NCJ Number
83530
Date Published
1982
Length
127 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings and recommendations of the Illinois Legislative Investigating Commission regarding the operations of legal bingo games in the State.
Abstract
During the 4-month investigation, commission members visited bingo establishments in the Chicago and East St. Louis areas, spoke with bingo game operators and workers, played bingo in several locations, and reviewed relevant documents from the Department of Revenue and several law enforcement agencies. In addition, other States' statutes and regulations with regard to legalized bingo were evaluated. The commission discovered that the majority of State bingo licensees are legitimate and run their games legally. However, a significant number of licensees do not conform to the dictates of the Bingo Act. The commission found some groups whose eligibility for a license is questionable, some groups which do not use bingo proceeds in acceptable ways, and some which have violated the Bingo Act with regard to actual play. The widest variety of abuses were detected in the large bingo halls. The commission also discovered the presence of organized crime and other criminal involvement in the bingo palaces. The Department of Revenue is primarily responsible for the State's bingo problems. The bingo situation has gone beyond what the legislature intended when it legalized the game in 1971, due mainly to the presence of bingo palaces, questionably qualified licensees, and monopolization of the bingo dollar by certain groups. Curtailment of large palace operations and stricter licensing and enforcement procedures are recommended. Reference notes and photographs are provided. State bingo laws and information on bingo prizes and multiplay sites are appended. (Author summary modified)