City Acts on Bingo Smoking Ban

In an attempt to help a nonprofit group halt an exodus from its fund-raising bingo games, the city is looking into whether it can bypass state legislation banning smoking in indoor public places.

City Atty. Gregory Diaz said a youth percussion group called the Kingsmen stands a chance at reinstating smoking in their bingo hall because volunteers run the games. The legislation protects paid employees, not necessarily volunteers, he said.

“There’s a wide variety of opinions on what an employee is,” Diaz said. “We need to look at the facts of this particular organization.”

The City Council on Tuesday directed Diaz to investigate the law after Kingsmen Executive Director Richard Olivero complained the ban has reduced income from bingo. Many ardent players have stopped coming to the Kingsmen hall, instead journeying to Native American casinos in places like Palm Springs where the stakes are higher and smoking is allowed, he said.

“Where there are gamblers, there are smokers,” Olivero said. Without the option of smoking, gamblers go elsewhere, he said.

The council last October authorized the Kingsmen to offer bingo an extra night a week in part because Olivero pledged $1,000 per week for Stanton charities. Olivero said a single night traditionally yields about $1,400 and he intended the leftover funds for the percussion group’s activities.

But bingo profits are down this year, making it impossible to keep that promise, Olivero said. He reported the group has averaged $20,000 per month this year with bingo four nights a week compared to $36,000 per month last year with one less night.

Although the smoking ban officially took effect in January 1998, the Kingsmen didn’t begin enforcing it until March 1999 when Olivero received a ticket. The Kingsmen games have gradually lost players since then, he said.

Olivero said he would like to open up one of the two Kingsmen rooms for smoking. But if that isn’t an option, the Kingsmen will reassess after one more month. If profits haven’t improved, Olivera said he’ll return to a thrice-weekly game and forgo giving the city $1,000.

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988.