Aug 28, 2008 7:34 pm US/Pacific
CA Assembly Approves Charity Electronic Bingo Ban
SACRAMENTO (AP) ―
The California Assembly has voted to ban charities from using electronic bingo games to raise money.
The Assembly approved a bill Wednesday by Sen. Gil Cedillo, a Los Angeles Democrat, that would prohibit the electronic games. At the same time, it would allow school groups, senior citizen organizations and certain other nonprofits to use so-called remote-caller bingo to raise money.
Remote-caller bingo involves use of audio or video equipment to conduct simultaneous bingo games at multiple locations.
Indian tribes contend that electronic bingo violates agreements with the state that give them exclusive use of slot machines.
Supporters of the Cedillo bill say failure to ban electronic bingo could cost the state millions of dollars in revenue from the Indian casinos.
The Assembly's 56-3 vote sent the bill to the Senate for consideration of Assembly amendments.
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