An Act to amend 563.03 (1m) of the statutes; Relating to: the definition of bingo.
Summary
AB 572 amends Wisconsin’s statutory definition of “bingo” in chapter 563. The bill keeps the core elements of bingo intact: players pay consideration, 75 numbered objects are used, cards are sold, rented, or used only at the time and place of the game, and winners are determined by matching numbers on a card to numbers drawn at random. The bill then narrows the definition by excluding a specific type of game from being treated as bingo under the chapter.
Under the new language, a game is not considered “bingo” if it uses free cards and donated prizes, if any, and participants do not pay consideration, even if the host or sponsor pays another person for prizes, supplies, equipment, or logistical support. In effect, the bill clarifies that certain no-cost promotional or charitable games fall outside the bingo regulations in Wisconsin law.
Impact
The bill directly amends section 563.03 (1m) of the Wisconsin statutes, which governs the legal definition of bingo. By carving out games with free cards and donated prizes where participants pay nothing, it reduces the likelihood that such games will be regulated as bingo under chapter 563. This affects organizations, sponsors, and hosts that conduct low-cost or no-cost games, as well as any parties providing prizes, supplies, or event support, by clarifying when bingo licensing or compliance requirements do not apply.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcripts, recorded votes, or other debate, so there is no documented public sentiment from the legislative process in the materials provided. Based on the text alone, the bill appears technical and clarifying rather than controversial, suggesting a likely practical purpose of distinguishing exempt promotional or charitable games from regulated bingo.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. The main issue the bill addresses is whether a game remains outside the bingo definition when the participants pay no consideration but the host or sponsor still pays third parties for prizes or event support. Any disagreement would likely center on how broadly that exemption should be read and whether it could be used to avoid bingo regulation for games that resemble traditional bingo.