Bingo: Senate supports video bingo limit
State legislation that would cut off the expansion of video bingo machines that resemble video poker or slot machines was approved Wednesday in Senate.
But it was first loaded up with amendments to the point that it would eventually ban video bingo machines altogether in parishes where video poker already is illegal.
Another amendment would regulate charitable organizations using video bingo machines similar to casinos under the purview of the Louisiana State Police.
State Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, who handled House Bill 280 in the Senate, argued that packing on amendments could kill the legislation. Martiny has sought to curtail video bingo machines resembling slot machines since they began spreading five years ago.
"I believe most of the amendments put on that bill were for that (video bingo) industry," Martiny said of the method of amending a bill to decrease its chance of passage.
Critics allege the legislation would hurt charities that rely on video bingo for fundraising.
Certain video bingo machines are simply a sneaky expansion of gambling without a public vote, Martiny said.
Video bingo machines resembling slot machines are an extension of the gambling industry that no one ever intended to exist, Martiny said.
HB280 says there can be no new video bingo machines after Aug. 15 with features that simulate slot reels or card games.
Martiny, who denied accusations that he is fighting video bingo to help support the opposing video poker industry, chided legislators who voted for the amendments.
State Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, a gambling critic, pushed the amendment to outlaw video bingo by 2010 in parishes where video poker is banned.
Noting that 80 percent of all video bingo in Louisiana exists in such parishes, Martiny said he is not trying to outlaw video bingo, just those machines posing as slot machines.
State Sen. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, then added the amendment to put video bingo under the State Police.
LaFleur said it is common sense for all the machines to be regulated similarly.
Martiny complained that LaFleur was just trying to bog down the legislation so it would fail, which is just what the video bingo supporters want.
LaFleur's amendment passed 21-13.
Martiny said video bingo machines have grown from fewer than 300 in 2005 to more than 1,000 today. Because video bingo is not classified as gambling, people 18 and older can play, rather than the 21 age minimum for gambling.
Written by Jordan Blum
www.2theadvocate.com
