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Displaced Magnolia Bingo reopens in Tupelo Commons [Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo](Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 21--TUPELO -- Rows of flat-screen monitors sit on tables, manned by up to 150 people. Several others can sit at tables nearby. But this isn't a call center, computer lab or some massive electronic monitoring station. It's a bingo hall. More precisely, it's Magnolia Bingo, and the people sitting at the screens are bingo players, each hoping to yell "bingo" to win some money. But while the players are hoping for a payoff, so is Ann Neal-Moore, the executive director of His Way Inc., the Ridgeland-based nonprofit organization which generates its revenue from Magnolia Bingo. While it's true that bingo halls bring in money, many people don't know that they also distribute money. "We help other charities, specifically children's advocacy organizations across the state," she said. Since 2002, His Way -- via Magnolia Bingo -- has distributed more than $14.5 million to scores of agencies across the state. In north Mississippi alone, His Way had donated nearly $4 million. Among the beneficiaries are familiar organizations like the Family Resource Center, Faith Haven, the Autism Center of Tupelo (now Autism Center of North Mississippi). However, His Way took a significant hit to its revenue stream after the April 28 tornado in Tupelo ripped up Magnolia Bingo's old home at the corner of North Green and North Gloster streets. The bingo hall was out of commission for three and a half months, finally reopening in mid-August at a temporary home in the Tupelo Commons retail development. Until its old facility is rebuilt, Magnolia Bingo will do business next to a diverse group of neighbors, including Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Hancock Fabrics, Tuesday Morning, Thai Garden and Best Buy. With Magnolia Bingo finally reopening, bingo players are back playing up to 35 games a night, starting at 6:30 p.m. Lisa Cox, who manages Magnolia Bingo, said every game is closely monitored and reviewed, with a strict inventory count done nightly to ensure every sheet and every dollar have been accounted for. "If we don't match, we don't go home until it does," she said. Bingo is in fact regulated by the state, much like casinos. In 1990, the Mississippi Legislature legalized dockside casino gambling. The Mississippi Gaming Control Act established the Mississippi Gaming Commission to regulate the casinos. It also regulates charitable gaming through the Charitable Bingo Law. That law authorized the play of bingo "in order to fund groups, associations or clubs that are registered with the Secretary of State's Office as nonprofit organizations," according to the commission. The first regulated bingo hall opened in October 1992, and charitable gaming is now conducted in about half of the 82 counties in the state. Magnolia Bingo opened in 1996. "Bingo is the most regulated gaming operation in the state," said Neal-Moore. "We've been the poster child for regulation so far." And she welcomes the scrutiny. She said bingo halls get an unfair perception from many who don't know about the charitable giving they're responsible for across the state. With regular -- and surprise -- inspections, by the gaming commission, along with required regular reports to the agency, Neal-Moore said bingo halls shouldn't be looked down upon. Bingo players have to pay to play, hoping to win prizes. "People pay good money to play in golf tournaments, hoping to win prizes, too," she said. "It's no different with bingo hall." [email protected] ___ (c)2014 the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.) Visit the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, Miss.) at www.nems360.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |