HB 455: Bingo; properties used for games; limit number of sessions; provisions

Georgia law lets nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations run bingo games under strict limits on where they can play, how often, how much they can pay in prizes, and how much they can pay people who help run the games. This bill loosens several of those limits. It lets an organization list multiple locations on its license instead of just one, and it removes the requirement that leased property be used regularly by the organization for other purposes. The bill raises the number of allowed bingo sessions from one per day to three per day (each still capped at five hours), and it caps joint operations at 31 sessions per month at a shared location instead of an 18 hour window. It doubles the weekly prize cap from $3,000 to $6,000, and it raises pay for people who help run games from $30 per day to $150 per session. The changes take effect once the Governor signs the bill, and repeal any conflicting laws.

• Allows a bingo license to list multiple locations instead of just one single location for games.
• Removes the requirement that leased bingo property be used regularly by the organization for purposes other than bingo.
• Raises the daily session limit from one to three bingo sessions per day, each still capped at five hours.
• Replaces the old 18 hour joint-operation restriction with a cap of 31 bingo sessions per month at a shared location.
• Doubles the weekly prize limit from $3,000 to $6,000 in cash or equivalent gifts.
• Raises the pay allowed for people who help run bingo games from $30 per day to $150 per session.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations licensed to run bingo games in Georgia, the individuals who volunteer or work to help run those games, bingo players who might win larger prizes, and property owners who lease space to these organizations for bingo sessions.

Charities running bingo could hold more games, at more locations, and pay bigger prizes and higher fees to helpers, potentially increasing fundraising activity and payouts to both organizations and the people who assist them at bingo sessions across Georgia.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 16-12-53 to require applicants to list all locations where bingo will be conducted, not just one.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 16-12-57 to let organizations use leased property for bingo without requiring regular use for other purposes.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 16-12-60 to raise the daily session cap from one to three sessions of up to five hours each.
• Section 3 also replaces the 18 hour joint-operation rule with a 31 sessions per month cap for shared premises used by multiple organizations.
• Section 3 raises the weekly prize cap from $3,000 to $6,000 in cash or gifts of equivalent value.
• Section 3 raises allowable pay for people assisting with bingo games from $30 per day to $150 per session.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-12Act 714
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-02-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-02-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2026-01-29Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
8. 2026-01-12Senate Recommitted (Senate)

• Alan Powell (R, HD-033)Primary sponsor
• Lauren McDonald (R, HD-026)
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)
• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-011)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

   149 yea, 15 nay (9 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #186

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 20, 2026

   38 yea, 8 nay (4 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #560

• bingo licensing
• charitable gaming
• nonprofit fundraising
• gambling law