Rules of Play

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth guidelines for the rules of play. (1) Except for pull-tab games, a bingo occasion begins with the first letter and number drawn (called) for the first bingo game as defined in 313.005, RSMo. No bingo paper or pull-tabs shall be sold more than three (3) hours prior to the start of the first bingo game. No pull-tab sales may start before 7:00 a.m. The paper and/or pull-tab sales time shall be clearly posted in the licensee’s house rules or game sheet. All bingo paper and/or pull-tabs shall be sold by approved workers and sales times are subject to approval by the commission. The drawing of hot balls, Bonanza balls, or wild balls in preparation for a subsequent bingo game during an occasion is not considered the start of the bingo occasion; however, the drawing of these balls shall be visible to and called in front of the majority of players. All seventy-five (75) balls shall be present in the receptacle before these balls are drawn. (2) All seventy-five (75) objects or balls shall be present within the receptacle before each bingo game is started. The physical drawing of the objects shall be visible to the majority of players and numbers shall be announced so that they are clearly heard by all players of that game. (3) The amount of the prize and the permissible winning combination shall be clearly announced prior to the start of each game. Verification of the winner of each game shall be openly conducted in the presence of the majority of the players. In the event of multiple winners in any single game, the aggregate announced dollar prize of the game shall be divided equally. In the event of multiple winners in any single game in which merchandise is awarded as a prize, substitute prizes may be awarded provided that the organization does not exceed the single day prize limit set by the commission. (4) All disputes between the players and the licensed organization regarding prizes shall be settled between the player(s) and the organization. (5) Operators may only conduct one (1) bingo game at a time. When a player achieves the preannounced winning combination and the winning combination is verified, the next game shall be commenced with a new bingo card or sheet. (6) The aggregate retail value of all prizes or merchandise awarded, except prizes or merchandise awarded by pull-tab cards and progressive bingo games, in any single day of bingo may not exceed three thousand six hundred dollars ($3,600). (7) The bingo licensee shall conduct bingo in accordance with its house rules. AUTHORITY: sections 313.005 and 313.040, RSMo Supp. 2013, and section 313.065, RSMo 2000.* Emergency rule filed June 21, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, expired Oct. 28, 1994. Emergency rule filed Oct. 19, 1994, effective Oct. 29, 1994, expired Feb. 25, 1995. Original rule filed July 11, 1994, effective Jan. 29, 1995. Amended: Filed Dec. 12, 1997, effective July 30, 1998. Amended: Filed May 13, 1998, effective Dec. 30, 1998. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 1999, effective May 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Oct. 1, 2001, effective May 30, 2002. Emergency amendment filed July 28, 2010, effective Aug. 28, 2010, expired Feb. 23, 2011. Amended: Filed July 28, 2010, effective Jan. 30, 2011. Amended: Filed June 25, 2015, effective Feb. 29, 2016. *Original authority: 313.005, RSMo 1981, amended 1982, 1984, 1986, 1993, 1994, 2010; 313.040, RSMo 1981, amended 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2010; and 313.065, RSMo 1981, amended 1993, 1995.