16 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

1. 633 GAMBLING CONTROL UNIT

   Chapter 31: RULES RELATING TO BEANO

SUMMARY: This chapter provides the rules relating to the registration and conduct of Beano and Bingo by eligible organizations. This chapter also details requirements for equipment and associated materials used in Beano or Bingo.

1. §1. Definitions As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
2. 1. Director “Director” has the same meaning as set forth in 17 M.R.S. §311
   1. 2. Occasion “Occasion” means a single gathering or session at which a series of successive Beano games are played.
      1. 3. Blackout “Blackout” also known as “coverall” means a bingo pattern that requires that every number on the tally card be covered.

4. Electronic Beano Card Dauber "Electronic beano card dauber" (herein after referred to as "Electronic Dauber") is an electronic appliance used by a player to identify beano cards that contain numbers or symbols input by a player. This device electronically stores preprinted beano cards purchased by a player, provides a means for a player to input numbers or symbols called by the licensee, compares the numbers or symbols input by the player to beano cards previously stored in an electronic database, and identifies to the player those stored beano cards that contain the numbers or symbols input by the player: provided, that player-owned devices, which are not directly interfaced with or connected to equipment used to conduct beano games or the electronic database in which electronically generated beano cards are stored in any manner, are not "electronic beano card daubers" for purposes of these Rules and Regulations.

1. 5. Electronic Beano Card Computer System "electronic beano card computer system” is the computer hardware and software system that loads the electronic beano cards purchased by each electronic beano card player into the electronic dauber.
   1. 6. Eligible Organization “Organization” has the same meaning as set forth in 17 M.R.S. §313-C.
      1. 7. Gambling Control Unit “Gambling Control Unit” or “unit” has the same meaning as set forth in 17 M.R.S. §311.
      2. 8. Registrant”Registrant” has the same meaning as set forth in 17 M.R.S. §311 (9)
      3. 9. Wild Number Beano. "Wild Number Beano" means a beano occasion, game or series of beano games in which a number is picked or denoted as a wild number.
      4. 10. Winner-take-all. "Winner-take-all" means a beano game or series of beano games in which all the proceeds from the sale of the cards are paid to participants as prizes.

   §2. General Requirements

   1. 1. All games of Beano or Bingo shall be conducted in a building or area approved for public use by state and local officials, including the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
      1. 2. A commercial hall permittee shall conspicuously post the commercial beano hall permit at the leased or rented hall in the room or area where Beano is being conducted.
      2. 3. All Beano registration applications must be received by The Gambling Control Unit, 87 State House Station, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04333-0087 at least 10 business days prior to the first date desired to operate. To the extent, if any, that information of a material nature supplied in the application or otherwise supplied by the applicant becomes outdated, inaccurate or incomplete, the applicant shall so notify the unit in writing as soon as it is aware that the information is inaccurate or incomplete, and shall at that time supply the information necessary to correct the timeliness, inaccuracy or incompleteness of the information.
      3. 4. House rules shall be developed and posted, including, at a minimum, the following;
      4. a. No charges for admission;
      5. b. No prizes awarded for attendance;
      6. c. Allow or disallow reserved seating; and
      7. d. Use of Wild Number Beano.
      8. 5. A Registrant may conduct only one occasion of Beano or Bingo on the same date.
      9. 6. A registrant conducting Beano or Bingo shall comply with the following advertising standards:

1. Advertising of any obscene or indecent nature is prohibited.
2. False, misleading and deceptive advertising is prohibited.
3. Depictions of the use of alcohol and tobacco are prohibited.
4. Depictions of persons under the age of 16 engaged in beano are prohibited.
5. Guarantees of success, riches or beano winnings are prohibited.
6. Advertising must include a disclaimer as follows: “Persons under 16 years of age are prohibited unless authorized under 17 M.R.S., Chapter 13-A.”
7. Advertising must comply with all applicable Maine and federal laws.

1. 7. Post or provide at each entrance or in a conspicuous place where Beano or Bingo are conducted, written materials concerning the nature and symptoms of problem gambling and the Maine 211 number or cost free brochures from Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention that provide information and referral services for problem gamblers. The provisions of this regulation are solely regulatory in nature and neither create a minimum standard of care toward the public nor establish a private cause of action for non- compliance.

§ 3. EQUIPMENT

1. 1. Any electronic beano device or associated equipment designated for shipment within or to Maine must meet or exceed the standards outlined in Appendex A of the State of Maine Beano/Bingo or Associated Equipment Standards.
   1. 2. This rule incorporates by reference the State of Maine Beano/Bingo or Associated Equipment Standards, 2018 edition consisting of:

a) GLI-15, Electronic Bingo and Keno Systems, version 1.3,

b) GLI-11, Gaming Devices in Casinos, version 3.0,

1. c) GLI-13, On-Line Monitoring and Control Systems (MCS), and Validation Systems in Casinos, version 2.1
   1. 3. Copies of this standard are available through the Maine Dept. of Public Safety,Gambling Control Unit, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330.
      1. 4. Electronic beano devices or associated equipment shall not be shipped into, within or out of Maine without first obtaining a written authorization for such transport from the Director to include a certificate of approval of the equipment from a recognized independent laboratory. Written authorization shall be obtained from application(s) furnished by the Unit.
      2. 5. Be capable of printing hard copies of all beano cards purchased by electronic beano card players at the time of sale and before release of the electronic dauber to the player; and
      3. 6. Be capable of summarizing and printing at the completion of each beano occasion a record of the following:
         1. a) The beginning and ending card numbers purchased by each player;
         2. b) The beginning and ending transaction numbers;
         3. c) The total number of cards sold;
         4. d) The total number of sales transactions;
         5. e) The total dollar amount of sales; and
         6. f) The number and dollar amounts of all voids and overrings.
      4. 7. Each electronically-stored Beano card shall meet the requirements of section 8 herein and shall display a serial number. The Beano numbers on that electronically-stored card shall be identical to the numbers on the paper card displaying the same serial number.
      5. 8. Each Beano or tally card shall have twenty-five squares which are divided into five vertical and five horizontal rows, making five squares to a row. At the top of each vertical row will appear one letter of the word "Beano" beginning at the extreme left row with the letter "B" and continuing in sequence through "O" at the extreme right row. Each square shall be numbered making five numbers to a row, the exception being the center or third vertical row which has four numbers and a center space. (The most commonly used cards are those numbered 1 to 75 inclusive. In this series the numbers 1 to 15, inclusive, are used in the first vertical row; numbers 16 to 30, inclusive, in the second row; 31 to 45, inclusive, in the third row; 46 to 60, inclusive, in the fourth row; and 61 to 75, inclusive, in the fifth row. Each card may have a different combination of numbers either vertically, horizontally or diagonally).
      6. 9. One of the following methods shall be used in securing the numbers "called" in the conduct of the game:
         1. a) An electrically operated blower machine containing balls which the operator may take from the air one at a time while the blower is in operation or which provides a trap or other mechanical means for automatically catching no more than one ball at a time while the blower is in operation.
         2. b) A mechanically or manually operated cage which provides a trap or other mechanical means for automatically catching no more than one ball at a time while the cage is in operation.
      7. 10. A chalkboard, dry erase board or electric flashboard must be used to display the numbers called in the conduct of the game

   § 4. Conduct of Beano

1. Before commencing the first game on any occasion at which a series of Beano games is to be held, all numbers shall be removed from the blower, or from such other mechanical means used to catch the numbers, and shall be placed in appropriate position to enable any interested person, or persons, to determine that all numbers 1 thru 75, are present.
2. All cards which have not been purchased and paid for shall be removed from the tables

1. and the immediate vicinity of any player while the games are in progress.

1. All players will be furnished a ticket, receipt or some other easily and quickly identifiable

1. device indicating the maximum number of cards purchased and which may be played at any single game. At no time will a participant play more than the number of Beano cards actually purchased and identified by the furnished ticket, receipt or other identifiable device used by the registered organization to signify the maximum number of cards purchased. The device used to indicate the number of cards purchased will remain in full sight of any interested person to view during the game.

1. Beano shall be conducted in a building or area approved for public use by state and local officials, including the State Fire Marshal's Office.
2. All players must be seated in the same area with the operator calling the numbers.
3. The registrant shall conspicuously post the registration to operate Beano, the Location Permit, and a copy of house and game rules in the room or area where Beano is being conducted.
4. The registrant shall conspicuously post the price or combination of prices of all Beano cards in the room or area where Beano is being conducted.
5. The particular arrangement of numbers required to be covered in order to win the game shall be clearly described and announced to the players immediately before each game begins.
6. Each number shall remain within the blower or cage until ready to be called. Upon

1. removal, said number shall be called without delay unless a Beano or Bingo is called, at which time no additional numbers will be called, and at which time the card shall be checked. If a number was removed from the blower or cage and had not been announced when the Beano was called, this number shall be placed back in the blower or cage. Each number as called must be clearly marked on a chalkboard, dry erase board or electric flashboard visible to all players, and must remain on such chalkboard, dry erase board or electric flashboard until after the winner or winners have been determined.

1. The player must notify the registrant when they have a winning pattern or "Beano".
2. The winner's card shall be checked against the numbers called by the registrant.
3. An organization may not operate a game to require the pre-announced or randomly marked number to appear at a specific place or in a specific order within the winning arrangement of numbers.
4. On each Beano occasion all cards shall be purchased and winners determined. The prize shall be awarded at the conclusion of each game.
5. No person conducting or assisting in the conduct of Beano may participate as a player, or assist any player by playing their cards, in any game of Beano during the same occasion.
6. All members of the registrant who are involved in the conduct of Beano shall be thoroughly familiar with the provisions of the Statutes pertaining to Beano and with these Rules.
7. All monetary prizes given to the winners shall be legibly recorded in a binded log containing the date of the occasion, game number, amount won, winners name and address which shall be retained for not less than three (3) years and made available to the Gambling Control Unit upon request.
8. The registrant shall announce or describe the prize to the players before each game begins.
9. When more than one player is found to be the winner in the same game, the registrant shall divide the monetary prize among the winners as equally as possible.
10. When the division of a prize is non-monetary, the registrant may;
11. Substitute prizes whose aggregate value does not exceed that permitted by these Rules, or may
12. Continue the play of the game until a single winner can be determined using the following method;
13. The tied players will each use the same card that was played during the tied game.
14. Registrant will call the next number for the tied players.
15. The first player to cover that next number called on that card shall be declared the winner of the prize.
16. If the tied game was a blackout game, the tied players will not have any remaining numbers on their cards available for play. In that instance, the Licensee shall break the tie and establish a single winner by returning all balls to the blower or cage. The first player who can match the next number called to any number on his card will be declared the single winner.

§ 5. Conduct of Electronic Beano

1. In addition to the rules under section 4 above, the following apply to the use of electronic beano card dauber and computer systems.
2. Electronic daubers shall not be reserved for any player. However, an electronic dauber may be reserved for a player with a disability that would restrict the ability to mark paper tally cards when such disability is consistent with definitions set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If there are no requests for use of this reserved dauber prior to fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled start of the occasion, it may be made available for use by any player.
3. At the time of sale of any electronic Beano cards and prior to releasing the electronic dauber to the player, the licensee must print a hard copy of any electronic cards purchased by the player. An electronic Beano card player cannot exchange the cards being played until completion of a Beano game. In order to exchange the cards being played, the player must return the electronic dauber, and the hard copy of any previously-purchased electronic Beano cards, to the registrant for loading and printing of the new cards.
4. No electronic dauber shall be programmed to play more than 54 Beano cards in a single game.
5. The electronic Beano card player must input each number called by the registrant into the memory of the electronic dauber by use of a separate dauber function. Automatic or global marking of numbers is prohibited.
6. After commencing the first game, and until the end of the occasion, there shall be no electronic communication from the electronic dauber to the electronic Beano card computer system or any other electronic destination or from the electronic Beano card computer system to any other electronic destination. However, the Bingo caller may advance the game and/or any part of the game for the electronic daubers from the calling station.

1. § 6. Maximum Prizes

1. No single prize awarded shall be in excess of $400 in value.
2. No more than $1,400.00 may be awarded during any one occasion.
3. $2,000.00 may be awarded once a year for one occasion with (10) ten business day prior notification to the Unit.
4. Non-monetary prizes shall be determined by the retail cost of an equivalent article on the open market.
5. Credit towards greater prizes shall not be given.
6. No goods, wares or merchandise that exceeds the valuation permitted by regulation shall be exhibited among the prizes to be awarded the winner or winners of games.
7. Notwithstanding the prize limits in Title 17, Chapter 13, §313-E, an organization operating a winner-take-all shall pay all proceeds from each winner-take-all round as prizes, provided no winner receives more than $500.

1. § 7 Expenditures

1. The registrant may pay as compensation to a member of the registrant, who has been in good standing as such for at least two years previous to application, an amount not to exceed 200% of the minimum wage as established by Title 17, Chapter 13-A, §326, for advising, controlling and managing the conduct of Beano.
2. The registrant may also pay as compensation to a member of the registrant who has been in good standing for at least one year previous to application, an amount not to exceed 200% of the minimum wage as established by Title 17, Chapter 13-A, § 326 for assisting in the conduct of Beano.
3. The registrant may pay as compensation to any member or employee an amount not to exceed 200% of the minimum wage as established by for janitorial services.
4. The registrant may also pay reasonable amounts for the use of suitable premises, furniture and goods, wares, or merchandise to be given as prizes.
5. All such payments shall be made from the respective Beano and Games of Chance accounts and reported on the respective Beano and Games of Chance disposition of funds reports.
6. At no time shall the payments made pursuant to this rule exceed 20% of the net revenue after deducting expenses for prizes, license fees and any other direct expense.
7. The registrant shall, in addition to the other books and records required hereafter, maintain and keep a separate financial account in a reputable banking establishment.

1. § 8 Reports and Records Required
   1. 1. Within ten (10) business days after any period in which Bingo or Beano is conducted, with other than an annual registration, a Licensee shall file with the Gambling Control Unit a disposition of funds form prescribed and furnished by the Gambling Control Unit. Within ten (10) business days after each calendar month of an annual registration period during which Bingo or Beano is conducted, the registrant shall maintain on file disposition of funds form prescribed and furnished by the Unit even if the event is canceled, which shall include:
      1. a) An exact account of all income from Beano or Bingo;
         1. b) A list of all expenses, including, but not limited to, the cost of all prizes, printing, licenses and administration; and
         2. c) An exact account of the disposition of all other proceeds from Beano or Bingo, including, but not limited to, all gifts, grants and payments to any person, firm, corporation, association or organization for any purpose whatsoever.
      2. 2. Every such statement shall be made under oath by an officer of the organization in charge of such occasion.
      3. 3. All records of financial transactions involving Beano or Bingo shall be separate and distinguishable from all other financial records of the organization.
      4. 4. Each registrant shall maintain and keep for a period of three (3) years following the date the occasion was held such books and records as may be necessary to substantiate the reports required thereafter.
      5. 5. The Director or his authorized representative may examine the books and records of any registrant at any time, so far as those books and records relate to the transactions connected with the holding, operating and conduct of Beano, and the registrant shall cooperate with the Director or his representative by making such books and records available to them. The Gambling Control Unit may also examine any manager, officers, director, agent, member or employee of the licensee in relation to the conduct of a game of Beano, or concerning the conduct of Beano.

   STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Title 17, Chapter 13-A, Section 317

   Formerly filed under Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, as 16-222 ch. 2:

   READOPTED under the new APA:

   July 31, 1979 (filed July 31, 1979)

   1. AMENDED:
      1. August 31, 1983 - Sec. 1(B), 6(A), 7(C)

         August 31, 1983 - Sec. 1(B), 3Q), 4(A), 6(A) & 7

         September 25, 1985 - Sec. 4(A), 7(B)

         July 10, 1988 - Sec. 3

         November 19, 1988 - Sec. 3

         July 18, 1989 - Sec. 5

         June 2, 1992 - Sec. 5

         June 29, 1994 - Sec. 3(H)

         March 18, 1995 - Sec. 2 & 3

         May 3, 1996 (EMERGENCY) - Sec. 3.01(F)

   EFFECTIVE DATE (ELECTRONIC CONVERSION):

   May 15, 1996

   AMENDED:

   February 23, 1997 - Sec. 1(F) added.

   August 1, 1998 - Sec. 3.03(W) added.

   NON-SUBSTANTIVE CORRECTIONS:

   1. July 6, 1998 - minor spelling, punctuation, formatting; repositioning of NOTE under 3.02(A) (not (AAA)).

   AMENDED:

   July 13, 1998 - Sec. 3.07.

   NON-SUBSTANTIVE CORRECTION:

   January 25, 1999 - title only.

   AMENDED:

   March 27, 2000 - Sec. 3.09 added.

   NON-SUBSTANTIVE CORRECTION:

   November 26, 2000 - address and phone number correction in Sec. 3.08.

   March 26, 2002 - proofed (lw).

   November 19, 2002 - corrected address in Sec. 3.01(D)

   AMENDED:

   February 16, 2004 - Sec. 3.02, filing 2004-57

   NON-SUBSTANTIVE CORRECTION:

   March 24, 2004 - minor spelling and punctuation

   AMENDED:

   December 12, 2009 – filing 2009-648

   Transferred to 16-633, Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board, as 16-633 ch. 31:

   AMENDED:

   July 25, 2018 – filing 2018-141

   APAO WORD VERSION CONVERSION (IF NEEDED) AND ACCESSIBILITY CHECK: July 18, 2025