Lotteries and Gambling No Longer Recession Proof

It seems that lottery revenue, including bingo revenue for nonprofit organizations, is no longer recession proof, if in fact it ever was. Below is an excerpt from an interesting article regarding the gambling industry's and the state lotteries' struggles of late.

"All bets are off for the gambling industry. As rising joblessness forces Americans to wager less, revenues for state lotteries and casinos are dropping. The decline defies the old notion that gambling is recession proof – or an easy ticket to riches and cheap entertainment.

Now, if only this fading delusion of a "lady luck" could be turned into a lasting desire to make an honest buck.

For an industry that doesn't create wealth but simply transfers it – mostly from the poor to the already rich – the future is not rosy. More people are now acutely aware of financial risks from subprime mortgages to shaky stocks to lottery scratch tickets.

State governments are scrambling to make up for an average 2 percent dip in lottery revenues in the third quarter compared with the previous year. Companies that run casinos saw their stock prices drop by more than 60 percent in 2008, while on the Las Vegas Strip, gambling revenues have fallen nearly 10 percent.

Nevada, in fact, faces a sobering moment about the risk of risk. Not only is its gaming industry suffering, but the state has the highest rate of home foreclosures. It seems the gambling mentality extended to buying homes, on the assumption that prices would always go up. That belief – nationwide – is now as dubious as the pull of a slot machine.

This drop in gambling is unusual considering that the Great Depression saw a gambling boom."

For the complete story, please see the Monitor's Editorial Board, Lottery's lure lost, The Christian Science Monitor, December 30, 2008.

Smart Cards Spreading Across Gaming Industry

New technology is slowly rolling across the globe that will not only make cashless gaming systems more secure, but also add features that will improve the customer experience in casinos – provided casinos are willing to pay the extra cost.

The technology is the Smart Card which, already being used in casinos in Europe and elsewhere, and has begun to appear in North America, goes one better the mag-stripe card still used in many casinos worldwide.

“The main difference between the two cards is how they store information,” said Roger Bushong, sales account manager with CardLogix, Irvine, Calif.

“Mag-stripe cards maintain customer information on a backend computer, with which the card must link in order to make a transaction. Smart Cards have an embedded microchip in which all data is stored and thus can facilitate transactions even when there is no link to a backend computer,” he noted.

The initial use of Smart Card technology in U.S. casinos will be in player tracking cards, Bushong said. While enabling customers to play slot machines and other games in a cashless environment, the smart player cards also will store information about the guest – including his favorite games and wagering patterns – which casinos can use to promote future visits.

Such a card is currently being introduced in the U.S. market by IGT Network Systems, Las Vegas.

For the complete story, please see James Hodl, Now That’s Smart! IGWB, December 2, 2008.

New Wynn Casino Faces Uphill Battle During Las Vegas Slump

Steve Wynn towers over the Las Vegas Strip in commercials for his new Encore resort, but the recessionary slump in business along the fabled gambling corridor could soon bring the casino mogul down to earth.

Wynn Resorts Ltd is on Monday slated to open the $2.3 billion, 2,000-room Encore, a curved tower of bronze glass that nearly mirrors the adjacent Wynn Las Vegas, the company's three-year-old luxury casino hotel.

Meanwhile, shares of Wynn Resorts have fallen about 66 percent since February as the casino industry has grappled with tight credit markets and a downturn in gambling demand.

For the complete story, please see Deena Beasley, New Wynn Casino faces unprecedented Las Vegas slump, London South East, December 21, 2008.

Gaming Initiatives Win Most Battles on Election Day

For the most part, gaming initiatives across the country were successful in one form or another.

From IGWB:

"Nov. 4 was a banner day for the gaming industry, with referenda to expand casinos and other gambling being approved everywhere except Ohio and Maine. In those states, referendums sought to create a single (and first) resort casino within the state. But elsewhere saw several firsts, including the first slot machines in Maryland, the first casino in West Virginia and the first lottery in Arkansas."

For the complete story, please see Jame J. Hodl, Gaming Initiatives Win BIG on Election Day, IGWB, December 1, 2008.

More on the Failed Passage of the Smoking Ban

There’ll be no statewide ban on smoking in public places -- for now.

State lawmakers failed to reach agreement on a ban early this morning, leaving antismoking advocates bitterly disappointed and a new Legislature to grapple in 2009 with an issue that has wide public support.


The defeat left smoking ban proponents talking of a 2010 ballot proposal to accomplish it if lawmakers can't.

For the complete story, please see Chris Christoff, Public smoking ban fizzles, Detroit Free Press, December 19, 2008.

Bingo Smoking Ban Fails for 2008

The smoking ban bill HB-4163 has failed and is dead. Smoking will continue to be allowed in bingos and casinos for now.

The House and Senate could not reach a compromise on their differences. As you may recall the Senate version of the bill exempted no one, while the House version exempted, bingos, casinos, and smoke shops.

There is no chance of the bill coming back this year. The bill will have to be reintroduced next year and start all over again through the legislative process.

Last Day for Potential Smoking Ban

Today is the final session day for the Michigan Legislature.

The conference committee on HB-4163 (the statewide smoking ban) has met twice with no result. They will meet again this morning at 8:45am.

The rumor that we are hearing is that there will be no compromise so the House has to vote on a total ban (which would include a ban on casinos and bingo) or nothing. The House tried and failed earlier this fall with only 50 votes. They will need 56 to pass the measure.

We will keep you posted.

Bingo Callers Need to Call With Consistency

One of the biggest problems a bingo caller may run into is getting in the habit of calling at a different pace during a game. Callers really need to make sure that their time between calls remains the same so that bingo players will understand how many bingo cards they can manage.

For the complete story, please see Bingo Caller Speed Can Be Helped With a Timer, Wholesale Bingo Supplies Articles Page, December, 2008.

Bingos Not the Only Fundraiser in Town

While bingo has been around for awhile in the fundraising community, Texas Hold 'Em has grown increasingly popular. In fact,
many organizations that raise revenue through bingo smartly hold poker fundraisers a few times each year as well.

Below is an article that profiles a charitable poker hall in the Flint area and explains a little bit about how area nonprofits are benefitting.

Please see Sally York, Poker Palace Room in Burton deals a helping hand for families dealing with tragedy, The Flint Journal via Mlive.com, December 9, 2008.

Is Poker a Game of Luck or Skill?

The debate has raged for some time whether or not poker is a game of luck or skill. While, as anyone who's ever suffered through a "bad beat" will tell you, luck obviously plays a major factor. However, who can argue that certain people aren't better poker players than others?

With charitable poker booming in this state, we thought it would be interesting to present to you a well-written gambling article that argues that poker is more skill than chance.

For the complete story, please see Shari Geller, Evidence in: Poker game of skill, PokerListings.com, December 10, 2008.

More on the End of Big Money Bingo

As we mentioned earlier this week, Scientific Games will be ending the statewide linked progressive jackpot known as Big Money Bingo by December 31, 2008. However, some issues still remain as to how exactly some things will be wrapped up. Bingo equipment needs to be picked, the final jackpot needs to be rewarded, etc.

For the complete story, please see Big Money Bingo Final Details Wholesale Bingo Supplies Articles Page, December 12, 2008.

Also, you may visit the Charitable Gaming website Big Money Bingo Page

Raceway Closes After Years of Decline

Jackson Harness Raceway ended its run this last Thursday. Many feel that allowing slot machines or other legalized gambling devices would haved saved the business. And, they have a point.

However, the question isn't whether allowing slots would increase revenues for businesses like racetracks, but whether or not the people want more gambling in their neighborhoods. And, the 2004 ballot proposal that passed in Michigan pretty much said no to expansion, and signalled the beginning of the end for the raceway.

For the complete story, please see Brad Flory, Jackson raceway could have been saved, Mlive.com, The Bradosphere, December 7, 2008.

Bailout for Casinos? Unlikely

The debate over the proposed federal bailout of Detroit’s Big Three automakers raises some intriguing comparisons with the industry behind our own company town.

Las Vegas has been called the “last Detroit.” And the Strip is indeed a modern union success story.

The U.S. automakers say the failure of the country’s largest remaining manufacturing base could spark a depression.

Job cuts and lost wages mean less money to buy goods and services, which results in fewer car sales, continuing a vicious cycle, says the Center for Automotive Research, a Michigan-based nonprofit that receives taxpayer and industry funding.

The same could be said of gaming and Las Vegas, which, like Detroit, has been hard hit by the downturn. Casino layoffs and reduced work hours are affecting nearly every sector of the local economy, including forcing the state, with 50 percent of general fund tax revenue coming from casinos, to cut one-third of its budget.

Before the economic decline, both car and casino companies had a bigger-is-better mentality. When gas was cheap, Americans flocked to gas-guzzlers and carmakers responded with more SUVs and large trucks. In Las Vegas, developers loaded up on cheap debt from Wall Street to create larger, more elaborate properties preferred by well-to-do hordes.

For the complete story, please see Liz Benston, Bailout for casinos? Don’t bet on it, Las Vegas Sun, December 8, 2008.

Big Money Bingo Officially to End.

If you haven't heard it's official, Big Money Bingo (the statewide progressive jackpot) is officially coming to an end with either the next jackpot or December 31st, whichever comes first.

Big Money Bingo was met with mixed results from the beginning,and as it shrunk in popularity, it simply became economically unfeasible for Scientific Games to continue on with it. We feel that should another company decide to attempt a linked progressive game, many lessons can be learned from Big Money Bingo's mistakes.

For the complete story, please see Big Money Bingo to Call It Quits, Wholesale Bingo Supplies Articles Page, December 9, 2008.

Nonprofit Casino? It Could Happen.

Gambling in Iowa could be a model for the Carson Nugget if the downtown casino is managed as a nonprofit by its potential new owner.

The oldest casino in Carson City could be bought by a new owner who wants to redevelop downtown under a plan that could make the current casino owners, the Adams family, managers of a nonprofit operating the casino, Nugget managers said in November.

Nugget General Manager Kevin Beaton confirmed the casino is still in negotiations with a possible developer, but said he couldn’t name the developer or say how the casino will be managed under the new owner.

“This is all in motion,” he said.

But if the casino is managed as a nonprofit, it wouldn’t be the first. Nonprofits must hold gaming licenses for casinos by law in Iowa.

Gaming companies usually run the casinos after negotiating what percent of the gross revenue that will go to the nonprofit, generally between 4 and 6 percent. Two Iowa casinos, however, are operated by the nonprofits that hold their gaming licenses.

For the complete story, please see Dave Frank, Nugget of a nonprofit, Nevada Appeal, December 7, 2008.

Romulus Casino Still Under Consideration

Romulus officials hope a year-long moratorium regarding the expansion of Indian gaming that was put into place by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs will be lifted, or at least more flexible, under a Barack Obama administration.

City officials met with a representative from the Hannahville Indians last week, and all involved said they felt they would receive more consideration for the tribal request to build a casino in Romulus.

“I think that once there’re more Democrats in Washington, and more people who are interested in helping Michigan, we will turn this around,” said Romulus Mayor Alan Lambert.

For the complete story, please see Molly Tippen, Casino support could change, The Journal Newspapers, December 3, 2008.

Smoking Ban to Exempt Bingos, Casinos?

On Wednesday the House failed to pass the Senate version of the Michigan smoking ban, HB 4163, which called for a complete smoking ban.

The bill now goes into a Conference Committee where only the differences between the two bills are up for negotiations. As you may recall, the differences between the bills are that the Senate version exempts no one, while the House version exempts casinos, bingos, and smoke shops.

The members of the conferences will meet later this month. If they can’t come to an agreement, the bill dies on 12/31/08.

Encore Casino to Open Despite Gambling Downturn

The $2.3 billion Encore will open Dec. 22 in the middle of what many have called the worst economic crisis ever to hit the Strip and the gaming industry.

But don't expect Wynn Resorts Ltd. to change its style.

Encore, with 2,034 hotel rooms, is attached to Wynn Las Vegas. The resort will open at 8 p.m., three days before Christmas, with 72,000 square feet of casino space, five restaurants, 11 retail outlets, a nightclub and a luxury spa.

On Wednesday, Encore began selling tickets for entertainer Danny Gans, who will perform in the resort's theater beginning Feb. 10.

Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Bill Lerner doesn't think Encore's opening will grow the market in an environment hampered by a slow economy and reduced consumer spending. On the Strip, gaming revenues have declined more than 6 percent in 2008 through September.

Lerner said Encore will probably take some business from Wynn Las Vegas and draw customers from neighboring Strip resorts. But he doubts Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn will hold back on the property's grand opening extravaganza.

"It's not going to change the way he opens the property," Lerner said. "There won't be discounted rates or reduced price points. If you do that, it's tough to get them back when the market improves."

For the complete story, please see Howard Stutz, ENCORE OPENING: WYNN DEFYING THE DOWNTURN, ReviewJournal.com, December 4, 2008.

Casinos Consider Slot Strategy in Tight Market

Now that the G2E dust has settled, industry experts have had a chance to evaluate and assess the impact of new casino offerings – notably slot products – on an industry in decline.

Most experts view the latest, high-tech slot machines as "innovative" and "competitive" from a creative and technological perspective, but none of the major manufacturers unveiled a "game changer" that would significantly alter their market share dynamics.

"Ultimately, the critical driver for the suppliers in the next year will be the willingness and ability of casino operators to upgrade slots with limited capital," said analyst David Katz of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. "The key question remains … how conservative casino operators will be."

The limited number of new casino openings and expansions over the next 12 months will make it even more critical for slot manufacturers to expand the replacement market for existing casinos, Katz said.

That might not be easy, given the current cut back in spending budgets, Katz said, adding, "The purchasing strategies in the near term remain somewhat uncertain."

What is certain is that regional casino markets, as well as tribal gaming casinos, are "larger and remain stronger" than older, more entrenched markets such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Katz said.

For the complete story, please see David Stratton, Are slots set to pay off?, Gaming Today, December 2, 2008.

Smoking Ban Update

The latest on the statewide smoking ban proposals from our insider at the Capitol:

"The Legislature returns today for the final two weeks of session. It's our belief that they will return for a third week and finish on Friday, December 19th. The House needs 56 votes to pass HB-4163, which is the complete smoking ban bill.

The House leadership will again certainly try to pass the bill but we don’t see the measure passing. However, if they amend the bill to allow smoking in bingo halls, casinos and cigar bars then we believe the bill has a chance."

Big Money Bingo to End

Our sources in the bingo industry are telling us that the Big Money Bingo game will likely end by year's end.

The statewide linked game played on special .bingo paper never really got off to a great start as pricing issues, bingo game length, and other factors turned players and managers against it. Once downward momentum began, it was tough to stop the negative perception even after positive changes were made.

No word yet if another company might take the ball from Scientific Games and try to recast the progressive game in the future. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything.

Greektown Gambling on High-Rollers

Greektown Casino is betting big on big bettors.

The smallest of Detroit's three casinos Friday unveiled its all-new High Limit Gaming Area, where high rollers can take big gambles -- up to $100 per pull on the slot machine and up to $10,000 per bet on table games like blackjack. Greektown's original High Limit area closed May 27 for renovations.

The renovation and expansion of the High Limit area, part of Greektown's $550 million investment in its permanent casino facility, new parking garage and 400-room resort-style hotel, is considered an important part of Greektown's rebirth.

Just as paying first-class passengers provide more revenue for airlines than a coach cabin full of travelers on discounted fares, casinos earn a significant portion of their earnings from a relatively small portion of players. That's why Greektown has upped the ante in pampering for its best customers, with new offerings like an exclusive lounge and bar, on-site massage therapists and a VIP valet parking service.

Casino officials say the new features -- along with the Greek-inspired, secluded location -- will help keep Greektown's best customers coming back.

For the complete story, please see Nathan Hurst, Greektown courting high rollers, The Detroit News, November 29, 2008.

Casino-style Gambling Eyes 2009 in Ohio

An Ohio lawmaker whose district includes River Downs said Nov. 26 he plans to introduce legislation in 2009 for casino-style gaming that would support the horse racing and breeding in the state.

Republican Rep. Louis Blessing of the Cincinnati area said he would introduce legislation in to allow either video gaming machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks or the establishment of casinos in the state.

“No matter which way we go, racetracks will get a portion of the money,” Blessing said. “We want to make sure the tracks get the money to build up their purses and help the racing industry in Ohio.”

Blessing said he isn’t sure what route he would take, but a measure would be placed on the ballot probably in November 2009.

For the complete story, please see John Kady, Ohio Lawmaker Plans Gaming Legislation, Bloodhorse.com, November 26, 2008.

Tribe's Gambling Payments Decline

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Tuesday distributed more than $3.1 million in its semi-annual distribution of gaming revenue to local governments in mid-Michigan – an amount down 16.5 percent from last November.

“This is the lowest distribution we have made in 12 years,” said Tribal spokesman Joe Sowmick. He noted the revenue came during a season of high gasoline prices and general economic uncertainty.

“The gaming operation is not immune from that,” Sowmick said.

Under terms of a 1993 federal consent order, the Tribe is required to send 2 percent of its net win from electronic gaming to local units of government. Under the terms of the court order, the Tribal Council alone determines which units of government get money, and how much.

For the complete story, please see Mark Ranzenberger, Tribal disbursement to governments drops substantially, Morning Sun, November 25, 2008.

Designer Daubers Fun Way to Bingo

We've seen a steady increase in the popularity of our designer daubers since we first introduced them to our ecommerce site Wholesale Bingo Supplies about a month ago.

What are Designer Daubers?

Designer Daubers are simply small dabbers with designer tips that have different shapes for dabbing on your bingo paper . For instance, one dauber may dab with a smiley mark. Another dabber may have a shamrock. While another may have a dollar sign.

Meant as a fun change from your standard circle-shaped tip daubers, these designer daubers come in a variety of shapes. It's also our understanding that more shapes will likely be added in the future. So, if you're looking for something a little different from the norm, be sure to check them out.

Gambling Expo Adjusts to Down Economy

The Global Gaming Expo is the casino industry’s largest pep rally.

For the past several years, the convention where the gambling world’s latest and greatest bells and whistles are unveiled has been full of managerial bravado and bluster.

Not this year.

The three-day event, which wrapped up Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, sounded more like a group-therapy session. Amid the economic downturn of a lifetime, it was a chance for industry leaders to commiserate.

Surrounded by peers and encouraged to talk about their troubles, executives sounded humbled, even introspective as they talked about strategies for surviving this down economy.

For the complete story, please see Liz Benston, At expo, talk of leaner times replaces bombast, Las Vegas Sun, November 23, 2008.

Romulus Casino Still Under Discussion

Casinos in Romulus will move back to the front burner, and what’s happening in the auto industry and in the state economy means that it’s not a moment too soon, city officials said Tuesday.

Mayor Alan Lambert and other key city employees will meet with the members of the Sioux Indians, who hoped to build a casino in the city until Congress nixed the plan. Also, a partner with the Hannahville Tribe has contacted the city to possibly move forward on a deal that would not require congressional approval.

The big question for the tribes – and the city – is “How do we proceed?”

“We’re meeting next week with the Sioux Tribe, and I received a call from a partner in the Hannahville Tribe, and we’re excited about these meetings,” Lambert said. “With everything that’s going on right now, we’re not just going to give up.”

Gaming halls were part of a plan to revitalize the city employment picture, and make Romulus an entertainment destination for western Wayne County.

For the complete story, please see Molly Tippen, Romulus casinos are still a possibility, The Journal Newspapers, November 19, 2008.

Casino Payments to be Delayed

Officials who distribute local revenue-sharing proceeds from the Odawa Casino Resort have agreed to hold onto much of the latest payment until a dispute over its allocation can be settled.

Three local educational institutions — Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, North Central Michigan College and Public Schools of Petoskey — are legally challenging the approach which the Emmet County Local Revenue Sharing Board takes to the allocation of casino funds.

Last month, the schools and college sought an injunction to put this fall’s revenue-sharing distribution on hold until the differences could be resolved.

But Dennis Cawthorne, an attorney representing the educational institutions in their suit against the revenue board and Emmet County treasurer’s office, said an agreement the parties reached Tuesday eliminated the need for the injunction.

For the complete story, please see Ryan Bentley, Agreement reached to delay casino revenue-sharing payments, Petoskey News-Review, November 20, 2008.

State's Gamble on Casinos Not Paying Off

Gambling, which some Kansans saw as a golden goose for state revenue, is looking more and more like a horse that's been ridden hard and put away wet.

Those who supported legislation to build as many as four destination casinos in Kansas touted the industry as virtually a guaranteed money maker for the state.

And until recently, it was hard to argue with them.

After all, the book on gambling was that it was recession-proof. While an economic downturn might cause consumers to scale back spending on new cars, furniture and other items, the thinking went, they would keep gambling under the justification that they deserved to wager a few dollars as a tradeoff for having to deprive themselves of other purchases.

Increasingly, though, it's looking like the state placed a long-odds bet when it turned to the casino business as a source of revenue.

For the complete story, please see The Capital-Journal Editorial Board, State's wager on casinos to generate infusion of revenue is looking more like a bad bet, The Topeka Capital-Journal, November 20, 2008.

Greektown Tells Their Side of Casino Bankruptcy Reports

The following can be attributed to Joe McCoy, chairman, Greektown Casino management board.

McCoy is commenting on recent developments and reports of Greektown Casino’s Chapter 11 reorganization:

"Contrary to certain exaggerated claims you may have read or heard in the news media, Greektown Casino is open for business, will continue to be open for business, and is not in danger of 'running out of cash' and 'closing in December.'

"Such claims are false."

For the complete story, please see Sault Tribe responds to Greektown rumors, SooToday.com, November 18, 2008.

Tribe Likely Still Has Plans for Fruitport Casino

Since purchasing the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack in July, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has gone on a land-buying spree in Fruitport Township.

The tribe has acquired an additional 10 parcels since July. The Little River Band has created a 233-acre land holding for which it paid $13.5 million, according to the Fruitport Township assessor's office.

The tribe, which has said that more than one-third of its customers at the Little River Casino in Manistee come from Muskegon County, continues to quietly plan for an Indian casino at the racetrack site.

The significance of the tribe's land deals can seen in the size of the parcels. The tribe owns nearly 1.5 miles of I-96 frontage from Sternberg Road to the U.S. 31 interchange. It's land holdings in Fruitport Township are 10 times the size of the former Muskegon Mall site now under redevelopment in downtown Muskegon and approximately three times the size of The Lakes Mall site.

For the complete story, please see Dave Alexander, Indian tribe rolling dice on land acquisitions, Muskegon Chronicle, November 18, 2008.

Casino in Fort Wayne? Rumors Seem Unfounded

“Pssstt. Have you heard Fort Wayne is going to become a casino town?”

Or so go the persistent rumors and gossip for the past year.

The subject comes up at cocktail parties and City Council meetings. Local blogs and newspapers have polled on the possibility, with slight majorities against the idea.

Some people have even picked a spot for the fictitious casino – the north river development site along the St. Marys River.

But legislatively, the likelihood is slim, especially with no coalition of local officials, businesses and citizens actively or publicly pushing the idea.

The last casino approved by the General Assembly was in French Lick, and legislators did so through an existing but unused license rather than creating a new one. And dozens of supporters in orange shirts came to the legislature every day for a decade before they succeeded.

Then there are the competitive factors as casinos around the state are making less money. Any shuffling of the 11 licenses could negatively affect the entire landscape.

“I would be utterly amazed if (a Fort Wayne casino) ever happened,” said Rep. Trent Van Haaften, D-Mount Vernon, chairman of the House Public Policy Committee where all gambling legislation is heard.

For the complete story, please see Niki Kelly, A casino in Fort Wayne?There's talk but little action from leaders and lobbyists, The Journal Gazette, November 17, 2008.

Smoking Ban Proposed in Indiana; Casinos, Bingos to be Included

Smoking would be snuffed out in almost all enclosed public places in Indiana, including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and casinos, under a bill a powerful state lawmaker plans to push in the upcoming legislative session.

"It is a public health issue," said Democratic state Rep. Charlie Brown of Gary, chairman of the House Public Health Committee. He said his primary aim is protecting the health of nonsmokers who work in places where smoking is allowed.

Brown will have plenty of backing from a coalition called the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air, a group of more than 30 organizations that include the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The coalition held a town hall meeting in Fort Wayne this week to advocate a smoke-free ban in all enclosed workplaces in Indiana, and plans similar events in other cities across the state, said Tim Filler, the group's grassroots committee chairman.

For the complete story, please see Mike Smith, Statewide smoking restrictions proposed, jconline.com, November 14, 2008.

City Gets Involved with Greektown

The cash-strapped city of Detroit is paying an investment banking consultant a bonus of more than $1 million to help steer the sale of the troubled Greektown Casino out of bankruptcy protection to a new owner of the city's liking, a city official has confirmed.

City spokesman Daniel Cherrin said the money, being paid to Los Angeles investment banking firm Imperial Capital, would be reimbursable to the city, but it was not clear by whom. A spokesman for Greektown said the casino's development agreement with the city contains no language requiring a reimbursement of the city in the bankruptcy case. A spokesman for the Michigan Gaming Control Board couldn't be reached for comment.

Cherrin didn't disclose terms of the payment, but two sources with direct knowledge of the deal said the bonus will go to Imperial Capital on top of a monthly retainer of $25,000, even if the city ends up getting no say in picking Greektown's new owner.

The sources asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak on behalf of the city or the attorneys involved.

Lawyers for Greektown will argue in bankruptcy court today that the casino should have extra time to pick who will take control of the city's smallest gambling hall when it emerges from Chapter 11 protection, likely next year. City lawyers argue that the troubled casino is stalling, and that mismanagement threatens the city's monthly cut of millions of dollars in Greektown gambling revenue.

For the complete story, please see Nathan Hurst, Detroit steers Greektown sale, The Detroit News, November 17, 2008.

Nonprofits Concerned About Revenue Sharing Lawsuit

With three area educational institutions recently filing a lawsuit against the Emmet County Local Revenue Sharing Board, community agencies and nonprofit organizations are concerned about the affect it’s going to have on them.

Several years ago the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians’ casino complex was taken off the property tax rolls and placed in federal trust status — at the time the land the casino now sits upon was still vacant.

Through the tribe’s gaming compact with the state, six taxing units — Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, Emmet County, Greenwood Cemetery, North Central Michigan College, Public Schools of Petoskey and Resort Township — are designated to receive a portion of the casino’s 2 percent electronic gaming receipts as payments in lieu of property taxes. Several local governments agreed to use 35 percent of the gaming receipts for tax replacement.

In 2007, with the gaming receipts totaling $1.2 million, the revenue sharing board distributed $420,000 (or 35 percent of $1.2 million) among the six taxing units. As stated in the gaming compact, the board is also required to distribute at least one-eighth (hypothetically $150,000 in 2007) of the gaming receipts to public safety. In recent years, the revenue sharing board has also distributed funds to local community agencies and nonprofit organization through grants — with the lawsuit being filed, this may no longer be a possibility.

For the complete story, please see Christina Rohn, Revenue sharing lawsuit could impact community agencies, Petoskey News-Review, November 14, 2008.

Federal Regulations to Impact Tribal Casinos' Electronic Bingo

New federal regulations designed to bring more clarity and integrity to electronic bingo games will cost tribal casinos millions of dollars more than a flawed economic study predicted, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association warned.

OIGA Chairman David Qualls also charged the regulations were one more last-ditch effort by a lame-duck National Indian Gaming Commission to act on Class II gaming without congressional oversight.

The gaming commission's regulations, the culmination of a years-long effort, also drew strongly worded criticism from U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

"I am deeply concerned about the NIGC's ongoing reliance on flawed and incomplete data to justify irresponsible and unnecessary regulations on Indian tribes,'' said Cole, a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.

"I look forward to a new commission being appointed and I sincerely hope they do not exhibit the same hostility towards the Indian gaming industry that is the legacy of the current commission.''

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., agrees with the OIGA that the economic impact on the industry will be far greater than the gaming commission states.

"While I understand the need for proper technical standards and oversight,'' Boren said, "I am concerned by the lack of consultation from NIGC with Oklahoma's tribes.''

For the complete story, please see Jim Myers, New casino rules deemed costly, Tulsa World, November 14, 2008.

Global Gaming Expo Kicks Off

Casino execs and gaming professionals will be taking a look at the newest trends in the industry when the Global Gaming Expo hits the Las Vegas Convention Center next week.

The Global Gaming Expo, run by the American Gaming Association, is the leading gaming trade show and conference for the international gaming entertainment community. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

The conference will feature 600-plus exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services, including slot technology, table games, food and beverages, and casino design.

For the complete story, please see Amanda Finnegan, Global Gaming Expo begins next week, Las Vegas Sun, November 14, 2008.

Charitable Groups Seek Halt to Electronic Bingo Ban

Charitable organizations and disabled persons are back in Sacramento federal court asking for an order barring enforcement of two new laws outlawing electronic bingo games.

The charitable and disabled plaintiffs, along with a game manufacturer, want U. S. District Judge John A. Mendez to halt enforcement of a new state law by expanding a June preliminary injunction that prohibits the state from seizing electronic bingo games.

They also want Mendez to stop enforcement of a new Sacramento County ordinance by adding it to the injunction.

For the complete story, please see Denny Walsh, Plaintiffs return to court in Sacramento to halt electronic bingo ban, The Sacramento Bee, November 14, 2008.

Mobile Gambling Likely to Grow in Future

Mobile gambling could grow to $27.5 million in wagers by 2013, driven by on-portal betting, according to a Juniper Research forecast.

Several trends are encouraging the market, including changing operator attitudes toward mobile gambling services, improved handset user interfaces and introduction of legislation that permits remote gambling, said the report.

For the complete story, please see Report: Mobile gambling set for strong growth, RCR Wireless, November 13, 2008.

Casino Promises Seemed Too Good to be True

The spate of lawsuits against would-be casino developer Anthony DeFeo should serve, if nothing else, as a cautionary tale for local elected officials and public administrators.

First, let's make it clear that anyone can file a lawsuit for most any reason. The court has yet to weigh the merits of these cases. DeFeo is not guilty of anything.

That said, the lawsuits filed in Macomb County Circuit Court are disturbing. They accuse him of misleading investors in a Kimball Township casino development.

DeFeo, 56, a native of the Syracuse, N.Y., area, is a tireless promoter of projects that don't necessarily come to pass. At various times, he has sought to interest investors in the development of hospitals on land to be acquired by Indian tribes in Michigan and California. Think of it as off-reservation medicine.

Four years ago, he proposed building a casino, water park and two 500-room hotels in downtown Port Huron. When that project stalled, he shifted his focus to 420 acres owned by the Afr family at the Range Road exit of Interstate 94 in Kimball Township.

He proposed a $600 million development including a 505-room hotel, 7,800-seat indoor arena, 8,000-seat stadium and a 400,000-square-foot convention center -- a facility larger than the Novi Expo Center.

DeFeo made no public mention of a casino, but investors were shown plans for a 307,000-square-foot casino -- or 7 acres under roof -- with more than 5,000 slot machines. It would have surpassed Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant as the state's largest casino.

Many observers were skeptical, to say the least.

For the complete story, please Big promises deserve big skepticism, The Times Herald, November 12, 2008.

Shutter Cards Can Be Great for Bingo on the Go

If you're a bingo player who loves playing bingo, shutter cards are a great way to take bingo with you when you travel.

As you can see from the picture above, shutter cards are durable stitched cards with transparent sliding windows for "daubing" or "marking" your bingo numbers. They remove the need for daubers or bingo chips which makes it easy for a bingo game to begin just about anywhere.

That's great, but how do you call the numbers you ask? Well, throw in a pack of bingo playing cards and you completed your entire bingo travel kit.

Good luck, and safe travels!

Vegas to Raise Gambling Age to 18?

If Nevada could have instant access to millions of new customers in these hard economic times, would the state’s Legislature and governor go for the potential windfall of new business?

We may soon find out.

The ability to bring millions of new customers to Las Vegas if the state’s minimum gambling age was lowered to 18 was the reasoning behind the suggestion raised by a gaming industry lawyer in a question-and-answer session with regulators at Friday’s gaming law conference sponsored by the State Bar of Nevada.

State Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander and Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Peter Bernhard were asked their feelings about changing Nevada’s gambling age limit from 21 to 18. Neilander said he would take the suggestion to Steven Horsford, the new Senate majority leader, and Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley.

For the complete story, please see Richard N. Velotta, Idea floated to lower state gambling age to 18, Las Vegas Sun, November 7, 2008.

Bingo Paper by the Pound

I wanted to mention a new product we are offering at Wholesale Bingo Supplies,called bingo paper by the pound . Bingo paper by the pound is simply what its name implies, a whole lot of bingo paper for someone who's not picky about their cut or collation.

Believe it or not, we've received a lot of requests for this, especially for families or friends who want to host an informal bingo gathering. When ordering this bingo item, customers will get a wide of variety of colors, cuts, loose bingo sheets, bingo books and other bingo paper bundles.

Of course, all of this bingo paper comes at a discount when compared to specific paper orders. Available in 10lb. quantities, be sure to take a look, the next time your group feels the itch for a little bingo.

Remember to review your area's state and local laws as they pertain to bingo paper and bingo. Our paper is not for sale to licensed bingo halls. Wholesale Bingo Supplies and any of its affiliates is not responsible for upholding the laws in your city and state.

Bingo Smoking Ban Update

From our insider at the Capitol:

"Both the House and Senate have set their agendas for the remainder of the year now that the elections are over. Both chambers met last week and will return next Wednesday and Thursday, November 12 th and 13th and then leave until December when they will return for two weeks to complete their “lame duck” session and end this term of the Legislature.

Legislation that is anticipated to be brought up for a vote includes the Detroit Public School first class status modification, creation of a non profit light rail system in and around Detroit, creation of an Aerotropolis in Wayne County, Smoking ban legislation, expansion of Cobo Hall and legislation that could be necessary for a potential Chrysler/GM merger.

The Senate wants a short lame duck session, while the House democrats will be energized by their gain of nine seats and the 46 senior members that are termed limited will want to spend the last days voting on their individual projects and following the House tradition of saying farewell."

In other words, the legislature may have their hands full with other business for the remainder of the year. This may indicate that it will be next year before a smoking ban is addressed again. However, in politics anything can happen.

Casinos Backers to Regroup; Try Again

Backers of Tuesday's failed casino referendum say they are gearing up for another try: This time they will propose several casinos around the state, including in Cleveland.

Rick Lertzman, co-founder of MyOhioNow, said he plans to soon begin the process to collect signatures for a petition to get a casino proposal on the ballot for November 2009.

"We have been talking to coalitions and groups in many parts of the state, including Clinton County, Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown and Cincinnati, interested in joining the effort for casinos," he said. "We learned a lot from Tuesday night's loss, and we'll address it."

For the complete story, please see Michael Sangiacomo, Supporters of Ohio casino bid intend to begin again to place several casinos statewide, Plain Dealer, November 5, 2008.

World Series of Poker Delay Proves Problematic

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

World Series of Poker officials announced May 1 that the tournament’s final table would take place after a hiatus of nearly four months, a first in the event’s 39-year history.

It was a risky move but one that showed creativity, imagination and a sense of fun, opening a spectrum of intriguing possibilities.

The break began July 14 after the field of 6,844 entrants in the $10,000 no-limit Texas hold ’em championship tournament had been whittled to nine players.

The revised format was designed to generate extra publicity around the final table, to increase interest in big-time tournament poker and to boost ratings for ESPN’s television coverage of the event — worthy goals all.

Perhaps the most appealing selling point, though, was the notion that the final nine competitors would become virtual folk heroes during the interim, newly minted poker celebrities with their own fan bases and the concomitant mainstream endorsement opportunities.

The new-look World Series has failed to deliver in this area. The so-called “November Nine” left the Rio in July largely unknown to the general public, and they return the same way for Sunday’s resumption of the tournament, which carries a $9.1 million top prize.

For the complete story, please see Jeff Haney, Planned delay took steam out of WSOP, Las Vegas Sun, November 6, 2008.

Clinton Township Developer Sued Over Promised Casino

More than a dozen investors are suing a Clinton Township developer for allegedly swindling them in an unfulfilled promise to build a $600-million recreational hub and casino in St. Clair County.

In approximately 18 lawsuits recently filed in Macomb County Circuit Court, the businesses and individuals accuse Anthony Defeo of persuading them to write checks for an average of $100,000 to have 1% stakes -- totaling upward of $1 million -- in 2007.

He told them the businesses were destined for federal land in Kimball Township to be operated by the Lac Vieux Indians.

The investors contend Defeo of Fountain View Investment, which is also known as Port Huron Blue Water Development LLC, posed as an upstanding businessman. When building never commenced last spring, he ducked inquiries, the lawsuits say.

For the complete story, please see Christy Arboscello, Investors sue Clinton Twp. developer over casino, Detroit Free Press, November 7, 2008.

Casino Plan Defeated

Already facing challenges from out-of-state casinos and racinos in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, struggling Ohio racetracks will not face in-state casino competition.

Voters in the Buckeye State rejected an effort to bring casino gambling to Southwest Ohio by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.

Ohioans turned down Issue 6, which would have allowed a single $600-million casino in Clinton County about halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus. With 96% of the vote tabulated, the measure was failing 63% to 37%.

Ohio voters have turned down four attempts to expand gaming by way of state ballot since 1990. While some of those measures would have allowed for added gaming at racetracks, Issue 6 would have been specific to a single casino. Ohio’s seven Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks, Thoroughbred horsemen’s groups, and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association opposed Issue 6.

The casino would have been located about midway between Cincinnati’s River Downs and Beulah Park, in Grove City, Ohio. Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for a group that opposed the issue, told the Cincinnati Enquirer that even people who favor expanded gaming opposed this issue.

For the complete story, please see Frank Angst, Ohio voters turn down casino plan, Thouroughbred Times, November 5, 2008.

Double Play Bingo Paper Can Add Fun to Your Bingo

Double Play bingo paper is an exciting specialty paper that can add some fun to your bingo. Also called Double Action bingo paper, these bingo cards contain two numbers per square instead of the traditional one number.

How does Double Play work?

Double Play is played like traditional bingo except that if either number is called that a player has in their square, the players can dab that square. In other words, players don't need to have both numbers called to dab a square and so it gives them twice as many chances to dab. This makes Double Play a fast-paced exciting bingo game.

Usually this bingo paper is played earlier and separately from your regular bingo games. Often it's mixed in with or replaces some early bird games and is called at a very fast pace.

Because of the double numbers, Double Play (or Double Action) is typically played as a 1on either in single sheets or as part of a small bingo book.

Overr 100 to Accept Buyouts at Soaring Eagle

More than 100 full-time employees at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Hotel have accepted voluntary buyouts.

The Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant reports workers who took buyouts by Friday's deadline received two weeks' pay for each year of service, capped at six months' pay. They also received lump sums for health insurance costs.

For the complete story, please see More than 100 take buyouts at Isabella Co. casino, AP News via The Detroit News, November 1, 2008.

Poll Suggests Casino Bill to be Defeated

An exclusive WKYC-TV poll on the eve of the election finds Ohio voters rejecting a casino issue by a 14-point margin.

The poll, conducted for the TV station over the weekend by SurveyUSA, finds 55 percent of likely Ohio voters will be casting a no vote on Issue 6. Forty-one percent said they would, or had, voted for Issue 6. The remaining voters were undecided.

For the complete story, please see Dick Russ, Ohioans likely to defeat casino issue, WKYC Cleveland, November 3, 2008.

Nonprofit Poker Surge Called "Crazy" by Some

Would it surprise you to know there are card rooms in your community where high school seniors can bet hundreds of dollars on "Texas Hold-Em" poker? What if I told you these rooms were licensed by the state of Michigan and sponsored by community nonprofits, such as Rotary clubs, high school booster clubs, elementary schools and local chambers of commerce?

The nonprofits are critical players in the process because they sanitize the money that is lost by the gambler. They cloak formerly illegal gambling activities in the guise of "charity." They cash in on the poker phenomenon that is sweeping the nation.

Michigan licenses Texas Hold-Em games in bars, bowling alleys and dedicated card rooms across the state. The owner of the building charges rent for use of the room, and a private company operates the poker room.

Nonprofits make their money from the "rake," a set amount from each pot over the course of the night. The nonprofit can sell only $15,000 in chips to the players on any given night, but some card rooms have as many as three nonprofits selling up to $45,000 chips each night.

For the complete story, and comments, please see Michael Burke, Michael Burke: Poker surge is crazy
, Lansing State Journal, November 2, 2008.

Craps Scam Leads to Twelve Arrests

The state police casino unit has arrested 12 people to date in the ongoing investigation of a scam in which craps dealers at the region's casino allegedly allowed players to make late bets and later collected payment for the favors.

The dealers and supervisors allegedly conspired with Richard Sequoia Taylor, 42, of Memphis, Tenn., to cheat against Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun. State police began investigating in December 2007 when an unnamed craps floor person at Foxwoods Resort Casino notified a shift manager that a dealer was cheating at the craps tables.

State police spoke with the employees, many of whom described the scheme at length, and obtained arrest warrants for 13 people. The employees have been fired from their jobs and, when they appear in court on charges of cheating at gambling and conspiracy to cheat at gambling, have been ordered to have no contact with each other.

For the complete story, please see Karen Florin, TWELVE ARRESTS TO DATE IN CASINO CRAPS SCAM CASE, theday.com, October 30, 2008.

Smoking Ban Lifted at Casinos to Increase Gaming Revenues

Smokers have another year to puff away at gambling tables in Atlantic City after casinos convinced local officials that a ban on lighting up would devastate revenue that has been dropping as consumers spend less.

The seaside gambling resort's city council voted 5-4 this week to lift a smoking ban that only became effective Oct. 15. The move will give casinos more time to recover from the U.S. economic crisis, supportive council members said.

"I'm trying to protect people's jobs here as well as their health," said Councilman John Schultz, who voted to suspend the new regulations. "Gaming is about smoking, drinking and gambling. It all goes together. It's all sin."

For the complete story, please see Smokers can light up again in Atlantic City casinos, Bloomberg News via inRich.com, October 30, 2008.

Bingo Daubers Added to Wholesale Bingo Supplies

On a slow news day, I figured I'd take the time to mention that we've added a number of additions to our bingo daubers section on our Wholesale Bingo Supplies site.

Patriotic dabbers, School funding daubers, Olympic daubers (at a discount)Halloween daubers, Christmas daubers and more can be found on our novelty daubers page. Also, there's 4 or 5 styles of designer dab daubers that allow players to dab various symbols like dollar signs instead of the standard old circle style.

So, have a look at our new bingo dobbers. We think you and/or your players will really like them. And, check back in the future for more additions.

Caesars Empire Goes Modern

These days, Caesars Palace is looking a lot less Roman Empire and more Empire State.

When it opens its sixth hotel tower, Octavius, next summer the flagship property of the world’s largest casino company will be another step closer to the look and feel of luxury hotels found in other major cities.

At a time when casinos are forced to work harder to attract business, Caesars Palace is trying its best to bridge old and new Vegas by luring new, more discriminating tourists and younger hipsters as well as regulars who appreciate the property’s legacy.

The under-construction tower features the same white-walled Romanesque look of the adjacent Augustus tower and, like Augustus, sits apart from the casino and across the themed pool and garden complex known as the Garden of the Gods. Roman statues abound, and guests can grab snacks at a bar appropriately named Snackus Maximus.

Yet inside, the tower’s 665 rooms will feature a bold, modern look by Wilson Associates, which created the muted, urbane look of the Augustus rooms, with nary a Roman column or statue in sight. That firm has no kitsch on its resume, which includes suites for the Palms and the Mansion, MGM Grand’s high-roller oasis.

The sophisticated appearance has spread to other areas at Caesars, which has recently remodeled rooms in its Palace and Forum towers. Until a few months ago, the Forum Tower featured mirrors above beds and couples tubs a carpeted step away. The 21st century makeover includes Anichini linens, iPod docking stations, wireless Internet and dual rain showerheads.

For the complete story, please see Liz Benston, Caesars empire goes modern with latest hotel expansion, Las Vegas Sun, October 23, 2008.

Soaring Eagle to Cut Workforce

Isabella County’s largest employer plans to cut its work force.

The Tribal Council for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe made the decision to offer all full-time associates at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, a voluntary buy-out.

“We realize the same economic conditions which are affecting the national economy and the gaming industry are also taking their toll on the Soaring Eagle,” Tribal Chief Fred Cantu, Jr. said.

Tribal Council and senior management of the casino and resort have determined the necessity to reduce payroll costs by cutting their workforce.

For the complete story, please see Patricia Ecker, Tribe offering buyouts to some workers, Morning Sun, October 23, 2008.

Analysts Negative on Gaming Industry

Three months ago a Wall Street analyst did something unusual for his business.

He admitted he was wrong.

Andrew Zarnett, the lead gaming bond analyst for Deutsche Bank, issued an investor report in July downgrading some Station Casinos bonds from “buy” to “sell” and “hold,” concluding, “we were wrong as we were caught off guard by the quick deterioration of local Las Vegas fundamentals beyond our expectations.”

Zarnett is one of several analysts who have been busy downgrading the projected value of gaming investments.

These downgrades have come months after gaming companies first reported earnings declines, making the analysts’ actions appear somewhat delayed.

Analysts in general have been criticized as being cheerleaders for the investments they cover. Being positive may yield better access to company executives. Besides being paid for their research, these firms make money issuing bonds and other financial instruments for companies on their watch lists.

An invisible wall separates these departments, yet analysts are careful how they criticize these companies.

With analysts growing bearish by the day, the result is a widening gap between critics and the bulls. The latter are hanging on to the comforting mantras about Las Vegas: The gaming business is generally resistant to recessions, and business on the Strip will return stronger than it was before the downturn. That’s the way things have always been, after all.

For the complete story, please see Liz Benston, Analysts transform from bulls to bears, Las Vegas Sun, October 20, 2008.

Compact Amendments to Increase Number of Casinos

Amendments to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians' gaming compact will give the state an immediate $15 million and give the tribe the right to open satellite casinos in Hartford and Dowagiac.
The amended compact resolves issues between the state of Michigan and the tribe that led to the Pokagon Band's withholding revenue sharing payments to the state for most of the 14 months its Four Winds Casino Resort near New Buffalo has been open for business.

The Band contended the state's Club Keno game eliminated the tribe's exclusive rights to operate electronic games of chance. The exclusivity provision was eliminated in the amended compact.

The amendments were signed by Tribal Chairman John Miller and Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Although the state legislature must ratify compacts, it does not ratify amendments. Those changes are approved at the federal level.

Similar disputes between the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians were resolved earlier this year.

"These changes to the compact are a victory for the state, the tribe and the communities of Southwest Michigan," Granholm said in a prepared announcement.

"The agreement provides a steady stream of revenue to further Michigan's economic development efforts. It also provides economic development opportunities for the tribe and local communities, while establishing a more stable and cooperative relationship between the state and the tribe."

For the complete story, please see Lynn Stevens, Compact amendments give Pokagon Band satellites, Western Michigan Business Review, October 23, 2008.

Bingo Equipment: General Cleaning Instructions

We are frequently asked about the best ways to keep bingo equipment clean and running smoothly. So, here's a quick guide on how to keep your bingo equipment as clean as possible without damaging anything.

Before cleaning anything, make sure that your equipment is turned off and unplugged.

Bingo Machines and Bingo Flashboards

For metal surfaces, use a mild soap or cleanser with a soft cloth to wipe down your bingo console and bingo flashboards . Do not use a harsh cleanser. Harsh cleansers can easily damage lettering. For additional protection you may follow-up your cleaning with an automotive style polish.

For acrylic surfaces, use mild soap or cleanser with a soft cloth as well.

Finally, vacuum dust from the blower regularly to clean the ball chute area.

Bingo Console Caller Monitor

Use a mild soap or window cleaner with a soft cloth. Again, do not use anything abrasive.

Static Treatment

Bingo balls can stick together due to static over time. To counter this, every few months you should lightly spray anti-static aerosol compound over the blower base pan foam and inside the chamber of the blower.

If the anti-static tinsel found surrounding the blower base pan is damaged or missing, you should consider ordering a new one.

Bingo Smoking Ban Update

From our insider at the Capitol:

Things are as quiet at the Capitol as they will ever be; the calm before the storm. We expect the Legislature to return on Thursday, November 6th for 6 session days in November and 9 in December before officially ending on 12/31/08 at midnight. This will be the classic “Lame Duck” session period in which anything can happen.

With at least 43 members not returning in January the smoking ban will either pass or fail based on their desire. Whether the version exempting bingos and casinos is the version pushed forward by the legislature is anyone's guess.

More on the Pokagon Casino Expansion

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is currently operating one casino in southwestern Michigan and now has Michigan’s permission to build two more casinos.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office announced the deal Monday — a deal to rewrite the tribe’s gaming compact with the state in response to the tribe’s reaction to the proliferation of Michigan’s Club Keno game since 2003.

The tribe — along with the Manistee-based Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians — originally signed gaming compacts, or agreements, with the state in 1998. Under the terms of those compacts, the tribes agreed to operate only one casino each and pay the state 8 percent of their slot machine profits as revenue sharing payments.

For the complete story, please see Kevin Braciszeski,Pokagon tribe OK'd for two more casinos
, Ludington Daily News, October 21, 2008.

Big and Small in Gaming Industry Hurting

Casino companies’ earnings are plummeting by double digits. Debt costs are rising for many companies. And their customers are spending less.

In the financial world, in this economy, those are the trend lines of doom.

Indeed, a few smaller operators are already close to bankruptcy. But could giants like MGM Mirage and Harrah’s Entertainment be next?

The breathtaking series of Wall Street failures and Washington bailouts of recent months suggests anything is possible — even spectacular failures in Las Vegas.

For now, bankruptcy protection remains a remote, if grim, possibility for all but the most damaged companies. Experts say that banks will negotiate with the big casino operators rather than force them into bankruptcy.

For the complete story, please see Liz Benston, Even major players feel serious squeeze as revenue drops, debts rise
, Las Vegas Sun, October 19, 2008.

Deal Paves the Way for 2 Additional Casinos

More casinos could be coming to West Michigan because of a new deal between a local tribe and the state.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, which owns the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, has a new gaming compact, allowing two smaller, satellite casinos to be added in Dowagiac and Hartford.

24 Hour News 8 uncovered a document that shows in 1999 the tribe had Hartford and Benton Harbor as backups in case New Buffalo didn't work. If Hartford was selected, then the tribe was planning to put in 800 slot machines and 35 gaming tables.

For the complete story, please see Marc Thompson Deal paves way for 2 local casinos , WoodTV8 Grand Rapids, October 20, 2008.

Potential Ohio Casino Could Challenge Detroit Gaming Market

Two weeks from Tuesday, voters will decide whether to legalize what could be the largest casino in the Midwest - a monster 97-acre complex just off Interstate 71 near Wilmington.

Developers think they can win $850 million in projected annual gambling income as part of a total $1.2 billion in projected revenue.

If they did, the new casino could make the Southwest Ohio/Southeast Indiana market a challenger to Detroit as the nation's No. 5 gambling destination. By itself, the casino would make Wilmington the nation's 11th largest market.

With developers planning to hire more than 5,000 workers, the casino would be the region's 12th-largest private-sector employer - behind the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and ahead of Macy's Inc. If the development were counted as a private enterprise, the $1.2 billion in total revenue - gambling plus restaurants, retail and lodging at a 1,500-room hotel - would make it large enough to tie with Fort Mitchell-based Drees Co. as the region's third-largest company.

For the complete story, please see Alexander Coolidge, Issue 6: High stakes in casino vote, Cincinnati.com, October 19, 2008.

Casino Threatens Pullout if Smoking Ban Enacted

The president of Kansas Speedway suggested Thursday night that developers might not build the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino if Wyandotte County banned smoking on casino floors.

Jeff Boerger said in a public hearing at City Hall that there were a lot of nervous people at International Speedway Corp., the speedway’s parent, who expected that the casino would be built next to Kansas Speedway.

Revenue projections, Boerger said, have assumed that the casino would not be subjected to a smoking ban, and if one were adopted, the project’s developers would have to go back to the drawing board. The speedway is a 50-50 partner with the Cordish Co. in the casino project.

The county’s Unified Board of Commissioners did not act on the proposal Thursday night, and has yet to schedule a vote. Kansas City, Kan., remains the largest city in the metropolitan area without an indoor smoking ban.

For the full story, please see Mark Wiebe, Casino may not be built if smoking ban is imposed in Wyandotte County The Kansas City Star, October 17, 2008.

Despite Players Casinos (Bingos) See Drop in Business

Wednesday brought more trouble on Wall Street as the Dow closed down more than 700 points.

Economic disappointments like this not only have investors worried, but also have people all over the nation cutting expenses.

That includes entertainment. Casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City are reporting big drops in revenue. But how are Mid-Michigan's casino's doing?

The Saganing Eagles Landing Casino near Standish was packed today and that has pretty much been the pattern ever since it opened on New Year's Day.

"It's almost 1 p.m. and we are at capacity," said the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's Frank Cloutier.

Wednesday was Senior Day at the Saganing Eagles Landing Casino south of Standish, and there were no signs of a sluggish economy here.

"Somebody's got money," said Connie Schoonover of Arenac County.
But Cloutier says while people are filling the building, they might not be betting as much as they once did.

FOr the complete story, please see Terry Camp, Casinos see some drops in business, WJRT-TV, October 15, 2008.

HalloweenPartySupplies.com Launches!

We're probably a little crazy.

However, we were encouraged by the positive feedback we have received from our Wholesale Bingo Supplies customers, to make the decision to add another website to our family. So, after many months of hard work, we're proud to announce the launching of our brand new website HalloweenPartySupplies.com!

Halloween Party Supplies will carry the latest in Halloween Party Supplies, Halloween decorations, Halloween tableware, and other miscellaneous party supplies all geared to make your Halloween event a success. Currently, we won't be carrying any costumes, but we will be looking at the possibility of adding those items next year.

We realize this post isn't specifically about bingo, but there's no reason a bingo manager couldn't liven up their bingos this year with a few Halloween decorations, right?

Anyway, if you have a minute, please check us out and give us your thoughts. It's a new site, so there are no doubt some improvements that will have to be made.

Impact of Indian Gaming Law 20 Years Later

The gaming industry changed irrevocably when President Reagan signed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act on Oct. 17, 1988.

Twenty years later, tribal casinos earn more money than those in Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined.

“I believe the expectation of almost every lawmaker then was that the future of Indian gaming was going to be in high stakes bingo,” said Phil Hogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Instead, about 90 percent of the $26 billion in Indian gaming revenue last year came from casinos. By comparison, Nevada casinos collected $12.8 billion and New Jersey casinos collected $4.9 billion.

The Indian gaming industry employs more than 700,000 workers -- more than half of them are not Indians.

Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, said the law changed the landscape of the casino industry.

“I don’t think anyone ever thought the result would be as dramatic as it has been,” Fahrenkopf said.

For the complete story, please see Tony Batt, Impact Of Indian Gaming Law Changed Casino Industry, The Morning News, October 11, 2008.

City Pushing for Sale of Greektown Casino

Citing what it calls years of mismanagement, the city of Detroit is pushing Greektown Casino to find a buyer sooner than required by a bankruptcy court's Feb. 16 deadline, as the troubled casino continues to miss revenue projections under bankruptcy protection.

The downtown gambling hall has amassed about $755 million in debt and will be the last of the city's three casinos to complete a required 400-room resort hotel. Since entering Chapter 11 in May, Greektown has required an infusion of $47 million dollars for operations in September from the Indian tribe that controls it, laid off 89 workers and missed its preliminary income projection last month by $1.54 million.

The city's push for a quick sale of the casino could put it in the hands of Ted Gatzaros, a Detroit businessman and restaurateur who helped push for the law creating the city's casinos, according to two sources working with Greektown and the city. These sources asked not to be named because they weren't authorized to speak on behalf of either Gatzaros or the city. Calls to Gatzaros for comment went unanswered Wednesday afternoon.

For the complete story, please see Nathan Hurst Detroit pushing Greektown to sell, The Detroit News, October 9, 2008.

How to Change Bingo Flashboard Bulbs

Bingo flashboards frequently have bulbs that burn out over time. And, if you've never changed flashboard bulbs, it can be a little tricky. So, here's some helpful guidelines on how to change a bingo flashboard bulb:

Before you begin, TURN OFF ALL POWER TO THE FLASHBOARD! Changing bulbs while the power is on can be dangerous and can damage your entire bingo board .

Now, let's divide the flashboard into 2 parts, the "sides" and the "main body" of bingo numbers.

The "sides" of the flashboard can be opened by removing the appropriate screws from the front panel. Typically the left side of the bingo board containing the last number called and the bingo pattern, is on a hinged panel and should be swung open. After opening, slide out the covering panel (you may have to bend it a little outwards) to gain access to the bulbs. Change bulbs as needed.

The "main body" of the board can be accessed by removing all appropriate screws and then removing the plastic retaining strip between the low and high side acrylic. Push in the panel while grasping the strip and pulling it out slightly to the right. Once this strip is removed, the panels can be slid from side to side to uncover the bulbs. Change bulbs as needed.

Be sure to keep track of your screws! Once finished, slide the panels and strips back into place, and screw everything back into place.

Hopefully this helps. Remember, bingo machines and bingo flashboards can vary in design. For instance, some flashboards contain a "prize payout" section on the right side and some don't. Our instructions are meant as a guideline to help with the most common bingo boards in the industry.

Locals Have Mixed Feelings on Four Winds Casino

Barbara Flies has lots of reasons to dislike her new neighbor.

Cars bring visitors at all hours of the day and night, turning Flies' formerly quiet two-lane road into a pulsing artery. She now has to lock her front door and car doors. Most disturbingly, on the second day after her neighbor moved in, a visitor broke into her house, tried to steal her possessions and then drove off in her van when the thief thought he'd been spotted.

Flies, a 62-year-old retired New Buffalo native, has an unusual neighbor. Just down the street from her modest home and unfinished barn is the Four Winds Casino Resort, one of the largest gambling palaces in the Midwest.

Four Winds opened in August 2007 as the first casino developed by Lakes Entertainment Inc., the Minnesota gambling company that's backing the Nov. 4 Ohio ballot measure that would allow it to build a casino along I-71 about halfway between Columbus and Cincinnati.

While Flies may have reason to resent the teeming gambling complex just down the street, her feelings -- like those of many in New Buffalo -- are more complex.

For the complete story, please see James Nash, Casino's effects mixed for town in Michigan, The Columbus Dispatch, October 5, 2008.

MGM Announces Layoffs

The MGM Grand Detroit is preparing to lay off an unspecified number of food service workers from its staff of 3,600 employees, company officials say.

In a sign that hard times are in store for operators of the city's three casino-resorts,the MGM Grand was the only gaming complex there to increase its revenues so far this year, The Detroit News reported Saturday.

For the complete story, please see Detroit MGM Grand announces layoffs UPI via Times of the Internet, October 4, 2008.

Bingos & Charitable Gaming Hurting from Smoking Bans and Slumping Economy

A year after a statewide smoking ban went into effect, charitable gambling operations in Minnesota aren’t feeling so lucky.

“The wonderful world of gambling unfortunately is not so wonderful right now,” said King Wilson, executive director of the Allied Charities of Minnesota.

“We’ve lost 30 percent of our charitable gambling organizations, and the ones that remain are basically down 20-25 percent.”

Wilson said the industry once had as many as 1,800 groups operating in the state, but that has fallen to barely 1,300 today, and several more are terminating their licenses every month.

He talked to about a dozen representatives of charitable gaming operations in Detroit Lakes Monday.

“It’s been a tsunami of bad news,” said Wilson. Gaming receipts so far in 2008 are down about 8 percent over last year, due to a variety of factors — including a smoking ban in bars and restaurants, higher gasoline prices and a weaker economy.

For the complete story, please see Nathan Bowe, Charitable gaming industry down on its luck - wants lower state taxes
, Park Rapids Enterprise.com, October 3, 2008.

Terminator Bans Bingo

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late Tuesday signed last-minute legislation that bans electronic bingo machines but allows large charities to run "remote caller" bingo games, which joins multiple sites into one contest.

Senate Bill 1369, a "gut-and-amend" bill that came in the final days of legislative session, was the product of a compromise between Indian gambling tribes and large charities such as the Catholic Church. The charities wanted the change because they said their games were losing customers to Indian casinos in recent years, while the tribes sought to end electronic bingo, which they saw as an encroachment on their exclusive right to operate slot machines in California.

For the complete story, please see Kevin Yamamura, Schwarzenegger signs bingo ban, Sacbee.com, October 1, 2008.

Racino Legislation Appears Despite Voter Opposition

It appears as if Racino backers have introduced legislation to change the 1995 horse racing law. This is likely a precursor to changing the Michigan Constitution to allow casino wagering at tracks. This comes despite the Michigan voters' overwhelming support in 2004 of a constitutional amendment that requires local and statewide approval for any new gaming in the state.

Of course, as an advocate for the charitable gaming industry, we are opposed to any legislation that will hurt charities' ability to raise funds through bingo and other gaming avenues. In this case, we are also opposed to this legislation because this type of fight will be costly to both sides (something the taxpayers in Michigan don't need), and the people have already spoken.

Below is an excerpt from Crain's Detroit Business:

The first direct attempt to permit casino-style gambling at Michigan's seven horse tracks since 2004's Proposal 1 effectively killed such efforts has been launched amid a chorus of skepticism from opponents.

Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, introduced a bill (HB 6465) on Sept. 17 that would tweak the state's 1995 horse racing law to pave the way for an amendment to the Michigan Constitution to allow casino wagering at tracks, called “racinos.”

A joint resolution by Meisner and Martin Griffin, D-Jackson, calls for the amendment and spells out how to tax such gaming.

The bill and resolution are in the hands of the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, where no action is yet scheduled.

A request for comment was left Friday afternoon for Meisner, who is term-limited and is a candidate for Oakland County treasurer. His district includes the Hazel Park Harness Raceway track.

Voters approved Proposal 1 in 2004, and it requires a statewide and local referendum on any new gambling in the state, exempting the Detroit casinos and Indian casinos.

It's unclear yet who would foot the bills on what likely would be a costly campaign to persuade voters to approve racino legislation, which the Detroit and Native American casinos would oppose.

“There is plenty of gaming in Michigan right now,” said Marvin Beatty, co-owner of Greektown Casino. “Michiganders have more than enough choices for gaming. I don't think there appears to be any need or interest to expand gaming.”

For the complete story, please see Bill Shea and Daniel Duggan,
'Racino' backers have another try, Crain's Detroit Business, September 28, 2008.

Parents Urge Bingo Adjoining Elementary School to Ban Smoking

Upset parents are asking a band council in northwestern B.C. to stop allowing smoking at bingo games held in a community hall that adjoins the band's elementary school.

The Gitsegukla Band's community hall and elementary school share a hallway and use the same ventilation system, and that means second-hand smoke is finding its way into classrooms, the parents say.

Crystal Smith, president of Gitsegukla Elementary's parents advisory council, says kids shouldn't have to study in a school that reeks of cigarettes.

For the complete story, please see Butt out bingo smoking, parents urge B.C. native band CBC News, September 24, 2008.

Vegas, Bingos, Gambling Industry Still Reeling in this Economy

Sue Garrett, in Las Vegas for a birthday party earlier this month, went to what she considers extraordinary lengths to hold down the cost of her trip.

"We decided to sit through one of those blasted timeshare presentations to get a free hotel room," said Garrett, who lives in Los Angeles. She turned down the timeshare but earned herself and her husband a stay on the Las Vegas Strip for her trouble.

Similar stories are heard all over Las Vegas these days, where resorts are discounting and even giving away room nights just to attract enough people to keep their roulette wheels and slot machines spinning.

Vegas barreled through previous U.S. economic recessions with no problem, but the current slowdown -- marked by home foreclosures and then high gasoline prices -- has had a much bigger impact on the gambling mecca than economists expected.

For the complete story, please see Unexpectedly, Las Vegas Hit by U.S. Downturn Javno.com, September 23, 2008.

New Minimum on Bingo Supply Orders

We like to keep you informed on our bingo blog about any changes over at our bingo supplies site, Wholesale Bingo Supplies . Well, recently we established a minimum order amount for our customers of $9.95. In other words, bingo supply customers must now order at least $9.95 of bingo products from the site, or their order won't be accepted.

We hope the change isn't a big deal to any of our customers and we doubt it will be. This will eliminate the small dauber or other low value types of orders that we occasionally see. It's these small bingo orders that end up being the 1 in a 1000 that the shipper loses or that we make a mistake on, and say accidentally ship Sunsational daubers instead of Sweet Spot daubers .

So, again we hope this new policy doesn't upset anyone, and we think it makes sense for all involved. After all, does it make sense to spend $8.00 or so on a couple of bingo items totaling $3.00 or less, when it costs an additional $7.00 or so just for shipping?

Tribal Casinos Given Too Much Power?

This fall marks a major milestone for the country and Michigan. Twenty years have passed since Congress approved the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).

The act codified the conditions under which casinos can be built and operated in states. The effects have been dramatic. Some 420 tribal gaming operations exist in the United States. Nineteen full casinos -- including blackjacks, slot machines and other games -- are run in Michigan.

Nationally, Indian casinos take in about $26 billion a year. That figure had, until last year, been growing at double digits annually. Two Indian casinos are planned near Grand Rapids, one in Allegan County and one in Muskegon County.

The anniversary of this significant piece of legislation should occasion a long-overdue second look from Congress. In the time the law has been in place, serious questions have arisen about how well and consistently tribal casinos are regulated, about the process of federal recognition of tribes and about how tribes put land into trust, on which land casinos can then be built.

The fundamental flaw with IGRA is that it tilts power far too much in the direction of tribes and leaves states almost no control over where casinos are placed, much less whether they open. The result has been frustrating -- and fruitless -- court battles that steamroll past the prerogatives of local communities.

For the complete story, please see The Grand Rapids Press Editorial Board Editorial: Landmark American Indian gaming law gives too much power to tribes, The Grand Rapids Press, September 21, 2008.

Bingo Smoking Ban Likely to Resurface After Elections

The House will not be voting on the smoking ban until at least November 5th.

From our inside source:
"The House is in session currently and we just learned that the House will not vote on HB-4163, the complete smoking ban bill until after the fall elections. When the House adjourns today they will not be back until November 5th."

Casino Windsor Gets a Facelift

I came, I saw, I conquered. More accurately, I was conquered -- by the glamour and the glitz, the gambling and the grub.

The Roman Empire has arrived in style in southern Ontario, staking a claim along the Detroit River, three hours from Cleveland. The conversion of Casino Windsor to Caesars Windsor is complete, down to the gold leaves on the carpeting and the scantily clad faux-marble statues throughout.

It's not quite Caesars Palace Las Vegas. But there's enough sparkle and shine to impress even Cleopatra.

The Ontario government, which owns the casino, announced two years ago that it would invest more than $400 million into the facility, a dramatic reaction to competition from across the river in Detroit, where three casinos opened earlier this decade.

For the complete story, please see Susan Glaser Casino Windsor gets a sparkling update as it becomes part of the Caesars chain, Cleveland.com, September 21, 2008.

How Many Bingo Games Should Your Bingo Offer?

We're often asked to give guidancce to bingo managers (especially new managers) and help them determine the amount of bingo games that they should offer in their bingo program. The amount of games to offer can depend a lot on what the bingo players in your area expect, but here are a few general rules to follow.

Bingo Program Length

One of the biggest factors in determining the amount of bingo games that you offer is the time your program takes from start to finish. Many bingos make the mistake of running a game that is too long. In general, players want a program that lasts about 3 hours. If you go much less than 3 hours, players may feel that they aren't getting their money's worth. Go longer and players may become bored, or feel that it just takes too much time out of their day.

What Types of Bingo Games Should You Offer?

This often depends a lot on the area your bingo is located. Most regions will have certain bingo games that their players are used to, so you'll want to try to incorporate these into your bingo program. Don't confuse your bingo players with a ton of new or different games all at once. However, this doesn't mean you have to make your bingo exactly like everyone else's or borrow ideas from poor performing bingos. Use common sense and use what works and throw out what doesn't.

That said, you also need to pay attention to the duration of your bingo game when you decide what bingo patterns will be involved. Coverall bingos played on bingo paper can take up to 30 minutes to play depending on your bingo attendance and call speed. So, you want to limit the amount of coverall games, and generally play those only for your bigger bingo prizes.

On the other hand straight-line or regular bingo patterns typically take a little over 5 minutes to play. The time it takes to play each game is important because they all add up, and again, you want to keep your bingo program at around 3 hours in length. And, don't forget to account for a minute between games and your intermission as well.

So, when determining the number of bingo games for your bingo program, you must always consider the types of games (and their length) you want to play.

Detroit Casinos Tie Up Smoking Ban

The future of smoking in bingos in Michigan continues to be tied to the Detroit casinos fight to remain exempt. The following story from Mlive.com explains what took place in the House yesterday.

"An indoor smoking ban in Michigan bars, restaurants and other workplaces could have a tough time becoming law absent an exemption for Detroit's three commercial casinos.

A prohibition on all indoor workplace smoking failed Tuesday to gather the 56 House votes necessary to send it to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who would sign it into law.

Another vote on the measure, which would take effect around April 1, 2009, may be delayed until after the November election. Granholm said Tuesday she would endorse any smoking ban that hits her desk.

Tuesday's 50-49 vote to make Michigan the 35th state to bar workplace smoking fell short after Detroit Democrats failed to support the measure."

For the complete story, please see Peter Luke Detroit casinos tie up smoking ban in state House, Mlive.com, September 23, 2008.

Complete Smoking Ban Being Voted on as We Write This...

Although, the final votes have not been taken, it is looking as if a complete smoking ban (bingos and casinos would not be exempt) may pass at any moment. We're getting word that the ban is only waiting on a few more votes from House members, and is on the floor as we write this.

Of course, this bill has been back and forth many times, so anything can happen. But, we suspect that this time a complete ban is on its way.

BREAKING NEWS: Less than 10 minutes after we wrote the above, we now hear that the smoking ban has failed for today. It will likely be tried again tomorrow.

From our insider:
"The total ban on smoking HB-4163 was just defeated in the House by a vote of 50 yeas and 49 nays and 11 not voting. The bill needs 56 votes to pass....The bill was laid over until tomorrow and they will try one more time to pass it I’m sure."

Tomorrow, they will likely try the bill with the amendment in it which would exempt bingos and casinos. Stay tuned...

More on Smoking Ban's Affect on Gaming/Bingos

Casinos in Illinois have posted double-digit revenue declines since a smoking ban took effect there in January. And it's not primarily because high air fares stop tourists from visiting the Windy City in search of a game of chance.

"The smoking ban is having a major impact," Tom Swoik, head of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, told The Wall Street Journal last week.

And In Atlantic City -- where casinos are now under a partial smoking ban that keeps gamblers from lighting up on 75 percent of the casino floor -- a full ban is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 15, at which point smokers are widely expected to flee to gambling halls in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

But the places gamblers can go to escape the smoking bans are narrowing. Efforts to extend existing smoking bans are now expected in Iowa, Missouri and Nevada. Pennsylvania casinos instituted a closely watched partial smoking ban last week. And it turns out misery loves company: To create a level playing field, the Casino Association of New Jersey -- which unsuccessfully fought the Atlantic City ban -- is now arguing in favor of smoking bans in other states. In an e-mail statement, the association's president, Joseph Corbo Jr., writes: "We are hopeful that other nearby gaming jurisdictions, notably Pennsylvania and Connecticut, soon enact smoking bans."

Which should solve the problem, right? If gamblers no longer have any smoking-allowed alternatives, they'll simply have to shrug their shoulders and gamble without smoking, causing everything to even out in the end. Right?

Not necessarily.

For the complete story, please see EDITORIAL: Smoking bans and casinos Prohibition hurting many gaming establishments across the country , Las Vegas Review Journal, September 22, 2008.