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California bingo expansion bill shelved15 April 2008SACRAMENTO, California -- As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune: "A bingo-expansion bill backed by the Catholic Church and other charities has been shelved in the face of stiff opposition from California's powerful gaming tribes. "Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, canceled a public hearing set for today on a measure to allow churches, charities and nonprofits to run interconnected games that could offer prizes well above the current $250 limit. "Cedillo said he has not given up on the legislation, SB 1328, and will take time to meet with Indian tribal leaders in an effort to allay their concerns. "The move clears the field for a showdown next week over another bingo bill that gaming tribes like even less. That measure, SB 1626, would legalize electronic bingo machines similar to slot machines for charities. The bill is being carried by the Senate's leader-elect, Democrat Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento. "...Tribes have warned that hundreds of bingo machines operating in Sacramento County and elsewhere violate Indian casinos' guaranteed monopoly on slots and other electronic-gaming devices. A breach of the guarantee could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year. "But Catholic parishes, charities and nonprofits say bingo revenue has dropped off sharply as Indian casinos and the state lottery have flourished..." |