S.B. No. 1721 proposes a significant shift in the oversight of charitable bingo operations in Texas, transferring regulatory authority from the Texas Lottery Commission to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, effective September 1, 2026. The bill amends various sections of the Government Code and the Occupations Code to reflect this change, including redefining "commission" to refer to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. It introduces new provisions aimed at ensuring fair conduct of bingo games and proper use of proceeds, while also establishing an advisory board for guidance on bingo-related matters. The bill emphasizes transparency and accountability by requiring the department to prepare and deliver reports on bingo operations to state leadership.

Additionally, the bill modifies eligibility criteria for commission members and employees, prohibiting those with financial interests in the bingo or lottery industries from serving. It outlines detailed requirements for applicants seeking bingo licenses, including financial documentation and compliance with legal standards, and establishes criteria for commercial lessor licenses to ensure qualified individuals can lease premises for bingo operations. The bill also mandates a five percent fee on cash bingo prizes exceeding $5, which will be remitted to the department, and includes provisions for penalties and enforcement of compliance with bingo regulations. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the regulatory framework governing bingo operations, streamline the licensing process, and ensure the integrity of the gaming process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.093, Government Code 455.1525, Government Code 466.002, Government Code 467.002, Government Code 467.024, Government Code 467.025, Government Code 467.035, Government Code 467.101, Government Code 467.111, Government Code 572.003, Occupations Code 2001.002 (Government Code 455, Government Code 467, Occupations Code 2001, Government Code 466, Government Code 411, Government Code 572)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 411.093, Government Code 466.002, Government Code 467.002, Government Code 467.024, Government Code 467.025, Government Code 467.035, Government Code 467.101, Government Code 467.111, Government Code 572.003, Occupations Code 2001.002, Occupations Code 2001.003, Occupations Code 2001.051, Occupations Code 2001.057, Occupations Code 2001.060, Occupations Code 2001.101, Occupations Code 2001.102, Occupations Code 2001.103, Occupations Code 2001.105, Occupations Code 2001.107, Occupations Code 2001.108, Occupations Code 2001.152, Occupations Code 2001.153, Occupations Code 2001.154, Occupations Code 2001.156, Occupations Code 2001.157, Occupations Code 2001.159, Occupations Code 2001.160, Occupations Code 2001.161, Occupations Code 2001.203, Occupations Code 2001.204, Occupations Code 2001.208, Occupations Code 2001.211, Occupations Code 2001.212, Occupations Code 2001.213, Occupations Code 2001.214, Occupations Code 2001.216, Occupations Code 2001.218, Occupations Code 2001.301, Occupations Code 2001.3025, Occupations Code 2001.305, Occupations Code 2001.306, Occupations Code 2001.311, Occupations Code 2001.313, Occupations Code 2001.314, Occupations Code 2001.316, Occupations Code 2001.351, Occupations Code 2001.355, Occupations Code 2001.403, Occupations Code 2001.407, Occupations Code 2001.411, Occupations Code 2001.415, Occupations Code 2001.437, Occupations Code 2001.438, Occupations Code 2001.439, Occupations Code 2001.451, Occupations Code 2001.457, Occupations Code 2001.502, Occupations Code 2001.504, Occupations Code 2001.505, Occupations Code 2001.507, Occupations Code 2001.508, Occupations Code 2001.509, Occupations Code 2001.510, Occupations Code 2001.511, Occupations Code 2001.512, Occupations Code 2001.513, Occupations Code 2001.514, Occupations Code 2001.515, Occupations Code 2001.551, Occupations Code 2001.557, Occupations Code 2001.558, Occupations Code 2001.560, Occupations Code 2001.601, Occupations Code 2001.602, Occupations Code 2001.654, Occupations Code 2001.656 (Government Code 455, Government Code 467, Occupations Code 2001, Government Code 466, Government Code 411, Government Code 572)
Engrossed: Government Code 411.093, Government Code 466.002, Government Code 467.002, Government Code 467.024, Government Code 467.025, Government Code 467.035, Government Code 467.101, Government Code 467.111, Government Code 572.003, Occupations Code 2001.002, Occupations Code 2001.003, Occupations Code 2001.051, Occupations Code 2001.057, Occupations Code 2001.060, Occupations Code 2001.101, Occupations Code 2001.102, Occupations Code 2001.103, Occupations Code 2001.105, Occupations Code 2001.107, Occupations Code 2001.108, Occupations Code 2001.152, Occupations Code 2001.153, Occupations Code 2001.154, Occupations Code 2001.156, Occupations Code 2001.157, Occupations Code 2001.159, Occupations Code 2001.160, Occupations Code 2001.161, Occupations Code 2001.203, Occupations Code 2001.204, Occupations Code 2001.208, Occupations Code 2001.211, Occupations Code 2001.212, Occupations Code 2001.213, Occupations Code 2001.214, Occupations Code 2001.216, Occupations Code 2001.218, Occupations Code 2001.301, Occupations Code 2001.3025, Occupations Code 2001.305, Occupations Code 2001.306, Occupations Code 2001.311, Occupations Code 2001.313, Occupations Code 2001.314, Occupations Code 2001.316, Occupations Code 2001.351, Occupations Code 2001.355, Occupations Code 2001.403, Occupations Code 2001.407, Occupations Code 2001.411, Occupations Code 2001.415, Occupations Code 2001.437, Occupations Code 2001.438, Occupations Code 2001.439, Occupations Code 2001.451, Occupations Code 2001.457, Occupations Code 2001.502, Occupations Code 2001.504, Occupations Code 2001.505, Occupations Code 2001.507, Occupations Code 2001.508, Occupations Code 2001.509, Occupations Code 2001.510, Occupations Code 2001.511, Occupations Code 2001.512, Occupations Code 2001.513, Occupations Code 2001.514, Occupations Code 2001.515, Occupations Code 2001.551, Occupations Code 2001.557, Occupations Code 2001.558, Occupations Code 2001.560, Occupations Code 2001.601, Occupations Code 2001.602, Occupations Code 2001.654, Occupations Code 2001.656 (Government Code 455, Government Code 467, Occupations Code 2001, Government Code 466, Government Code 411, Government Code 572)