|
Free
Cash
Casino
> News
and Articles
06
June 2008
Charity
Bingo Association Welcomes Court
Decision
A
federal judge has enjoined the
California Attorney General's
office from seizing electronic
Bingo
aids that many charities rely on
to stay in existence.
Federal
Judge John A. Mendez granted an
emergency request for an
injunction filed by United
Cerebral Palsy of Greater
Sacramento, WIND Youth Services,
Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
and two individuals with
disabilities. In addition to
arguing that electronic bingo
aids are legal under state law,
the injunction request also
claimed that banning the aids
conflicts with the Americans with
Disabilities Act because the
technology allows people with
disabilities to overcome barriers
they face if playing strictly on
paper.
"We're
extremely pleased by Judge
Mendez's thoughtful decision.
This ruling maintains the status
quo and allows the charities to
continue with their critically
important fundraising functions
to benefit their individual
causes. It's a great day for
charities, but it's an especially
great day for the millions of
Californians who depend on
charities to lead fulfilling,
independent lives," said Ravi
Mehta, executive director of the
California Charity Bingo
Association (CCBA), which
represents many of the charities
that would be hurt by the state's
action. Mehta also belongs to the
legal team that filed the
injunction request.
By
granting the injunction, Judge
Mendez allows charity bingo
parlors to continue operating
until a court hearing is set to
hear arguments and render a
final, permanent
decision.
Lawyers
representing the state Department
of Justice's Bureau of Gambling
Control had argued that the
electronic aids to bingo are
illegal slot machines. The state
claims that the booklets of paper
bingo cards used with the
electronic bingo aids do not
properly fit their legal
requirement for the use of
"cards" in bingo games. The Judge
disagreed and said he did not
believe they were slot machines.
Agents intended to follow through
on cease and desist orders issued
to charity bingo parlors last
month by seizing electronic bingo
aids starting Friday.
Where
Now?
News
and Articles Index
|
