Raleigh - A bill regulating low-stakes bingo operators is headed to the governor. 

 

The General Assembly gave final legislative approval to a bill setting up oversight of so-called “beach-bingo” games. The House voted 94-8 in favor of small Senate changes and sent the measure on to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.

 

A beach bingo game has prizes valued at $10 or less. The proposal would require these for-profit bingo operators to apply annually for a $300 license through the Alcohol Law Enforcement.

 

Current law already requires nonprofit organizations such as churches or veterans groups to apply annually for a $200 license to host a bingo game.

 

Beach bingo got its name from where parlors used to be popular, but they can be located anywhere.