‘Beach bingo’ games to be licensed in bill clearing Senate

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – The North Carolina General Assembly is gearing up to regulate the state’s small-scale “beach bingo” competitions.

The Senate on Wednesday passed a proposal to require for-profit bingo operators to apply annually for a $300 license through the Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch.

A beach bingo game has prizes of $10 or less. Sponsors say the games are not limited to beaches and there is currently no way to track how many of the operations exist in the state.

Operating without a license could result in up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Current law already requires nonprofit organizations such as churches or veterans groups to apply annually for a $200 license to host a bingo game.

The bill now returns to the House for approval.

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