Fraternal Organizations to be Allowed Slot Machines

In order to increase some nonprofit organizations ability to raise funds, the state of Massachusetts has pushed forward on the idea of allowing slot machines in service clubs and fraternal organizations.

It will be interesting to see if this idea catches on in other areas. Maybe slot machines will eventually join bingo and pulltabs as a common method for nonprofits to gain revenues.

Following is an excerpt from an article regarding this issue:

"A bill adding Worcester County to the list of Eastern Shore counties permitting slot machines in non-profit service clubs and fraternal organizations breezed through the House by an overwhelming margin this week, setting the stage for final approval by the Senate.

House Bill 65, introduced by Democratic Delegates James Mathias and Norm Conway, would allow limited slot machine gambling in service clubs and fraternal organizations in Worcester County, such as the American Legion or the Elks Club, for example, in the interest of expanding their fundraising capabilities. Slots are currently allowed on a limited basis in all other counties on the shore, and the bill, which passed through the House by a vote of 127-6 this week, would add Worcester to the list.

Slot machine gambling in the clubs had been resisted for years in Worcester County, but last year, for the first time in nearly 30 years, the exact same bill introduced by Mathias and Conway had the backing of the Ocean City Mayor and Council and the Worcester County Commissioners. Last year, the bill passed a House vote, but died as the session expired before the full Senate could vote on it when the legislation got caught up in a swirl of other bills related to slots and gambling."

For the complete story, please see Shawn J. Soper, House Finds No Problem With Slots In Service Clubs, The Dispatch, March 27, 2009.