Local nonprofits benefit from bingo

CLOVIS — Local nonprofits are making it big with bingo games and pull tab machines at Red Arrow Bingo Hall, according to local leaders.

Steve Reshetar, Matt 25 executive director, said his organization has made more than $100,000 from weekend bingo games in the past year.

“There have been a few people who have felt like (a religious organization and gambling) is a conflict of interest but our board decided that it is in the best interest of the organization,” Reshetar said.

Matt 25 is not the only organization benefiting. High Plains Humane Society, American Legion 117 and the Disabled American Veterans have also scored benefits from Red Arrow.

“It all goes for our low cost, low income family spay/neuter program or emergency care for pets,” said Highland Humane Society President Linda Cross.

Cross said the society gets anywhere from $200 to $2,500 for each Wednesday night game and that is without the pull tab machines recently installed at Red Arrow, which do not run Wednesdays.

Gaming Control Board Acting Executive Director Donovan Lieurance said despite the lights, flashing and graphics, the machines in the bingo hall are not slot machines.

“They look a lot like them because of the graphics but they are not slot machines,” he said. “They are pull tab machines with a lot of bells, whistles and flashing lights.”

Red Arrow only utilizes the pull tab machines during bingo games and the vast majority of the profits go to the organization utilizing the bingo hall that night, Lieurance said.

Lieurance said gaming and bingo licenses can only be provided to nonprofit organizations with a license, which is why Red Arrow runs no bingo games of its own; it only leases the equipment — bingo cards, balls, dotters and the hall itself.

“The funds we get are a good shot in the arm because the need in this area is so high,” Cross said.