Notary Bond Application:
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Texas Bingo Conductor Bond and Bingo Manufacturer Bond
The Texas Lottery Commission oversees the charitable bingo industry to make sure that all bingo operations are honorably conducted. The Commission protects the integrity of charitable bingo through the Surety Bond for a License to Conduct Bingo (also known as the Bingo Conductor Bond) and the Surety Bond for Manufacturer (also known as the Bingo Manufacturer Bond).
The Bingo Conductor License Bond is used to keep organizations that conduct bingo for charity responsible for paying all fees on prizes by acting as a safeguard when a payment is missed. The $10,000 Bingo Manufacturer Bond guarantees that bingo equipment, supplies, or devices will be produced according to the Bingo Enabling Act.
What Is the Lowest Price for the Texas Bingo Bonds?
Jet offers the Bingo Conductor Bond and the Bingo Manufacturer Bond for as low as $100 for a one-year term. Actual costs are based on the bond limit and a soft credit check of the applicant. You can find pricing details for each surety bond in the price charts below.
| Bond Term | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10 |
| 1 Year | $100 |
The limit for the Bingo Conductor Bond is based on the license class. Cost for the bond, no matter the limit starts at $100 and may increase based on the applicants credit score:
| Classification - Gross Receipts | Bond Limit | Bond Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Class A - $25,000 or less | $125 | $100 |
| Class B - $25,001 to $50,000 | $325 | $100 |
| Class C - $50,001 to $75,000 | $600 | $100 |
| Class D - $75,001 to $100,000 | $825 | $100 |
| Class E - $100,001 to $150,000 | $1,225 | $100 |
| Class F - $150,001 to $200,000 | $1,800 | $100 |
| Class G - $200,001 to $250,000 | $2,125 | $100 |
| Class H - $250,001 to $300,000 | $2,675 | $100 |
| Class I - $300,001 to $400,000 | $3,275 | $100 |
| Class J - More than $400,000 | $7,000 | $100 |
A bingo conductor or licensed organization that misses paying requisite prize fees and receives final jeopardy determination will have their bond limit increased to the highest quarterly amount in the last four quarters. On the flip side, paying all fees on time comes with a reward of its own with the limit being reduced to just $100 for payments made in full and on time for eight (8) consecutive quarters.
Who Needs a Texas Bingo Bond?
There are two bonds that may be needed for those working in the charitable bingo industry.
The Bingo Manufacturer Bond must be submitted along with a License to Manufacture Bingo Supplies, Devices, and Equipment by a person in order to produce bingo supplies or equipment from raw materials or make any changes to bingo equipment to be used or sold for bingo games.
The Bingo Conductor Bond is part of the application process to receive a License to Conduct Bingo. This allows nonprofit organizations, veteran’s organizations, religious societies, volunteer emergency medical service providers, and volunteer fire departments to conduct bingo games to raise money many times a year.
A Temporary Bingo Occasion License is used for a limited number of bingo events per year and does not require a surety bond.
Purchasing Your Texas Bingo Bond With Jet
To get started with your Bingo Bond purchase, click the “Quote” button. You will be navigated through Jet’s simple application, adding in the information needed to fill out your bond. Since a soft credit check is needed, you will need to submit your social security number. Once all information is complete, you will be given a rate that is immediately available for purchase.
When you purchase the bond, Jet will prepare your Bingo Bond and send it to you. You must sign the bond before mailing it to the Commission at the following address:
Texas Lottery Commission
Charitable Bingo Operations
PO Box 16630
Austin, TX 78761-6630
When it’s time to renew your bond, Jet will mail and email you a renewal notice. All you need to do is fill out the notice and pay for the new term. No additional paperwork is needed!
If you need to cancel your bond, send us an email: [email protected]. Jet will send the request to the Lottery Commission. The bond will stay active for another 30 days before cancellation is effective. Once the Commission fully cancels the bond, Jet will calculate the unused portion of the bond into a refund.
How Does a Conductor or Manufacturer Avoid Bingo Bond Claims?
The charitable bingo industry is governed by the Bingo Enabling Act, otherwise known as Chapter 2001 of the Texas Occupations Code and Chapter 402 of the Texas Administrative Code. Bingo conductors and manufacturers must follow this Act to avoid claims against both the Bingo License Bond (also called the Bingo Prize Fee Bond) and the Bingo Manufacturer Bond.
More specifically, manufacturers and conductors of bingo must be sure to avoid engaging in unlawful bingo practices, such as:
- Conducting or endorsing a bingo game that does not meet appropriate specifications found in Section 2001.551
- Awarding bingo prizes in a non-random manner, aka “fixing the game”
- Selling bingo equipment, supplies, etc. without a license
- Failing to keep records of bingo games, leasing information where games are held, or the sale or manufacture of bingo equipment
- Conspiring amongst manufacturers to fix the price of bingo equipment sales to reduce competition in the market
- Withholding fees on prizes that are due to the Lottery Commission
Engaging in such actions is not only a violation of the Act that dishonors the charitable bingo industry but is grounds for a claim to be filed against the Bingo Conductor Bond or the Manufacturer Bond (as it applies to them). If fees are not paid by final jeopardy determination, the Commission will seek forfeiture of the bond.
If you receive a bond claim, call Jet right away. Any evidence for your defense should be brought forward but, if the claim is legitimate, Jet will be obligated to release payment from the bond. You are still liable for the actions that caused the claim and will be required to pay Jet back.
