Charities urge county to examine game rooms after bingo revenue falls; commissioners agree to put ordinance on future agenda

Representatives of charitable bingo halls and education foundations told the commissioners on Jan. 26 they are seeing large revenue declines and urged the court to examine regulations for commercial game rooms.

"We used to have the money coming in and it really did help us a lot," the bingo representative told the court, adding that charities have relied on those distributions to provide scholarships, uniforms and youth programs. Another speaker said she had prepared quarterly reports that itemize receipts and distributions and asked the court to require similar reporting from game rooms so the county and city could see where money is going.

Commissioner discussion focused on next steps and jurisdictional responsibilities. One commissioner asked Sheriff Hooper to present a potential ordinance or permitting scheme to a future court meeting; another suggested placing the topic on the Feb. 26 agenda and asked that the sheriff attend to explain any recommended measures and enforcement options.

Court staff and the county attorney said they had previously discussed regulatory models from other counties and invited the sheriff and the county attorney to return with a formal proposal. Commissioners emphasized the need for a transparent permitting process if one is to be pursued, and one commissioner requested the sheriff's participation to ensure the enforcement implications are understood.

Next steps: the court directed staff to place a game-room permitting discussion on a future agenda (Feb. 23/26 was discussed) and to invite the sheriff and county attorney to present available ordinance models and enforcement considerations so the court can weigh options.

Representative quote: "We ask that the game rooms be accountable in the same manner so that we can help each one of the charities that we are representative."