A bingo ban in Rockaway Township has some New Jersey seniors on the warpath.
The bingo cards, and the bingo balls lie silent in Pleasant View Village, a Morris County Housing Authority seniors home. A long tradition of 10 cent a card bingo was shut down when officials found out they were violating state law.
"They're making us miserable," said bingo player Pauline Dademo. "We've been playing this for 14 years."
The law in New Jersey states you can't charge to play bingo without a $20 dollar license and application each time.
Most of the pots at the games played at Pleasant View Village were under $25, and to get that amount, outsiders who took advantage of a county hot lunch program served at the home were invited to play.
Recently, a disgruntled county employee who was told by a boss he could no longer play bingo while helping serve lunch blew the whistle, and the gaming came to an end after an official contacted the home informing them of the law.
"We're seniors, our bodies break down and we have no other social amusement," said Ethel Rosenthal.
For now, it will take an act of the legislature for bingo to return to Pleasant View.
"Gave us something to look forward to, dressed in morning and out of apartment," said Joan Barron, who had a message for lawmakers. "Have a little pity and a little thought, you'll all grow old yourself someday."
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