MANCHESTER, Conn.—School groups and others who had stopped holding bingo fundraisers say the charity events are back on track now that a new state law resolves complicated state finance rules.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently signed a bill that lets parent-teacher groups and other organizers run the games if they register annually with state officials and pay a $50 yearly fee.
The legislation, which was approved in the General Assembly session that ended this month, was introduced after East Catholic High School in Manchester was cited last fall for using a money wheel in a fundraising drive.
State officials decided against legal action after determining the school was unaware it was breaking state laws. Those rules required organizers to register with the state Division of Special Revenue, go through background checks and other regulations.
The case prompted Manchester's public school administrators to alert principals and parent-teacher organizations to cancel Thanksgiving-themed bingo events that were just weeks away.
Connecticut state Rep. Ryan Barry, who represents Manchester and co-sponsored the legislation to update the laws, said the previous rules were "just way too onerous."
"It was killing the enthusiasm of the parents in town to put together these activities that are only creating a good social environment for kids and parents," he said.
Bingo has been legal in Connecticut for almost 70 years, but is closely regulated because thousands of dollars can be at stake. The games are popular at churches, social halls and other venues -- and, in many schools, as fundraising events.
The state created a special bingo category for "amusement and recreation" starting in 1988, allowing senior citizen groups to operate games with less oversight. Prizes are capped at $20.
Before the new law was signed, however, other organizers such as school PTO groups were subject to volunteer background checks and lengthy paperwork.
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Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com
