Albany, NY— This afternoon, the New York State Senate passed Senate Bill S3187, sponsored by Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing), 60-1. The legislation increases the number of days senior citizen groups are permitted to conduct bingo games.

Currently, retirement communities and social or charitable organizations are only allowed to host bingo games 15 days each year.

The Stavisky bill will allow senior citizen organizations to play free bingo – a game where the value of a single prize does not exceed $10 – up to twice a week.  The senator introduced the bill after a director of a senior center in her district brought her attention to the issue.

“Bingo is an activity long-enjoyed by seniors,” State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said. “To many of our seniors, scheduled bingo games help to break down walls of isolation, by encouraging interaction with their peers and giving them a reason to get dressed and leave their apartment or room for a while. I see no reason why a senior center or retirement community should be limited to hosting bingo games 15 times year and am proud to sponsor this bill.”

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