Opn. No.

HON. WILLIAM G. BARRY Chairman, New York State Racing and Wagering Board

This is in response to your letter of April 22, 1977, which requests whether section 369-e of the General Business Law permits the use of the game of bingo by a profit-making commercial establishment. The aforementioned statute regulates games of chance used to promote the sale of merchandise or commodities to consumers, where no consideration is charged for participation therein, and the prizes offered exceed five thousand dollars. In order to prevent manipulation of such contests, the statute establishes bonding,…