Experienced Bingo Lawyer
Serving Pensacola, Panama City, Crestview, Destin, Milton, Navarre, Pace, and Fort Walton Beach, FL

Bingo workers are often told they cannot be paid because it is unlawful to pay them. Many are additionally told that they are "volunteers." In actuality, however, employers must pay their workers regardless of how they classify them. That is, every employer subject to the Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws must pay their workers-- even bingo workers.

In a recent case we litigated, the presiding federal court judge explained that the Florida Bingo Laws have "no bearing" on whether an individual is entitled to be paid in accordance with the Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws. Free v. Littlefield Corp., 2020 WL 7421751 (N.D. Fla. Dec 11, 2020). Additionally, the Court explained that bingo halls cannot rely upon state law to avoid their obligations under Federal Minimum Wage
and Overtime Laws. Id.

This case is believed to be the first one demonstrating that what bingo halls in Florida have been claiming for years is patently false. Nevertheless, many bingo halls in Florida continue to refuse to pat their employee "volunteers."

If you believe you may be entitled to receive wages and/or overtime as a result, please give us a call.