NOVEMBER 3, 2008 - FARMINGVILLE, NY – The Town of Brookhaven has the most active Bingo and Games of Chance operation in the State of New York according to Gary Grigalus, New York State Racing and Wagering Board, Charitable Gaming Investigator. Approxim

ately eight million dollars in income and expenses is transacted annually by Town licensed Bingo groups. “Bingo and games of Chance is no longer a mom and pop social activity, but has become big time gambling,” Pamela J. Betheil, Brookhaven Town Clerk is quick to observe. Ms. Betheil points out that Bingo prizes are often in the thousands of dollars.

When taking office three years ago, Ms. Betheil was astounded to learn of the sophistication of this seemingly innocuous activity. Due to the absence of a Senior Bingo Inspector, Ms. Betheil became aware that there was an incomplete number of Town Bingo Inspectors and that general accountability of the groups was somewhat lax. Since reforming the Town Clerk’s office was her top priority, she realized that much closer scrutiny and monitoring of the Bingo groups and Bingo halls was imperative. Ms. Betheil assigned her deputy, Bradlee Bing, to evaluate, improve and strengthen reporting controls, and to offer recommendations for new policies for her to review and implement.

The Bingo organizations have been very pleased with the increased accountability requested by the Clerk’s Office. This has resulted in improved dialogue with the organizations and a forum for addressing mutual concerns. Ms. Betheil and several Bingo groups suggested it was time to have a town wide meeting with representatives from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. Last month, on the evening of October 23 at 6 PM, New York State Investigators Daryl Messner and Gary Grigalus arrived at Town Hall to meet with Ms. Betheil, Brookhaven Bingo Inspectors and representatives from the Bingo Organizations.

The meeting commenced with a welcome and introduction from Town Clerk Betheil and then Mark Lyons, Senior Bingo Inspector, directed the concerns of the organizations to the representatives from Albany. Linda Sayers, Bingo Clerk in the Town Clerk’s office, took copious notes in order to effectively address the various issues. The Bingo representatives were very astute in their questions and concerns motivating Inspector Messner to comment, “This is a very knowledgeable group of people. They are asking excellent questions and highlighting some very important concerns.” Several times the Albany Inspectors suggested that they would pursue a request for which they did not have the answer. Throughout the entire meeting a sophisticated level of respect was exchanged by all of the participants.

Some of the questions posed to the Racing and Wagering Board representatives included the group’s ability to raise the monetary limits of the jackpots. How do the organizations deal with participants arriving late to a game, and at what point are they not allowed to participate? When will the State provide a standard computer program to help in reporting? Why is it necessary to prepare a separate report for each event? The inspectors informed the participants that they should access the state website www.racing.state.ny.us for answers to any future questions and that e-mails to the sight are all read and usually are answered within 48 hours

Having encountered some previous negative reactions, Chief State Inspector, Gary Grigalus revealed that he was somewhat reluctant to attend the meeting, but had to admit that this particular meeting was one of the best he has participated in for a long time. He offered his personal help on any issue anyone might have and promised to work closely with Ms. Betheil, her staff and the Bingo organizations in the days ahead.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Town Council
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258