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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>68190</law_id><section_number>18.2-340.33</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited practices</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-340.19</reference><reference>18.2-340.34:1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="8">Crimes Involving Morals and Decency</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1.1:1">Charitable Gaming</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>In addition to those other practices prohibited by this article, the following acts or practices are prohibited:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> No part of the gross receipts or <span class="dictionary">electronic gaming adjusted gross receipts</span> derived by a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> may be used for any purpose other than (i) <span class="dictionary">gaming expenses</span>; (ii) <span class="dictionary">reasonable and proper business expenses</span>; and (iii) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized. <a id="paragraph-246816" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Except as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Bingo managers and callers; remuneration; registration; qualification; suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew certificate; exceptions" href="/18.2-340.34_1/">18.2-340.34:1</a>, no <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> shall enter into a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with or otherwise employ for compensation any person for the purpose of organizing, managing, or conducting any <span class="dictionary">charitable games</span>. However, <span class="dictionary">organizations</span> composed of or for deaf or blind persons may use a part of their gross receipts for costs associated with providing clerical assistance in the <span class="dictionary">management</span> and <span class="dictionary">operation</span> but not the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of <span class="dictionary">charitable gaming</span>.
			The provisions of this subdivision shall not prohibit the joint <span class="dictionary">operation</span> of <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games held in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Joint operation of bingo games; written reports; joint permit required" href="/18.2-340.29/">18.2-340.29</a>. <a id="paragraph-246817" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> No person shall pay or receive for use of any premises wholly devoted to the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of any <span class="dictionary">charitable games</span>, any consideration in excess of the current <span class="dictionary">fair market rental value</span> of such property. <span class="dictionary">Fair market rental value</span> consideration shall not be based upon or determined by reference to a percentage of the proceeds derived from the <span class="dictionary">operation</span> of any <span class="dictionary">charitable games</span> or to the number of people in attendance at such <span class="dictionary">charitable games</span>. <a id="paragraph-246818" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> No person shall participate in the <span class="dictionary">management</span> or <span class="dictionary">operation</span> of any charitable game unless such person is and, for a period of at least 30 days immediately preceding such participation, has been a <span class="dictionary">bona fide member</span> of the organization. For any organization that is not composed of members, a person who is not a <span class="dictionary">bona fide member</span> may volunteer in the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of a charitable game as long as that person is directly supervised by a bona fide official member of the organization.
			The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to (i) persons employed as clerical assistants by <span class="dictionary">qualified organizations</span> composed of or for deaf or blind persons; (ii) employees of a corporate sponsor of a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span>, provided such employees&#x2019; participation is limited to the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of no more than one <span class="dictionary">raffle</span> per year; (iii) the spouse or family member of any such <span class="dictionary">bona fide member</span> of a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> provided at least one <span class="dictionary">bona fide member</span> is present; or (iv) persons employed by a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> authorized to sell pull tabs or <span class="dictionary">seal cards</span> in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-340.16/">18.2-340.16</a>, provided (a) such sales are conducted by no more than two on-duty employees and (b) such employees receive no compensation for or based on the sale of the pull tabs or <span class="dictionary">seal cards</span>. <a id="paragraph-246819" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> No person shall receive any remuneration for participating in the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of any charitable game, except that:
			a. Persons employed by organizations composed of or for deaf or blind persons may receive remuneration not to exceed $30 per event for providing clerical assistance in the <span class="dictionary">management</span> and <span class="dictionary">operation</span> but not the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of <span class="dictionary">charitable games</span> only for such organizations;
			b. Persons under the age of 19 who sell <span class="dictionary">raffle</span> tickets for a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> to raise funds for youth activities in which they participate may receive nonmonetary incentive awards or prizes from the organization;
			c. Remuneration may be paid to off-duty <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officers from the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in which such <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games are played for providing uniformed security for such <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games even if such officer is a member of the sponsoring organization, provided the remuneration paid to such member is in accordance with off-duty <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement personnel work policies approved by the local <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement official and further provided that such member is not otherwise engaged in the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of the <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games of that organization, or to private security services businesses licensed pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensing, certification, and registration required; qualifications; temporary licenses" href="/9.1-139/">9.1-139</a> providing uniformed security for such <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games, provided that employees of such businesses shall not otherwise be involved in the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of the <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games of that organization;
			d. A member of a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> lawfully participating in the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of a <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> game may be provided food and nonalcoholic beverages by such organization for on-premises consumption during the <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> game provided the food and beverages are provided in accordance with <span class="dictionary">Department</span> regulations;
			e. Remuneration may be paid to <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> managers or callers who have a current registration certificate issued by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Bingo managers and callers; remuneration; registration; qualification; suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew certificate; exceptions" href="/18.2-340.34_1/">18.2-340.34:1</a>, or who are exempt from such registration requirement. Except as provided for in subdivision f and subsection E of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Bingo managers and callers; remuneration; registration; qualification; suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew certificate; exceptions" href="/18.2-340.34_1/">18.2-340.34:1</a>, such remuneration shall not exceed $200 per session;
			f. For services provided on any day designated as a legal holiday pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Legal holidays" href="/2.2-3300/">2.2-3300</a>, remuneration shall be paid at a rate not less than one and one-half times the remuneration rate paid pursuant to subdivision e to <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> managers or callers who have a current registration certificate issued by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Bingo managers and callers; remuneration; registration; qualification; suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew certificate; exceptions" href="/18.2-340.34_1/">18.2-340.34:1</a>, or who are exempt from such registration requirement; and
			g. Volunteers of a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> may be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary travel expenses, not to exceed $50 per session. <a id="paragraph-246820" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> No <span class="dictionary">landlord</span> shall, at <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games conducted on the <span class="dictionary">landlord</span>&#x2019;s premises, (i) participate in the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span>, <span class="dictionary">management</span>, or <span class="dictionary">operation</span> of any <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games; (ii) sell, lease, or otherwise provide for consideration any <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> supplies, including <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> cards, instant <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> cards, or other game pieces; or (iii) require as a condition of the lease or by <span class="dictionary">contract</span> that a particular manufacturer, distributor, or <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> of <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> supplies or equipment be used by the organization.
			The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> conducting <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> games on its own behalf at premises owned by it. <a id="paragraph-246821" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> No <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> shall enter into any <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with or otherwise employ or compensate any member of the organization on account of the sale of <span class="dictionary">bingo</span> supplies or equipment. <a id="paragraph-246822" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> No organization shall award any bingo prize money or any merchandise valued in excess of the following amounts:
			a. No bingo door prize shall exceed $250 for a single door prize or $500 in cumulative door prizes in any one session;
			b. No regular bingo or special bingo game prize shall exceed $100. However, up to 10 games per bingo session may feature a regular bingo or special bingo game prize of up to $200;
			c. No instant bingo, pull tab, or seal card prize for a single card shall exceed $2,000;
			d. Except as provided in this subdivision 8, no bingo <span class="dictionary">jackpot</span> of any nature whatsoever shall exceed $1,000, nor shall the total amount of bingo <span class="dictionary">jackpot</span> prizes awarded in any one session exceed $1,000. Proceeds from the sale of bingo cards and the sheets used for bingo <span class="dictionary">jackpot</span> games shall be accounted for separately from the bingo cards or sheets used for any other bingo games; and
			e. No single <span class="dictionary">network bingo</span> prize shall exceed $25,000. Proceeds from the sale of <span class="dictionary">network bingo</span> cards shall be accounted for separately from bingo cards and sheets used for any other bingo game. <a id="paragraph-246823" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> The provisions of subdivision 8 shall not apply to any progressive bingo game in which (i) a regular or special prize, not to exceed $100, is awarded on the basis of predetermined numbers or patterns selected at random and (ii) a progressive prize, not to exceed $500 for the initial progressive prize and $5,000 for the maximum progressive prize, is awarded if the predetermined numbers or patterns are covered when a certain number of numbers is called, provided that (a) there are no more than six such games per session per organization, (b) the amount of increase of the progressive prize per session is no more than $200, (c) the bingo cards or sheets used in such games are sold separately from the bingo cards or sheets used for any other bingo games, (d) the organization separately accounts for the proceeds from such sale, and (e) such games are otherwise operated in accordance with the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>&#x2019;s rules of play. <a id="paragraph-246824" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> No organization shall award any <span class="dictionary">raffle</span> prize valued at more than $100,000.
			The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a <span class="dictionary">raffle</span> conducted no more than three times per calendar year by a <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> qualified as a tax-exempt organization pursuant to &#xA7; 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code for a prize consisting of a lot improved by a residential dwelling where 100 percent of the moneys received from such a <span class="dictionary">raffle</span>, less deductions for the fair market value for the cost of acquisition of the land and <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, are donated to lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational organizations specifically chartered or organized under the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth and qualified as a &#xA7; 501(c) tax-exempt organization. No more than one such <span class="dictionary">raffle</span> shall be conducted in any one geographical region of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-246825" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> No <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> composed of or for deaf or blind persons that employs a person not a member to provide clerical assistance in the <span class="dictionary">management</span> and <span class="dictionary">operation</span> but not the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of any <span class="dictionary">charitable games</span> shall <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> such games unless it has in force fidelity insurance, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Fidelity" href="/38.2-120/">38.2-120</a>, written by an insurer licensed to do business in the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-246826" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> No person shall participate in the <span class="dictionary">management</span> or <span class="dictionary">operation</span> of any charitable game if he has ever been convicted of any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or if he has been convicted of any <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> involving <span class="dictionary">fraud</span>, theft, or financial <span class="dictionary">crimes</span> within the preceding five years. No person shall participate in the <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of any charitable game if, within the preceding 10 years, he has been convicted of any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or if, within the preceding five years he has been convicted of any <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> involving <span class="dictionary">fraud</span>, theft, or financial <span class="dictionary">crimes</span>. In addition, no person shall participate in the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of any charitable game if that person, within the preceding five years, has participated in the <span class="dictionary">management</span>, <span class="dictionary">operation</span>, or <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> of any charitable game that was found by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> or a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of competent <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> to have been operated in violation of state <span class="dictionary">law</span>, local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or <span class="dictionary">Department</span> regulation. <a id="paragraph-246827" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> <span class="dictionary">Qualified organizations</span> jointly conducting bingo games pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Joint operation of bingo games; written reports; joint permit required" href="/18.2-340.29/">18.2-340.29</a> shall not circumvent any restrictions and prohibitions that would otherwise apply if a single organization were conducting such games. These restrictions and prohibitions shall include the frequency with which bingo games may be held, the value of merchandise or money awarded as prizes, or any other practice prohibited under this section. <a id="paragraph-246828" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> A <span class="dictionary">qualified organization</span> shall not purchase any <span class="dictionary">charitable gaming supplies</span> for use in the Commonwealth from any person who is not currently registered with the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> as a <span class="dictionary">supplier</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Suppliers of charitable gaming supplies; manufacturers of electronic gaming devices; permit; qualification; suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew certificate; maintenance, production and release of records" href="/18.2-340.34/">18.2-340.34</a>. <a id="paragraph-246829" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Unless otherwise permitted in this article, no part of an organization&#x2019;s charitable gaming gross receipts shall be used for an organization&#x2019;s social or recreational activities. <a id="paragraph-246830" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> No organization qualified to <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> Texas Hold&#x2019;em poker <span class="dictionary">tournaments</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments by qualified organizations; limitation of operator fee; conditions" href="/18.2-340.28_2/">18.2-340.28:2</a> shall <span class="dictionary">conduct</span> any Texas Hold&#x2019;em poker games where the game has no predetermined end time and the players wager actual money or poker chips that have cash value. <a id="paragraph-246831" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/18.2-340.33/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1995, c. 837; 1996, c. 919; 1997, cc. 777, 838; 1998, cc. 57, 398; 1999, c. 534; 2000, c. 1000; 2001, c. 754; 2002, c. 282; 2003, c. 884; 2004, c. 275; 2005, cc. 776, 826; 2006, c. 644; 2007, cc. 226, 790; 2008, c. 352; 2010, c. 429; 2013, cc. 36, 350; 2017, cc. 566, 739; 2020, c. 568; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 491; 2022, cc. 553, 554, 609, 612, 722, 767; 2025, c. 49.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
