Next month a hearing will take place in the state capitol of Arkansas to discuss a state tax on charitable bingo games. During the hearing public testimony will be heard on why the state should eliminate the state tax. This past Friday, the Legislative Council approved requests for studies to be held on the elimination of the bingo tax.

The sponsors of the studies, Representative Tracy Pennartz and Shirley Walters, say they have received several phone calls from bingo operators who think the tax is too much. The one cent per bingo game card tax should be going to charity, according to the bingo operators.

Last year, the Department of Finance and Administration of the state, added a five person division to monitor the bingo operations in the state, and used $600,000 of the $1.1 million generated from the Bingo games to do so. Those who disagree with the tax say that the bingo games can be monitored locally and the new division is unnecessary.

The meeting to discuss the tax is set for September 24th with both Pennartz and Walters submitting information from their studies. Walters is not only studying the tax but also licensing procedures. Walters also wants to eliminate the requirement for bingo operators to purchase the bingo cards from licensed Arkansas distributors.

Also in the September discussion hearing, could be the right to allow citizens to report bingo game violations to police. It has been reported by Representatives that is it difficult for the prosecutors, police and deputies to continually check on the bingo establishments for violations, while also trying to carry on their regular duties.


- 2008-08-18