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HB1262 • 2026

Bingo halls; revise distribution of proceeds.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-33-52, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE HOW THE PROCEEDS FROM BINGO GAMES MAY BE DISTRIBUTED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Aguirre
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Changing How Bingo Hall Money is Spent

This bill changes how money made from bingo games can be used by organizations in Mississippi.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the rules on how much of the money from bingo games must go to charity and how much can be spent on running costs.
  • Requires that any money going to charities outside of Mississippi needs approval from a special group called the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
  • Does not allow organizations to use bingo game money for building or improving places just for playing bingo.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Charitable organizations in Mississippi that run bingo games
  • The Mississippi Gaming Commission

Terms To Know

Mississippi Gaming Commission
A group that oversees and regulates gaming activities, including bingo halls, to ensure they follow the rules.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in its current session.
  • It is unclear how many organizations will be affected by these changes.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (H) Referred To Gaming

Official Summary Text

Bingo halls; revise distribution of proceeds.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 1262 *HR43/R2210* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R2210
PAGE 1 (GT\KP)

To: Gaming
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Aguirre

HOUSE BILL NO. 1262

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-33-52, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO REVISE HOW THE PROCEEDS FROM BINGO GAMES MAY BE DISTRIBUTED; 2
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. Section 97-33-52, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 5
amended as follows: 6
97-33-52. (1) A bingo game may be conducted only: 7
(a) When held for the benefit of a charitable 8
organization that (i) is licensed pursuant to Section 97-33-55 or 9
Section 97-33-59; (ii) is domiciled in the State of Mississippi; 10
and 11
(b) When the game is held by active members of such 12
organization. 13
(2) Except as may be otherwise provided in Sections 97-33-51 14
through 97-33-203, * * * no more than sixty-five (65%) percent net 15
proceeds derived from a bingo game * * * is required to be spent 16
for the purposes for which the organization is created, and no 17
less than thirty-five percent (35%) net proceeds derived from a 18
H. B. No. 1262 *HR43/R2210* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2210
PAGE 2 (GT\KP)
ST: Bingo halls; revise distribution of
proceeds.
bingo game may be spent on administrative costs of the 19
organization or as authorized by this section shall be distributed 20
to a charity outside of the State of Mississippi without the 21
approval of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Nothing in the 22
Charitable Bingo Law shall prohibit a charitable organization from 23
using gross receipts derived from a bingo game conducted under the 24
Charitable Bingo Law to pay administrative penalties imposed by 25
any state agency against the charitable organization. 26
(3) None of the proceeds of a bingo game authorized to be 27
held under this section shall be used to purchase, construct or 28
improve a building, hall or other facility solely for the purpose 29
of conducting or operating a bingo game. 30
(4) Every organization which conducts bingo games shall 31
report to the Mississippi Gaming Commission at such time, in such 32
manner and on such forms as the commission prescribes. All 33
records and reports so filed shall be public records and shall be 34
available for inspection in accordance with the Mississippi Public 35
Records Act of 1983. 36
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 37
and after July 1, 2026. 38