What's happening
This bill allows minors to play bingo if accompanied by an adult, but still prohibits them from operating the game.
Why it matters
Expands recreational opportunities for minors. By allowing minors to play bingo when accompanied by an adult, the bill enables more families to participate together in community events and fundraisers where bingo is often featured.
Maintains safeguards against youth gambling. The bill keeps in place a strict prohibition on minors conducting, operating, or assisting with the operation of bingo, which helps prevent early exposure to gambling-related responsibilities or potential exploitation.
Clarifies roles for older teens. It preserves the rule that 16- and 17-year-olds can perform non-gaming support roles (like serving food or setting up), striking a balance between community involvement and responsible gaming oversight.
May affect fundraising and community groups. Organizations that rely on bingo for fundraising may see increased attendance and revenue from families, potentially boosting local charitable activities and events.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Minors Play Bingo
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 111
10 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Referred to racing 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.
Allow Teens at Bingo
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor Timothy M. Kennedy
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1439
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 15, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA, SCHIMMINGER, D'URSO, STEC, NORRIS, MORINELLO, RIVERA, LAWRENCE, B. MILLER, ARROYO, JONES -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ABBATE, DAVILA, GIGLIO, HAWLEY, SEAWRIGHT -read once and referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to participation in games of bingo by minors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 486 of the general municipal law, as amended by section 6 of part MM of chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
§ 486. Participation by persons under the age of eighteen. No person under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to play any game or games of bingo conducted pursuant to any license issued under this article unless accompanied by an adult. No person under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to conduct, operate or assist in the conduct of any game of bingo conducted pursuant to any license issued pursuant to this article. Nothing in this section shall prevent a person sixteen years of age or older from performing ancillary non-gaming activities conducted in conjunction with any game of bingo conducted pursuant to any license pursuant to this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02686-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.