In Utah, bingo halls operate under very tight controls. A 1979 Utah Supreme Court ruling allowed a chain of grocery stores to give out bingo cards for free and award prizes to the winners. Bingo hall operators in Utah use the ruling to run free bingo games with prizes at their halls. The profits, they say, are made from the buffet dinners and drinks that they sell while patrons play the free bingo games.

But for Joe Coccimiglio, owner of Como, A Senior Organization, food and beverages just weren’t enough of a profit, and stuffed toy animals weren’t enough of a prize to draw patrons. The West Valley City club apparently wanted to make the games more interesting.

Despite making all club members sign a document stating that “We solicit your cooperation in helping us to uphold the law by not asking the organization to sell you bingo cards. We do not charge to play bingo; your support in purchasing dinners, refreshments, drinks, snacks, movie/show tickets and of course your donations are what we utilize to operate and maintain Como." Plain-clothed policemen investigating the venue, however, were asked to pay $15 to play a special bonus game. They were told that the prize could be as much as 2,300 points, which could be redeemed for $2,300. One undercover detective won a prize of $300, which he received in cash.

City prosecutor Ryan Robinson has charged Joe Coccimiglio with six misdemeanors, and the city revoked the organization’s business license, effective as of July 8.