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A Word About Future Bingo Training Classes
Due to pending budget constraints physical-site classes will only be held in Austin. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to use the on-line training to maintain the Bingo Chairperson training requirement and to help train workers and operators. It is easy! Each week 20-30 people complete the training on-line. If you need assistance with starting the on-line training, call the bingo division at 1-800-246-4677.
Helpful Reminders on Accurate Quarterly Report Filing
The Bingo Division has created a short Microsoft Powerpoint presentation to help individuals within licensed organizations that are responsible for compiling and filing their organization's quarterly reports. This training can be a handy reference tool for organizations to help ensure complete and accurate filing. [ NOTE: When the presentation opens, be sure to click the "VIEW" tab at the top and select "Notes Page" so that the slide and the accompanying discussion notes can be viewed together.]
Click here for presentation.
New Training Program for Bingo Chairpersons is Available!
The revised Bingo Training Program , primarily intended for Bingo Chairpersons, is now available! The training program has several new features and the content has been revised based on recent changes due to House Bill 1474. Users will no longer be required to answer the test questions and fax or mail their answer sheets to the Charitable Bingo division in Austin for grading and issuance of the training Certificate of Completion. Users will need to have the free Adobe Flash Player software installed on their computers to view the modules; there will be a link on the training page to help users instantly download this free software. Upon completion of the requirements to view the modules and take the comprehension quizzes, the individual may print their own certificate. The Charitable Bingo division in Austin will update licensing records on a daily basis. All users are encouraged to first read the Frequently Asked Questions and the "Getting Started" section of the training program before viewing the modules. The training should take the average user 5 hours to complete. This is a brand new software application for on-line training, so there is an on-line feedback option that users are encourage to use.
Due to pending budget constraints, physical-site Bingo training classes will only be held in Austin, TX.
Other "voluntary reference" modules are currently under revision and will be added to the website. These modules may be used by licensed organizations wanting to train their workers or operators on a voluntary basis.
For assistance with the Bingo Training Program, please call the Charitable Bingo Operations Division at 1-800-246-4677 and ask to speak with Mr. Rick Frysinger (Bingo Training Coordinator), or you mail e-mail the division at bingo.services@lottery.state.tx.us.
Announcing the On-line Pre-Licensing Interview
The Pre-License Interview training is now available on-line. This training is required to be completed by the Bingo Chairperson and one operator for any organization applying for an original annual license to conduct charitable bingo. Although it is not mandatory, we strongly suggest that all officers, directors and operators for your organization take the training to better prepare your organization for the shared responsibilities of being licensed.
The Pre-Licensing Interview training consists of three parts: Licensing, Record Keeping and Compliance.
All Organizations Must Identify Their Bingo Bookkeeper
On March 9, 2010, revised Charitable Bingo Administrative Rule 402.402 Registry of Workers went into effect. Among the many significant changes included the requirement for licensed authorized organizations to identify their bookkeeper. According to the rule, a bookkeeper must be listed on the Registry of Approved Bingo Workers and on an organization’s bingo license record prior to the individual working as the organization’s bookkeeper. Under the revised rule, a bookkeeper is defined as:
“An individual ultimately responsible for the preparation of any financial records for information reported on the Texas Bingo Conductor’s Quarterly Report or for preparation and maintenance of bingo inventory records for a licensed authorized organization.”
It is up to your organization to determine who meets this definition of a bookkeeper. An organization may have one or many bookkeepers depending on how the responsibility of the preparation of the Texas Bingo Conductor’s Quarterly Report or the preparation and maintenance of the bingo inventory records is distributed.
All organizations must have a bookkeeper identified on their bingo record before they may renew their license to conduct bingo. If your organization has not previously identified your bookkeeper, please do so now on the enclosed Additional Individuals Sheet. If your bookkeeper is not listed on the Registry of Approved Bingo Workers, please ensure that he/she complete a Texas Application for Registry of Approved Bingo Workers form.
Should you have any questions regarding this new requirement, please contact the Taxpayer Services – Licensing Section at 1-800-246-4677.
Commission Passes Administrative Rule Action June 13, 2011
At the June 13, 2011 Commission meeting, the commissioners voted to publish an administrative rule for public comment that would temporarily increase the license fees for licenses to conduct bingo and for commercial licenses to lease bingo premises in order to fund the redesign of the automated charitable bingo system (ACBS). The rule, 16 TAC §402.110 - Temporary Increase of License Fees, was filed with the Secretary of State on June 14, 2011 for publication in the July 1, 2011 issue of the Texas Register. A public hearing is scheduled for 10:00am, Thursday, July 14, 2011. Below is a link to the rule on our website and a link to the transcript of the June 13, 2011 Commission meeting.
Click here for Texas Lottery Commission June 13, 2011 Meeting Transcript Two Legislative Bills That Affect Charitable Bingo Have Been Signed By The Governor
Click on each to read:
House Bill 2728 by TX Representative Senfronia Thompson. Relating to the operation and regulation of charitable bingo.
Senate Bill 1342 by TX Senator Kel Seliger. Relating to the use of bingo proceeds by licensed authorized organizations, including the use of proceeds to provide health insurance or health insurance benefits to certain employees.
Both legislative bills are effective September 1, 2011.
Important New DRAFT Administrative Rule News Regarding a Temporary License Fee Increase!
[Readers: There have been two e-mails sent out from the Charitable Bingo Operations Division via our e-mail subscription service concerning the drafting of a proposed new Administrative Rule that addresses a temporary license fee increase to cover the costs of a new licensing database system to replace the current Automated Charitable Bingo System (ACBS). Here are those two e-mails.]
First E-mail Bulletin May 23, 2011
All,
The notice for the next BAC has been filed with the Secretary of State. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday June 1, 2011 @ 10:00AM. One of the items will be a discussion on a draft rule that would allow for an increase in license fees to pay for designing a new computer system to replace the current Automated Charitable Bingo System. The Appropriation Bill, in its current form, includes a contingency rider that would appropriate the funds necessary for development of a new computer system contingent on an increase in license fees for conductors and lessors sufficient enough to cover the cost. The estimated cost is $2.5 million so we need to increase the license fees to cover that $2.5 million. The draft rule specifies the new license fees that would be in effect for licenses issued with an effective date between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2013. The rule also provides that this fee schedule will expire on August 31, 2013. Overall and in general, the conductor license fee is increased 25% each year and the lessor license fee doubled each year of the biennium. The only exception is the lessor license in administrative hold is increased to $5,000 each year and the conductor licenses in administrative hold are increased to $3,750.00 for each year of the biennium.
Second E-mail Bulletin May 25, 2011
Monday, a draft rule to allow for a one-time increase in license fees was sent out to those who subscribe to the email notification service.
I would like to provide additional background information related to this matter.
The General Appropriations Act provides the budget and funding mechanism for the regulation of Charitable Bingo. Approximately 85% of Bingo’s appropriation consists of the statutorily required allocation of bingo prize fees to counties and cities, which is strictly an appropriation of pass through funds. In order to meet the mandated 5% budget reduction for this FY 2012 – 2013 biennium, the administrative portion of Bingo’s appropriation was reduced by 23% which includes a decrease of 12 full-time-equivalent (FTEs) staff members in the Charitable Bingo Operations Division. This constitutes a reduction in staffing, from a total of 47 FTEs to 35 FTEs.
At this time the Commission has a critical need to redesign and convert the Automated Charitable Bingo System (ACBS). This system is the primary database for all licensee information and contains extensive financial and operational performance data for licensees. Since implementation of the original system, there have been numerous changes to business processes which are better supported by newer versions of Oracle (Web Applications for Bingo Providers). The current TLC Oracle application development suite of tools used as the foundation for this computer system will only be supported on older versions of the database limiting additional capabilities to support current business processes.
The proposed General Appropriations Act for fiscal years 2012 – 2013 includes a provision to appropriate the required $2.5 million to redesign the ACBS. This funding is contingent upon a one-time fee increase to Bingo Conductors and Lessors. There is a precedent for this funding method; the 76th Legislature in 1999 approved a similar appropriation, contingent upon the agency generating the additional revenue through a one-time fee increase.
Thank you for your review and feedback regarding this draft rule. I cannot overemphasize the importance of this new computer system in the regulation and enforcement of Charitable Bingo.
Please provide your informal comment to the BAC Chair Kimberley Rogers by Friday May 27 th.
New Bingo Public Service Announcements (PSAs) Available
The Charitable Bingo Operations Division has placed on our website the 2011 Public Service Announcement for Charitable Bingo in Texas. There are 4 different downloadable files for your convenience; English video, Spanish video, English audio only and Spanish audio only. Please share with media representatives in your area.
Click here to view the Public Service Announcements. New Bingo Services Center Enhancements!
The Bingo Services Center Conductor Quarterly Report and Unit Quarterly Report have been enhanced to now display the organization’s or unit’s operating capital for the quarter and their next period charitable obligations. This information is available only from the 1 st Quarter 2010 and forward and only displayed if a specific quarter is selected in lieu of a range of quarters.
Conductor Quarterly Report and Unit Quarterly Report are accessible from the Financial menu which requires the person to subscribe to the BSC. Once subscribed, they may only see the information for the organizations they are associated with.
Commission Passes Administrative Rule Action March 31, 2011
At the March 31, 2011 meeting of the Texas Lottery Commission, the following Administrative Rule action was taken:
Adopted:
--Repeal of 16 TAC §402.501 relating to Distribution of Proceeds for Charitable Purposes
-- New 16 TAC §402.501 relating to Charitable Use of Proceeds
These administrative rules were filed with the Secretary of State on April 4, 2011 and should have an effective date of 4/24/2011. They should be available for viewing in the April 15, 2011 edition of the Texas Register .
FAILURE TO FILE ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY!
Bingo licensees (conductor, lessor, distributor and manufacturers) are reminded of provisions in the revised Administrative Rule 402.600 Bingo Reports, effective July 5, 2010, which provides for an administrative penalty, for licensees that are required to file a quarterly report and fail to do so by the due date. Please refer to Administrative Rule 402.600(i) for more information.
The Bingo Chairperson Position replacing the Primary Operator Role With the adoption of Charitable Bingo Administrative Rule 402.406-Bingo Chairperson, all organizations are now required to name an active officer or member of their board of directors as their bingo chairperson. The bingo chairperson is responsible for overseeing the organization’s bingo activities and reporting to the membership relating to those activities.
In the past, the Charitable Bingo Operations Division has requested organizations to name a ‘Primary Operator’ to represent the organization when dealing with the Commission. With the adoption of the new requirement for each organization to name a Bingo Chairperson, the role of representing the organization with the Commission will be passed to the Bingo Chairperson. The Commission will no longer request organizations to name a ‘Primary Operator,’ rather only the position of ‘operator’ will be recognized for regular license holders.
With this change, the Bingo Chairperson’s name will now be printed on the license to conduct bingo and any change to the Bingo Chairperson during the license period will require the organization to file an amendment application.
In addition, all application forms and schedules are being modified to require the signatures of the Bingo Chairperson and an Operator of the organization. Any person designated by the organization as an operator who is listed on the Registry of Approved Bingo Workers and passed a criminal history background check would be eligible to sign the application form or schedule as the Operator.
Use the Bingo Services Center to find a variety bingo information!
Did you know:
• Using the Bingo Hall Locator, you can search for and locate bingo games and bingo halls by city, county, zip code, licensed organization name, playing location name and days of the week? Additionally, the Bingo Hall Locator has a mapping feature which provides a handy map and driving directions to the playing location selected.
• Using the Statewide Financial Reports, you can find a variety of commonly-requested reports and information on quarterly reports, registered bingo workers, average attendance and conductor location/addresses?
• Using the Bingo Services Center, individuals associated with an active bingo license, may log-on and access detailed information about their bingo license(s) such as the status of pending applications, escrow account information, active individuals associated with the license and current bond information?
If you have not use the features of the Bingo Services Center, visit our website and try it today! If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 1-800-246-4677, Select #1 for the Charitable Bingo Division, then select #6 to get assistance with any feature of the Bingo Services Center.
Electronic Filing for Quarterly Reports Available
Starting with the first quarter of 2006, conductors, conductors who also hold lessor licenses, accounting units, and lessors will have the ability to complete and file quarterly reports electronically. As of April 28, 2006, 46 conductor organizations and 2 lessor organizations had opted to file their quarterly reports electronically. The electronic versions of the quarterly reports with incorporated schedules are located on our website in the Forms and Applications section.
The Automated Forms Manual has been enhanced and provides the user with the option of filing the quarterly report electronically or submitting a printed copy of the report to the Commission. If the Automated Forms Manual is used, only five fields have to be entered manually, they are: Line 14, Rent Income Received, Line 15, Approved Loans, Line 16, Bingo Interest Earned, Line 17, Merchandise Prizes Donated, and Line 36, Previous Proceeds Undistributed. Using the Automated Forms Manual will simplify the process of record keeping and the generation and filing of quarterly reports.
For the organizations that do not wish to use the Automated Forms Manual, quarterly reports can be completed and filed electronically simply by using the electronic version of the quarterly report that is available in Excel format. The only difference is that data must be entered manually, but the required calculations will be generated automatically.
Licensees are not required to file electronically.
Upon completion of the electronic quarterly report and incorporated schedules, the documents should be e-mailed to the Commission at bingo.reports@lottery.state.tx.us. After the electronic quarterly report is completed the system will generate a payment coupon for conductors, conductor/lessors, and accounting units. Payment coupons are not generated for lessors—t he Texas Bingo Lessor’s Quarterly Report serves as a payment coupon for lessors. The payment coupon or Texas Bingo Lessor’s Quarterly Report must be printed and submitted with payment to the Commission.
Electronically filed quarterly reports and schedules, payment coupons and payment of prize fee and/or rental tax must be filed on or before the 25th day of the month following the end of the calendar quarter to be considered timely paid.
We hope you find the electronic versions of the quarterly reports and Automated Forms Manual convenient and time saving. If you have any questions regarding this process please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
New Interactive Bingo forms available
The Charitable Bingo Operations Division has begun introducing “ interactive” forms and applications which are available in addition to the print-only format.
The new Charitable Bingo interactive Portable Document Format (.pdf) applications can be completed electronically, printed, signed as applicable and then mailed into the Charitable Bingo Operations Division for processing. Currently, there are over 80 different bingo forms available in the interactive format with more anticipated to be added each week. “Interactive” forms are available on the Charitable Bingo website by clicking on the interactive icon symbol  . There is also a set of instructions and helpful hints available for using the new interactive forms on the website.
Charitable Bingo Distributions Exceed $971 Million Since 1982!
Charities across Texas can thank charitable bingo for bringing them distributions that total in excess of three-quarters of a billion dollars from 1982 through the fourth quarter of 2010. We've been tallying distributions to charities from bingo activities since 1982, when the first licenses to conduct bingo were issued. With over $6.6 million in distributions made in the fourth quarter of 2010, the total that charities have received since 1982 is now more than $971 million.
Charitable distributions derived from bingo activities in Texas benefit a broad spectrum of charities, from veteran groups to volunteer fire departments to libraries and numerous others.
Interest Rate Change On Delinquent Tax (Prize Fee and Rental Tax)- 2011
Effective January 1, 2011, the interest rate on delinquent tax (prize fee and rental tax) is 4.25% (0.0425) per annum. Delinquent taxes accrue interest beginning 60 days after the due date.
The rate of interest is based on the prime rate plus one percent, as published in the Wall Street Journal on the first day of each calendar year, that is not Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday.
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