Bingo legal?

[Psydoc]

How is it that bingo, played with purchased cards and cash prizes, seems to be legal in various (all?) parts of the US? Is it a state law thing?

[MiltonFriedman]

It's a church-state thing.

[Uglyowl]

[ QUOTE ]
It's a church-state thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

When does Protestant Poker start?

[MiltonFriedman]

Gaboonviper Armageddon Day, except it is played in the hereafter.

[NickMPK]

For the most part, state law governs what kinds of gambling are legal and illegal, with the exception of a handful of federal laws like the Wire Act.

Most states have provisions for legal charitable gaming, and bingo is usually one of the games that is permitted under these laws.

[Nate tha\\\' Great]

Since there's skill involved in who calls out "BINGO!" first, it's clearly legal.

[questions]

Exactly. Bingo is a competitive sport, poker is "click a mouse, lose your house."

[Psydoc]

I just thought it was interesting that the Kansas City paper featured a big article on Bingo being played locally. Charity and church related issues were not emphasized (or mentioned at all?), but rather it focused on how the game's popularity has been growing recently. No mention of it being gambling or the legality of playing the game, other than to say that it's popularity had been impacted by the opening of local casinos a few years back.