Esta ley enmienda la Ley Núm. 242 de 8 de mayo de 1950 para regular el juego de bingo en Puerto Rico. Prohíbe el bingo por dinero, cheques, crédito o fichas con valor, pero lo autoriza para fines benéficos o educativos en iglesias, logias y organizaciones benéficas con licencia. También incorpora y ajusta las penalidades relacionadas con juegos de azar del Código Penal de 1902 al nuevo Código Penal de 2004.
(Approved September 15, 2004)
To amend Sections 1 and 7 of Act No. 242 of May 8, 1950, as amended, which authorizes the game of lotto or lottery known as "bingo," to incorporate within said Act No. 242 the prohibition of games of chance and the crimes typified in Sections 299, 300, 301, 302, 303 and 304, of the Penal Code of 1902, which remained temporarily in effect after the approval of the Penal Code of 1974 and that are repealed with the adoption of the new Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to adjust the penalties to the new Penal Code of 2004.
This is one of several amendments to the laws affected by the approval of the new Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which at the same time repeals the Penal Code now in effect approved through Act No. 115 of July 22, 1974.
It is imperative that the penal code of laws as a whole be adjusted so that when the new Penal Code is introduced said code of laws may achieve uniformity.
Section 1.-Section 1 of Act No. 242 of May 8, 1950, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Section 1.-It is hereby prohibited to play the game of lotto or lottery known as "bingo," for money, checks, credit or chips representing value. The preceding notwithstanding, the game of lotto or lottery known as "bingo," is hereby authorized for charitable or educational ends, in nonprofit churches or lodges that have been established in Puerto Rico for not less than ten (10) years prior to the approval of this Act, and in bona fide charitable organizations, through the acquisition of the licenses and the payment of the license fees as provided below, and said game shall be held in the actual premises of said institutions."
Section 2.-Section 7 of Act No. 242 of May 8, 1950, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 7.-Any organization, institution or person who in violation of this Act holds lotto or lottery games known as "bingo" shall incur a misdemeanor."
Section 3.-Effectiveness. This Act shall take effect when the Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of 2004 becomes effective.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 319 (S.B. 2729) of the 7th Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend Sections 1 and 7 of Act No. 242 of May 8, 1950, as amended, which authorizes the game of lotto or lottery known as "bingo," to incorporate within said Act No. 242 the prohibition of games of chance and the crimes typified in Sections 299, 300, 301, 302, 303 and 304, of the Penal Code of 1902, which remained temporarily in effect after the approval of the Penal Code of 1974 and that are repealed with the adoption of the new Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to adjust the penalties to the new Penal Code of 2004, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $23^{ ext {rd }}$ of November of 2005.
Francisco J. Domenech Director