Arkansas Voters Approve Bingo Fund-Raising Events

Arkansas voters this week passed a ballot measure that legalizes charitable bingo and raffles, reports the Associated Baptist Press.

The measure, which was approved by 69 percent of voters, allows nonprofit organizations to raise money through bingo and raffles, and lifts a previous state ban on such games.

The ruling restricts bingo and raffles to civic, educational, religious, and veterans’ groups that have existed at least five years, and proceeds from the games must go to philanthropic causes.

The measure drew heavy opposition from some religious leaders.

Baptist leaders had unanimously passed a resolution urging Baptists to reject the ballot provision. “If there is lax law enforcement of the restrictions on the operations of charitable bingo, large commercial bingo could be conducted…under the guise of charitable bingo,” the resolution said, adding that the measure could lead to casino-like “high-stakes Native American bingo parlors.”

Rep. Shirley Borhauer, who sponsored the ballot measure, told reporters that the measure was worded narrowly enough to stop for-profit groups from exploiting it. “This is not going to open the door to casino gambling,” Ms. Borhauer said. “You can’t come down here and open up a storefront and say, ‘I think I am going to open up a bingo hall for my own financial gain.’”