Frequently Asked Questions

Auditing

1. Who should attend training classes?
   1. Anyone applying for a charitable gaming license to play bingo must attend a training class before acquiring a license.
   2. It is recommended that individuals acting in the following positions attend: Member-in-Charge, President, person(s) responsible for reporting and any person(s) acting in a managerial capacity. However, all members are welcome.
   3. When an organization is mandated to attend training, a minimum of five (5) members must be present.

2. Where and when are training classes?

   Training sessions are usually held twice a month in Baton Rouge at the Office of Charitable Gaming. Please review the Training Sessions link on our home page for the actual dates and times.
   
   Anyone wanting to attend a training session needs to call our office to make arrangements.

3. What will I learn at a training class?

   Because charitable gaming is mostly a cash business, there are certain controls that must be maintained. You will learn the following at a training session:
   

   1. Louisiana laws and rules pertaining to gaming.
   2. How to account for and maintain control over all cash and other activities at your gaming session.
   3. How to summarize your paper work to compile quarterly reports.
   4. How to maintain control of gaming supplies.
   5. How to document bank deposits and disbursements.
   6. What information is needed from workers at gaming sessions.
   7. How your charitable gaming money may be used.

4. Do all bingo games need to be reported?

   Yes, all bingo games are to be reported on line 2 of the quarterly report, regardless of the name of the game, such as "money jar","winner-take-all", etc. As well as being reported, all bingo prize payouts are included in the $4,500 payout limit and $25,000 for a super session.

5. Where is the fee charged for hand held devices and fixed base units shown on the quarterly report?

   All purchases of gaming supplies from a licensed distributor are to be reported on line 9 of the quarterly report.

6. If a raffle is held in conjunction with a bingo game, should the raffle be counted as a separate session?

   A raffle held in conjunction with your bingo game is not counted as a separate session.

7. What type of schedule should be attached to line 14 of the quarterly report when paying bingo workers?

   A schedule showing the name of the worker, the number of sessions and hours worked, along with the gross pay, net pay, and all related taxes. All workers shall be given W-2s at the end of the year. No bingo worker shall be given a 1099.

8. Is there a difference between state and parish gaming forms?

   Yes, some parishes have their own reporting system. If your parish has its own reporting system, you still have to fill out the state gaming forms. Please check with your local regulatory agency for their reporting requirements.

9. Does an organization have to notify the Office if they are changing payouts of their bingo game?

   No, the Office does not have to be notified if you are changing the payouts of your games. However, under no circumstances can you exceed the $4,500 payout per session or $25,000 per super session. These payouts include all Bingo payouts, all door prizes, and all contributions to the Charitable Gaming Progressive/Mega Jackpots.

10. What is a compilation form?

    The compilation form summarizes all session information for a particular quarter. It is part of the Model Accounting System. Once this form is completed, the information gathered is transferred to the quarterly report.

11. Can I play progressive bingo during a super bingo session?

    Yes, organizations may play progressive bingo during a super bingo session. The contribution is the same as at your regular sessions.

12. Where do I report the start up deposit for the progressive/mega jackpot bingo game?

    When an organization first starts playing progressive/mega jackpot bingo, a deposit of $200 is required per bank account. The check shall be written from the Charitable Gaming Account and shall read Charitable Gaming Progressive/Mega Jackpot Account. This amount shall be reported on line 25 of the quarterly report as a minus (-), with an explanation. When and if an organization ceases playing, this start up money will be refunded to the organization. It is then deposited back into the Charitable Gaming Account and reported on line 25 of the quarterly report as a plus (+), with an explanation.

13. Can an individual/worker/patron put up their own money to cover losses at a bingo session?

    No, the organization should show the loss for the session and write a check from the Charitable Gaming Bank Account to an individual to replenish the cash bank. Checks should not be written to "CASH".

14. Can an individual/worker/patron "loan" the gaming account money as initial startup?

    Yes, money can be "loaned" to the gaming account. This money needs to be deposited into the Charitable Gaming Bank Account and then disbursed from the same account. Loans and loan repayments are to be shown on the Quarterly Reports on line 25 ("Adjustments").

15. What are Managerial positions?
    1. Session Manager
    2. Bingo Manager
    3. Pull Tab Manager
    4. Pull Tab Cashier
    5. Member-In-Charge
    6. Workers who appear to be in charge
    7. Workers responsible for the overall money counts
    8. Workers responsible to fill out manager forms