Electronic Bingo Machine Restrictions Tighten In Houston County

Bingo halls are yesteryear's casinos. With the casino industry booming around the United States, it is the bingo halls that have experienced the worst fallout.

In Houston County, the government has made it even more difficult to open a bingo hall. They have designed three major changes in regards to charitable bingo halls in the county. None of which are good for the bingo hall operators.

The first change would require a $200 million investment for anyone who is looking to open the bingo hall. That would ensure that the people are actually serious about their investment.

The second change is that the bingo hall would have to be opened with the intentions of economic development. This one is not necessarily the biggest change since most bingo halls are opened for economic development.

The last change is the one that could have potential bingo halls in a pickle. Every year, the bingo hall must pay $1,000 for every electronic bingo machine. This change will keep machines at a minimum in these halls.

"We've seen counties where you've got small electronic bingo establishments all over the county, that is just not a situation that we believe citizens of Houston County want, it's not a situation this commission wants. We felt like our law wanted electronic bingo, and all we can do is regulate it," said Houston County Commission Chairman, Mark Culver.

September 22, 2008
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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