Elks’ Request Sparked New Law : Bingo: It Passes in City of Orange

Assured that the games can be policed, the Orange City Council voted Tuesday to allow nonprofit groups to conduct bingo games.

The city began studying the bingo situation after the Elks Lodge requested an operating permit in October. Several Orange County cities have authorized operation of the game since state law was amended 10 years ago to allow bingo. City Manager J. William Little said the council took action only after getting input from several local charitable groups and school organizations and a study by the Orange Police Department.

That study, conducted by Sgt. Trey Sirks, concluded that problems with unscrupulous operators who might skim profits from the games can be avoided by strong local ordinances and continual monitoring of the bingo operators. Sirks cited the city of San Diego, where about 60 different bingo games annually gross about $19 million. San Diego police say that they have few violations and that “organized crime is not a problem,” he said.

Orange’s ordinance, which will take effect in 30 days, includes requirements that local groups involved in bingo must have been in existence for at least three years, have a specific location for the games and submit to a police investigation of the operator. The maximum prize would be $250.

Elks Lodge spokesman Chuck See said his group estimates revenues from bingo at $40,000 to $60,000 a year and added that profits would go toward such causes as Meals on Wheels and anti-drug abuse programs.

Little noted that the bingo games are no longer viewed as a major form of legalized gambling when compared to the state lottery. “This is almost a penny-ante game,” he said.