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Prosecutor warns about illegal bingo halls |
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Thursday, 17 July 2008 |
Officials: Only licensed charities can operate bingo, raffles
Any business or organizations offering illegal bingo and raffles could be subject to legal action, Saline County officials warned this week.
“Bingo and raffles are legal activities for charitable organizations that have obtained their licenses from the Department of Finance and Administration’s Miscellaneous Tax Section,” Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady said.
“While charitable bingo and raffles were legalized last year some business owners are drawing attention from local law enforcement for operating outside of the rules.”
The state Legislature enacted a law in July 2007 that allows charitable organizations to legally offer charitable bingo games and raffles to raise funds and/or donations.
Voters originally rejected charitable bingo laws that also allowed for casinos and lotteries, but in 2007, casinos and lotteries were left off the ballot. The 85th General Assembly approved laws concerning the licensing, regulation and taxation of bingo and raffles.
Under the rules for the games, groups may apply for an annual license to operate bingo or raffles or they may apply for a temporary license to conduct one raffle or bingo game per year.
The state collects revenue from the sale of bingo equipment to cover the cost of regulation and the charities are entitled to keep all proceeds after paying the winners.
Following are nonprofit organizations licensed to offer bingos and raffles in Saline County:
Arkansas School Nurses Association in Alexander, Boys and Girls Club of Saline County in Benton, Club Rosetter of Benton, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2256, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Saline County Moose Lodge 2567, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Saline County, Most Worshipful Scottish Rite Grand Lodge, Bauxite Historical Association & Museum Inc. and Royal Players of Benton.
Casady said there are instances in the county where these activities are being held by organizations without licenses. He said “arcades” that have incorporated bingo and raffles are not charitable organizations.
“It is unfair for these large scale operations such as game rooms to conduct illegal bingo and raffles,”Casady said, “when there are numerous charitable organizations that went through the trouble of obtaining the $100 or $25 license to legally operate these games for the benefit of their charities.”
He said game rooms or other businesses where cash is paid, or where games exist that don’t otherwise conform to the law, are subjecting themselves up to misdemeanor and possible felony charges.
Machines that offer a chance to win money by dropping money into the machine, commonly referred to as “quarter pushers,” also are illegal. Owners and operators of businesses might be held criminally liable for the presence and operation of such machines, Casady said.
“Many businesses have gotten bad advice from out of state vendors about what is legal,” he said. “In case anyone was confused by last year’s change in the law that effected games for charitable purposes, Myself and local law enforcement want to give folks a chance to get rid of machines that they might not have known were illegal. They can cease the illegal activity before any law enforcement action is taken.”
Casady said any organization or business may contact his office to make sure they are operating legally. He also said he can advise organizations on the proper channels to obtain a legal license.
“It is a simple and cheap process,” the prosecutor said. “However, if your organization is not charitable, gaming for money is still illegal here as it is in everywhere in Arkansas except Oaklawn and Southland racing parks.”
For information, call the prosecutor’s office at 315-7767.
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