SECTION 402.301. Bingo Card/Paper

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Bingo card/paper. A hard card, disposable bingo card/paper, shutter card, or any other bingo card/paper approved by the Commission.

(2) Bingo hard card. A device made of cardboard, plastic or other suitable material that is intended for repeated use of the bingo card at multiple bingo occasions.

(3) Bonus number(s). A number or numbers on any type of bingo card/paper which when called could result in an additional prize awarded. Bonus number(s) must be announced prior to the start of a bingo game.

(4) Braille bingo card. A device that contains raised symbols that reflect numbers on a reusable card.

(5) Break-open bingo. A type of disposable bingo card/paper that is sealed, that conceals the bingo card/paper face, that may be folded, and where the bingo game or a portion of the bingo game has been pre-called.

(6) Case. A receptacle that contains bingo card/paper products.

(7) Cut. Indicates the direction in which a sheet of faces will be cut from the master sheet of disposable bingo card/paper. A cut can be square, horizontal or vertical. The sheet of disposable bingo card/paper printed by the manufacturer of a specific group of disposable bingo card/paper that can be subdivided vertically or horizontally into sheets.

(8) Defective. Bingo card/paper missing specifications as originally approved by the Commission.

(9) Disposable bingo card/paper. A sheet or sheets of paper that is designed or intended for use at a single bingo occasion.

(10) Double numbers. Bingo card/paper with two numbers in each of the 24 spaces on each face.

(11) Face. A specific configuration of numbers, symbols, or blank squares imprinted on paper, cardboard, or other materials, and designed to be used to conduct bingo games. The bingo card/paper normally consists of five rows of five columns that may bear 24 pre-printed numbers between 1 and 75, symbols, or blank squares, except for the center square which is a free space and have the letters B-I-N-G-O appear in order above the five columns.

(12) Free space. The center square on the face of a bingo card/paper.

(13) Loteria. A type of bingo that utilizes symbols or pictures. Normally playing cards are utilized instead of numbered balls.

(14) Multi-part card/paper. A type of disposable bingo card/paper where the player selects the numbers. The player retains one part of the disposable bingo card/paper while the licensee for the purpose of verification retains the other part of the disposable bingo card/paper.

(15) On. The number of faces imprinted on a sheet of disposal bingo card/paper after it is cut. The number of bingo card/paper faces normally precedes this term.

(16) Pre-marked. A bingo card/paper where one or more of the numbers are already marked or identified prior to the start of the game.

(17) Product line. A specific type of bingo card/paper, identifiable by features or characteristics that are unique when compared to other bingo card/paper manufactured by the manufacturer.

(18) Serial number. The unique identification number assigned by the manufacturer to a specific product line of bingo card/paper.

(19) Series number. The specific number assigned by the manufacturer that identifies the unique configuration of numbers that appears on an individual bingo card/paper face.

(20) Sheet. A single piece of paper that contains one or more disposable bingo card/paper faces.

(21) Shutter card. A device made of cardboard or other suitable material with plastic "shutters" that cover a number to simulate the number being daubed.

(22) UP. The number of sheets of disposable bingo paper glued together by the manufacturer. The number of sheets normally precedes this term.

(23) UPS pads. A bound collection of disposable bingo card/paper where each sheet in the collection is used to play a separate bingo game during the occasion.

(b) Approval of bingo card/paper.

(1) Bingo card/paper shall not be sold in the state of Texas, nor furnished to any person in this state, nor used for play in this state until the manufacturer of the bingo card/paper has received written approval for use within the state of Texas by the Commission. The manufacturer at its own expense must present the bingo card/paper to the Commission for approval.

(2) A letter of introduction including the style of play must be presented to Commission headquarters for review. The manufacturer must submit one complete color positive or sample for each type of bingo card/paper. The color positive or sample may be submitted in an electronic format prescribed by the Commission in lieu of the hardcopy submission. The color positive or sample bingo card/paper must:

(A) bear on the face of every disposable bingo card/paper used, sold, or furnished in this state an impression of the State of Texas and a star of five points encircled by olive and live oak branches and the words "Texas Lottery Commission," in accordance with detailed specification, available on request from the Commission. The face of each disposable bingo card/paper must also have printed on it in a conspicuous location the name of the manufacturer or trademark, which has been filed with the Commission; and

(B) contain the serial and series numbers assigned by the manufacturer on the face of each of the bingo card/paper, except in the case of Break-open bingo, which may contain the serial number assigned by the manufacturer on the outside so as not to be concealed.

(3) The bingo card/paper may contain numbers or symbols so long as the numbers or symbols preserve the integrity of the Commission. The Commission will not approve any bingo paper that displays images or text that could be interpreted as depicting violent acts, profane language, or provocative, explicit, or derogatory images or text, as determined by the Commission. All images or text are subject to final approval by the Commission.

(4) If the bingo card/paper is approved the manufacturer will be notified of the approval. This approval only extends to the specific bingo card/paper submitted and will be cited in the Commission's approval letter. If the bingo card/paper is modified in any way, with the exception of the color, series number, and/or serial number it must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

(5) The Commission may require resubmission of an approved bingo card/paper at any time.

(6) If an approved bingo card/paper is discontinued or no longer manufactured for sale in Texas, the manufacturer must provide the Commission written notification within ten days of discontinuance or cessation of manufacturing for sale in Texas. The written notification may be sent to the Commission via facsimile, e-mail, delivery services or postal delivery.

(c) Disapproval of bingo card/paper.

(1) After inspection of the bingo card/paper by the Commission, if the bingo card/paper does not comply with the provisions of this rule and/or the Bingo Enabling Act, the Commission shall disapprove the bingo card/paper and shall notify the manufacturer of the disapproval. Any bingo card/paper that is disapproved by the Commission may not be displayed, purchased or sold in the state of Texas. Disapproval of and prohibition to use, purchase, sell or otherwise distribute, is effective immediately upon notice to the manufacturer by the Commission.

(2) A manufacturer shall not sell, or furnish unapproved bingo card/paper to anyone, including another manufacturer or distributor for use in this state. A manufacturer shall not sell, or furnish bingo card/paper not bearing the seal of the Commission on the face of the bingo card/paper and the manufacturer's name or trademark to distributors for use in this state. This requirement also applies to any manufacturer who assembles bingo card/paper for sale in Texas.

(3) A licensed authorized organization shall not purchase, obtain, or use disapproved bingo card/paper in this state.

(4) If the manufacturer modifies the bingo card/paper that was previously disapproved, the manufacturer may resubmit the modified bingo card/paper for Commission approval. At any time the manufacturer may withdraw any disapproved bingo card/paper from further consideration.

(5) The Commission may disapprove the bingo card/paper at any stage of review. The disapproval of the bingo card/paper is administratively final.

(d) Manufacturing requirements.

(1) Bingo card/paper must comply with the following construction standards.

(A) The disposable paper used shall be of sufficient weight and quality to allow for clearly readable numbers and to prevent ink from spreading or bleeding through an UPS pad thereby obscuring other numbers or bingo card/paper;

(B) series numbers may be displayed in the center square of the bingo card/paper;

(C) numbers printed on the bingo card/paper shall be randomly assigned; and

(D) a manufacturer shall not repeat a serial number on or in the same product line, series, and color of bingo card/paper within one year of the last printing of that serial number.

(2) UPS pad must comply with the following construction standards.

(A) Bingo card/paper in UPS pads must only be glued and not stapled; and

(B) the disposable bingo card/paper assembled into UPS pads shall not be separated, with the exception of the multi-part disposable bingo card/paper, nor shall single sheets already manufactured be cut for sale for special bingo games.

(3) Inspection. The Commission, its authorized representative or designee may examine and inspect any individual bingo card/paper or series of bingo card/paper and may pull all remaining bingo card/paper in the inventory if the Commission, its authorized representative or designee determines that the bingo card/paper is defective or has not been approved.

(4) Packaging.

(A) Bingo card/paper shall be sealed in shrink wrap and be designed so that if the shrink wrapped bingo card/paper, package, or case was opened or tampered with, it would be easily noticed.

(B) Barcodes may be included on each bingo card/paper, package, or case provided the barcode contains information required in subparagraph (C).

(C) A label shall be placed on, or be visible from, the exterior of each package or case of bingo card/paper listing the following information:

(i) Type of product;

(ii) Series number of the UPS pads and/or sheet(s);

(iii) Serial numbers of the top sheet of the UPS pads and/or sheet(s);

(iv) Number of package or cases; and

(v) Cut and color of paper.

(D) A packing slip shall be included with the package or case listing the following information:

(i) Type of product;

(ii) Number of UPS pads or sheets;

(iii) Series number of the UPS pads and/or sheet(s);

(iv) Serial numbers of the top sheet of the UPS pads and/or sheet(s);

(v) Number of package or cases; and

(vi) Cut and color of paper.

(e) Records.

(1) Manufacturers and distributors must provide the following information on each invoice and other documents used in connection with a sale, return or any other type of transfer of bingo card/paper:

(A) Date of sale;

(B) Quantity sold and number of faces per sheet;

(C) Serial and series number of each bingo card/paper sold;

(D) Name and address of the purchaser; and

(E) Texas taxpayer identification number of the purchaser.

(2) Manufacturers and distributors must maintain standard accounting records that include but are not limited to:

(A) Sales invoice;

(B) Credit memos;

(C) Sales journal; and

(D) Purchase records.

(3) Licensed authorized organization.

(A) A licensed authorized organization must maintain a disposable bingo card/paper sales summary showing the organization's name, taxpayer number, distributor's taxpayer number, invoice date, distributor's name, invoice number, serial number, and series number. Also, the disposable bingo card/paper sales summary must include the number of faces (ON), number of sheets (UP), and color of borders.

(B) A licensed authorized organization must show the date of the occasion on which the disposable bingo card/paper was sold, a beginning inventory, along with the number of disposable bingo card/paper sold.

(C) A licensed authorized organization must maintain a perpetual inventory of all disposable bingo card/paper.

(D) Disposable bingo card/paper marked for destruction cannot be destroyed until witnessed by the Commission, its authorized representative or designee. All destruction documentation must be retained by the licensed organization for a period of four years from the date of destruction.

(4) All records identified in this subsection must be retained for a period of four years from creation of the records.

(f) Braille cards. Visually impaired, legally blind, or persons with disabilities may use their own personal Braille cards when the authorized organization does not provide Braille Cards. Players using Braille cards shall pay the equivalent price to participate in the game. The authorized organization shall have the right to inspect, and to reject any personal Braille card(s). Braille cards are not required to be approved by the Commission. Braille cards are not considered bingo equipment as defined by Occupations Code, §2001.002(5).

(g) Loteria. The symbols or pictures may be identified with Spanish subtitles and each of the 54 cards contains a separate and distinct symbol or picture. The 54 individual cards may be shuffled by the caller and then randomly drawn and announced to the players. The player uses a loteria card, which contains a minimum of sixteen squares and each square has one of the 54 symbols or pictures. There are no duplicate symbols or pictures on the loteria card. Loteria cards are not considered bingo equipment as defined by Occupations Code, §2001.002(5).

(h) Style of play and minimum standards of play. Prizes awarded on any style of play must be in accordance with Occupations Code, §2001.420.

(1) Player pick ems. A game of bingo where a player selects his/her own numbers on a multi-part duplicated disposable bingo card/paper. One copy is retained by the player and used as a bingo card/paper while the other copy is provided to the organization for verification purposes.

(2) Progressive bingo. A game of bingo that either the established prize amount or number of bingo balls and/or objects may be increased from one session to the next scheduled session. If no player completes the required pattern within the specified number of bingo balls or objects drawn, the established prize amount may be increased but shall not exceed the prize amount authorized by the Bingo Enabling Act.

(3) Warm-up or early bird. A bingo game conducted at the beginning of a bingo occasion during the authorized organization's license times, in which prizes are awarded based upon a percentage of the sum of money received from the sale of the warm-up/early bird bingo card/paper.

(4) Shaded/Images bingo. Bingo card/paper that incorporates images where one or more squares on a bingo card/paper face are shaded. Each shaded image conforms to a pattern that must be achieved to win a bingo game or each shaded square may be used as a free space or a pattern for a bingo game.

(5) Bingo bonus number(s). A bingo game that has additional identified number(s) in excess of the 24 numbers that appear on the bingo card/paper face that, when called, could result in an additional prize awarded. The first player who matches the numbers shown on the bonus number(s) line within the specified number(s) called wins the additional prize.

(6) Multi level or multi tier. Bingo card/paper that has one or more additional lines of number(s) aside from the normal five lines that when played could result in an additional prize. Therefore, a multi level or multi tiered game could be played on this bingo card/paper that provides more opportunities to win.

(7) Multi color bingo. A bingo game played on a bingo card/paper with a different color for each bingo card/paper face. Prizes are awarded based on the color on which the bingo card/paper face that had the bingo.

(8) Pre-called. A game of bingo where the numbers for the game have been pre-called and identified prior to the start of the game.

(9) Double number. A bingo game played on a bingo card/paper that has two numbers per square. A player has two chances to daub each square.

(10) Break-open bingo. A type of bingo game played on sealed disposable bingo card/paper, where the bingo card/paper face is concealed, that may be folded, and where the bingo game has been pre-called. The bingo game may not be pre-called prior to the authorized organization's license time.

(11) Regular bingo. A bingo game played on the standard card face of five rows by five columns with 24 pre-printed numbers between 1 and 75, symbols, or blank squares and a free space square where the winner is determined by a predetermined pattern.

(i) Promotional bingo. This rule shall not apply to bingo card/paper furnished for use in a promotional bingo game conducted in accordance the Occupations Code, §2001.551. The card/paper may not contain the Commission seal.

(j) Exempt organization. This rule shall not apply to bingo card/paper furnished for use by an organization receiving an exemption from bingo licensing in accordance with the Occupations Code, §§2001.551(b)(3)(A) and (B). The bingo card/paper may not contain the Commission seal.

(k) House rules. A licensed authorized organization playing a style of bingo other than regular bingo must develop house rules on how the game is played. The house rules must be made available to the public.

(l) Card-minding devices. This rule shall be applicable only to bingo card/paper made of paper, cardboard or similar material approved by the Commission and shall not be applicable to the manufacture or use of card-minding devices addressed in §§402.321 - 402.328 of this chapter, with the exception of style of play as defined by this rule and approved by the Commission.

Source Note: The provisions of this §402.301 adopted to be effective March 21, 2005, 30 TexReg 1630; amended to be effective August 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 5505; amended to be effective October 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 7414