New Metallic Tops a Hit on Sunsational Bingo Daubers

I know this isn't a big deal, but I always consider it news when we get a lot of feedback on one of our products (either positive or negeative). And, lately, we've been getting a lot of positive feedback on the relatively new metallic tops on Sunsationalbingo daubers. We've seen an uptick in sales and they've proven to be an extremely popular bingo dauber with bingo players.

I'd be very surprised if we don't see more company's with metallic tops on their bingo daubers in the future.

For more information on Sunsational bingo daubers see: CJ Venne Sunsational Daubers

Video King and International Gamco, Inc. Team Up To Offer Exciting Bingo Games

Video King and International Gameco, Inc. have teamed up to provide some exciting new games that add horseracing and dogracing elements to your bingo. While not yet approved in Michigan, we hope to have Michigan Charitable Gaming take a look at them in the near future. We feel that anything that spices up bingo is good for the industry. These races can be played as paper bingo games or in conjunction with pulltab games (if state approved) and look great with live animation.

Below is the full article on from Video King's latest newsletter. For more information please visit www.videokingnetwork.com or www.intlgamco.com


International Gamco, Inc.®, the originator of paper race games, and Video King®, the originator of animated racing software, have teamed up to offer a dynamic package of racing products that will raise the roof on excitement and build profits for your hall!

Try any of these exciting new products for win, place or show – and we’re willing to
wager customers will come racing to your hall.

Long Shot
Heeeere Comes Lucky! Long Shot™ is a unique progressive pull-tab concept that’s generating huge payouts. A player favorite, it becomes even more exciting when coupled with the Long Shot animation program, now available as part of Video King’s new “stable” of racing games.

But seeing is believing ...
These fun-to-follow animated graphics will leave players howling with this mad-dash greyhound theme! In this dog-beat-dog world, it’s every dog for him ... or ... her ...self. Every canine has its unique set of characteristics – whether its J Lope, who likes to preen at every shot, or Sugar Shack, who likes to eat more often than not ... But let’s not forget Hop A Long, Toto, 3-Legged Wonder, Hobo, Weiner Dog, G.I. Go, Stormin’ Sammy, Rin Ten Ten, Jumpin’Genie, Rudolph (Note The Red Nose), Porky Pirate, Lamb Chop and Buffy Bingo,
who all vie for the top-dog spot.

Go Go Balls
Putting A New Spin On Bingo!
The newest race ticket on the market, this name says it all. Go Go Balls™ team Video
King’s odd-ball cast of characters – from the gallant Sir Dab-A-Lot to Free Space, our rocket-fueled astronaut – with Gamco’s race animation – in a rush to knock each other out of the top three slots. Amid much fan-fare, Go Go Balls quickly rouse the
crowd as the 15 themed characters propel their way down the track. Rounding out the
lot are Barnacle Bill, Angelica, Bingo Bambino, Meals On Wheels, Spring Chicken, Touchdown Tommy, Nero The Hero, Sammy The Spur, Buccaneer Bart, Four-Corner Thor, Video King, Builder Bob and, of course, one no one has to light a fire under – Sparky! Hey, where’s the fire?

Horse Race
Horse Of A Different Color! Ready for some hoofpounding, fast-mounting action? Odds are you’ll enjoy the original version of this horse racing game. You can almost hear the thunder as these swift breeds barrel their way ’round the track! Choose from three different pull-tab payouts, played in conjunction with Video King’s HorsePower™ software. “Hay,” what more could racing fans ask for …

“These innovative new racing combinations – with their tremendous profit and payout potential – are sure to win over any crowd,” said Carla Chance, director of marketing/communications for Video King. “And the partnership between Video King and International Gamco can’t be beat.”

Pete Svendgard, director of marketing at International Gamco, readily agreed. “International Gamco looks forward to its working relationship with Video Kng,” he said.

“Both companies have personnel,products and technology that complement each other.
“Teaming up on race themed games is a good start that will provide the springboard for more products in the future,” he said. For further information about our companies and extensive product lines, please visit our Web sites at www.videokingnetwork.com and www.intlgamco.com.

Bingo Managers: Listening to Your Players Too Much May Spell Disaster for Your Bingo

In today's competitive bingo environment, it is more important than ever for your bingo to open to changing up some of your current games or bringing in new games. If your bingo faces intense competition from other bingos, you may need the ability to quickly modify your game or you could be left behind.

One thing that frequently prevents bingo chairs from making needed adjustments, or embracing new products is the fear of their players. I often hear from chairpeople who want to modify theirprogram, but decide against it after putting their ideas to a vote from their players. Some chairpeople eve think it's best to let their players decide what changes, if any, should be made.

Unfortunately, bingo players are human just like everyone. If you let them, they'll often vote for, or against, changes based upon what's best for them, and not what's best for your bingo.

Asking your players how to run your game is kind of like a shop owner asking his customers what prices he should charge. If Wal-Mart asked its shoppers what they should be charged for products, they'd probably have a lot of happy customers. But, they'd probably also end up out of business.

Of course, I'm not saying you should never listen to your players, but do so with a grain of salt. Obviously, you should always address complaints and try to carry the latest in bingo supplies, but don't let customer "suggestions" take over your bingo. Frequently, your most vocal players simply don't speak for the all of your players. And, the majority should be what you're most concerned with.

Trust me, your bingo players will let you know how much they like your bingo through their attendance and spending. Those two things, above everything else, should be your biggest concerns when deciding what is right for your bingo.

Wholesalebingosupplies.com Site Should Be Up Soon.

Wholesalebingosupplies.com, our online bingo supplies and bingo equipment store should be up and running in the near future.

We will carry everything from bingo paper to bingo ink to bingo bags to the smaller novelty bingo items. It will feature a wide selection of bingo daubers from all of the major manufacturers, as well as, the smaller newcomers. Trust me, this site will have all of your standard and not so standard bingo supplies.

However, be patient. The major bingo supply items will be going up first and much of the peripheral bingo supplies will be added as we go. Please be sure to email us if you have any questions or comments about specific items you may be interested in.

Electronic Bingo Still Gaining Momentum

Every month, more and more of our bingo customers are signing up for and enjoying the benefits of electronic bingo.

For those of you who don't know (and that number is dwindling every day), electronic bingo allows bingo players to play bingo cards electronically. Players have cards loaded into handheld units similar to large calculators and play these alongside their bingo paper books.

Initially popular in mainly the larger commercial halls, players all over Michigan are now embracing the fun of electronic bingo. Smaller bingos have caught on and are now bringing the excitement to their players.

Players that want electronics must spend a little extra for the privelage, and that's where the charities benefit. It's not uncommon for bingos using electronics to make $100's more in profit per bingo session. Player's love them and frequently demand them.

Jerry Klima, chairperson of the Elks 113 in Jackson, stated these words to me awhile back "If not for electronic bingo, our bingo would have closed the doors. We were barely scraping by and now our attendance is growing and we're making good money. I don't know how any bingo will be able to survive in the future without them."

With no upfront costs & no risk (you're charged a fee only if you rent a unit to a bingo player), more and more bingo chairpeople across the state are enjoying the increased profits and player fun that electronics offer.

Romulus, Port Huron Casinos Push for Openings in Michigan

As I mentioned in my last entry, casino expansion is never good for the charitable gaming market. So, news that two more casinos would like to open their doors (one in Port Huron and one in Romulus) is not welcome news for Michigan bingos. While both locations have begun taking baby steps forward, I expect there will be opposition for both and strong opposition for the Romulus location (most likely from Detroit casinos). So both casinos won't likely be opening any time soon.

For the complete story see Todd Spangler, Panel clears way for vote on Michigan casinos Detroit Free Press, February 13, 2008

Casino in Muskegon's Future?

Muskegon city commissioners approved an agreement with an Upper Peninsula Indian tribe that could bring the city upwards of $4.5 million a year in new revenue if the tribe builds a casino here.

The agreement with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewas is non binding and nonexclusionary, meaning that similar agreements could be forged with other casino entities -- like the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, which presented its own, much larger casino proposal to city officials on Monday.

Larry Romanelli, Little River's elected tribal leader, was present for tuesday's action. Asked afterward if it could have an effect on Little River's plans, he said, "It could. We're going to have to talk about it."

In the end, the agreement that counts will be the one with the tribal entity that successfully negotiates the welter of state and federal regulations that govern Indian gaming.

For the full article, see Muskegon, tribe reach preliminary pact on casino, Grand Rapids Press via Mlive, February 14, 2008

While, a casino in Muskegon is likely years away, news like this is still not good for Michigan's charitable bingos.

Many opposition groups have formed and will fight the casino for years. However, should they fail, continued expansion of casinos in Michigan will mean less and less non-profit groups will be able to depend on bingo to make ends meet.

Welcome to the Wholesale Bingo Supplies Blog!

Hello and welcome to the Wholesale Bingo Supplies Blog focusing on bingo products and the charitable gaming industry.

In this blog, we will primarily discuss news and opinions regarding the bingo and charitable gaming industry. However, I'm sure we'll venture off-topic on occasion as well. While coverage will focus heavily on the Michigan market(our home state), we will also cover news at the local, state, national, and even world levels. Whatever the topic, we hope to provide our readers with valuable and entertaining content.

The Wholesale Bingo Supplies blog is affiliated with Wholesale Bingo Supplies.com (online providers of bingo supplies and other gaming products), as well as, Blue Bay South, Michigan's largest direct provider of bingo and gaming supplies to the Michigan licensed charitable market.