(a) No qualified organization shall be permitted to operate a bingo game unless the sheriff first issues a permit to the organization authorizing it to do so. The permit described in this part is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other business licenses which may be required by law, and no bingo game shall be operated until such time as all required licenses have been obtained. A copy of each license shall be required and attached to the application. A permit holder may hold only one permit and that permit is valid for only one location. A permit is not assignable or transferable.
(b) Any qualified organization desiring to obtain a permit to operate bingo games in a calendar year shall make application to the sheriff on forms prescribed by the sheriff and shall pay an annual fee of fifty dollars ($50). Renewal applications shall also be filed with the sheriff.
(c) The sheriff shall refuse to grant a bingo permit to any applicant who fails to fully provide the information required by this subsection. Each applicant for a permit shall evidence its prior existence for at least 12 months and provide the following information:
(1) The name, home address, and date of birth of the applicant, and if the applicant is a corporation, association, or other similar legal entity, the name, home address, and date of birth of each of the officers of the organization, as well as the names and addresses and dates of birth of the directors, or other persons similarly situated, of the organization with notarized signatures of each.
(2) If the applicant is a corporation, association, or other such similar legal entity, then only the president, director, or other person similarly situated as head or leader of such organization shall make application for a bingo permit in the name of that organization.
(3) The name and home address and date of birth of the person who will be in charge of operating or promoting the bingo games.
(4) The name, home address, and date of birth of any surety for the applicant, and if the surety is a corporation, association, or other similar legal entity, the name, home address, and date of birth of each of the officers of the organization.
(5) The location at which the applicant will conduct the games of bingo.
(6) The days of the week which the applicant will conduct the games of bingo.
(7) There shall be no convictions for criminal offenses, other than minor traffic offenses, for each of the persons listed in subdivisions (1), (2), (3), and (4).
(8) There shall be a five-year residency history in Mobile County for each person listed in subdivisions (1), (2), (3), and (4).
(d) Bingo permits may be amended upon resubmission of application and surrender of the old permit and payment of a twenty-five dollar ($25) fee.
(e) Bingo permits expire at the end of each 12-month period and must be renewed for each additional 12 months. The sheriff has the discretionary authority to refuse reissuance of any bingo permit for just cause or reason.
(f) No person shall be an applicant for a bingo permit for more than one organization.
Last modified: May 3, 2021