What's happening
This bill allows certain bingo games to be held up to two days per week instead of fifteen days per year, and expands eligible organizations.
Why it matters
Increases social and recreational opportunities for residents. of apartment complexes, retirement communities, and similar facilities by allowing bingo games more frequently—up to two days per week—supporting community engagement and reducing isolation.
Expands the types of organizations eligible. to host these games by explicitly including religious and not-for-profit groups, as well as existing categories like social, fraternal, and charitable organizations, potentially benefiting a wider range of community groups.
Maintains important safeguards. by ensuring that all games remain strictly for amusement (no cost to play, low prize values, no paid staff conducting games), which helps prevent gambling-related risks and keeps the focus on recreation rather than profit.
Could provide a modest boost to organizational morale and participation. , as more frequent events may encourage greater involvement from members, residents, and volunteers, strengthening community bonds and organizational vitality.
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Expand Bingo Game Days
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1025
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Advanced to third reading
Show 3 earlier actions
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1099
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expand Bingo Game Days
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor Andrew Hevesi
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4174
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the operation of certain bingo games
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Clauses (B) and (C) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 495-a of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 441 of the laws of 2007, are amended to read as follows:
(B) within any apartment, condominium or cooperative complex, retirement community, or other group residential complex or facility where (I) sponsored by the operator of or an association related to such complex, community or facility, (II) such games are conducted solely for the purpose of amusement and recreation of its residents, (III) no player or other person furnishes anything of value for the opportunity to participate, (IV) the value of the prizes shall not exceed ten dollars for any one game or a total of one hundred fifty dollars in any calendar day, (V) such games are not conducted on more than [fifteen days during any calendar year] two days per week, and (VI) no person other than an employee or volunteer of such complex, community or facility conducts or assists in conducting the game or games.
(C) on behalf of any bona fide social, charitable, educational, recreational, fraternal, religious, not-for-profit or age group organization, club or association solely for the purpose of amusement and recreation of its members or beneficiaries where (I) no player or other person furnishes anything of value for the opportunity to participate, (II) the value of the prizes shall not exceed ten dollars for any one game or a total of one hundred fifty dollars in any calendar day, (III) such games are not conducted on more than [fifteen days during any calendar year] two days per week, (IV) no person other than a bona fide active member
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02458-01-7
S. 4174 2
of the organization, club or association participates in the conduct of the games, and (V) no person is paid for conducting or assisting in the conduct of the game or games.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the operation of certain bingo games
Purpose of bill
To increase the number of days on which senior citizen groups are permitted to conduct bingo games.
Summary of specific provisions
Clauses (B) and (C) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 495-a of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 441 of the laws of 2007 are amended.
Current law restricts the number of bingo games conducted by senior citizens groups to fifteen days during any calendar year. This bill is aimed at senior groups that meet in their apartment building, condo or cooperative, retirement community, other group residential complex or facility, or religious organization where such games are conducted solely for the amusement and recreation of its residents.
No player or other person is allowed to furnish anything of value for the opportunity to participate. The value of the prizes shall not exceed ten dollars for any one game or a total of one hundred fifty dollars in any calendar day. No person other than an employee or volunteer of such complex, community or facility is permitted to conduct or assist in conducting the game or games. The same conditions apply to any bona fide social, charitable, educational, recreational, fraternal, religious, not-for-profit or age group organization, club or association solely for the purpose of amusement and recreation of its members.
Justification
Bingo is a recreational activity long enjoyed by seniors. It helps to break down the walls of isolation through social interaction. The scheduled activity gives them a reason to get up, get dressed and leave their apartment or room. It increases both their physical and mental activity. It brings a bit of excitement to their day.
This bill will allow senior citizen organizations to play 'free' bingo up to twice a week. Free bingo is defined as a game where the value of a single prize awarded shall not exceed ten dollars and the total value of all the prizes awarded shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars in any calendar day.
Prior legislative history
Previously Introduced.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
Immediate
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.