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Lockridge wants to open Bingo here

2/15/2019

By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer

Tammy Lockridge, owner-operator of TK’s Gymnastics, envisions opening charitable bingo at her father’s former business on West Locust Street.
Lockridge has applied for a license through the state Dept. of Charitable Gaming, but was denied last fall. She submitted an appeal Jan. 31 and plans to present a case before the board April 2.

The operation would be located at 16 W. Locust St., which at various times has operated as Joe’s, Chances and Jose’s, among others.
Lockridge told the Advocate she wants to use charitable bingo to help various civic organizations throughout the community.

From her own perspective, Lockridge said she hopes to use revenue to support TK’s Special Programs, which provides funding for sending cheerleading and gymnastics teams to competitions throughout the country, and Arms of Love, a campaign to provide Christmas gifts to families in need.

Several other civic organizations have also expressed an interest in hosting bingo nights at the location, Lockridge said.

Some of them include the Black and Hispanic Achievers, the local saddle club, Cub Scouts, school athletic programs and Love of Paws, an animal rescue, she said.

Lockridge said so many organizations are interested because it is very difficult to raise revenue through typical fundraisers.

“It’s hard,” she said. “Bake sales and car washes just don’t provide that much money.”

Lockridge said bingo would also give people in the community another form of entertainment.

In addition to regular bingo, Lockridge said electronic pull tab devices would also be in place. That is allowed under Kentucky’s new administrative regulations related to charitable gaming that went into effect Jan. 5.

A pull-tab is a gambling-like ticket that is sold as a means to play a pull-tab game. Other names for the game include Break-Opens, Nevada Tickets, Cherry Bells, Lucky 7s, Pickle Cards, Instant Bingo, Bowl Games or Popp-Opens, according to Wikipedia.

The physical pull-tab tickets are usually multi-layered paper tickets containing symbols hidden behind perforated tabs. The object of the ticket is to open the perforated windows on it and reveal a winning combination. The winning pull-tab ticket is turned in for a prize—typically cash, Wikipedia explains.

Concessions would be available to those who play at the site, Lockridge said. There would be no alcohol sold.

Lockridge said she believes her initial proposal was denied because there were questions about the specific charities that would benefit, something she hoped to clear up during the appeal process.

She said the effort would be improved through the services of an attorney, something that is hard to pay for as a non-profit entity that is trying to raise money. She said she is hopeful someone will volunteer.
The public can learn more about the state regulations governing charitable bingo at dcg.ky.gov.

Charitable bingo is part of a makeover she envisions for her father’s old building.

This Saturday, Lockridge is expected to host an open house, where the public can enjoy music and visit with one another in a healthy atmosphere.