For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Words importing singular number shall include the plural number in each case and vice versa, and words importing persons shall include firms, corporations or other entities.
APPLICANT. Any person, corporation, partnership or association which is either a charity that will conduct bingo games in a bingo hall, or a for-profit bingo organization.
AUTHORIZED EXPENSES or AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES The cost of equipment and supplies actually used in the conduct of bingo games at a bingo hall, including but not limited to state and local permit and license fees, bookkeeping and accounting fees for records and reports, advertising, cost of security personnel, pro rata share of rent, insurance, utilities, cost of food and beverages, served at no cost to patrons and volunteers and cost of food, beverages and cigarettes to be sold at the bingo hall.
BINGO CARD. The flat piece of paper or thin pasteboard utilized by patrons engaged in the game City of Palm Bay of bingo. The bingo card shall have not fewer than 24 playing numbers printed on it. These playing numbers shall range from 1 through 75, inclusive. No bingo card may be used in a bingo hall unless it has been sold by the charity conducting the bingo in the bingo hall. Each bingo card sold by a charity in a bingo hall must have printed on it the full name of the charity including the name or designation of the chapter or location of the charity.
BINGO GAME. The activity, commonly known as “bingo” in which participants pay a sum of money for the use of one or more bingo cards. When the game commences, numbers are drawn by chance, one by one, and announced. The players cover or mark those numbers on the bingo cards that they have purchased until a player receives a given order of numbers in sequence that has been preannounced for a particular game, and such player calls out “bingo” and is declared a winner of a predetermined prize. More than one game may be played upon a bingo card, and numbers called for one game may be used for a succeeding game or games.
BINGO HALL. Any location, or area, indoors or outdoors, or a building or part of a building in which more than one charity conducts bingo games and which is operated by a for-profit bingo organization. Any for-profit bingo organization, as defined herein, shall be presumed to “operate a bingo hall” if such for-profit organization either leases space or equipment to charities for the conduct of bingo games in bingo halls.
CALLER. The designated member of the charity who draws by chance, one by one, the playing numbers and who announces the numbers to the patrons.
CHARITY. A charitable, non-profit, or veterans' organization which has qualified for exemption from federal income tax as an exempt organization under the provisions of Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or Section 528 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; which is engaged in charitable, civic, community, benevolent, religious or scholastic works or other similar activities, and which has been in existence and active for a period of three years or more.
CITY. The Finance Department of the city, or its designee.
CITY CLERK. The City Clerk of the city.
CITY CODE. The code of ordinances of the city.
CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of the city.
DESIGNATED MEMBER OF CHARITY or DESIGNATED MEMBER. Those eligible members of a charity who have city been designated to be in charge of the bingo games for the charity.
ELIGIBLE MEMBER OF CHARITY or ELIGIBLE MEMBER. A member of a particular charity who has either been a member of the charity for no less than 18 months, or has been both a member of the charity for six months and a resident of the county for no less than 18 months.
FOR-PROFIT BINGO ORGANIZATION. Any person(s), corporation, partnership or business entity that leases any bingo hall to a charity and that supplies bingo equipment or services to the charity for use in the bingo hall.
INTERESTED PARTY. Any person(s), business entity, partnership or corporation who is a permittee or an applicant for a permit, or who is a designated member of a charity, or who is an independent contractor or consultant with regard to conducting bingo games or the operation of a bingo hall (whether paid or not) of a permittee or applicant, or who is a partner in a partnership of a permittee or an applicant, or is an officer or director of a corporation or who owns stock of a for-profit corporation of a permittee or an applicant for a permit, or the family members or relatives of the above-named who may directly or indirectly gain financially from the issuance of a permit.
PATRON. A person who plays bingo at a bingo hall. PATRON shall mean the same as players.
PERMITTEE. Any holder of a permit issued pursuant to this subchapter and any “interested party” as defined herein.
PERMIT. A permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter.
SALE. The event in which a permittee receives money or other things of value, including but not limited to receipts for admission fees, sales or rental of bingo cards, sales or rental of bingo accessories, sales of food, beverages and cigarettes, or other money received from any other source.
SESSION. A designated set of bingo games played in a day or part of a day.
SPECIFIED CRIMINAL ACT. Any felony of any kind, or any misdemeanor involving theft or illegal gambling of any kind.
STRUCTURE. Structures as defined in Fla. Stat. § 380.031, and includes any boat, house boat, barge or water borne facility capable of housing bingo games.
(Ord. 96-09, passed 2-15-96)