A new group of regulations still pending in the Legislature, aim to give local clubs, fire departments and fraternal organizations a little relief from the fierce competition slot machines represent. One of these provisions is House Bill 169, still pending Senate approval, which would increase prizes for bingo clubs and allow for multiple drawings.

Another bill under consideration is House Bill 1467, which would also raise bingo jackpots but requires strict licensing procedures. Some impending regulations also request the authorization and regulation of poker tournaments and video poker games in clubs.

Other provisions include allowing bingo parlors to use gaming profits to pay for operating costs, such as taxes, utilities and insurance. Currently, clubs must use gaming income only to operate the game or for charitable causes. However, volunteer fire departments and churches that offer bingo games, can use profits to their own discretion.

The purpose of these new bills is helping bingo parlors to compete for player with slot machine venues. In recent years, several fire departments, churches and clubs were forced to stop sponsoring bingo due to the wide gaming offer in the state, to which now they have to add the competition offered by slots.