Any person who operates a bingo game for which a license is required without a valid license issued by the Secretary of State as provided in this part commits the offense of commercial gambling as defined in Code Section 16-12-22 and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished accordingly. Any person who knowingly aids, abets, or otherwise assists in the operation of a bingo game for which a license is required and has not been obtained as provided in this part similarly commits the offense of commercial gambling. Any person who violates any other provision of this part, including the provisions relating to recreational bingo, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. Any person who commits any such violation after having previously been convicted of any violations of this part shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years or by a fine not to exceed $10,000.00, or both.
History. Ga. L. 1977, p. 1164, § 10; Ga. L. 1980, p. 422, § 10; Ga. L. 1993, p. 535, § 4; Ga. L. 2021, p. 394, § 9/HB 410.
The 2021 amendment, effective July 1, 2021, substituted “Secretary of State” for “director” in the first sentence of this Code section.
Structure Georgia Code
Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses
Chapter 12 - Offenses Against Public Health and Morals
Article 2 - Gambling and Related Offenses
§ 16-12-50. Legislative Intent
§ 16-12-52. License Required to Operate Bingo Game; Recreational Bingo Exception
§ 16-12-53. Licensing Procedure; Fee; Renewal
§ 16-12-54. Revocation of Licenses; Access to Premises by Law Enforcement Agencies
§ 16-12-55. Certification of Tax-Exempt Status of Organization; Issuance of Certificate of Licensure
§ 16-12-56. Issuance of Annual One-Day License to Nonprofit, Tax-Exempt School; Application
§ 16-12-57. Restrictions as to Ownership of Premises Utilized
§ 16-12-59. Annual Report to Be Filed With the Secretary of State
§ 16-12-60. Rules and Regulations
§ 16-12-61. Promulgation of Necessary Rules and Regulations by Secretary of State Authorized
§ 16-12-63. Transfer of Regulatory Authority Over Bingo; Procedure and Regulation