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The Lansing Town Board passed a law Wednesday to require permits for Bingo and other games of chance.  The law updates a 1958 town law that is no longer in compliance with New York State law.  It will require charitable groups to obtain a permit before conducting fifty-fifties and other raffles, Bingo, and other legal games of chance.

"It will change the flavor of games of chance," said Councilwoman Andra Benson.  "Not so much Bingo, because that's pretty set.  The little raffles, the fifty-fifties that are all over town, whether its at the schools, the churches, or the community center.  It tracks them.  You have to ask for a permit and you have to comply.  People may be a little upset, but this is a state law that we have to follow."

The law was passed 5/0, but will not go into effect until after the November election, when it is required to be put on the ballot.  It is a mechanism for making some games of chance legal, which means if it is voted down all games of chance that are typically held by organizations like the Lion's Club and Rotary Club, scouts, church and school groups and the Lansing Community Council would be illegal.

"This is something that we have to do," said Supervisor Kathy Miller.  "We have to follow state laws, and that's why we're doing this."

"We have not amplified the state law," said Councilwoman Ruth Hopkins.  "We're doing just what's required."

Lansing Town Attorney Guy Krogh said some of the permits remain good for a year, so the impact won't be as widespread as some people may fear, but it also won't be as convenient to hold raffles, and other charitable games of chance as it has been up until now. 

"There are two types of games in New York: one is games of chance, which are legal if they are regulated by the Wagering and Gaming Board," Krogh said.  "The other are called contests of chance, which are illegal gambling under the penal law.  You're going to be in one of those two categories, and it's really important to be in the legal one."

Miller said enforcement of the law started after the 9/11 attack on New York City, because of the fear that proceeds from games might be diverted to terrorists.

"Come into the Town, talk to (Town Clerk Debbie Crandall)," she said.  "She knows all about this and she'll make it really easy. You'll be legal and everything will be great.  So make it easy on yourself... just come in and get a permit."

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