14-309.14. Beach bingo.

Nothing in this Article shall apply to "beach bingo" games except for the following subdivisions:

(1) No beach bingo game may offer a prize having a value greater than ten dollars ($10.00). Any person offering a greater than ten-dollar ($10.00) but less than fifty-dollar ($50.00) prize is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Any person offering a prize of fifty dollars ($50.00) or greater is guilty of a Class I felony.

(2) No beach bingo game may be held in conjunction with any other lawful bingo game, with any "promotional bingo game", or with any offering of an opportunity to obtain anything of value, whether for valuable consideration or not. No beach bingo game may offer free bingo games as a promotion, for prizes or otherwise. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class I felony.

(3) G.S. 18B-308 shall apply to beach bingo games.

(4) Upon conviction under any provision of this section, such person shall not conduct a bingo game for a period of at least one year.

(5) A person shall not operate a beach bingo game at any location without first obtaining a license as provided by this subdivision. Any person operating a beach bingo game without a license is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The procedure for obtaining an application for a beach bingo license shall be as follows:

a. The application for a beach bingo license shall be made to the State Bureau of Investigation on a form prescribed by the Bureau. The Bureau shall charge an initial application fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) and an annual renewal fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) to defray the cost of issuing beach bingo licenses and handling enforcement. The fees collected shall be deposited in the General Fund of the State. This license shall expire one year after the granting of the license but may be renewed yearly upon payment of the renewal fee.

b. Each application and renewal application shall contain all of the following information:

1. The name and address of the applicant and if the applicant is a corporation, association, or other similar legal entity, the name and home address of each of the officers of the organization as well as the name and address of the directors, or other persons similarly situated, of the organization.

2. The location at which the applicant will conduct the bingo games. If the premises are leased, a copy of the lease or rental agreement.

c. Any false information provided in an application for a beach bingo license is cause for suspension of that license and is also a Class 2 misdemeanor.

d. All books, papers, records, and documents relevant to determining whether an individual has acted or is acting in compliance with this section shall be open to inspection by the State Bureau of Investigation at reasonable times and during reasonable hours.