Bingo Operators Fear Effects of City-Sponsored Games

Some nonprofit groups fear they will be losers if the city of South Gate enters the bingo game.

City officials are negotiating with the Oldtimers Foundation to open a bingo parlor at 5645 Firestone Blvd. The foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides meals, recreational programs, transportation and other services to senior citizens, has run small weekly bingo games for 14 years.

A recent proposal that would team the foundation and the city as bingo partners in a daily game could threaten the existence of games run as fund-raisers by churches, schools and other organizations, said Richard Tyle, manager of American Legion Post No. 335, which has also hosted a weekly bingo game for 14 years.

“We have no doubts it would close us up,” Tyle said. Proceeds from American Legion bingo games fund special programs at South Gate High School, the Police Department and other organizations, he said.

The Oldtimers Foundation bingo parlor has been under discussion for several months, but it has yet to be formally considered by two newly elected council members. Officials said the Oldtimers Foundation’s proposal, one of two submitted to the city, is being considered because of its longtime operations in South Gate.

New Councilman Henry C. Gonzalez said many groups raised the bingo parlor as a concern during his recent election campaign. With new members on the council, the proposal is not a “done deal,” Gonzalez said.

“I have real mixed feelings,” he said. “It’s been kept awful quiet. I want to ask for a public hearing to get input from the community before I would vote on it.”

The bingo venture could garner up to 50% of the parlor’s net income for the city, all but 1% of which would be funneled to local charitable organizations.

City Manager Todd W. Argow said the proposal is attractive because it would raise revenue without raising taxes.

“There has been some discussion that it could be a good source of revenue, perhaps over $1 million a year,” Argow said. The income would also benefit charities, in addition to the Oldtimers Foundation, he said.

Groups such as the American Legion fear they will be left out of the winner’s circle.

“Bingo is about the only way to raise money,” Tyle said. “I guess the city is in the same shape as all the service clubs and I guess the city comes first. But I would definitely go up there and fight it.”

But George Cole, executive director of the Oldtimers Foundation, said that his group will cooperate with other nonprofit groups to ensure that there will be no loss of revenue.

“We will guarantee that money flows to those organizations no matter what happens,” he said.