Dec 10, 2009 6:23 pm US/Pacific
Electronic Bingo Ban May Hurt Local HS Activities
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Electronic bingo machines bring in big bucks to local charities and schools. Last year, it raised around $150,000 for El Camino High School. But that's about to change.
From the football team to the band, these activities are funded in large by electronic bingo machines.
"Its tenfold what we were raising on paper bingo," says Topo Padilla.
Athletic Booster Club President, Topo Padilla, says it raises 90 percent of the funds pouring into El Camino High School in Sacramento.
"And all those activities are going to suffer, because the money that we supplement in which the school district can not take care of, but we as parents are out here raising the funds," says Padilla.
But yesterday, a federal appeals court gave the go-ahead for enforcement of a ban on electronic bingo machines in California.
Attorney Greg Peterson represents the booster clubs – he's been apart of the fight since the beginning, which dates back to May last year.
"It's been a significant legal battle and the fees have been commensurate with that," says Peterson.
He estimates from both sides – the fees stack up in the six figure range, maybe even more than bingo brings in.
Indian tribes say they're the only ones who can operate slot machines. Charities argue their customers are really playing bingo, even though it looks like a slot machine. But, the judges aren't buying it.
Now its game over for electronic bingo, at least until this case goes to trial.
"It's devastating to the kids in this community and throughout the state of California," says Padilla.
A trial is also scheduled in federal court in August to decide the legal issue of whether it is legal to use the electronic bingo machines.
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