The New York State Gaming Commission has called for a hearing in November after a report outlined more than a dozen critical gaming violations by the Magee Fire Department.
Through bingo events, bell jar, and raffle sales – the department is accused of failing to provide necessary reports, and is accused of not having proper checks-and-balances in place for holding those events.
In some cases, the department is accused of holding various events without having active licenses.
The matter will be held in a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 at 10 a.m. The hearing will take place at the Commission’s Office located at One Broadway Center, Schenectady, New York.
Bingo violations included:
(1) Failing to file weekly bingo reports with the local licensing authority with 7 days after the conclusion of each event. The Gaming Commission says that Magee’s weekly reports were filed weeks – or months after they were due between July 2016 and August 2019.
(2) Failing to file weekly bingo cash control reports with the local licensing authority with 7 days after the conclusion of each event. No weekly reports were filed from July 2016 through August 2019.
(3) Failing to file quarterly bingo reports with the local licensing authority within 15 days after the end of each calendar quarter during which there had been a bingo event. They say quarterly reports were filed weeks or months after they were due between July 2016 and August 2019.
(4) Failing to file quarterly reports to the Commission.
(5) Failing to deposit bingo proceeds the next business day after bingo events. Deposits were actually made weeks after bingo events from July 2016 through May 2019.
(6) Illegally conducting bingo on April 6th, 13th, and 27th before being issued a license.
(7) Failing to include or add the names of active members who would conduct bingo games on Magee’s license. They say several bingo workers assisted regularly with bingo, but were not listed on the application in 2016.
(8) Failing to disclose the name and criminal history information of an active member who would conduct bingo games at Magee Fire Department. They say an undisclosed bingo worker had a criminal record between 2018 and 2019.
(9) Failing to wear identifying badges. They say not all workers wore badges and workers who wore them did not have all required information on them in 2018 and 2019.
Bell jar violations included:
(1) Engaging in the unlicensed sale of bell jar tickets. They say Magee Fire Department sold bell jar tickets without having or applying for a license between 2010 and 2017.
(2) Failing to file quarterly bell jar reports with the Commission within 15 days. No reports were filed with the state, despite bell jar tickets being sold between 2010 and 2017.
Raffle violations included:
(1) Failing to acquire proper written approval to sell raffle tickets between 2015 and 2018.
(2) Sold raffle tickets to a net-profit of more than $5,000 without written approval. They also conducted an annual gun raffle without filing a verified statement of raffle operations.
– By Josh Durso
He serves as News Director of FingerLakes1.com. He hosts Inside the FLX and Sunday Conversation available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Tune-In, and Anchor. Send story ideas, questions, and comments to [email protected].
Josh is the president and publisher of FingerLakes1.com. Have a question? Send them to [email protected].