Court Ruling Devastates California Charities
Limits Access For The Disabled
SACRAMENTO, December 9, 2009 -The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a devastating blow to hundreds of charities and Californians with disabilities Wednesday by overturning a preliminary injunction that allowed non-profits to operate electronic bingo machines until a full court trial ultimately determines their fate.
The three-judge panel ruling will destroy charities that rely on electronic bingo for critical funding, while limiting the ability of Californians with disabilities to participate in bingo games.
“This court order is a devastating blow,” said Joe Gomez, President of California Charity Bingo Association, (CCBA). “It will impact hundreds of charities and destroy programs that assist thousands of Californians every day. Charity bingo funding helps students succeed in school, feeds hungry families, protects vulnerable seniors and provides essential support services to Californians with disabilities.
“The decision couldn’t come at a worse time. It will cut off funding to vital services that are needed now more than ever,” Gomez said.
This critical fundraising source was put in jeopardy last year when the legislature rushed through special interest legislation in just 11-days seeking to ban electronic bingo games. Charities and disability advocates immediately challenged the law in federal court, arguing the electronic bingo machines are necessary tools to ensure players with disabilities have equal access to bingo games. Sacramento Federal District Court Judge John Mendez sided with the charities by granting a preliminary injunction in April 2009, which allowed charities to continue operating electronic machines until a full trial is held on the issue. That trial is still scheduled for August 2010.
California Bingo Background
California voters amended the State Constitution in 1976 to legalize bingo games for charitable purposes. Since then, bingo has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for important charities across California, helping thousands of students, athletes, homeless children, seniors, veterans and the disabled.
In recent years, traditional paper bingo evolved to include handset machines and electronic bingo games. The modern devices still maintain the core characteristics of traditional paper bingo but also provide Californians with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy a game they would otherwise be unable to play.
Electronic Bingo in Jeopardy
Despite all the benefits of electronic bingo, special interest groups pushed to abolish games used for charitable purposes. In what was described as a “back room deal,” powerful special interests convinced lawmakers to pass SB 1369 in just 11-days. Although the bill was heavily criticized in the media as a “special interest” measure, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger later signed the bill into law.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California will eventually decide the future of electronic bingo, ruling on whether SB 1369 violates the “Americans with Disabilities Act,” a civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination against Americans with disabilities.
California Charity Bingo Association
California Charity Bingo Association (CCBA) is a non-profit organization representing community-based charities, volunteers, bingo halls, and vendors. CCBA’s mission is to preserve and promote fun and successful bingo games that provide desperately needed funding to dozens of important charities throughout California.
Contact:
| R&K Grayling Communications (916) 444-3057 media@rkgrayling.com |
Joe Gomez, President California Charity Bingo Association Contact |
| Greg Peterson, Attorney Contact |
