Bill
H 4137
SC authorizes American Heroes Bingo: a licensed, electronic/location-based bingo run by veterans’ groups, with proceeds going to the Veterans’ Trust Fund and veteran organizations.
Status: Enacted by General Assembly (House and Senate actions recorded); takes effect upon Governor’s approval. (Bill progressed through committee amendments and floor votes in 2025.)
Purpose
- Authorize and regulate a new class of bingo — branded “American Heroes Bingo” — to be operated by veterans’ organizations in South Carolina, establish licensing, technical and operational rules for electronic/location‑based bingo, and direct a portion of revenues to veterans’ causes.
Key provisions
- New definitions added to the Bingo Tax Act (S.C. Code §12‑21‑3920), notably:
- “Veterans’ Trust Fund” (cross‑reference to §25‑21‑10).
- “Veteran’s organization” (nonprofit posts/state headquarters/auxiliary units of national veterans’ associations meeting continuity and membership criteria).
- “American Heroes Bingo” — an electronic/location‑based variant of bingo using a traditional caller and physical ball draws whose results are input to a on‑site (location‑based) server; players use electronic bingo aids to purchase, daub, and redeem electronic cards.
- “Electronic card,” “location‑based server,” “electronic bingo aids,” “net hold,” and “vendor” (with domiciliary requirements for vendors).
- Class G license (new §12‑21‑4020):
- Authorized for veterans’ organizations operating American Heroes Bingo.
- License fee: $1,000.
- Prize cap: up to $50,000 per game (committee amendment increased earlier lower amounts).
- Session limit: up to six sessions per week.
- Operational rules: caller draws balls from a cage; outcomes entered into an on‑site server; electronic bingo aids display cards and automatically indicate wins; winning patterns must be posted before each game; electronic aids may include payment/voucher functions; vendors may be contracted to operate devices and services.
- A veterans’ organization may hold only one American Heroes Bingo license; multiple organizations may operate in the same building provided a single license holder is specified per building.
- Entrance fee surcharge (§12‑21‑4030):
- Class G license holders may impose a $5 entrance fee.
- Domicile/activity requirements (§12‑21‑4070):
- Licensees, vendors, or individuals must have been domiciled in South Carolina for at least two years immediately preceding application; organizations/vendors must also have been active in the state for at least two years.
- Vendors must have been domiciled in the state for at least two years before Jan 1, 2026 (per vendor definition).
- Bingo card fee retention and revenue distribution (§12‑21‑4190):
- Department retains $0.25 per $1 of face value for Class G bingo cards (other classes retain different amounts).
- For Class G proceeds retained by the Department: 60% is directed to the Veterans’ Trust Fund; 40% is distributed equally among the state headquarters of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Daughters of the American Revolution, and AMVETS.
- Electronic device treatment:
- Electronic bingo aids and related systems are carved out from certain other statutory device definitions (explicitly addressed to clarify regulatory treatment).
- Miscellaneous:
- The bill allows contracts between veterans’ organizations and vendors for operation/maintenance, security, concessions, etc.
- Effective date: upon approval by the Governor.
Who is affected
- Veterans’ organizations (new commercial/charitable revenue opportunity).
- Vendors and suppliers of electronic bingo systems (new market; domicile/time‑in‑state requirements).
- State agencies administering bingo licensing and revenue collection (new technical oversight and distribution duties).
- Veterans’ Trust Fund and specified state veterans’ organizations (new dedicated revenue streams).
- Players/communities where American Heroes Bingo is offered (expanded access to electronic bingo sessions).
Procedural/Timeline notes
- Bill underwent committee amendment(s) (Ways & Means) adding detailed definitions and operational rules for “American Heroes Bingo,” and increased prize/session limits from earlier text.
- Progressed through readings and concurrence votes in 2025; final effectiveness requires the Governor’s signature.
Potential impacts (practical considerations)
- Generates new, earmarked revenue for veterans’ programs and veteran organizations.
- Expands electronic/technology‑driven bingo within a regulated, location‑based framework intended to prevent remote/online play.
- Introduces regulatory and enforcement requirements (technical server controls, vendor oversight, auditing of proceeds).
- Raises policy considerations around expansion of gambling-like activity in veterans’ facilities and community venues.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
