A group of 13 charitable organizations in Texas that raises money through bingo games can use bingo revenue to engage in political advocacy, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks of the Western District of Texas ruled on Oct. 28.
Sparks found that provisions of the Texas Bingo Enabling Act that prohibit a charity from using bingo proceeds to support political candidates or for lobbying is unconstitutional. Sparks granted the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction that prohibits the defendants — officials with the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) — from enforcing Texas Occupation Code §§2001.456(2) and 2001.456(3), known as the Texas Bingo Enabling Act.
