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    Bingo Prizes

    Prize Limits

    Single game and progressive consolation prizes Single game prizes may not exceed $500 per game. Progressive game consolation prizes may not exceed $200 per game.
    Cover-all game May not exceed $2,000 for all cover-all games playing during a bingo occasion.
    Cover-none game May not exceed $2,000 for all cover-none games played during a bingo occasion.
    Progressive game
    May start at up to $500 and increase by up to $100 per game or occasion up to a maximum of $2,000.
    Hot-ball bingo game prizes Up to $500 per bingo occasion.
    Linked bingo game Each licensed organization may contribute up to 85% of linked bingo gross receipts toward linked bingo prizes. The actual percentage paid by each organization is determined by the organization’s linked bingo game provider.

    Alternative Prize Levels

    Bingo games may have alternative prize levels. However, a prize receipt form must be completed for each of these games if the specific prize amount is not announced to players before the game starts. The games must be included in your bingo program. Examples include the following:

    A prize may be based on the percentage of gross receipts.

    • For example, the prize is 75% of the total sales for that game.
    • A prize receipt is required if the prize value is announced after the game begins.
    • A prize receipt is not required if the prize value is announced before the game starts.

    Prizes may be determined based on the value of the bingo packet or package sold to the player. For example:

    • If package sold for $10, the prize would be $50.
    • If packages sold for $20, the prize would be $100.

    A prize is ten times the value of the last digit of the last ball called.

    EXAMPLE: I-21 is $10, O-65 is $50.

    You may offer a $100 prize if the number zero (0) is the last digit.

    Types of Prizes Allowed

    Types of Prizes Not Allowed
    Prizes for a bingo game may consist of:
    1. cash;
    2. a coupon redeemable for bingo paper, bingo hard cards, or the use of an electronic bingo device (but not credits on a linked bingo device);
    3. gift cards or gift certificates; and
    4. merchandise, which includes certificates for merchandise or services.

    Cash may not be substituted for merchandise prizes, certificates for merchandise or services, gift certificates, or gift cards. EXCEPTION: Cash may be substituted for a merchandise prize that cannot be divided.

    		 Prizes may not consist of lawful gambling equipment:
    1. paper pull-tabs;
    2. tipboard tickets;
    3. paddlewheel tickets;
    4. bingo paper (use coupons instead); or
    5. electronic game credits.

    Merchandise Prizes Allowed; Restrictions

    Donated prize Prizes may be donated.
    Lessor restrictions For a leased premises:
    1. The lessor may donate prizes.
    2. An organization may purchase from the lessor a certificate for merchandise or gift card to be redeemed for food or beverages at the premises if:
      • the certificate or card has a redeemable monetary cash value;
      • the certificate or card does not contain restrictions on its redemption, such as requiring a purchase of food or beverage of equal or greater value or redeemable for a specific item;
      • the certificate or card may be redeemed at any time during regular business hours of the permitted premises; and
      • the cost to the organization is 50% or less of the redeemable cash value.
    Compliance with prize limits To determine compliance with prize limits (see previous page), merchandise prizes donated to an organization or purchased at a discount and bingo coupons for future bingo occasions must be valued at their fair market value. The fair market value of a merchandise prize must not be an amount less than the purchase price.
    Report on the LG100A For purposes of reporting on the monthly LG100A, Receipts and Expenses by Site:
    • donated prizes have no value (not reported); and
    • merchandise prizes are reported at the actual cost plus shipping and sales tax.
    LG830 Track all merchandise (non-cash) prizes on the LG830.

    Certificate for Merchandise or Services—Required Information

    A certificate for merchandise or certificate for services awarded as a prize must include:
    • a complete description, including the value, of the merchandise or services;
    • the vendor’s name from whom the certificate must be redeemed; and
    • a statement expressly prohibiting the substitution of cash or another type of merchandise or services described on the certificate.

    Ownership of Prizes Required

    Prior to the bingo occasion, an organization must pay in full for bingo prizes or otherwise become the owner without lien or interest of others.

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