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Bill Aims to Loosen ‘Bingo Laws’

SCRANTON — Sundays can be a busy day when it comes to bingo across Pennsylvania. But there are laws in place to restrict the popular fundraising game from...
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SCRANTON -- Sundays can be a busy day when it comes to bingo across Pennsylvania. But there are laws in place to restrict the popular fundraising game from how often it's played to how much you can make.

Now, some lawmakers are hoping to change that and help bingo compete with the big casinos.

Once a month, a crowd gathers in the basement of the St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Scranton for 50/50 bingo. As Sharon Monahan knows, bingo fundraising can get a little tricky. There are strict limits on how much you can win in cash and in prizes. Not to mention, there is a cap on how often you can hold bingo.

"A lot of the people are going to the casinos," Monahan added. "They enjoy them more and they're making more money and they can win more money."

"I guess that's where most of the action is entertainment wise and such," said Andy Anthony of Clarks Summit.

"I guess people like slots and everything else," said Helen Marie Olecki of Scranton. "There's cards, bigger payouts and everything."

But a new bill, that just passed the House Gaming Oversight Committee is intended to help level the playing field by doubling the payouts for bingo.

The bill still needs to go before the General Assembly, but if it does pass, it would allow places like this church to be able to have bingo whenever they want, instead of the current restriction of twice a week.

Some we spoke with fear that could lead to bingo in the big casinos while others are optimistic that the game could be a saving grace.

"Especially for organizations like ourselves that are churches that are fighting to stay open," Monahan added.

The bill is awaiting a vote in Harrisburg.

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