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Electronic bingo machines at charitable bingo parlors are being called a direct threat by the tribal casinos of California.  That may sound strange but according to tribes the bingo terminals are more like slot machines than anything else.  Tribes warn the state of California risks losing out on tens of millions in tribal casino revenues if the charitable “slot machines” are not shut down.

California has heard the warning.  At the beginning of this year a new law went into effect intended to ban the electronic bingo terminals for being too much like casino-style slot machines in nature.  Unfortunately a court injunction has allowed several bingo parlors to continue operating the bingo machines.  The injunction has left both state and county authorities powerless.

Two federal court cases are scheduled this week that will hopefully put the whole issue to rest.  Bingo parlors and charity groups will be defending their bingo machines against state regulators and bingo machine manufacturers that believe the games are slot machines in disguise.

Although the state is making efforts to finally put an end to the dilemma, tribal casino operators are losing patience as day after day their slot machines lose potential revenue to these machines.  The tribes are in no way involved in the current litigation and most stand by helplessly hoping for a positive outcome. 

As a show of dissatisfaction with the lengthy legal process, the United Auburn Indian Community has threatened to withhold millions of dollars in revenue-sharing payments to the state of California if law enforcement failed to close down the remaining bingo machines. 

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