AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Lottery Commission is stepping up its efforts to yank the licenses of bingo operators that don’t make money for their charities.
So far, fewer than a dozen operators have lost their licenses, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The state can revoke a bingo license if the operator doesn’t demonstrate that its operations are creating proceeds for charity.
Charity bingo was first created in 1980 by a statewide vote, but it has been hit by the game’s declining popularity and the rise of other gambling options.
While a portion of bingo proceeds continues to go into the state general fund, the amount that goes to charities continues to decline.