California tribes seek to ban slot-like bingo machines8/28/2008, Los Angeles Times
SACRAMENTO -- Rich, politically powerful Indian tribes are pushingCalifornia legislators to outlaw some casino competition: slot-like bingo machines that generate millions of dollars for high school sports teams, the blind and disabled. The Assembly on Wednesday voted 56 to 3 to ban the electronic machines, which tribes say violate their exclusive right to operate slot machines in California. The Senate is expected to pass the measure soon. The proposed ban was written only two weeks ago -- months after the deadline for introducing legislation. State Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) gutted a bill about school lunches and inserted the bingo measure. Few interest groups could pull off such a coup in the waning days of the legislative session, which ends at midnight Sunday. But the tribes are among the biggest political donors to state lawmakers. 

Bingo compromise OK'd in Assembly8/28/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
SACRAMENTO - A bill that would outlaw nontribal electronic bingo machines while permitting a major expansion of paper versions of the game passed the Assembly yesterday on a 56-3 vote. The legislation backed by the Catholic Church and the state's Indian gaming tribes was sent to the Senate. Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, said the measure, SB 1369, settles a debate about the legality of bingo machines while providing a viable, alternative means of fundraising for charities and nonprofits. The bill would allow the church and charities to operate what some are calling "megabingo," games connected through audio and video links to potentially hundreds of locations.

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