Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 10, 1994 TAG: 9405100159
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The ordinance also requires that the bingo sponsors maintain a three-year average of 8 percent donated to charity.
The new rules go into effect Oct. 1. Any groups that fail to meet these requirements will lose their bingo licenses.
Last year, bingo sponsors generally averaged a charitable contribution of about 4 percent. For example, the Blue Ridge Council of the Blind gave 3.1 percent, the Knights of Columbus gave 8.8 percent and the Veterans of Foreign Wars gave 1.5 percent.
John Keyser of the the VFW explained that most revenues from bingo - perhaps 95 percent - must go back to the players as prizes.
If the sponsors cut into the prizes, he said, then the crowds will go elsewhere. "We don't give away any more in prizes than we have to," Keyser said. "But we have to give away an appealing amount."
After prizes, more money must go toward renting the bingo halls and equipment, Keyser said.
The General Assembly passed a law this winter requiring that local governments set minimum charitable contributions for bingo sponsors. Roanoke County has set a 12.5 percent minimum.
In other matters Monday, City Council:
nGave a final OK to a $136.8 million budget for the 12 months starting July 1. It represents a $7 million increase - 5.4 percent - from the current budget year.
nHeard a plea from the city Planning Commission for more staffers in the planning office.
Planning Commission Chairman Charles Price said the office needs more help so it can make sure it is on top of emerging problems and can properly enforce existing ordinances.
by CNB