NEW YORK (PIX11) — One subtle reform in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to help small businesses could make your Wednesday nights a whole lot more intense.

In Mamdani’s “Open for Small Business” package, featuring 50 red tape-cutting reforms for small businesses in the five boroughs, there is a small section tucked away dedicated to everyone’s favorite community game: bingo.

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Mamdani wants you to win big at bingo

In the reforms package, section 8.1 calls for the elimination of “unnecessary regulations… including prize limits” for nonprofits that run bingo nights and other games of chance as fundraisers.

Currently, New York City’s maximum single-game prize is $250, and the maximum per occasion is $1,000.

If approved, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) would remove the city’s cap. However, there would still be state-regulated caps on single prizes up to $5,000 and $15,000 per occasion.

That’s a 1,900% increase on single-game winning potential and a 1,400% increase on prizes per occasion.

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The mayor wants to call out ‘unnecessary regulations’

The reform would also remove regulations for bingo and game-of-chance licenses. The package did not mention which regulations would be eliminated.

Currently, to obtain a license for a bingo night in New York City, a nonprofit or small business must:

Get a bingo ID number from the NYS Gaming Commission

Submit signed copies of Gaming Commission documents

Submit proof of right to use premises

Submit members’ affidavit detailing good moral character

Receive an authority to act affirmation

Submit $18.75 license fee and 3% fee of net proceeds

Submit BC-7 financial statement of bingo operations

Submit BC-7B cash control report for conduct of bingo

The Mamdani administration did not specify if the elimination of bingo prize caps would forego the state caps of $5,000 and $15,000.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.

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