Political Parties Ready to Run Bingos Again in Michigan?

LANSING - Political candidates searching for innovative ways to raise campaign funds may soon be crying "BINGO!"

Legislation introduced by Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, would change charitable gaming rules to allow political parties to run bingos to raise money for candidates.

Under current rules, parties can run bingos, but can use the proceeds only to pay for operational costs - like party headquarters' light bills or informational ads - not to advocate a candidate or a position, said Mike Petersen, deputy Lottery commissioner.

The proposal comes in a year when all House seats are open and more than a decade after the state said bingo proceeds couldn't be used to support campaigns.

For the full article, see Whitney Lloyd, "Democrats betting on more bingo cash" , Capital News Service, March 21, 2008.