
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 24, 1990                   TAG: 9005240522
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A16   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AUDITS

BINGO, usually played in unglamorous smoke-filled rooms, has quietly become a big business in Roanoke. The city's move to make game operators more accountable comes not a moment too soon. Additional restrictions will help ensure that the city has legitimate operations.

Perhaps there is no mismanagement now that needs correcting, but there have been allegations of abuse. A group called Concerned Citizens complained last year that bingo operators sometimes falsely claimed to represent charitable organizations, then pocketed the game proceeds.

As it now stands, if such practices are occurring, the city might not be able to uncover them. The current law doesn't give police enough authority to enable them to investigate bingo operations, according to Chief David Hooper.

The state law allows bingo games to be conducted only for charitable purposes. If the letter of the law hasn't been broken frequently, its spirit hasn't exactly been honored.

During the past 16 months, Roanoke bingo operators reported receipts of $4.7 million. But expenses and payouts reportedly totaled $4.3 million. The sponsoring charities and non-profit organizations got only $400,000.

That's not much of a prize, and state law ought to be amended to designate a larger percentage of the take for charity.

Last month, two operators of a Williamson Road bingo parlor were charged with violating the city regulations. They were accused of exceeding the $1,000 daily limit on jackpots. The charges were brought by a competitor, not police.

City officials had characterized the court hearing as a "warning shot" intended to show bingo operators that violations will be prosecuted. But it's doubtful that anybody was shaken up. The judge "punished" the two operators by taking their cases under advisement.

The new regulations, however, might shake up a few people. For instance, one proposal is for the city to hire an auditor to inspect bingo operations. Another would authorize the city to revoke permits if violations occur.

City Council could approve the new regulations as early as next week. The stricter rules ought to be put into effect as soon as possible, say in the time it takes to get five across.

by CNB