Last fall school officials, parents and community organizers were alarmed after East Catholic High School in Manchester was cited for using a money wheel in a fundraising drive. While state officials decided against legal action, recognizing that the school was not aware it was breaking any laws, the case has obviously set a deterring precident.

Since state rules require organizers to register with the state Division of Special Revenue, go through background checks and other regulations, many members of the PTA’s have simply opted out of holding events.

 

"People don't want to go through all that," Debra Donnelly, president of the PTA at Manchester's Waddell Elementary School, said. "They don't understand why they have to do it."

 

While bingo has been legal in Connecticut for almost 70 years, it is closely regulated because thousands of dollars can be at stake. As with many areas of the world, bingo games are a popular means of raising money in churches and schools. The state has recognized this and created a special bingo category for "amusement and recreation" starting in 1988, allowing senior citizen groups to operate games with less oversight. Prizes are capped at $20.

 

State Rep. Ryan Barry, D-Manchester, has proposed that the state law be changed so PTAs could run games with similarly low stakes.

 

"I don't think there's a down side to it," said Barry, whose proposal calls for an annual registration fee of $50 and limits admission to $1 or less. "Parents being able to get into their kids' school lives and social lives is a benefit."

 

Paul Bernstein, head of the state Division of Special Revenue unit that regulates charitable games, believes the department would support Ryan's proposed changes, but that it must enforce the law as it's currently on the books.

 

"We have serious work to do, and are not looking to involve ourselves with games for children," Bernstein said, adding that many PTAs properly register for fundraising bingo.

 

"It's never been a problem before," he said.

 

However, Merrill Kidd, formerly president of Manchester's townwide PTA council and an officer for four years with the state PTA, said she is certain some schools in the state are still unwittingly but illegally holding bingo nights.

 

"A lot of PTAs probably don't know the law, and aren't being malicious," Kidd said.