23-5-319. Pinochle tournaments. (1) Subject to the department's approval, a nonprofit organization is entitled, upon submission of a permit application and payment of a $25 fee, to a permit for sponsoring a pinochle tournament. A nonprofit organization is entitled to only one permit in each calendar year. The department shall retain the fee for administrative purposes. The tournament may be conducted for no more than 3 consecutive days and may be conducted at one or more premises.
     (2) The tournament may be managed and operated only by members of the nonprofit organization that was issued the permit under subsection (1), and members may not be compensated for their services.
     (3) Tournament participants must be provided with a copy of the tournament rules before the start of the tournament. A copy of the rules must be posted in a conspicuous location in each area and premises where the tournament is conducted. A person must be present on the premises during the tournament to oversee the conduct of the card games and to settle disputes among players.
     (4) A tournament sponsor may charge a tournament participant an entry fee, which may include a fee to cover expenses incurred in conducting the tournament.
     (5) Proceeds from the tournament, after payment of reasonable administrative expenses, may be used only for a civic, charitable, or educational purpose, and administrative expenses may not exceed 50% of the proceeds.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 148, L. 1995.