PENNSYLVANIA Officials to revisit state bingo law

Some stores have let senior citizens play for free.
HARRISBURG (AP) -- A growing number of legislators and residents are questioning whether Pennsylvania's bingo law -- which says only eligible nonprofit groups can get licenses to run the game -- hurts seniors more than it prevents organized crime.
A child of the Depression that grew into a widely popular way for nonprofits to raise money, bingo was first regulated by the state in 1981 to curb crime and racketeering from underground lotteries.
Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield, introduced a bill Thursday that would allow more groups to sponsor the game, making it more accessible.
How it came about
The issue came up after a prosecutor in Lebanon County last year questioned why Wal-Mart, a for-profit company, was sponsoring free bingo games, giving away items such as paper towels and toilet paper as prizes.
Last fall, a similar bingo-law overhaul was defeated 106-96, but George says he has more support this year. "I think it's something that people really want," he said.
Among other things, the bill would allow retailers such as Wal-Mart to sponsor bingo for senior citizens -- something only certain nonprofits such as fire halls and churches can do now.
Wal-Mart stopped the games at stores throughout Pennsylvania, though Tom Williams, a spokesman for the Arkansas-based retailer, said the games had been innocent fun.
He said the games are conducted at stores in several states, but that since the company doesn't sponsor them, it doesn't officially track them.
One official's quest
H. Scott Conklin, chairman of the Centre County Board of Commissioners, has pushed to have Pennsylvania's bingo law relaxed, because he said the restrictions prevent many senior citizens from being able to play the game.
Dozens of upset seniors called him last year because the games at nearby Wal-Marts were canceled when prosecutors raised concerns. Conklin said he supports efforts to reform the law, but doesn't know if they will work.
This year, as Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to bring slot machines to race tracks and other areas in Pennsylvania appears to be gaining support, Conklin said he thinks it's a shame the bingo games had to be stopped.
While churches, fire companies and other nonprofit organizations can apply for bingo licenses, George said it's simply not enough to satisfy the needs of seniors, many of whom aren't able to travel far and need more places to play.
Player's reaction
Alberta Wagner, a retired widow from Centre Hall who wants to see the bingo law eased, said she knows that as well as anyone. Since Wal-Mart had to stop allowing the bingo games, she said she's had to give up her favorite pastime and her social life has come nearly to a halt.
While there are other places to play, they charge between $30 to $40 to play, Wagner said. Only companies such as Wal-Mart could afford to sponsor games where seniors could play for free.
"The people just miss it so much," Wagner said of the old weekly bingo games. "I know it changed my life. You don't even get to see the people."