Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1360-03-03-.18 - BINGO METHOD OF PLAY

(1) The method of play in any bingo game and the utilization of bingo equipment and supplies shall be such that each player is afforded an equal opportunity to win.

(2) The objects to be drawn to select numbers and letters to call shall be essentially equal in size, shape, weight, balance, and all other characteristics, so that at all times during the conduct of bingo, each object possesses the capacity for equal agitation with any other object within the receptacle.

(3) All objects to be drawn shall be present in the receptacle at the beginning of each bingo game. Only manual object selection is allowed. No device may be used to select numbers electronically. This does not preclude hoppers which are turned via an electric motor or balls which are stirred with an electric fan and randomly sent into a chute.

(4) The announcement of all numbers and letters drawn shall be clearly audible to all players present.

(5) When more than one room is used for any one bingo game, the receptacle and the caller and any assistant shall be in the room where the greatest number of players are present; and all numbers and letters shall be announced in a manner clearly audible to all players in each room.

(6) Once removed, no object shall be returned to the receptacle until after the conclusion of the game.

(7) Immediately following the calling of each number and letter in a bingo game, the caller shall display that portion of the object which shows the number and letter to another individual who will announce and display the number and letter to the players.

(8) The numbers appearing on the winning card at the time a winner is determined shall be verified in the immediate presence of at least one disinterested player.

(9) A number is not considered to have been called until the full articulation of the letter and number is completed. If the calling of a number is interrupted by a player's call of bingo after just the letter has been called, it is not a full call and should not be regarded as the last number called. The caller shall continue calling a number if the call is interrupted by a player's call of bingo on a previous number.

(10) If the organization uses a video monitor, the caller must call both the letter and number before showing it on the screen. A ball or other object may not be placed in front of the camera before it has been called and shown.

(11) All numbers drawn must be called even if they are not needed in the winning arrangement.

(12) If the bingo caller mistakenly returns the numbers to the receptacle before the end of the game, the game manager may either void the game and start it over or determine which numbers had been already called by checking the cards of disinterested players and then remove those numbers from the receptacle.

(13) If the caller mistakenly calls a wrong number, the caller should immediately announce the correction to the players and continue with the game. If the correction results in any player completing a bingo, that player must be awarded the prize, consistent with all applicable prize rules specified herein. A prize may not be awarded for a bingo which includes a number that was not drawn.

(14) A bingo game should not be started over if it is possible to correct the error. However, if it is discovered during a game that one of the numbered objects is stuck in the receptacle, that game must be started over. All previously completed games, however, are valid and should not be replayed. If a game must be started over, all numbered objects must be returned to the receptacle. If the game is being played on disposable cards, all cards must be replaced at no cost to the players.

(15) If the game which must be started over is a progressive jackpot bingo game only those portions of the game which were not previously completed should be continued.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1360-03-03-.18

Emergency rules filed August 5, 2021; effective through February 1, 2022. Emergency rules expired effective February 2, 2022, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. New rules filed December 27, 2021; effective 3/27/2022.

Authority: T.C.A. § 3-17-115(c).