The Battle Over Bingo in California

There’s a battle brewing in California over an attempt to expand charitable bingo in that state. A state bill that would increase prize limits beyond $250 is backed by the Catholic Church and various charities and nonprofits.

But the bill, SB 1238, along with another bill (SB 1626) set for a state senate hearing next week that would authorize electronic bingo machines for charities, has run into significant opposition from gaming tribes. Gaming tribes assert that bingo machines are illegal under state law, and also, that electronic bingo machines would violate tribes’ exclusive right to operate electronic games, as codified in tribal-state compacts.

Bingo battles aren’t just in palaces anymore.

For more in the San Diego Union-Tribune, click here.