Florida Condominium Laws on Bingo

• Under Florida law, it is legal to play bingo within a condominium.Bingo image by John Sandoy from Fotolia.com
  
  Every state has its own laws in regard to what forms of gambling are legal, and what forms are illegal. In Florida, the game of chance known as bingo is legal to play within a condominium complex as long as certain rules and regulations are followed. The Florida bingo laws dictate how often the game can be played and how much of a jackpot may be awarded to the winners.
  
  

The Law

• Under Florida law, the bingo game organizers cannot offer a jackpot greater than $250. The organizers themselves must be occupants of the condominium complex that is holding the bingo game. Under the Florida bingo statute, bingo games may only take place twice a week, and only three jackpots may be awarded during any single session.
  
  

The Money Issue

• Florida law dictates that bingo organizers cannot directly profit from the event, and all net proceeds must be offered back to the players in the form of a prize. However, the organizers of a bingo game are allowed to use some of the profits for business expenses, such as buying supplies related to the game. Florida law states that the organizer himself cannot be paid a wage simply for conducting the bingo game. Anyone who wishes to partake in the bingo game and gamble her own money must be a resident of the condominium complex holding the event.
  
  

Other Laws

• Florida statutes govern how the actual game must be played, and all those involved must follow the rules that apply. Section 849.0931(12) of the Florida Statute states that using only an electronic monitor to display the winning numbers is not allowed and that a vocal announcement of the winning numbers must be provided. The caller of the bingo game must ask, after a player has announced themselves as a winner, if there are any other winners. Another rule states that during the bingo game one resident may not save a seat for another resident to play.