Aug 29, 2008 5:43 pm US/Pacific
Calif. Senate Approves Ban On Electronic Bingo
SACRAMENTO (AP) ―
A bill that would prohibit charities from using electronic bingo games has been approved by the state Legislature.
The compromise by Democratic Sen. Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles prohibits the games, which work like slot machines. But it lets many charities employ so-called remote-caller technology, which uses audio or video equipment to run bingo games at multiple locations simultaneously.
California's attorney general and Indian tribes say electronic bingo violates state agreements that give tribes sole use of slot machines.
Sen. Jim Battin, a Republican from Palm Desert, says failing to ban electronic bingo could prompt the tribes to stop paying the state millions of dollars from their casino revenue.
The Senate approved the bill Friday on a 24-9 vote.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on it.
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