Gambling concerns cancel bovine bingo
A popular fund-raiser has been dumped by Junior Auxiliary in light of the state’s crackdown on charitable raffles and games of chance.
“It’s going to dampen our budget for the year,” said Kay Conner of the Junior Auxiliary about their now-defunct fund-raiser called Bovine Bingo. “We just couldn’t take the chance given the law.”
The game, which was scheduled for Sept. 18, was to see its third consecutive year as one of the main fund-raisers for Junior Auxiliary which uses the proceeds to help children in the community. The game itself, held in conjunction with the fair, used a large board marked out on the ground and a cow. The winners would be determined by the number on which the cow relieved itself.
“It was obviously a game of luck,” Conner said, noting the fund-raiser usually saw a good turnout and raised significant funds. “While I think everyone understands the law, there’s also a feeling it’s kind of silly and that maybe they should be cracking down on some other things. We haven’t decided what we’re going to do to replace it.”
The cancellation comes after state authorities warned they will be cracking down on organizations which conduct raffles and games of chance without first having the approval of the legislature. Under the new law which brought in the lottery, such games can be legally conducted so long as the organization obtains prior permission. All other raffles, bingo games and/or games of chance are illegal and those conducting them could be prosecuted criminally by the state or face civil action from the state.
In light of the crackdown, Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale said the school administration will abide by its policy that all fund-raising events conducted by schools and their parent organizations allow for a no-purchase-necessary clause where a person may voluntarily make a donation but such a donation is not required in order to enter the drawing for the prize.