The Ripon City Council recently approved an amendment change to the “Bingo” city ordinance.
This now opens the door for beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages to be served and consumed at places in town where games are played.
With it are a few guidelines.
These places must be that of non-profit organizations, mobile home associations, senior citizen organizations, or school districts, with proceeds from bingo games used solely for charitable purposes.
Changes to this ordinance was brought about by Councilman Michael Restuccia, who doesn’t drink but enjoys playing Bingo.
He’s taken part in games at Spring Creek Golf & Country Club in recent years.
It’s there, he noted at the April 8 monthly session, that players would go to the bar located in an adjacent room to where Bingo was being played, taking a break from the game to enjoy their beverage of choice.
Restuccia, using the Spring Creek bingo setup as an example, said the game room is alcohol free whereas the bar is the next room – all drinks are consumed there.
He indicated that the amendment to the ordinance won’t change much other than allow players to enjoy a glass of wine or beer while playing Bingo.
The next step from here will be first reading action at next month’s Ripon City Council meeting.
The City of Ripon adopted a chapter of the Municipal Code some years ago to ensure that bingo games played within city limits are in compliance with the state law.
City Clerk Lisa Roos pointed out that state legislation allows cities to monitor bingo, which is why the Ripon currently has an ordinance in place.
It’s the California Penal Code, she added, which prohibits for-profit bingo games, restricts participation by minors, and mandates that bingo games be conducted by a non-profit organization.
Councilman Leo Zuber expressed his concerns about amending the ordinance.
“I’m worried about where this can go, not where it is – will we be back here in three or four years (in making changes again) if something gets out of control,” he said, pointing out that this ordinance covers all parts of town besides Spring Creek.
Restuccia talked to City Administrator Kevin Werner and Ripon Police Chief Danny Sauer on this matter, with neither seeing any problems.
Elected leaders supported the amendment change, voting 3-1-1 with Zuber providing the dissenting vote.
“No permittee organization or Bingo Manager shall permit alcoholic beverages to be served or consumed in a room where a bingo game is conducted during or between the playing of games without the appropriate permit from the Department of Alcohol and Control,” according to the language change to this city ordinance.
