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Bingo: Bingo nonprofits need help
While fundraising from bingo has dipped precipitously in recent years
for churches, charities and nonprofit organizations, Indian casinos
have increased in size and profits.
Seeking to reverse their fortunes, these organizations have formed Charities First, a group supporting legislation from state Sen. Gil Cedillo that would change the old bingo sessions to games electronically linked across the state, enabling bingo to offer prizes that could rise to six-digit payouts to winners.
Today, state law limits prizes offered by churches, charities and nonprofit groups to $250 or less.
Thus, we have the prospect of this legislation finding churches and charities lining up against gaming tribes in the months ahead as Cedillo's bill moves through the legislative process in Sacramento.
Calexico resident and Elks Lodge district chairman Robert Rubio said Tuesday that bingo was the Elks' leading fundraiser 10 years ago, but "Now, it's zero. The biggest reason: Indian casinos. We have about 180 lodges, with some closing and others struggling ... it's difficult to help people when we can't raise enough money to meet the mortgage payment."
Charities First spokesmen have endorsed an amendment to Cedillo's bill that would forgo fancy electronic bingo machines (linked across the state) for simpler, less-complicated audio and video links between bingo locations in simulcasts that are similar to those used in horse races today.
Meanwhile, casino powerhouses are lining up against Cedillo's legislation.
As the economy sours, groups represented by Charities First are feeling the pinch as donors more carefully weigh their philanthropic contributions.
The groups represented by this umbrella organization need help, and Cedillo's modified bill could be one possible remedy to help these groups help others.
With hope, a respected leader such as Rincon Chairman Vernon Wright, who died April 3, will surface within state tribal circles and help find a middle ground that will aid the charities and nonprofits while assuaging the most significant of gaming tribes' concerns.
www.nctimes.com
Seeking to reverse their fortunes, these organizations have formed Charities First, a group supporting legislation from state Sen. Gil Cedillo that would change the old bingo sessions to games electronically linked across the state, enabling bingo to offer prizes that could rise to six-digit payouts to winners.
Today, state law limits prizes offered by churches, charities and nonprofit groups to $250 or less.
Thus, we have the prospect of this legislation finding churches and charities lining up against gaming tribes in the months ahead as Cedillo's bill moves through the legislative process in Sacramento.
Calexico resident and Elks Lodge district chairman Robert Rubio said Tuesday that bingo was the Elks' leading fundraiser 10 years ago, but "Now, it's zero. The biggest reason: Indian casinos. We have about 180 lodges, with some closing and others struggling ... it's difficult to help people when we can't raise enough money to meet the mortgage payment."
Charities First spokesmen have endorsed an amendment to Cedillo's bill that would forgo fancy electronic bingo machines (linked across the state) for simpler, less-complicated audio and video links between bingo locations in simulcasts that are similar to those used in horse races today.
Meanwhile, casino powerhouses are lining up against Cedillo's legislation.
As the economy sours, groups represented by Charities First are feeling the pinch as donors more carefully weigh their philanthropic contributions.
The groups represented by this umbrella organization need help, and Cedillo's modified bill could be one possible remedy to help these groups help others.
With hope, a respected leader such as Rincon Chairman Vernon Wright, who died April 3, will surface within state tribal circles and help find a middle ground that will aid the charities and nonprofits while assuaging the most significant of gaming tribes' concerns.
www.nctimes.com
