The Charity Runs Bingo
The licensed charity brings its volunteers, sells the bingo cards, collects the money, calls the games, verifies winners, pays prizes and keeps the required records.
Ohio Charitable Bingo
A Small Wording Problem Is Creating a Big Problem for Ohio Charities.
Ohio's charitable bingo laws can prevent a licensed charity from holding traditional bingo at a bar, brewery or restaurant when the venue continues its normal food and beverage service - even when the charity runs bingo completely independently and the venue never touches the bingo money.
This isn't about commercializing bingo. It's about giving charities access to practical community venues while keeping Ohio's existing safeguards in place.
Charity Bingo
- Bingo cards
- Volunteers
- Cash and prizes
Separate
Normal Venue Operations
- Food
- Drinks
- Separate receipt
The Issue in 30 Seconds
Imagine a local charity rents space at a brewery, restaurant or bar for a weekly bingo fundraiser.
The Venue Runs Its Business
The venue does what it normally does: employees sell food and drinks directly to customers. The charity doesn't receive that money and the venue doesn't receive bingo money.
That's Where the Problem Starts
Ohio law prohibits a non-charitable bingo lessor from providing "concessions." Under the current interpretation of that language, ordinary food and beverage sales by the venue can create a bingo compliance violation.
Nobody is asking the bar to run bingo. Nobody is sharing bingo proceeds. Customers are simply buying dinner or a drink from a separate business.
One Word Makes All the Difference
Ohio Revised Code 2915.09 contains extensive safeguards governing charitable bingo. One provision says that when bingo premises are leased from a non-charitable person, the lessor may provide the premises but may not provide certain additional services.
"concessions"
The statute prohibits a non-charitable lessor from providing "concessions or concession operators" to the charitable organization.
That language makes sense if a commercial landlord is actually operating part of a charity's bingo fundraiser.
The problem comes when an existing restaurant, brewery or bar is simply conducting its normal business and independently selling its own products directly to its own customers.
The law does not clearly distinguish those two situations.
The Fact That Alcohol Is Sold Isn't the Issue
Ohio's liquor regulations do not create a blanket ban on charitable gaming at liquor-permit premises.
Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4301:1-1-53 specifically recognizes that charitable games of chance may occur on liquor-permit premises when the requirements of Chapter 2915 are strictly followed.
The problem we're trying to solve is much narrower: whether a venue can continue its ordinary food and beverage business while an independent charity conducts licensed bingo.
Why Should Anyone Care?
Many charities don't own a bingo hall. They need affordable, practical places where people can gather.
Existing Community Spaces
Restaurants, breweries and similar businesses often already have tables, seating, parking, restrooms and gathering space.
Less Overhead for Charities
A charity shouldn't necessarily need to operate a kitchen, staff concessions or find a specialized bingo hall just to conduct a fundraiser.
Better Community Partnerships
Local charities and local businesses should be able to coexist without the business becoming part of the bingo operation.
More Money for Charitable Work
Bingo exists to raise money for charitable purposes. Unnecessary operational barriers can make fundraising more difficult.
The law should protect charitable bingo from commercial influence - not prevent customers from buying a cheeseburger while they play it.
A Narrow Solution
Keep the Safeguards. Fix the Concession Rule.
We're asking the Ohio General Assembly to clarify R.C. 2915.09 so that independent retail food and beverage sales are not considered prohibited bingo "concessions" when the charity and venue remain financially and operationally separate.
Keep All of This
- Bingo license requirements
- Charity control of bingo
- Volunteer operator requirements
- Required bingo records
- Prize rules
- Rental restrictions
- Attorney General oversight
- Prohibition on sharing bingo proceeds
Clarify Just This
Allow a commercial venue to independently sell its normal food and beverages directly to customers during bingo when:
- the venue does not operate bingo
- the venue receives no bingo proceeds
- the charity receives no food or beverage proceeds
- no concession fee is paid
- purchases are optional
- purchases are separate from bingo
- all other bingo laws continue to apply
That's it.
What Could the Change Look Like?
The final language should be drafted by Ohio's Legislative Service Commission and lawmakers. But the concept could be as simple as clarifying that ordinary retail food and beverage sales are not "concessions" for purposes of this restriction when the transactions are independent of bingo.
Concept language
"For purposes of the restrictions on concessions, the independent sale of food or beverages by a lessor directly to participants or members of the public at customary retail prices should not constitute the provision of concessions when the charitable organization receives no proceeds from those sales, pays no concession fee, and the lessor does not conduct or assist in conducting bingo."
Concept only. Final statutory language should be prepared and reviewed through the legislative process.
Where Things Stand
After discussing this issue with the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable Law Section, we were encouraged to take the issue to Ohio lawmakers if we believe the law should be changed.
That's exactly what we're doing.
We're asking charities, bingo volunteers, players, community organizations, venue owners and other Ohio residents to help lawmakers understand the real-world impact of the current language.
Current Status: Seeking Legislative Support
Take Action
Your State Representative and Senator Can Change This.
Ohio's bingo laws are state laws. That means the people who can fix this are your members of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.
Step 1
Find Your Legislators
Use the official Ohio Legislature district finder. We do not keep our own legislator list, and we do not store your home address.
You'll be able to enter your home address and see both your Ohio House district and Ohio Senate district.
Your address is sent only to the official State of Ohio lookup and is not saved by OhioBingoLaws.com.
Step 2
Send Them a Short Message
You don't need to write a legal brief. Legislators need to know what the problem is, why it matters and what you're asking them to change.
Subject: Please modernize Ohio's charitable bingo law
Dear Representative/Senator [LAST NAME], I'm writing to ask you to support a narrow update to Ohio Revised Code 2915.09 concerning charitable bingo. Under the current law and its interpretation, a licensed charity can be prevented from holding Type I bingo at a bar, brewery or restaurant if the venue continues its normal food and beverage sales, even when the charity independently operates bingo and the venue has no involvement with the bingo proceeds. I believe Ohio can fix this while keeping the important safeguards already in place. The charity should continue to control the bingo operation, collect all bingo proceeds, pay prizes and maintain all required records. The venue should not operate bingo or receive any share of bingo revenue. However, an independent restaurant, brewery or bar should be permitted to sell its normal food and beverages directly to customers during the bingo session when those transactions are completely separate from bingo. This would give Ohio charities access to more practical community venues without commercializing bingo or weakening oversight. Please consider sponsoring or supporting a narrow amendment to R.C. 2915.09 to address this issue. Thank you for your consideration. [YOUR NAME] [YOUR CITY]
Tip: Add one sentence explaining why charitable bingo matters to you or your organization. Personal messages have more impact than identical form letters.
Rather Call? Here's a 30-Second Script
Hi, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY]. I'm calling because I'd like Representative/Senator [NAME] to look at a problem in Ohio's charitable bingo law, specifically R.C. 2915.09. The current concession restriction can prevent a licensed charity from holding bingo at a restaurant, brewery or bar simply because the business continues selling its normal food and drinks. We're not asking businesses to run bingo or receive bingo money. We just want independent food and beverage sales to be allowed while the charity runs bingo separately. I'd appreciate it if the Representative/Senator would consider supporting a narrow change to the law. Thank you.
Step 3
Know Another Charity That Runs Bingo?
This issue becomes much easier for lawmakers to understand when they hear from multiple organizations around Ohio.
Stay Informed
We'll Let You Know When Your Voice Is Needed.
Sign up for updates about this effort, including potential legislation, committee hearings, testimony opportunities and other important developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is charitable bingo illegal at a bar in Ohio?
Not simply because the location has a liquor permit. Ohio liquor regulations recognize that lawful charitable gaming may occur on liquor-permit premises when Chapter 2915 is strictly followed.
The issue we're addressing involves the separate restrictions in Ohio's bingo law concerning services and "concessions" provided by a non-charitable lessor.
Are you trying to let bars operate bingo?
No.
The licensed charitable organization should continue to conduct and control the entire bingo operation. Venue owners and employees should not sell bingo cards, collect bingo money, call games, pay prizes or receive a share of bingo proceeds.
Would the venue receive bingo money?
No.
We're advocating for independent food and beverage sales, not revenue sharing. Bingo proceeds would remain completely separate from the venue's sales.
Would someone have to buy food or drinks to play bingo?
No.
Food and beverage purchases should be completely optional and separate from the purchase of bingo cards.
Why can't charities just use another location?
They can, and many do. But restaurants, breweries and similar community venues may already offer seating, parking, restrooms and gathering space that work well for charitable events.
The law should distinguish between a business independently selling its normal products and a business actually participating in the operation of bingo.
What kind of bingo is this about?
This campaign is focused primarily on Ohio Type I traditional bingo conducted by licensed charitable organizations.
Are you asking Ohio to reduce bingo oversight?
No.
We believe the existing safeguards governing licensing, bingo proceeds, prizes, records and charitable use of the proceeds should remain.
Is OhioBingoLaws.com affiliated with the State of Ohio?
No.
OhioBingoLaws.com is an independent advocacy and informational website. It is not affiliated with the Ohio Attorney General, Ohio General Assembly or another state agency.
Is this website legal advice?
No.
This website discusses a public-policy issue involving Ohio law. It is intended for informational and advocacy purposes and is not legal advice.
A Narrow Fix Can Make a Big Difference.
Ohio can protect the integrity of charitable bingo without preventing an independent restaurant, brewery or bar from selling dinner and drinks to its own customers.
If you agree, ask your Ohio legislators to take a look at R.C. 2915.09.