(a) Definitions. The following words or terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Average unit member operating capital--An amount equal to the allowable retained operating capital of the unit divided by the number of unit members.
  (2) Bingo account--The bingo checking account, bingo savings account, and petty cash if bingo funds, of a licensed authorized organization or unit.
  (3) Quarterly report--The Texas Bingo Quarterly Report.
  (4) Retained operating capital limit--The maximum amount of funds that may be retained in the bingo account of a licensed authorized organization or unit, which is equal to the organization's or unit's actual quarterly average bingo expenses, excluding prizes paid, for the preceding license period but does not exceed $50,000 per organization.
(b) The bingo account balance of a licensed authorized organization, reconciled to include outstanding checks and deposits in transit, on the last day of each calendar quarter may not exceed the total of:
  (1) the organization's or unit's retained operating capital limit;
  (2) prize fees held in the bingo account to be paid to the Commission and local governments, or to be retained under Bingo Enabling Act §2001.502(b)(3); and
  (3) net proceeds from the conduct of bingo for the current quarter.
(c) Bingo account funds may be transferred between the bingo checking account, bingo savings account, and petty cash, where applicable. All funds from the bingo checking account, bingo savings account, and petty cash shall be included in the bingo account balance reported on the quarterly report on the last day of each calendar quarter, including funds in transit between the various accounts.
(d) Licensed Authorized Organization's Calculations.
  (1) The retained operating capital limit for a licensed authorized organization with a regular license will be calculated for each 12-month period of the license.
  (2) The retained operating capital limit for a licensed authorized organization submitting the first renewal of its license to conduct bingo will be calculated based on the quarterly reports for the three (3) calendar quarters immediately preceding the license start date.
  (3) The retained operating capital limit is effective for the four (4) calendar quarters beginning on the first day of the calendar quarter immediately following the license start date.
(e) Accounting Unit's Calculations.
  (1) The retained operating capital limit for an accounting unit will be calculated based on the quarterly reports for the four (4) quarter period beginning October 1 through September 30 of each year.
  (2) The retained operating capital limit for an accounting unit is effective from January 1 through December 31 of each year.
(f) A licensed authorized organization's or unit's most recent quarterly report information at the time of the calculation will be used to calculate its retained operating capital limit. Prize fees are not included in calculation of operating capital if they are held in escrow for remittance to the commission or local governments or retained by a licensed organization under Bingo Enabling Act §2001.502(b)(3).
(g) Retained Operating Capital Limits.
  (1) The retained operating capital in the bingo account of a licensed authorized organization may not exceed a total of $50,000 for the first year of licensure.
  (2) The retained operating capital in the bingo account of a newly formed unit may not exceed the total of the retained operating capital limits of all the licensed authorized organizations forming the unit.
  (3) If a licensed authorized organization joins a unit, the retained operating capital in the unit's bingo account may be increased by an amount that is equal to the average unit member operating capital, not to exceed a total of $50,000.
  (4) If a licensed authorized organization withdraws from a unit and will no longer utilize unit accounting, its retained operating capital limit will be equal to the average unit member operating capital of the unit prior to withdrawal, not to exceed a total of $50,000.
  (5) Upon withdrawal of a unit member, the retained operating capital in the bingo account of a unit must be decreased by an amount that is equal to the average unit member operating capital by the last day of the calendar quarter immediately following the unit member's withdrawal date.
(h) Recalculation of Operating Capital.
  (1) A licensed authorized organization or unit that files an original or amended quarterly report for a period used to calculate its retained operating capital limit may submit a written request to the Commission to re-calculate the limit.
  (2) A request to re-calculate a retained operating capital limit must include:
    (A) the reason for the request identifying the specific quarter that the original or amended quarterly report was filed; and
    (B) the signature of the bingo chairperson if the request is submitted by a licensed authorized organization, the unit manager if the unit is managed by a unit manager, or the designated agent if the unit is not managed by a unit manager.
(i) A licensed authorized organization or unit may apply for an increase in its retained operating capital limit.
(j) The failure of a licensed authorized organization or unit to receive notification from the Commission of its retained operating capital limit by the effective date does not relieve the organization or unit from complying with the retained operating capital limit.
(k) All net proceeds in excess of the retained operating capital limit must be disbursed in accordance with the Act and Rules.

Source Note: The provisions of this §402.451 adopted to be effective July 5, 2010, 35 TexReg 5820; amended to be effective August 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 5505; amended to be effective October 22, 2020 45 TexReg 7414; amended to be effective January 4, 2024, 48 TexReg 8369