribute any of its income to its members, officers, or governing body, other than as reasonable compensation for services; and (B) must have obtained tax exempt status under Section 501(c), Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (20) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, or other group. (21) "Political subdivision" means a county, justice precinct, or municipality. (22) "Premises" means the area subject to the direct control of and actual use by a licensed authorized organization or group of licensed authorized organizations to conduct bingo. The term includes a location or place. (23) "Primary business office" means the location at which all records relating to the primary purpose of a licensed authorized organization are maintained in the ordinary course of business. (24) "Pull-tab bingo" means a form of bingo played using tickets with perforated break-open tabs, made of paper or paper products, the face of which is covered or otherwise hidden from view to conceal numbers, letters, or symbols, some of which have been designated in advance as prize winners. The term includes games commonly known as "instant bingo" and "break-open bingo." (25) "Pull-tab dispenser" means an electronic or mechanical device that dispenses a pull-tab bingo ticket after a person inserts money into the device and includes a device commonly known as a "ticket dispenser." (25-a) "Regular license" means a license to conduct bingo issued by the department under Subchapter C that is not a temporary license. (26) "Religious society" means a church, synagogue, or other organization organized primarily for religious purposes. (27) "Veterans organization" means a nonprofit organization: (A) whose members are veterans or dependents of veterans of the armed services of the United States; and (B) that is chartered by the United States Congress and organized to advance the interests of veterans or active duty personnel of the armed forces of the United States and their dependents. (28) "Volunteer fire department" means a fire-fighting organization that: (A) operates fire-fighting equipment; (B) is organized primarily to provide fire-fighting service; (C) is actively providing fire-fighting service; and (D) does not pay its members compensation other than nominal compensation. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1114, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 1474), Sec. 1, eff. October 1, 2009. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 1474), Sec. 42(1), eff. October 1, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1023 (H.B. 2728), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 993 (H.B. 2197), Sec. 42(2), eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1132 (S.B. 643), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1160 (S.B. 3070), Sec. 60, eff. June 20, 2025.