Notary Bond Application:
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Alabama Pool Room Operator Bond
Billiard rooms, restaurants, and bars that have pool tables are required to be licensed by a county probate judge and carry a $1,000 Pool Room Operator Bond. The bond is in place to guarantee that businesses act like straight shooters, not permitting any nefarious or illegal activity such as gambling or flagrant intoxication (subdued intoxication must be ok).
In Alabama, card games or games of chance, such as dominoes, are not allowed in any space that has billiards, however there is verbiage in the Code of Alabama Section 34-6-12 that allows for dominoes to be played in the same room as billiards in counties with a population between 56,500 and 59,000. Yes, that is the law. Jet provides the bond as a guarantee to the State, should any fines go unpaid to Alabama, then Jet will make payment.
What Is the Cost of the Pool Room Operator Bond?
The Pool Room Operator Bond only costs $100. There is nothing required to qualify for the bond, the price is the price! Below are the guaranteed options for your purchase.
| Bond Term | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10 |
| 1 Year | $100 |
| 2 Years | $175 |
| 3 Years | $250 |
We get it, you're probably thinking that getting a license and bond to offer billiards is a nuisance and a ridiculous requirement. At Jet we make it our goal to get you bonded easily for the lowest price so that you can quickly get through the red tape and get back to running the table.
The Pool Room Bond Process With Jet
The first step in the bond process is to click on the purchase button above and input a few pieces of information, just to ensure the bond is properly filled out. Once that’s complete we will email a copy of the bond to you and mail an original as well. The bond form requires you to sign and a probate judge to sign the bond. Here is a list of Alabama probate judges by county so you can find one in your area.
The bond must be filed with the Local City Commission or Municipality that you're applying for a license. Depending on the county, they may require the original bond, that includes the wet signature and raised seal. They may also accept the electronic copy with your signature, but check in with them first to ensure that will be acceptable.
The license and bond have a common licensing date of a year starting and ending on October 1st, the bond will run concurrent with your licensing dates. For the bond renewal you will simply make payment and we will provide you an updated bond copy with new term dates.
How does a Billiard Operator Avoid a Claim?
Bond claims only occur after the second violation of Chapter 6 of Alabama Code Title 34. The first violation will result in a misdemeanor and a fine. The second violation will result in a claim on the $1,000 bond, and in some cases, a felony charge.
To avoid a bond claim, you must understand the things that violate the statutes. You won’t scratch if you avoid these violations:
- Knowingly permitting gambling or games of chance
- Permitting games such as: Kelly pool, keno, star pool, or scrub
- Not maintaining sanitary conditions
- Having a secret passageway to a place for gambling or immoral activities
- Knowingly allow minors to play pool or loiter on premise
- Not posting a placard with Section 34-6-9 printed out legible
The consequences for not following rules and regulations against gambling should put some fear into any billiard operator. Anyone caught violating the law under Section 34-6-12 prohibiting gambling, in all its forms, shall be fined or sentenced to hard labor for 12 months for the first violation, and a fine and felony charge with a minimum sentencing to a penitentiary for a year for the second violation. The state has a magnifying glass on gambling in pool rooms, it is not worth it to permit gambling as you will ultimately pay the price with money and time.
