Law allows bingo games to expand to twice a week

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri residents soon could have more chances to play bingo.

Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Thursday letting bingo parlors open earlier, close later and offer games twice a week instead of just once. The bill also increases the amount of money bingo operators can spend on advertising.

Under Missouri law, bingo games can be operated only by charitable, religious, veteran, fraternal and service organizations.

Greg Pleimann, bingo chairman for the Knights of Columbus No. 6405, said he does not think the new law will have much of an effect on local bingo.

He said bingo sponsored by a variety of organizations is available Monday through Saturday at Bingo World in Cape Girardeau and the Jackson Knights of Columbus and the Cape Girardeau Knights of Columbus offer games at different times on Sunday. With bingo offered seven days a week, it is hard to see where to put additional games, he said.

"Adding a new game would put you in competition with existing bingos," Pleimann said. "I can't see anybody in the immediate Cape area wanting to mess things up."

The expanded law will take effect Aug. 28. Nixon says it should help boost revenue for not-for-profit groups that serve their communities.

Southeast Missourian writer Carrie Bartholomew contributed to this report.