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Council pauses vote on bingo ordinance after operators warn pull‑tab ban would cripple nonprofits
Summary
Police-backed code changes to tighten bingo licensing and security were introduced; a proposed ban on certain instant-bingo and pull‑tab formats prompted testimony from operators and an attorney who said the games are legal tools for nonprofit fundraising. Council continued the ordinance to Aug. 11 for staff and legal follow-up.
The City Council delayed final action on an amended bingo ordinance after hearing sharp disagreement over language that would bar "hot ball" and certain instant‑bingo or pull‑tab formats.
Police Chief Johnson told council the code changes update licensing, financial reporting and security requirements for nonprofit bingo operators and would prohibit some game formats the department believes could jeopardize tax-exempt status. "These games are not authorized by the IRS," Chief Johnson said, listing instant-bingo, hot-ball and certain pull‑tab arrangements as examples of formats he said the police and staff had concluded are problematic.
Operators and supporters disputed that judgment. Attorney Mike Ward, representing a long-standing bingo operator, told council the pull‑tab formats used locally are part of traditional charity bingo and cited penal-code provisions and local practice in other California cities. He warned eliminating pull‑tabs would jeopardize revenue that supports community broadcasting and other nonprofit services. "Without them most bingo operations would fold," Ward said.
City Attorney and staff said they need more time to reconcile state law, IRS guidance and local code language. CSO Dave McCann and Chief Johnson said they had met operators to discuss the changes, and operators agreed with most provisions except the pull‑tab restriction. Council directed staff to research model ordinances (Long Beach and others were cited) and return with clarified language; the item was continued to the Aug. 11 meeting to allow legal review and to preserve public hearing rules.
Councilmembers emphasized they did not intend to shut down lawful nonprofit activity but said they also must protect public safety and ensure local code aligns with state and federal rules. The council's action keeps the public hearing open and asks staff and the city attorney to propose precise, defensible language that distinguishes lawful bingo‑tied pull‑tabs from standalone instant‑gambling products.
