No, only nonprofit charitable organizations may qualify for a Bingo License. The one exception is the Class D - Fair License, which can only be held at recognized state or county fairs.

• Class AA: $4,000
• Class B: $1,000
• Class C: No license fee
• Class C – Hard Cards: No license fee
• Class D – Fair License: $100 if 10 days or less; $200 if more than 10 days
• Class E: $500
• Class F: $100
• Catawba Indian Special License: $4,000

• Promoter’s License - $1,000/year
• Electronic Bingo Ticket Manufacturer's License - $1,000/year
• Manufacturer’s License - $5,000/year
• Distributor’s License - $2,000/year​

Yes, the SCDOR can run background checks on anyone associated with a Bingo, including employees of the Bingo. Anyone with a conviction in the last 20 years of violating a federal or state gaming or gambling statute, or a conviction of any other crime that has a sentence of two or more years, is not permitted to manage, conduct, or assist in any manner with a Bingo operation.​

No.

No, a non-profit organization, promoter, distributor, or manufacturer cannot serve in more than one of these roles at the same time.​

Yes, all bingo license types are required to have a bond. 

• Class AA: $50,000
• Class B: $20,000
• Class C: $10,000
• Class D: no bond
• Class E: $10,000
• Class F: $10,000
• Promoter: $10,000
• Manufacturer: $10,000
• Distributor: $10,000​

It depends on which class the bingo license is under to determine if an entrance fee can be charged. See our Bingo: Getting Started page for more information listed under Game Play​: entrance fees, required equipment, and r​ules.​

A bingo operation may take in only two times more in gross proceeds than the total prize amount for that session averaged on a quarterly basis. Amounts in excess of this limit are subject to a tax.

If there will be any merchandise sold at the bingo, there will need to be a retail license. Common examples include bingo dabbers and concession areas.

A nonprofit organization does not need to renew their license as long as there are no changes in the operation or location of the game. See our licensing chart on Bingo: Getting Started​ (under Maintaining your Bingo License)

A nonprofit organization may hold no more than one Bingo License. See our licensing chart on Bingo: Getting Started​ (under Maintaining your Bingo License)

No.

Yes, an organization with an annual license to conduct Bingo must establish and maintain one regular checking account designated as the "Bingo account" and also may maintain an interest-bearing savings account designated the "Bingo savings account."

Yes, but volunteers may play at the Bingo only on days they are not volunteering.​​

No, paid employees of the Bingo cannot play at the Bingo where they are employed.

Yes, a promoter under contract with a licensed nonprofit organization to manage, operate, or conduct a game must apply for a Promoter's License.

A promoter is permitted to have a maximum of five licenses.

No, entrance fees are not subject to Admissions Tax and are not included in the gross proceeds for purposes of prize limitations.​

A session is a consecutive series of games which must occur only between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. No more than one session, limited to 12 hours, may occur during the permitted 14-hour period. 

Regardless of the starting time within the permitted period, the session may not extend beyond 2:00 a.m. 

These limitations do not apply to games operated by state or county fairs.​

An electronic dabber is a hand-held electronic device that allows a player to store, display, and mark Bingo card faces that have been downloaded or activated for use by the Bingo. 

Electronic dabbers are called many different names, including TEDs, computers, or travelers. They can come in many different forms. 

Electronic dabbers, along with the point of sale (POS) system used to account for electronic dabber sales, are usually rented or leased by a Bingo equipment supplier.​

Definitions:

• SC Code Section 12-21-3920(15) defines a “Player” to mean: One who participates in a game of Bingo other than as an agent, promoter, or representative of the house.
• SC Code Section 12-21-3920(20) defines an “Electronic dabber” to mean: A hand-held electronic device that allows a player to store, display, and mark Bingo card faces that have been downloaded or activated as authorized by the Bingo ticket.
• SC Code Section 12-21-4007(A)(2)(h) reads: An electronic dabber must only be used for one unit for each player, at any time during the Bingo session. A player may purchase additional cards to be marked manually, but not for use with an electronic dabber.

Summary:

In summary, only one player may mark Bingo card faces on an electronic dabber during a game. The electronic dabber may be transferred to another player during a session as long as the following criteria are met: 

1. Each player only maintains, controls, and/or marks one electronic dabber during a game.
2. At no time during a session may a player maintain, control, and/or mark more than one electronic dabber.

• Example 1 - Player “A” leaves during a session. Player “A” may give their electronic dabber to Player “C”. Player “A” may not give their electronic dabber to Player “B” as Player “B” controls their own electronic dabber and would violate SC Code Section 12-21-4007(A)(2)(h) by allowing a player to used multiple electronic dabbers during a bingo session.
• Example 2 – Player “A” goes to the restroom during a session and in-between games. Player “A” may allow Player “C” to mark his or her electronic dabber in her absence. Player “A” may not allow Player “B” to mark his or her electronic dabber in her absence since this would violate SC Code Section 12-21-4007(A)(2)(h) by allowing a player to use multiple electronic dabbers during a Bingo session.

Definitions:

• SC Code Section 12-21-3990(A)(2) reads: The game of bingo must be played in the following manner: Before each game begins, the caller shall announce to the players the configuration or configurations that will win the game. A configuration consists of a number of grids covered in the manner announced by the caller. Any method of playing the games is allowed if the method is announced before each game's beginning including, but not limited to, wild card games. In addition, any time before the conclusion of the game, the prize, specifically stating the dollar amount or value of merchandise awarded to the winner or winners for the game, must be announced.
• SC Code Section 12-21-3990(A)(3) reads: The game of bingo must be played in the following manner: The prize must be awarded to the winner of that game without delay. For multiple winners, the prize must be divided equally among the winners. In the case of a merchandise prize, the cash value of the merchandise may be divided among the winners. Purchase receipts of merchandise awarded as prizes must be made available to players and the department for confirmation of value.

Summary:
In summary, prior to the conclusion of each game the caller must announce the cash prize or merchandise value awarded to the winner(s). In the event of multiple winners, the prize must be divided equally among all winners. If the original announced payout cannot be divided equally among multiple winners, the prize payout must be rounded up or down to meet the requirement of an equal payout. The caller must announce the prize and/or how the prize is split evenly among the winners.

This summary applies to all classes of Bingo License holders.

Examples:
Caller announces a $20 prize for a game.

• Example 1 – Two Players are verified as winners. Caller announces, “Two Winners splitting $20” or “Two Winners winning $10 each”. Both of these announcements are in compliance with Title 12.
• Example 2 – Three Players are verified as winners. Caller announces, “Three Winners splitting $20”. This is a violation of SC Code Section 12-21-3990(A)(3) due to the fact that $20 cannot be divided evenly among three winners. It may be a violation of SC Code Section 12-21-3990(A)(2) if the Bingo actually paid out a prize of $21 or $19.50 (the Bingo did not announce the actual payout prior to the conclusion of the game).
• Example 3 – Three Players are verified as winners. To remain in compliance with Title 12, the caller may announce the payout 1 of 4 ways, depending upon the Bingo’s decision on the total amount to payout:
  • “Three winners splitting $21.00”
  • “Three winners splitting $19.50”
  • “Three winners each receiving $6.50 for a total payout of $19.50”
  • “Three winners each receiving $6.66 for a total payout of $19.98”
  • “Three winners each receiving $7.00 for a total payout of $21.00”

*For Class C Bingos, remember that if a cash prize or merchandise prize exceeds $20 for a given game, that is considered a jackpot according to SC Code Section 12-21-4020(3).

These are guidelines only; this document does not establish a binding norm. These guidelines do not restrict the SCDOR’s authority to impose any sanctions within the statutory parameters set by the General Assembly. Nor do these guidelines alter the joint and several liability of the licensed promoter and nonprofit organization for the relevant taxes, penalties, interest and fines.​​​

Equipment, including tables and chairs, can be temporarily donated to the charity with a written agreement between the owner and the organization. A signed agreement must be included with the application.​

No. According to SC Code Section 12-21-4020(3)(e), if the organization does not own the building, a lease must be obtained and signed, and consideration exchanged. Consideration may be as little as $1. The signed lease must be included with the application.​

If a public school is the location of the Bingo game, the school district must sign the lease.

Yes, the tax is 4% of the face value for each card sold and is due each quarter when filing your RD-9.​

Yes, the SCDOR distributes 28% of the taxes paid to the sponsoring charity by the last day of the next month following the month the revenue was collected.

Bingo hard cards can be purchased from any vendor.

Yes. The “Hard Card” must connect five horizontal rows and five vertical columns forming twenty-five squares. Numbers are printed in 24 of the squares, and the term “free,” “free square,” or “free space” is printed in the square or space located in the center of the card. 

The five columns are denominated from left to right by the respective letters of the word “B-I-N-G-O”. 

• Each square of the “B” column contains a number from one through 15 inclusive
• Each square of the “I” column contains a number from 16 through 30 inclusive
• Except for the center space which is marked as "free", each square in the “N’ column contains a number from 31 through 45 inclusive
• Each square in the “G’ column contains a number from 46 through 60 inclusive
• Each square in the “O” column contains a number from 61 through 75 inclusive.
• A number may not appear twice on the same card.​

There is no maximum or minimum amount. The cards must be sold for the same value to each player.​

The house can specify the number of games to be played on each purchased card or cards.​

If a player wishes to return their hard card for a new hard card, they must purchase the new hard card. Cards may not be exchanged at no charge.​​

No.

Each license type, except Class D, must pay out at least 50% of the gross proceeds from the sale of Bingo cards each session in the form of cash or prizes. A Class D Bingo must meet this requirement over the course of the fair. A Class AA Bingo also has a minimum payout requirement for a session of $50,000.

Each license has different requirements for payout amounts per game and session. Refer to the Bingo License class ty​pes​​​ section of the Bingo homepage for more information.

If you choose to play on Bingo paper, you must notify the SCDOR. The paper must be purchased from a licensed Bingo distributor. 

Yes, the SCDOR may impose a penalty of up to $5,000 and/or revoke a license for a violation.

Refer to the Bingo laws (Bin​go Tax Act) and policy guidance​ section of the Bingo homepage for more information.

Yes. The SCDOR or its designated agent or representative may enter upon the premises where Bingo is played or the business premises of another person and examine books, papers, records, memoranda, commodities, or other things bearing upon the amount.

Yes, the SCDOR performs audits bingo operations.

See the SCDOR's Common Bingo Audit Violations document for​ some of the most common violations.

Yes, you're required to obtain a license to hold a game of Bingo and charge to play.​​

No, you're required to obtain a license to hold a game of Bingo and charge to play.​​

If there is no requirement for a person to participate in the game, then you can have a Bingo an unlicensed Bingo game. The game must be offered for free.

An unlicensed Bingo game cannot be held as a fundraiser if there is a charge to play the game. Bingo may be played at a fundraising event as long as there is no requirement to play the game.​

No. No matter how small the charge, an unlicensed person or business cannot hold Bingo game nights if they do not have Bingo License and there will be a charge to play the game. 

However, you may hold a Bingo game with no charge requirement.

Yes, a Bingo game that is offered for free to anyone who would like to play is allowed.​

No, you are not allowed to have a requirement to play the game without being licensed.​

No, you are not allowed to have a requirement to play the game without being licensed.​ To hold a free game of Bingo, anyone should be allowed to play even without paying the entrance fee.​​

Yes, as long as someone is not required to purchase the plate of food to play Bingo. 

If there is no requirement to play the game (including cash, donation, or a cover charge) then you may hold a game of Bingo at a bar or restaurant that does not hold a Bingo License.​