Arizona agencies contend with local veterans over illegal bingo machines
Veterans alleged that agencies are conducting raids and harassing organizations.
Veterans’ groups in Arizona have claimed that state agencies are “unfairly cracking down on electronic bingo cards,” according to a local report in the AZ Mirror.
During a recent news conference, members from both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, along with Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli alleged that “the departments of Revenue, Gaming, and Liquor are conducting raids and harassing organizations for their use of bingo technological aids.”
Borrelli addressed those attending the conference and said alleged that a September 1 letter sent by the departments was “threatening to criminally prosecute the organizations that host bingo,” according to the local news report.
He elaborated further by saying, “Their gaming agents have been going into these nonprofit organizations, heavy handed, flashing badges, freaking out bartenders with criminal prosecution and intimidation, and it’s ridiculous.”
However, agencies around the state pushed back, saying their agents are “only conducting inspections to prevent the use of illegal bingo machines.” They further claimed that the purpose of the letter was to insist that venues are following the current laws on the books.
The letter addressed venues with liquor licenses and said if those locations “knowingly allow illegal bingo machines on their premises, their liquor licenses could be revoked.”
Though bingo is legal around the state, Arizona outlawed bingo technological aids (BTAs) in 2017. These device were designed to aid bingo players with disabilities.
Legal bingo play in Arizona is regulated by the Department of Revenue.
In other state news, the Arizona Department of Gaming will issue three new event wagering licenses, according to a local report in Azcentral. One Arizona Tribe and two state sports franchises will receive licensing once the application process is completed.
The state currently has issued 20 licenses that are split between 10 Tribes and 10 sports teams. Eight of those licenses were awarded to local sports teams.
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