Senate Majority Leader Calls on State Agencies to end Unwarranted Harassment Against Veterans Groups over electric bingo

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 3, 2023) — Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli is shining a light on coordinated raids and unwarranted harassment carried out by several state agencies against veterans groups and other non-profits. At the center of conflict is misinterpretation of state law regulating a specific technology used for their bingo games, which serve as fundraisers and a source of camaraderie for these groups.

In September, the Arizona Departments of Revenue, Liquor Licenses and Control, as well as Gaming, threatened to criminally prosecute and revoke liquor licenses of groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and fraternals like the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks and Moose Lodges, over their use of Bingo Technological Aids (BTAs). These devices, which have been lawful in Arizona since 2017, serve as a substitute for bingo cards to accommodate individuals with disabilities and to provide compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Senator Borrelli distributed a letter to the state agencies last week, calling on them to stop threatening these groups, as well as to provide all communications from their offices to any third parties related to BTAs through an Arizona Public Records Request. The goal is to get further insight as to why this conflict is occurring and to immediately put an end to it.

“I have a hunch this tyrannic harassment from these state agencies is due to the influence of the tribal gaming industry, who wants monopoly over all gaming,” said Senator Borrelli. “I’m fearful that these departments are sacrificing Arizona’s veterans in order to appease these interests. It’s  not lawful or ethical, and I plan to get to the bottom of this issue for our veterans and non-profits that do so much good for our state.”

For more information, CONTACT: Kim Quintero, Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus,  E: kquintero@azleg.gov

SOURCE: Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli.