Bingo
ALE is responsible for enforcing the state bingo laws to prevent commercialized gambling. A bingo game is a specific game of chance and is legal only if the charitable organization has a current Charitable Bingo License. ALE's Bingo Administrator is responsible for licensing and overseeing the charitable organizations' operations and making sure they are in compliance with the state's administrative bingo laws, including internal audits as needed.
During 2014, ALE's Bingo Licensing Section issued over 200 licenses. This section is statutorily required to monitor all licensed bingo operations to ensure compliance with the law and to conduct annual audits of financial records. Based on available data, these organizations report nearly $15 million in gross receipts annually.
Bingo complaints from the public are processed through ALE and distributed to the appropriate ALE District Office for investigation. In 2014, ALE Special Agents and the Bingo Administrator received and investigated more than 100 complaints from the general public and other law enforcement agencies.
Non-Profit Bingo
The types of organizations that are eligible for a Charitable Bingo License are bona-fide non-profit charitable, civic, religious, fraternal, patriotic, veteran, volunteer fire departments or volunteer rescue squads, or property owners' associations. These non-profits must apply to the ALE Bingo Licensing Section for a license to operate a charitable bingo game and pay an annual $200 nonrefundable fee.
Licensed non-profit agencies are allowed to operate no more than twice a week with games being 48 hours apart and no longer than five hours per session.
Beach Bingo
Beach bingo games may lawfully be played for prizes of $10.00 or less, or merchandise that is not redeemable for cash and has a value of $10.00 or less. As of October 1, 2016, an annual license is required to operate a beach bingo business within North Carolina. Click here for Beach Bingo locations in North Carolina.
How to Pay
Permit application fees are payable by certified check, cashier’s check, personal check or money orders. Electronic payments are not permitted.
Mailing Address:
ALE-Bingo
4233 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Explanation of Annual Report
Your Annual Audit Report must be received by our office no later than January 31st every year for the preceding calendar year. Your Annual Audit Report consists of four parts: BL-2, BL-3, BL-4a and FB-4b.
Completed at the end of the year. All totals should come from your BL-3, BL-4a and BL-4b forms. ALL expenses should be recorded under one of the categories listed.
There should be a session report for each time you play bingo, listing all games played and monies taken in. (List donated merchandise that is given away as a prizes but do not list those amounts in the total at the bottom of the column). It is important to complete this form each time you play so you are not missing reports at the end of the year.
The BL-4a is a running log of all prize amounts and corresponding check numbers and either the address or phone number of the payee.
The BL-4b form is for all other allowable expenses except for the prizes. The purpose of disbursement should be one of the following categories: Rent, Taxes, Utilities, Supplies, Comp Pay, License Fee, Advertising, Bank Charges,
Donations and Capital Improvements; amounts are listed with the corresponding check numbers and either the address or phone number of the payee.
- Beginning Account Balance: This should be your ending balance from previous year.
- Allowable Expenses: All expenses must have a corresponding check listed on a BL-4a or BL-4b.
- Put all allowable expenses under the categories provided. Do not change the listed categories.
- License Fee – Annual renewal fee, if you do not have a check listed on the BL-4b, do not list payment.
- Bank Charges: List bank charges on your BL-4b or include your bank statement with charges highlighted.
- Double check your totals.
- You must sign all sheets and include a daytime phone number on the BL-2 in case there are questions.
Bingo Reporting Forms
- BL-1 Application for Exempt Organization License to Operate Bingo Games
- BL-2 Annual Audit Report of Bingo
- BL-3 Bingo Session Report
- BL-4a Separate Account Disbursement Summary (Prizes)
- BL-4b Separate Account Disbursement Summary (Expenses)
- BL-5 Application for Exempt Organization Special Occasion Permit to Operate a Bingo Game
- BL-6 Application for Beach Bingo License