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Slots take bite out of bingo

PENNSYLVANIA – As reported by the Pennsylvania Times Leader: "Optimistic gamblers have risked well over $500 million in the slot machines at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs so far this year. Some of that money appears to be coming at the expense of local bingo parlors.

"'It's a major effect,' said Bill McCardle, who has operated Enterprise Bingo on the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Township for eight years. "Our attendance dropped dramatically," from about 90 before the casino opened to 40 or 50 lately.

"As a result, Enterprise has cut back from five nights of operation to three. That hurts McCardle's business and the nonprofit organizations that benefit from the games.

"…McCardle said he has heard the same story from other bingo halls, but some local community bingo operators are holding up so far.

"…In Pennsylvania, bingo and other small games of chance can be run legally only by nonprofit organizations. Many of the games take place in church and social halls; operators like Enterprise rent space to nonprofits whose members are supposed to conduct the games.

"…State Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin County, thinks one way to keep bingo games viable is to raise the jackpots. He has introduced a bill that would take the upper limit to $20,000 from $5,000…"

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