Church bingo
games targeted

By Jaymes K. Song
Star-Bulletin

Numerous complaints have prompted police to crack down on church bingo games around Oahu.

Eleven people have been arrested since Saturday in two separate raids.

On Wednesday, three men, including the pastor, were arrested at the Bread of Life Church in Kalihi, said police in the Narcotics/Vice Division. On Saturday, eight people were arrested at the First Samoan Congregational Christian Church of Hawaii in Maile.

Money and gambling devices were seized, and the suspects were booked for various gambling offenses.

The majority of complaints to police were anonymous and came from spouses of the bingo players, police said.

Investigators wouldn't confirm how much money they believe the church was making at the games or how much they confiscated.

An official at the Maile church said the "little" money gained from the bingo games is used for church improvements, the community and youth activities.

He said the church considers the funds "donations."

Police said bingo is legal if it's free to play. When a person pays to get in or to play for a chance at winning something, it becomes illegal.

Participating in the bingo games is illegal as well, but police didn't arrest any players since there were hundreds of people playing.