(1) When a charitable, fraternal or religious organization is licensed by the Department of Justice to conduct bingo, lotto or raffle games or Monte Carlo events, only the organization or an employee of the organization authorized by the department may receive money or property or otherwise directly profit from the operation of the games, except that:

Have a question?
Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.

(a) The organization operating the games may present a prize of money or other property to any player not involved in the administration or management of the games.

(b) An organization licensed to conduct Monte Carlo events may contract with a licensed supplier of Monte Carlo event equipment to operate the event, including the provision of equipment, supplies and personnel, provided that the licensed supplier is paid a fixed fee to conduct the event and the imitation money is sold to players by employees or volunteers of the licensed charitable, fraternal or religious organization.

(c) A person may sell, rent or lease equipment, including electronic equipment, proprietary computer software and real property to a licensed charitable, fraternal or religious organization. Rent or lease payments must be made in compliance with the provisions of ORS § 464.510.

(d) An organization licensed by the department may act as an escrow agent to receive money or property to be awarded as prizes.

(2) A charitable, fraternal or religious organization may not operate bingo, lotto or raffle games or Monte Carlo events except at locations and upon days and for periods of time as the department authorizes pursuant to this section and ORS § 464.250 to 464.380, 464.420 and 464.450 to 464.530.

(3)(a) An organization licensed by the department to operate bingo or lotto games may not award a prize exceeding $5,000 in value in any one game. An organization licensed by the department to operate a Monte Carlo event may not present any prize of money, or a cash equivalent, to any player.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS § 167.108 to 167.164 and 464.270 to 464.530 to the contrary, a bingo licensee may operate two games per year with a prize not to exceed $10,000 per game and, if approved by the department, may also participate in a linked progressive game involving only Oregon licensees, without regard to the number of games or the size of the prize awarded.

(4) Each charitable, fraternal or religious organization that maintains, conducts or operates any bingo, lotto or raffle game or Monte Carlo event under license of the department must operate the game or event in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

(5) It is unlawful for a licensee to permit the operating expenses of the games to exceed 22 percent of the annual handle of its bingo, lotto and raffle operation.

(6) It is unlawful for a charitable, fraternal or religious organization licensed by the department to operate bingo, lotto or raffle games if:

(a) The handle of the games and events exceeds $250,000 in a year; and

(b) The games and events do not generate for the organization’s purposes, after the cost of prizes and operating expenses are deducted from the handle, an amount that equals or exceeds five percent of the handle. [1987 c.914 § 3; 1991 c.274 § 2; 1995 c.331 § 1; 1997 c.867 § 2; 1999 c.218 § 1; 2001 c.228 § 2; 2003 c.417 § 1; 2017 c.60 § 1]

[1973 c.788 § 3; repealed by 1974 c.7 § 2]

[Amended by 1955 c.514 § 1; 1969 c.404 § 1; repealed by 1971 c.743 § 432]