Senator Bonacic Joins Veterans and Charitable Organizations for Press Conference in Albany

May 2, 2017

Pictured L-R are; Paul Erkkinen, Chief Operating Officer NYS Elks; Bruce Hidley, President Conference of Private Organizations; Kirby Hannan - Legislative Coordinator VFW – NY; Gene Ratigliano - Jr. Vice Commander VFW – NY; Senator Bonacic; Mike Burke - Sr. Vice Commander VFW – NY; Dennis Sullivan - Commander VFW – NY; Dennis Sullivan - Commander VFW – NY; and Kandee Kerns - Director Compliance Diamond Game.

(Albany, NY)- State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) joined veterans groups and representatives from other private organizations at a press conference in Albany calling for the modernization of the state’s charitable gaming laws, including enabling licensed products such as video enhanced vending machines to dispense what is known as a bell jar or pull tab tickets.

Bell Jar pull tabs account for 90% of all charitable gaming revenue in New York but devices to deliver the tickets have not been updated for VFW posts and Elks Lodges for more than 20 years. Senator Bonacic carries legislation, S.994, that would allow for an enhanced vending machine with video display and electronic reporting to be approved and licensed by the Gaming Commission. The bill would greatly enhance the entertainment value as well as the integrity of gaming offered at charitable facilities.

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