A tussle between the Catholic Church and California's Indian gaming tribes could be averted by a new version of a contentious bill that would permit a major expansion of conventional bingo by linking players electronically while blocking charities from using bingo machines that resemble slots. The measure still faces opposition from smaller charities, which are dependant on the machines.

A California state senator has tabled a bill to reinvigorate low-tech bingo as a fundraising tool for the state’s Catholic Churches and charities, but the measure faces opposition from tribal gaming leaders who oppose the ongoing use of electronic bingo terminals across the state on non-reservation sites. The issue raises the prospect of a bizarre Church versus tribes battle.

Charitable bingo parlours in California are preparing last gasp legal motions to stay in business after a federal appeals court threw out a lower court order barring the state from shutting them down.

Prominent Indian gaming interests are urging state politicians to resist a legislative push to allow Californian charities to receive a second opportunity to seek compensation in return for shutting off electronic bingo machines, while charities’ legal and political challenges to an earlier court order show no sign of dwindling.

A much-watched proposal that could bring about the introduction of legal intrastate online poker in the state of California cleared another legislative hurdle this week, but only by reintroducing a complex study requirement into the measure. Observers now believe that the cost of the study, and tribal doubts, will combine to sink the bill.

California’s protracted legal battle over charity bingo is ending with moving vans and signs of surrender as gamblers pay last respects to local bingo halls and charities remove hundreds of electronic gaming machines.

A handful of dingy bingo parlours operating in California are riling tribal casinos, provoking two legal battles and stirring worries about potential multi-million dollar consequences for state budget coffers.

As the legislative session resumes later today in California, a move by one of California’s leading casino gambling tribes and poker clubs to legalise internet poker in the state is rekindling the intense tribe-versus-tribe politics that drove costly ballot fights in recent years.

As California’s budget crisis continues to plague the Golden State, lawmakers and Governor Schwarzenegger are considering expanded gambling measures in an effort to lift the state from the depths of an unprecedented fiscal emergency.

The last call for charity bingo parlours operating casino-style games in California may have finally arrived, and Indian gambling interests say the anticipated demise of electronic bingo is long overdue.