§ 10-59. Confiscation of bingo equipment.

(a)

As used in this section and article, the term "bingo equipment" includes bingo cards, chips or markers for use in covering the spaces on a bingo card; the balls, cubes or tiles having the letters, numbers or combinations thereof by which the squares on bingo cards are denominated and used by the charitable organization, authorized organization or associational group or organization in conducting a bingo game; a birdcage or similar device, whether hand operated or mechanically powered, for randomizing and ejecting such balls, cubes or tiles; a master bingo layout for the display of balls, cubes or tiles ejected and called by charitable organization's, authorized organization's or associational group's or organization's representative; instant bingo tickets; flares; deals; or any other device, implement, apparatus or paraphernalia ordinarily or commonly used or designed to be used in the conduct of bingo and/or instant bingo; but does not include tables, chairs and similar items not specifically designed for use in the conduct of bingo.

(b)

Except when bingo equipment is being used in the conduct of bingo or instant bingo by a charitable organization, authorized organization or associational group or organization having the appropriate license upon premises owned by the charitable organization, authorized organization or associational group or organization or leased from a lessor having the appropriate license, neither of which licenses is under suspension or permanently or conditionally revoked, the use of bingo equipment in the conduct of a bingo or instant bingo game is unlawful.

(c)

All bingo equipment that is found by the sheriff being used in the conduct of an unlawful bingo or instant bingo game shall be subject to confiscation and forfeiture as provided in section 10-60. It shall be the duty of the sheriff or of any law enforcement officer in the office of the sheriff finding any bingo equipment being used unlawfully to seize and take possession of the equipment for disposition as provided in section 10-60. It shall also be the duty of the sheriff or of any law enforcement officer in the office of the sheriff finding any bingo equipment being used unlawfully in connection with any lawful search made by him to seize and take possession of the equipment for disposition as provided in section 10-60.

(Code 1970, § 16½-110; Ord. No. 92-15, § 30, 10-27-92; Ord. No. 08-40, § 1, 9-23-08)