Even though gambling for low stakes does not violate state or county laws in Baldwinsville, New York the mayor has banned low-stakes bingo in one of it’s senior centers. The New York pensioners who attend this senior centre have worked hard all of their lives and just want to enjoy their retirement but these new restrictions will take a lot of pleasure from their day-to-day lives.

Wagering small amounts of money on low-stakes bingo games puts a little excitement into the bingo games and motivates the elderly players to win, and so makes the whole experience mentally challenging and stimulating. Playing bingo for low stakes does not violate state or county laws in Baldwinsville, but the nit-picking has mayor pointed out that any gambling in any of the village’s senior centers is against the rules. Playing bingo for low stakes has been going on for many years at the senior center and even if the bingo is just played for dimes, having a small stake provides a much needed psychological boost to it’s players.

Gambling IS a potential problem at senior centers if some of the players exploit an aged person who is mentally incompetent and is fooled into giving up much of their money but small-stakes bingo games played by seniors who understand what they are doing is a victimless act and should not be banned.

The banned bingo players could sue the Baldwinsville government for violating the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 14th Amendment states that no state shall “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” If people in their own homes can gamble for small change while people in a government-operated senior center cannot, the law is applied unequally.

This bingo news is bureaucracy gone mad. There are understandable issues regarding the vulnerability of these senior citizens but banning a pastime which has taken place for decades is simply wrong. Let’s just hope that the mayor and his aides come to their senses soon.