What's happening
This bill allows minors under 18 to play bingo if accompanied by an adult, amending current restrictions.
Why it matters
Expands social and community participation. By allowing minors under 18 to play bingo when accompanied by an adult, the bill enables more families to participate in community events often hosted by nonprofits, religious groups, or local organizations.
Addresses responsible oversight. The requirement for adult accompaniment introduces a layer of supervision, aiming to mitigate concerns about youth involvement in gambling while still permitting their participation.
Maintains safeguards for youth roles. The bill does not change restrictions on minors conducting or assisting in bingo games, continuing to limit their involvement to just playing (when supervised), and preserving current rules on who can handle operational duties.
Potential fundraising impact. Allowing more young people to take part in bingo could boost attendance and revenue at fundraising events, potentially benefiting charities and organizations that rely on such games for financial support.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Teens at Bingo
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–2
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.48
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.62
- 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.
Let Minors Play Bingo
In Assembly Committee · Racing And Wagering · Sponsor Angelo Santabarbara
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
509
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- 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 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to participation in games of bingo by minors
Purpose
This legislation seeks to allow an individual under the age of 18 to play bingo as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends Section 486 of the general municipal law to allow for an individual under the age of 18 to play bingo as long as they are accompanied by an adult. This language was previously included, but was removed by chapter 59 of the Laws of 2017.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Many families enjoy playing bingo together, parents taking children, grandparents taking grandchildren, often times generations have enjoyed playing these games together. Unfortunately a change in statute made in 2017 will make criminals of these individuals who seek to enjoy this pastime with the younger generation.
Legislative history
S 6837 of 2018 - Passed the Senate in 2018
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.