Even though patrons don't pay in unlicensed bar bingo, the bar or company may be paying, and that could be a violation. That's because licensed bingo is defined as 'a game in which each player has a card or board for which consideration has been paid.' The state told the I-Team that applied to anyone who pays for the card or the board. The ABC7 I-Team learned the department is looking into all companies and establishments associated with the game and are 'reviewing the laws that relate to bar bingo and pull tab games.' They notice a considerable increase in their gaming on nights that there is bingo because bingo players like to play the gaming machines,' said Larson.īut the Illinois Department of Revenue received complains that bar bingo isn't following the state tax and gaming laws. 'Our services are important to the state of Illinois. The company displays drawn bingo numbers on a TV screen, and their grand prize is generated by the fees that bars pay to host the game. Its website maps the nearly 250 tavern locations where their game is offered. FreeN'Fun Bar Bingo, based in Crestwood, is the biggest bar bingo company in Illinois.
