Could some Charitable Gaming to Be Banned in Ohio?

The language in the casino proposal currently being debated in Ohio is worrying some supporters of fundraising events. At issue is whether or not the current proposal would ban charitable gaming (casino nights) from the proposed casino areas. Frankly, it will be tough for casino fundraisers to compete against a casino in their own backyard anyway, but this legislation may seal their fate.

Below is an excerpt from the Columbus Dispatch:

If Ohioans approve four casinos in this November's election, they could inadvertently shut down casino-style games that many churches and other charitable organizations hold to raise money.

That's the opinion of Gov. Ted Strickland and Attorney General Richard Cordray, who have analyzed the language of the ballot measure that would authorize casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.

Issue 3 would limit "casino gaming" to those four sites.

Opponents of the proposed constitutional amendment, plus the attorney general's office, think that restriction would wipe out casino-style gambling currently allowed at churches under Ohio's charitable-gaming laws.

"If the amendment passes, we believe that it would create a risk that a court might find that those charitable games of chance that are currently legal might be determined to be illegal," said Ted Hart, a spokesman for the attorney general.

While bingos would obviously face increased competition from the proposed casinos, the casino legislation would not affect their ability to operate. It specifically exempts bingo and horse racing from any new gambling restrictions.

For the complete story, please see James Nash, Casinos to stop church games?, The Columbus Dispatch, August 21, 2009.

Nonprofit Groups Scramble for Bingo Permits

A list of more than 30 bingo permit applicants released by the city of Birmingham last week offers a glimpse into who might be involved in high-stakes bingo under Birmingham's new bingo ordinance.
Among the permit applicants is the brother of City Councilman Johnathan Austin. Gerald Austin Jr. applied for a permit representing the Center for Urban Missions, a nonprofit founded by Austin's father, the Rev. Gerald Austin Sr.

Councilman Austin was one of four councilors voting in favor of the bingo ordinance earlier this month.

Also applying for a bingo license is a nonprofit that former U.S. Rep. Earl Hilliard founded in 2000, the National Gallery of the Greats. Hilliard provided the initial draft of the new bingo ordinance to Councilman Joel Montgomery, who led the push to authorize and tax electronic bingo in the city. As a lawyer, Hilliard represents bingo operations in Jefferson and Walker counties.

But it's unclear how many groups might be pursuing a new type of permit that will allow them to operate major gaming centers with 500 machines or more.

That's because they all filled out an application designed before more than one type of permit existed that doesn't give them an option.

The city's list of applicants includes six groups that apparently denoted on their applications that they wanted the new bingo permit. The group operated by Austin's brother is among those six.

For the complete story, please see Thomas Spencer, Jeff Hansen, Groups line up for bingo permits in Birmingham, The Birmingham News, June 21, 2009.

Creating a Program for Your Bingo Fundraiser, Part Two

First-time bingo managers and even some veterans can often be confused or intimidated by creating or making changes to their bingo program. That's why we've created this video series on creating a bingo program.

Below is part two in our three-part series on the basics of creating a bingo program for your bingo fundraiser:





For more information on bingo, please visit our bingo articles section or view our other bingo videos at Wholesale Bingo Supplies.

Creating a Program for Your Bingo Fundraiser, Part 1

Preparing to run a charity bingo can be a daunting task, especially if you've never ran one before. Many first time bingo managers are great at getting volunteers, gathering bingo supplies, and marketing a bingo, but when it comes to creating a program for the players, they have no idea where to begin.

If you're interested in organizing and hosting your own bingo fundraiser, but need to know the basics of getting started with your program, this video may help. It's the first in a three-part series:

Nonprofits Lose Bingo Fight

The following is an excerpt from an article in Mother Jones detailing the recent e-bingo fight between tribal casinos and charity bingos.

"Californians can say goodbye to the electronic bingo machines (better known as e-bingo) in their charitable bingo halls thanks to a ban signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger that takes effect tomorrow. Turns out that bingo isn't just good old-fashioned fun anymore. Instead, it's at the center of a fight between nonprofits and Native American tribes who are all clamoring after bingo's big money.

Federally recognized tribes will still get to operate the machines on their reservation land, but charities will have to shut theirs down. Despite a few upshots for charitable bingo operators in the new law, like an increase on prize caps from $250 to $500 for traditional bingo games, the e-bingo ban still puts them on the losing end because many have come to rely on the machines to keep their business afloat.

Doug Pringle, who operated 80-plus machines out of Sacramento’s North Watt hall for his nonprofit, Disabled Sports USA, worries that he won’t be able to fulfill the terms of his 5-year lease without e-bingo. “Even if we close this building, we’re obligated to about $850,000 in rent over the next 2 years,” he said. “How are we going to replace three-quarters of a million dollars?”

For the complete story, please see Anna McCarthy, California's Charitable E-Bingo Is E-Liminated, Mother Jones, April 10, 2009.