Originally Posted By Darkbeer Just read this editorial.. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-bingo15-2008sep15,0,5983288.story" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/news/op...88.story</a> >>When charities went up against casino-owning Indian tribes in Sacramento recently, they got schooled in who wields the real political power. The outcome raises serious questions about whether Californians meant to forever guarantee tribes that there would be no meaningful competition to their gambling operations. A bill by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to allow nonprofit fundraisers to install electronic bingo machines was dropped right after tribes went to work against it, protesting that it would violate a pact with the state giving them the sole right to slot machines. Then, in the waning days of the legislative session, Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) gutted a bill on school lunches and amended it to specifically forbid anyone besides the tribes from owning gambling machines.<< YIKES, why rush this thing, let the process work correctly. If the Charities are allowed by law to have these machines, let them have it. I would much rather see the money go to charity than to the Indian Casinos, which make a lot of money already.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP gambling sucks, all the way around... I can't deny it's raised some money for some worthy causes, but in my opinion those goods don't out weight the negatives.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I totally agree with #2. Let the Indians have their casinos -- the long term negatives outweigh the short-term benefits. There are a lot better and more productive ways to raise revenues -- for the public sector and non-profits, in particular.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.redcounty.com/sac/2008/09/note-to-the-governor-veto-sb-1/" target="_blank">http://www.redcounty.com/sac/2...to-sb-1/</a> >>The casino Indian tribes are the single most powerful special interest group in the state. And apparently, they absurdly see charity electronic bingo as a threat, and are using the power of government to shut down that hallucinatory threat. By banning electronic bingo, countless small charities that serve the blind, children with disabilities, veterans, schools and hundreds more will lose millions of dollars that fund critical programs. It's shameful to watch the casino Indians -- who are experts at playing on latent guilt over past mistreratment of Indians, and present a gentle, soft-spoken public image via spokesmen like Mark Maccarro -- acting like syndicate thugs. Beyond the bullying, there are gaming experts who'vee concluded SB 1369 will allow gaming Tribes to offer casino games such as poker and blackjack via the internet, creating the largest expansion of gaming in history. While tribal interests vehemently deny this, the public may never know its real and far reaching impact because the bill was never properly vetted before the public. In 2003, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed to veto any bill that was not fully vetted before committees in both chambers of the State Legislature. No other bill before the Governor is more deserving of being the occasion for the Governor to keep that pledge. Californians deserve greater government accountability and transparency. SB 1369 is the opposite, and cries out for a veto. <<
Originally Posted By Mr X ***gambling sucks, all the way around... I can't deny it's raised some money for some worthy causes, but in my opinion those goods don't out weight the negatives.*** You have a problem with small church or non-profit organized bingo nights?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I still remember a bumper sticker from the 70's from California when I lived there are it was on the ballot: "Legalize bingo. Keep Grandma off the streets."
