North Carolina beach bingo regulations get final OK

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — More low-stakes bingo operators could soon be subject to North Carolina state regulations.

The General Assembly gave final legislative approval Monday night 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.

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