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Bingo amendment quietly goes before voters in November Sunday, Sep 3, 2006 By Betsy Turner Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - With the governor's race and others for constitutional offices garnering headlines, the only constitutional amendment on the Nov. 7 general election ballot appears to be headed to voters with little fanfare. Virtually no campaigning has been done for or against the proposal to legalize charity bingo and raffles. The Legislature, authorized to refer up to three proposed constitutional amendment to voters in general election, approved just one during the 2005 regular session for this year's general election. Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1 would allow charitable organizations in existence for at least five years to conduct bingo games and raffles, and would authorize the Legislature to adopt laws concerning the licensure, regulation or taxation of bingo and raffles. The lead sponsor, Rep. Shirley Borhauer, R-Bella Vista, said last week she proposed the constitutional change so nonprofit groups, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or Knights of Columbus, could hold bingo games or raffles without violating the state constitutional ban on lotteries. Borhauer said she did not expect any large organized efforts against the amendment because it narrowly limits who can conduct the two activities. "This is small potatoes," she said. "This is not going to open the door to casinos or lotteries." Borhauer said the only public campaign for the amendment she was aware of was through small local efforts, such as the Knights of Columbus giving away bumper stickers that asked voters to approve the amendment. An August 2006 newsletter on the Arkansas organization's Web site has a message from the state council's community and council director, Charlie Khuel, asking local churches to support the amendment because it allowed organizations to raffle quilts or chances for a car to benefit various causes. "Everyone knows that this (ban on bingo and raffles) has been detrimental to the fundraising efforts in every parish," Khuel said. "Many children receive an enhanced education through the proceeds of these events." District 1 Deputy Larry Lisko of the Knights of Columbus said some councils have sold bumper stickers to support the proposed amendment but the organization has not taken an official stance in support of it. Lisko said he personally supports the measure. "It's just so grandma could play bingo on Saturday afternoon," he said. Jerry Cox, executive director of the conservative Christian-based organization Family Council, said the group opposes any expansion of gambling in Arkansas but does not view Proposed Amendment 1 as spreading gambling. Cox said the organization is studying the measure to make sure it strictly limits the groups allowed to conduct bingo games and raffles. He said he feared non-charitable groups might be able to exploit the proposal to turn a profit. "What I am concerned about is wily business people coming in and finding loopholes in the law," Cox said. Under the proposal, tax-exempt nonprofit organizations would in existence for at least five years immediately prior to holding a bingo or raffle would be eligible. Religious, education, veterans, fraternal, service, civic, medical, volunteer rescue service, volunteer firefighter organizations or volunteer police organizations would qualify. The proposed amendment would require proceeds from a raffle or bingo to be used only for charitable, religious or philanthropic purposes. If approved, the amendment would become law Jan. 1. |
