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JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI (AP) -- Missouri residents soon could have more chances to play bingo.

Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Thursday letting bingo parlors
open earlier, close later and offer games twice a week instead of
just once. The bill also increases the amount of money bingo
operators can spend on advertising.

Under Missouri law, bingo games can be operated only by
charitable, religious, veteran, fraternal and service
organizations.

The number of groups licensed to run regular bingo games has
fallen by more than half during the past 15 years, as casinos
expanded in Missouri.

Missouri's expanded bingo law will take effect Aug. 28. Nixon
says it should help boost revenues for nonprofit groups that serve
their communities.

    Bingo bill is SB940.
    Online: Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov  or  Governor: http://gov.mo.gov 

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