Local News in Brief : 3 Groups Settle Bingo Dispute in Simi Valley

The Institute for Equestrian Therapy will be allowed to again operate its weekly bingo game in Simi Valley, and two other organizations are expected to reopen their games soon under agreements made with the city Wednesday, officials said.

Last week, the city suspended the bingo permits of the institute in addition to those of the United Cerebral Palsy/Spastic Childrens Foundation and Temple Ner Tamid. Officials said the organizations, which all operated bingo games at a meeting hall at 4241 Valley Fair St., were not meeting city codes requiring that they operate a business office at that location.

All three organizations appealed the suspensions, and after hearings with city officials Wednesday agreed to make changes bringing them into compliance, said Brian Gabler, a city administrative assistant.

Officials of the Institute for Equestrian Therapy, which provides horseback riding for the physically and mentally impaired, said they did have an office at the meeting hall but agreed to post the office’s hours of operation outside the building. Gabler said the institute’s bingo permit was reinstated and that its Friday and Saturday games would continue this week.

The other two organizations have agreed to establish offices at the meeting hall so their bingo permits can be reinstated, Gabler said.