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.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, 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.
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.
Saturday, September 27, 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.
"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.
Friday, September 26, 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?
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.
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.
Thursday, September 25, 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."
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 24, 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.
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.
"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.
Tuesday, 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...
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.
"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.
Seniors Doubt Study's Finding of Gambling Problems
Before catching the bus in New York for one of his casino trips to Atlantic City, Antonio Fava swore to himself he wouldn't gamble more than he could afford. It's a promise, he insists, he always keeps.
"I have $50 with me. When I'm finished with that, I'm done," said Fava, a 76-year-old Brooklyn retiree. "Once in a while, I come here to gamble a little bit and have a good time. I'm in control."
But a new gambling study published in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests not all senior citizens have Fava's self-control. It concludes the elderly are more likely to develop gambling problems than younger people. The study also finds older gamblers face a greater suicide risk.
Philadelphian Jake Brownstein, an 85-year-old veteran of World War II, joked that he is too scared to commit suicide. Brownstein said he gambles at the blackjack tables to relax, but occasionally will bet $5 or $10 playing the slot machines.
"I don't have any gambling problems," he stressed.
Making no attempt to hide their skepticism and amusement, other elderly gamblers scoffed Tuesday at the study's findings. They said they put themselves on a strict budget and consider gambling a fun, relatively inexpensive diversion from the monotony of old age.
"We're on a pension, so we never overspend. We're kind of cheap," said Major Leddy, 80, as he and his wife, Luraine, 82, played slot machines at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.
For the complete story, please see Donald Wittkowski, Seniors scoff at study that places them at greater risk for gambling problems , pressof AtlanticCity.com, September 17, 2008.
"I have $50 with me. When I'm finished with that, I'm done," said Fava, a 76-year-old Brooklyn retiree. "Once in a while, I come here to gamble a little bit and have a good time. I'm in control."
But a new gambling study published in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests not all senior citizens have Fava's self-control. It concludes the elderly are more likely to develop gambling problems than younger people. The study also finds older gamblers face a greater suicide risk.
Philadelphian Jake Brownstein, an 85-year-old veteran of World War II, joked that he is too scared to commit suicide. Brownstein said he gambles at the blackjack tables to relax, but occasionally will bet $5 or $10 playing the slot machines.
"I don't have any gambling problems," he stressed.
Making no attempt to hide their skepticism and amusement, other elderly gamblers scoffed Tuesday at the study's findings. They said they put themselves on a strict budget and consider gambling a fun, relatively inexpensive diversion from the monotony of old age.
"We're on a pension, so we never overspend. We're kind of cheap," said Major Leddy, 80, as he and his wife, Luraine, 82, played slot machines at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.
For the complete story, please see Donald Wittkowski, Seniors scoff at study that places them at greater risk for gambling problems , pressof AtlanticCity.com, September 17, 2008.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Don't Let Gambling Take Control of You
Jim thought he was smarter than everyone else in the casino. He was college-educated and he had a "system" to win at blackjack.
Which proves, he says, just what a sucker he was.
"I lost all of my money and all of my respect. Everyone thinks they have a system, but the casino is playing with a loaded deck."
Today, Jim has gone almost nine years without gambling. He runs the weekly Gamblers Anonymous meeting in Grand Rapids and answers the group's state hotline.
For the complete story, please see Linda S. Mah When gambling gets out of control: 'All you think about is the next bet and where you're going to get money' for it
, The Kalamazoo Gazette via Mlive, September 9, 2009.
Which proves, he says, just what a sucker he was.
"I lost all of my money and all of my respect. Everyone thinks they have a system, but the casino is playing with a loaded deck."
Today, Jim has gone almost nine years without gambling. He runs the weekly Gamblers Anonymous meeting in Grand Rapids and answers the group's state hotline.
For the complete story, please see Linda S. Mah When gambling gets out of control: 'All you think about is the next bet and where you're going to get money' for it
, The Kalamazoo Gazette via Mlive, September 9, 2009.
Bingo, Gambling Industry Hurt by Smoking Bans
At one point during her Saturday evening on Harrah's casino barge anchored here, Tensi Beavers needed a cigarette. But Illinois had recently banned smoking in casinos. So Ms. Beavers did something that is making gambling executives choke on their smoke-free casino air: She walked away from her game.
``I like to play and smoke, but you can't, so ... ,'' Beavers said, clutching a pack of cigarettes and searching for the smokers' lounge, located just off the casino floor but too far from the nearest slot machine to gamble.
To players like Beavers, smoking and gambling go hand in hand _ cigarette in one hand, slot-machine button in the other.
Now, that ritual is being upended in several states where casino smoking bans have been implemented or are on the way. The bans are hitting casinos at a time when larger economic woes _ such as airline flight reductions, cash-strapped consumers and the credit crisis _ are driving down casino revenues from Las Vegas to Connecticut.
``The smoking ban is having a major impact,'' said Tom Swoik, head of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association. Casinos in Illinois have posted double-digit declines in revenue since the smoking ban took effect in January.
For the complete story, please see Smoking bans forcing gamblers to walk away The Wall Street Journal via AP via The Courier News, September 19, 2008.
``I like to play and smoke, but you can't, so ... ,'' Beavers said, clutching a pack of cigarettes and searching for the smokers' lounge, located just off the casino floor but too far from the nearest slot machine to gamble.
To players like Beavers, smoking and gambling go hand in hand _ cigarette in one hand, slot-machine button in the other.
Now, that ritual is being upended in several states where casino smoking bans have been implemented or are on the way. The bans are hitting casinos at a time when larger economic woes _ such as airline flight reductions, cash-strapped consumers and the credit crisis _ are driving down casino revenues from Las Vegas to Connecticut.
``The smoking ban is having a major impact,'' said Tom Swoik, head of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association. Casinos in Illinois have posted double-digit declines in revenue since the smoking ban took effect in January.
For the complete story, please see Smoking bans forcing gamblers to walk away The Wall Street Journal via AP via The Courier News, September 19, 2008.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Casino or Water Park in Port Huron's Future?
Once the struggling economy rebounds, Acheson Ventures officials say the development of Desmond Landing will quicken — with the possibility of everything from a water park to a casino.
Rich Engle, the chief operating officer of Acheson Ventures, said they are in talks with hotel and water park developers and planners and development experts from Chicago to Ottawa — in total about 20 different groups — about developing the 70 acres owned by Acheson along the St. Clair River on the south side of Port Huron.
“We have all that ammunition sitting here and we are waiting for that first person to come through the door who isn’t afraid to be the first to develop it,” he said. “I think once this economy turns around, I think it will get going.”
He said specifically about a water park feasibility study that “they felt there was a market here; they think it could be done.”
For the complete story, please see Stephen Tait, Acheson still has big plans
, The TImes Herald, September 16, 2008
Rich Engle, the chief operating officer of Acheson Ventures, said they are in talks with hotel and water park developers and planners and development experts from Chicago to Ottawa — in total about 20 different groups — about developing the 70 acres owned by Acheson along the St. Clair River on the south side of Port Huron.
“We have all that ammunition sitting here and we are waiting for that first person to come through the door who isn’t afraid to be the first to develop it,” he said. “I think once this economy turns around, I think it will get going.”
He said specifically about a water park feasibility study that “they felt there was a market here; they think it could be done.”
For the complete story, please see Stephen Tait, Acheson still has big plans
, The TImes Herald, September 16, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Legislation to Devastate 100's of Charity Bingos
SB 1369 is a gut and amend bill headed for the Governor's desk that would devastate hundreds of local charities while allowing California's tribal casinos to expand their gambling operations onto the internet, essentially amounting to the greatest expansion of legal gambling in California's history. This competition would in turn severely weaken the viability of the California Lottery as a potential revenue source, an idea now under discussion through the latest proposed state budget.
SB 1369 outlaws the electronic charity bingo machines that hundreds of small charities throughout the state rely on for funding. In its place, it creates something called "Remote Caller Bingo," a technology that that links simultaneous Bingo games at multiple locations throughout the state. While organizers of Remote Caller Bingo will be able to offer larger, "life altering" jack pots, the technology will be unavailable to small charities and its practicality and profitability is questionable even for larger charities,
Meanwhile, the spread of Remote Caller Bingo through internet technology triggers a little-known clause buried inside the Indian gaming compact: basically, casinos operating under the compact have the right to use the internet for gambling if that technology is opened up to anyone else in California.
Essentially, if charities can offer Remote Caller Bingo online, then the door is open for gaming tribes to do the same. Because bingo is a game authorized by the lottery, tribes will be able to offer lottery games online. And what's more, loopholes in compact language and federal law may give casinos the green light to not only offer Bingo and Lottery games, but to offer other casino games like poker, black jack and slots. Anything that's played inside a casino could be played over the Internet with the approval of SB 1369.
For the complete story, please see California Charity Bingo Association, California Charity Bingo Association: SB 1369 Trojan Horse Legislation That Would be Devastating to Californians, The Sun Herald, September 16, 2008.
SB 1369 outlaws the electronic charity bingo machines that hundreds of small charities throughout the state rely on for funding. In its place, it creates something called "Remote Caller Bingo," a technology that that links simultaneous Bingo games at multiple locations throughout the state. While organizers of Remote Caller Bingo will be able to offer larger, "life altering" jack pots, the technology will be unavailable to small charities and its practicality and profitability is questionable even for larger charities,
Meanwhile, the spread of Remote Caller Bingo through internet technology triggers a little-known clause buried inside the Indian gaming compact: basically, casinos operating under the compact have the right to use the internet for gambling if that technology is opened up to anyone else in California.
Essentially, if charities can offer Remote Caller Bingo online, then the door is open for gaming tribes to do the same. Because bingo is a game authorized by the lottery, tribes will be able to offer lottery games online. And what's more, loopholes in compact language and federal law may give casinos the green light to not only offer Bingo and Lottery games, but to offer other casino games like poker, black jack and slots. Anything that's played inside a casino could be played over the Internet with the approval of SB 1369.
For the complete story, please see California Charity Bingo Association, California Charity Bingo Association: SB 1369 Trojan Horse Legislation That Would be Devastating to Californians, The Sun Herald, September 16, 2008.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Casino to be Debated
The backers of a proposed casino in southwestern Ohio accuse their opponents of not playing fair, but they'll debate them nonetheless.
MyOhioNow.com, which is pitching the $600 million casino resort in a November constitutional amendment, accuses the Ohio Roundtable, which has led opposition to the current and past gambling campaigns, of taking money from rival gambling interests.
This morning, MyOhioNow.com issued a statement pointing out that the roundtable's president, David P. Zanotti, accepted contributions from bingo companies during the successful 1996 campaign to defeat riverboat gambling in Ohio.
MyOhioNow.com partner Rick A. Lertzman even went so far as to say he'd refuse to debate Zanotti or Ohio Roundtable Vice President Rob Walgate because he thinks the group has unclean hands on the gambling issue.
Zanotti and Walgate have denied that the roundtable or its campaign spinoff, Vote No Casinos, will take any gambling money during the current campaign.
For the complete story, please see The Daily Briefing, Casino backers criticize foes, will debate them anyway, The Columbus Dispatch, September 19, 2008.
MyOhioNow.com, which is pitching the $600 million casino resort in a November constitutional amendment, accuses the Ohio Roundtable, which has led opposition to the current and past gambling campaigns, of taking money from rival gambling interests.
This morning, MyOhioNow.com issued a statement pointing out that the roundtable's president, David P. Zanotti, accepted contributions from bingo companies during the successful 1996 campaign to defeat riverboat gambling in Ohio.
MyOhioNow.com partner Rick A. Lertzman even went so far as to say he'd refuse to debate Zanotti or Ohio Roundtable Vice President Rob Walgate because he thinks the group has unclean hands on the gambling issue.
Zanotti and Walgate have denied that the roundtable or its campaign spinoff, Vote No Casinos, will take any gambling money during the current campaign.
For the complete story, please see The Daily Briefing, Casino backers criticize foes, will debate them anyway, The Columbus Dispatch, September 19, 2008.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Smoking Ban Advocates to Renew the Pressure Today.
Word on the street is that a number of smoking ban advocates will be in Lansing today applying pressure to lawmakers to pass a complete, statewide smoking ban.
Those who oppose this smoking ban will face a stiff test. Detroit casinos and charity bingos may or may not be exempt from a smoking ban depending on what the legislatures do. However, Native American casinos would remain exempt from any smoking legislation.
Again, while we see both side of this issue, it is our position that if Native American casinos will be unaffected, then charity bingos and Detroit casinos should be exempt as well. After all, these groups are in direct competition, and a ban over some but not the others is unfair.
3:50pm Update: No vote on this legislation will take place today. Stay tuned tomorrow.
Those who oppose this smoking ban will face a stiff test. Detroit casinos and charity bingos may or may not be exempt from a smoking ban depending on what the legislatures do. However, Native American casinos would remain exempt from any smoking legislation.
Again, while we see both side of this issue, it is our position that if Native American casinos will be unaffected, then charity bingos and Detroit casinos should be exempt as well. After all, these groups are in direct competition, and a ban over some but not the others is unfair.
3:50pm Update: No vote on this legislation will take place today. Stay tuned tomorrow.
Monday, September 15, 2008
New Casino Hurts Local Charity Bingos
Around town, the twirl of the bingo cage might soon be replaced by the pull of a slot machine lever.
The bingo hall at the city’s AMVETS Brian Simpson Post 692 has increasingly become more silent, as those who joyously yell “bingo!” when they have a winning card have left the game for higher-stakes gambling at Anderson’s new Hoosier Park Casino.
Since the casino opened in June, Post 692 has seen a decrease in bingo players, from about 250-260 players a night to 130-180, leaving the post’s operations and charity work, funded by bingo and pull-tabs, floundering for more money.
For the complete story, please see Aleasha Sandley BINGO: Some blame casino for losses, The Herald Bulletin.com, September 15, 2008.
The bingo hall at the city’s AMVETS Brian Simpson Post 692 has increasingly become more silent, as those who joyously yell “bingo!” when they have a winning card have left the game for higher-stakes gambling at Anderson’s new Hoosier Park Casino.
Since the casino opened in June, Post 692 has seen a decrease in bingo players, from about 250-260 players a night to 130-180, leaving the post’s operations and charity work, funded by bingo and pull-tabs, floundering for more money.
For the complete story, please see Aleasha Sandley BINGO: Some blame casino for losses, The Herald Bulletin.com, September 15, 2008.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fruitport Area Casino Being Considered
Rumblings of a new casino in West Michigan grew louder last week when Fruitport Land Development announced it sold 93 acres in Fruitport Township to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
The tribe, which owns and operates a casino in Manistee, has not firmed up plans or received approval to proceed, according to tribal Public Affairs Director Glenn Zaring.
"We are currently going through the steps to explore establishing a casino on the property but are examining a number of development options, as well," Zaring said.
Everything is still on the table, he added.
For the complete story, please see Lynn Stevens, Little River Band may try for casino in Fruitport, Business Review Western Michigan via Mlive, September 11, 2008.
The tribe, which owns and operates a casino in Manistee, has not firmed up plans or received approval to proceed, according to tribal Public Affairs Director Glenn Zaring.
"We are currently going through the steps to explore establishing a casino on the property but are examining a number of development options, as well," Zaring said.
Everything is still on the table, he added.
For the complete story, please see Lynn Stevens, Little River Band may try for casino in Fruitport, Business Review Western Michigan via Mlive, September 11, 2008.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Craps Scandal Uncovered
When someone walked up to a craps table at Foxwoods Resort Casino or Mohegan Sun and said “strawberry daiquiri” or “hot chocolate,” the game was on.
The cheating game, according to police.
State police this week arrested the alleged ringleader of a scam in which dealers paid players for late bets and later collected payment for the favors.
Richard S. Taylor, 42, of Memphis, Tenn., was charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit cheating at gambling, cheating at gambling and first-degree larceny. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond. A dozen more arrests are expected.
The State Police Casino Unit began investigating in December 2007 after a floor person at Foxwoods notified a manager that a craps dealer was cheating. They initially charged Taylor and dealer Mattie Tarlton. They now say the scheme has widened to include 13 people and that the region's two casinos lost $69,965.
For the complete story, please see Karen Florin Craps scandal deepens at area casinos, Theday.com, September 6, 2008.
The cheating game, according to police.
State police this week arrested the alleged ringleader of a scam in which dealers paid players for late bets and later collected payment for the favors.
Richard S. Taylor, 42, of Memphis, Tenn., was charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit cheating at gambling, cheating at gambling and first-degree larceny. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond. A dozen more arrests are expected.
The State Police Casino Unit began investigating in December 2007 after a floor person at Foxwoods notified a manager that a craps dealer was cheating. They initially charged Taylor and dealer Mattie Tarlton. They now say the scheme has widened to include 13 people and that the region's two casinos lost $69,965.
For the complete story, please see Karen Florin Craps scandal deepens at area casinos, Theday.com, September 6, 2008.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Casino Question Put to Bed
Bowing to the reality of state law, Muskegon County commissioners have officially abandoned their effort to use the Nov. 4 election to measure public opinion about a proposed gambling casino.
They voted 11-0 Tuesday to remove a countywide advisory question from the ballot. It would have asked voters if they approved of a recent resolution, passed by the county board, in support of a proposed casino at the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack property.
Commissioners Tuesday acted on the advice of their legal counsel, Ted Williams, who said they might be violating state law by pressing forward.
For the complete story, please see Steve Gunn, County voters won't face casino question, Muskegon Chronicle, September 10, 2008.
They voted 11-0 Tuesday to remove a countywide advisory question from the ballot. It would have asked voters if they approved of a recent resolution, passed by the county board, in support of a proposed casino at the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack property.
Commissioners Tuesday acted on the advice of their legal counsel, Ted Williams, who said they might be violating state law by pressing forward.
For the complete story, please see Steve Gunn, County voters won't face casino question, Muskegon Chronicle, September 10, 2008.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
No Movement on Smoking Ban After All
The House has adjourned for the week. There will be no movement on the smoking ban at least until tuesday of next week when the House reconvenes.
Again, we'll keep you posted on this legislation and its affect on charities and their bingos.
Again, we'll keep you posted on this legislation and its affect on charities and their bingos.
Smoking Ban Likely to be Taken Up Today
The potential across the board smoking ban in Michigan (which would include casinos and charity bingo) was not taken up yesterday, but it is likely that we will see some action today.
The media has been oddly silent on this, and outside of a report on the local news last night, there is almost nothing out there. The story on the news last night talked of passing a complete smoking ban this year and then possibly adding in exemptions next year. Frankly, we are extremely dubious of this happening, especially in regards to charity bingos. It is our opinion that any exemptions to a complete smoking ban would be highly unlikely once the bill has been passed.
Here's one of the few write-ups (small paragraph, bottom of page) that we could find: Smoking ban, News/Talk 1460, Big Rapids, MI, September 10, 2008.
We'll be monitoring this throughout the day.
The media has been oddly silent on this, and outside of a report on the local news last night, there is almost nothing out there. The story on the news last night talked of passing a complete smoking ban this year and then possibly adding in exemptions next year. Frankly, we are extremely dubious of this happening, especially in regards to charity bingos. It is our opinion that any exemptions to a complete smoking ban would be highly unlikely once the bill has been passed.
Here's one of the few write-ups (small paragraph, bottom of page) that we could find: Smoking ban, News/Talk 1460, Big Rapids, MI, September 10, 2008.
We'll be monitoring this throughout the day.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Complete Smoking Ban (Including Bingos) May Be Imminent
A complete ban on smoking in public places in Michigan may be rapidly approaching. Apparently, the House version which had exempted bingos and casinos may be off the table as Detroit area Democrats may be willing to go against Detroit casino interests.
From our sources:
"Talk at the Capitol this morning is that House Democrats may force a vote of an outright ban on smoking in all public buildings in Michigan today or tomorrow.
Apparently, the Detroit Democrats who have been re-elected in the August primary and face little general election opposition from Republicans in the heavily Democratic Detroit and are now willing to go against the Casinos interests in Detroit and vote for an outright ban on all smoking as the Senate did in SB-213.
The swing of the Detroit Democarats makes it now possible to narrowly pass a total ban. That bill now sits in the House and could be discharged from committee and put before the House for a vote at anytime."
From our sources:
"Talk at the Capitol this morning is that House Democrats may force a vote of an outright ban on smoking in all public buildings in Michigan today or tomorrow.
Apparently, the Detroit Democrats who have been re-elected in the August primary and face little general election opposition from Republicans in the heavily Democratic Detroit and are now willing to go against the Casinos interests in Detroit and vote for an outright ban on all smoking as the Senate did in SB-213.
The swing of the Detroit Democarats makes it now possible to narrowly pass a total ban. That bill now sits in the House and could be discharged from committee and put before the House for a vote at anytime."
Potential Casino in Muskegon Faces Another Obstacle
Some Muskegon County officials were wondering if they could still place an advisory question regarding a proposed gambling casino on the Nov. 4 election ballot, as long as an outside sponsor covered the costs.
The answer is no, according to state officials.
That seemingly narrows the options available to Muskegon County commissioners Tuesday, when they are expected to decide the fate of their plan to use the general election ballot to measure public sentiment about the casino proposal.
Last week, Chris Thomas, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, told county officials they had no legal right to spend public money to put a purely advisory question on the ballot.
For the complete story, please see Steve Gunn, Odds stacked against casino ballot plan, Muskegon Chronicle, September 8, 2008.
The answer is no, according to state officials.
That seemingly narrows the options available to Muskegon County commissioners Tuesday, when they are expected to decide the fate of their plan to use the general election ballot to measure public sentiment about the casino proposal.
Last week, Chris Thomas, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, told county officials they had no legal right to spend public money to put a purely advisory question on the ballot.
For the complete story, please see Steve Gunn, Odds stacked against casino ballot plan, Muskegon Chronicle, September 8, 2008.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Autthorities Crack Down on Gaming Machines Used For "Amusement Purposes Only"
Authorities raided a corner bar in Southeast Baltimore yesterday and seized three video gaming machines that police said were used for illegal gambling, part of an effort by the Maryland Comptroller's Office to crack down on such devices in taverns and liquor establishments across the state.
Baltimore police vice detectives carrying a pry bar and a sledge hammer walked into the Colonial Inn at Eastern Avenue and Washington Street, ordered a handful of patrons to leave and seized the machines and $1,753. Police and agents with the comptroller's office also walked out with beer boxes stuffed with financial records.
The 3 p.m. raid was the second in as many days linked to the initiative announced in June by Comptroller Peter Franchot, who has vowed to use the tax collector's office to rid bars of gaming machines that in many cases are licensed for "amusement purposes only" but which state officials contend are really used for gambling.
For the complete story, please see Peter Hermann Video gaming machines seized, The Baltimore Sun, September 8, 2008.
Baltimore police vice detectives carrying a pry bar and a sledge hammer walked into the Colonial Inn at Eastern Avenue and Washington Street, ordered a handful of patrons to leave and seized the machines and $1,753. Police and agents with the comptroller's office also walked out with beer boxes stuffed with financial records.
The 3 p.m. raid was the second in as many days linked to the initiative announced in June by Comptroller Peter Franchot, who has vowed to use the tax collector's office to rid bars of gaming machines that in many cases are licensed for "amusement purposes only" but which state officials contend are really used for gambling.
For the complete story, please see Peter Hermann Video gaming machines seized, The Baltimore Sun, September 8, 2008.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Casino's Impact Both Good and Bad
When the Dowagiac-based Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians rolled the dice on New Buffalo Township, more than a few in the sleepy, quiet lakeside resort community — total population 4,668, including the township — feared the worst.
But a year after the opening of the Four Winds Casino Resort, even Mike Hosinski, arguably the casino's biggest opponent, agrees it's not the monster he thought it would be.
"It hasn't bothered me," he said. "There have been no noticeable derogatory effects yet. Or benefits."
A former New Buffalo business owner who now makes his home in nearby Rolling Prairie, Hosinski once led the New Buffalo-based Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos organization in its effort to keep out the casino. Through legal maneuvers, it succeeded in doing just that until its luck ran out.
Today, Hosinski says he's "running about 80 percent on my predictions," with that forecast heavily on the negative side. Although there has been an increase in traffic, he said the traffic congestion he had anticipated never materialized after the casino's first week of operation.
For the complete story, please see Lou Mumford, Four Winds Casino: Weighing the good and the bad, South Bend Tribune, September 2, 2008.
But a year after the opening of the Four Winds Casino Resort, even Mike Hosinski, arguably the casino's biggest opponent, agrees it's not the monster he thought it would be.
"It hasn't bothered me," he said. "There have been no noticeable derogatory effects yet. Or benefits."
A former New Buffalo business owner who now makes his home in nearby Rolling Prairie, Hosinski once led the New Buffalo-based Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos organization in its effort to keep out the casino. Through legal maneuvers, it succeeded in doing just that until its luck ran out.
Today, Hosinski says he's "running about 80 percent on my predictions," with that forecast heavily on the negative side. Although there has been an increase in traffic, he said the traffic congestion he had anticipated never materialized after the casino's first week of operation.
For the complete story, please see Lou Mumford, Four Winds Casino: Weighing the good and the bad, South Bend Tribune, September 2, 2008.
And the Winner of the Flat Screen TV is....
And the winner is of our flat-screen newsletter contest is.......Barbara Cheston from Lancaster, Pennsylvania!
Barbara is from the Heart Group, and she entered our contest in early August. Thanks to Barbara and to everyone for your tremendous feedback! We asked you to leave your audio comments for additional entries and we weren't disappointed. Don't just take our word for it, listen to our customers themselves with the audio on our Bingo Customer Testimonial Page.
We appreciate all of the positive comments that were left and ask you to keep them coming. Stay tuned to our website Wholesale Bingo Supplies for future contests.
Barbara is from the Heart Group, and she entered our contest in early August. Thanks to Barbara and to everyone for your tremendous feedback! We asked you to leave your audio comments for additional entries and we weren't disappointed. Don't just take our word for it, listen to our customers themselves with the audio on our Bingo Customer Testimonial Page.
We appreciate all of the positive comments that were left and ask you to keep them coming. Stay tuned to our website Wholesale Bingo Supplies for future contests.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Smaller Bingos Can't Compete with Tribal Interests
In recent years, charity bingo has been unable to compete with the richer prizes and slot machine-type bingo games allowed at Indian casinos in California. Alarmed by dwindling bingo revenues, the Catholic Church, one of the state's biggest charity bingo operators, pushed a bill by state Sen. Gill Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, to double the $250 prize limit in charity bingo games. Meanwhile at the behest of a handful of local charities, Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, introduced a bill to legalize bingo machines.
Unwilling to tolerate any serious competition with their gambling operations, the tribes initially fought both bills. As a chronology put together by The Sacramento Bee's Steve Wiegand makes clear, the tribes prevailed at almost every legislative hearing. Not coincidentally, the tribes have contributed $656,700 to 70 of the Legislature's 120 members in the first six months of 2008.
After the tribes announced their opposition, Steinberg quickly dropped his bill to allow electronic bingo at charity bingo parlors. The Cedillo bill was amended to give big charities the power to consolidate and simulcast their operations. Anything that might have constituted a real threat to the tribes' slot machine monopoly was deleted.
For the complete story, please see Editorial, If tribes want it – BINGO! – they get it
, SacBee.com, September 4, 2008.
Unwilling to tolerate any serious competition with their gambling operations, the tribes initially fought both bills. As a chronology put together by The Sacramento Bee's Steve Wiegand makes clear, the tribes prevailed at almost every legislative hearing. Not coincidentally, the tribes have contributed $656,700 to 70 of the Legislature's 120 members in the first six months of 2008.
After the tribes announced their opposition, Steinberg quickly dropped his bill to allow electronic bingo at charity bingo parlors. The Cedillo bill was amended to give big charities the power to consolidate and simulcast their operations. Anything that might have constituted a real threat to the tribes' slot machine monopoly was deleted.
For the complete story, please see Editorial, If tribes want it – BINGO! – they get it
, SacBee.com, September 4, 2008.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Billionaire Wins Battle, Won't Have to Pay Gambling Loss
An Arab billionaire gambler known as the “Fat Man” won his High Court battle yesterday over £2 million lost in a night of blackjack at a prestigious London casino.
In a damaging judgment, Aspinall’s Club in Mayfair was found by Mr Justice Teare to have given illegal credit to Fouad al-Zayat in the hope that he would carry on gambling while trying to pay off his debt. That breach of Gaming Act principles meant the club failed in its attempt to recoup the money lost by the colourful businessman, who bounced the £2 million cheque after a row over a croupier.
For the complete story, please see Dominic Kennedy, 'Fat Man' wins legal battle over £2m gambling debt, The Times, September 4, 2008.
In a damaging judgment, Aspinall’s Club in Mayfair was found by Mr Justice Teare to have given illegal credit to Fouad al-Zayat in the hope that he would carry on gambling while trying to pay off his debt. That breach of Gaming Act principles meant the club failed in its attempt to recoup the money lost by the colourful businessman, who bounced the £2 million cheque after a row over a croupier.
For the complete story, please see Dominic Kennedy, 'Fat Man' wins legal battle over £2m gambling debt, The Times, September 4, 2008.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Some Guidelines for Your Bingo's Layout and Location (Part 3)
Before, we discussed Some Guidelines for Your Bingo's Layout and Location Part 1 and Part 2. In those articles we talked about hall size, lighting, tables and chairs, and laying out your sales area. Today, we'll finish this conversation and talk a little about both the bingo playing area and the concession area.
Bingo Playing Area
You always want to keep your bingo players comfort in mind when establishing your bingo games' playing area. If possible, customers should be given comfortable tables and chairs that are spaced so that everyone has clear views of the bingo machine, at least one bingo flashboard, and the bingo caller.
Air conditioning and heat should be set at comfortable levels during the appropriate time of year. If your building lacks proper air conditioning, fans should be provided at the very least. In fact, it's not a bad idea to have a few fans handy in case there's ever a problem with the air conditioning. Also, if possible, make sure you set up a non-smoking section away from the smokers if your state still allows smoking.
Concession Area
Like any retail business, you want your sales area to be arranged in a way that makes the most sense from a customer service perspective. Have supplies readily available and nearby, make sure your preparation area is large enough and sanitary at all times, and always provide a number of trash receptacles both for you and your customers.
Speed is extremely important to bingo players, and so it's important for your bingo concession. The last thing that players want is to miss out on a bingo game because they're left waiting to place an order or to receive their food. So, focus on making your concession as responsive as possible. If your concession is lagging, look at McDonald's or some other business for ideas on how to speed things up.
Other Building Considerations
Finally, you want to consider a few more things such as:
Do you have adequate parking? If not, is there anything that can be done? Perhaps, you could make arrangements to use a neighbor's parking during their off hours.
Is the security and lighting for your building adequate? Everyone likes a lighted parking lot, especially bingo players that are often leaving later in the evening. It's also good to consider hiring security to guard against any potential problems in your area.
Are your restrooms and entranceways both clean and handicap accessible? This is important for obvious reasons. Bathroom cleanliness is frequently a reflection of a business' overall customer service, and dirty bathrooms will keep bingo players from coming back.
This is the same with handicap accessibility. If you have bingo players that are wheelchair bound or facing some other impediment, make sure you do what you can to help them out. Have adequate parking close to the building and make sure that any ramps or other building requirements are kept unobstructed and available for use.
Bingo Playing Area
You always want to keep your bingo players comfort in mind when establishing your bingo games' playing area. If possible, customers should be given comfortable tables and chairs that are spaced so that everyone has clear views of the bingo machine, at least one bingo flashboard, and the bingo caller.
Air conditioning and heat should be set at comfortable levels during the appropriate time of year. If your building lacks proper air conditioning, fans should be provided at the very least. In fact, it's not a bad idea to have a few fans handy in case there's ever a problem with the air conditioning. Also, if possible, make sure you set up a non-smoking section away from the smokers if your state still allows smoking.
Concession Area
Like any retail business, you want your sales area to be arranged in a way that makes the most sense from a customer service perspective. Have supplies readily available and nearby, make sure your preparation area is large enough and sanitary at all times, and always provide a number of trash receptacles both for you and your customers.
Speed is extremely important to bingo players, and so it's important for your bingo concession. The last thing that players want is to miss out on a bingo game because they're left waiting to place an order or to receive their food. So, focus on making your concession as responsive as possible. If your concession is lagging, look at McDonald's or some other business for ideas on how to speed things up.
Other Building Considerations
Finally, you want to consider a few more things such as:
Do you have adequate parking? If not, is there anything that can be done? Perhaps, you could make arrangements to use a neighbor's parking during their off hours.
Is the security and lighting for your building adequate? Everyone likes a lighted parking lot, especially bingo players that are often leaving later in the evening. It's also good to consider hiring security to guard against any potential problems in your area.
Are your restrooms and entranceways both clean and handicap accessible? This is important for obvious reasons. Bathroom cleanliness is frequently a reflection of a business' overall customer service, and dirty bathrooms will keep bingo players from coming back.
This is the same with handicap accessibility. If you have bingo players that are wheelchair bound or facing some other impediment, make sure you do what you can to help them out. Have adequate parking close to the building and make sure that any ramps or other building requirements are kept unobstructed and available for use.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
We'll Announce the Winner Tomorrow....We Promise
We're sorry, We're sorry, We're sorry. We're sorry a hundred times over.
The winner of the flat-screen TV in our bingo newsletter drawing has been determined. But, we've had some trouble getting our people around to contact him or her, and so this has taken way longer than we wanted.
But we promise, even if we can't get everyone on the same page, we'll make sure that some sort of an announcement is made here tomorrow. Again, we're sorry for the delay and thanks for your patience.
The winner of the flat-screen TV in our bingo newsletter drawing has been determined. But, we've had some trouble getting our people around to contact him or her, and so this has taken way longer than we wanted.
But we promise, even if we can't get everyone on the same page, we'll make sure that some sort of an announcement is made here tomorrow. Again, we're sorry for the delay and thanks for your patience.
Greektown to Get Bigger
Greektown Casino is hoping to make itself more competitive with the other two major players in the Detroit area with a recent refurbishment and coming expansion.
Construction crews are nearly finished with their work on the property, allowing surrounding roads that have been closed for almost a year to be re-opened. Those roads prevented potential customers from patronizing the casino.
Greektown Casino recently installed 600 new slot machines to bring the casino’s total to 2,600 as well as a high-roller slot area that’s slated to open in November.
The casino also expanded the slot floor by 33 percent and has new machines including $1 Wheel of Fortune progressives, Triple Double Diamond Free Games, Double Strike Gold, Super Lucky 2x3x4x5 Pay, Super Times Pay Free Games, Lil Lady, Wolf Run, Lion Dance, Desert Spirit, Mayan Riches, Arctic Fox, Lady of the Lake and Red Lions 1 for 1. The casino now has over 100,000 square feet of total gaming space.
For the complete story, please see GT Staff, Greektown set to expand , Gaming Today, September 2, 2008.
Construction crews are nearly finished with their work on the property, allowing surrounding roads that have been closed for almost a year to be re-opened. Those roads prevented potential customers from patronizing the casino.
Greektown Casino recently installed 600 new slot machines to bring the casino’s total to 2,600 as well as a high-roller slot area that’s slated to open in November.
The casino also expanded the slot floor by 33 percent and has new machines including $1 Wheel of Fortune progressives, Triple Double Diamond Free Games, Double Strike Gold, Super Lucky 2x3x4x5 Pay, Super Times Pay Free Games, Lil Lady, Wolf Run, Lion Dance, Desert Spirit, Mayan Riches, Arctic Fox, Lady of the Lake and Red Lions 1 for 1. The casino now has over 100,000 square feet of total gaming space.
For the complete story, please see GT Staff, Greektown set to expand , Gaming Today, September 2, 2008.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Bingo Bill Takes Interesting Path to Passage
This is a story about how laws are made in California. It's about poor kids in Los Angeles who lack tuition for parochial school, and disabled kids in Sacramento whose beloved therapy program is threatened. It's about casino tribes, Catholic priests, high school sports and blind people. Oh, and bingo.
Early 2008: Gil Cedillo is talking to John Moretta. Cedillo is a 54-year-old state senator from Los Angeles. Moretta is the 67-year-old monsignor of Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in the east L.A. neighborhood of Boyle Heights. A lifelong resident of the Heights, Cedillo received his first Holy Communion at Resurrection.
Moretta tells Cedillo that the parish's bingo games are suffering, and that unless something is done, the parish will have to stop offering the hundred or so scholarships to the parish school that it extends to poor families.
For the complete story, please see Steve Wiegand Bingo bill took circuitous route through Capitol
, SacBee.com, September 3, 2008.
Early 2008: Gil Cedillo is talking to John Moretta. Cedillo is a 54-year-old state senator from Los Angeles. Moretta is the 67-year-old monsignor of Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in the east L.A. neighborhood of Boyle Heights. A lifelong resident of the Heights, Cedillo received his first Holy Communion at Resurrection.
Moretta tells Cedillo that the parish's bingo games are suffering, and that unless something is done, the parish will have to stop offering the hundred or so scholarships to the parish school that it extends to poor families.
For the complete story, please see Steve Wiegand Bingo bill took circuitous route through Capitol
, SacBee.com, September 3, 2008.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
No News on Proposed Smoking Ban in Bingos
Well, it's been awhile since we posted any kind of update on the proposed smoking ban in Michigan. As you might recall, both the Senate and the House passed versions of a smoking ban. The Senate's version exempted no one, while the House version exempts casinos and charity bingos. And, that's where the stalemate has occurred up to this moment.
At this time, there is nothing new to report. The stalemate continues. However, our sources are expecting this legislation to be back on everyone's mind this fall and if not before, definately after this November's election.
Check back here from time to time for the latest news.
At this time, there is nothing new to report. The stalemate continues. However, our sources are expecting this legislation to be back on everyone's mind this fall and if not before, definately after this November's election.
Check back here from time to time for the latest news.
We Haven't Forgotten About Our Bingo Newsletter Contest
The winner of our bingo newsletter flat screen giveaway will be announced on this blog sometime today. Currently, we are compiling all of the entries (there were 1,000s) in one central location.
Check back later today to find out if you might be the lucky winner!!!
UPDATE: It looks like the announcement of the winner will have to wait until tomorrow.
As it happens, the random winner has been selected, but there was a little difficulty contacting this person. So, we will try again tomorrow and if we can't contact him or her, we will go ahead and make the announcement anyway.
Also, look for our latest bingo newsletter to go out sometime in the next day or two.
Check back later today to find out if you might be the lucky winner!!!
UPDATE: It looks like the announcement of the winner will have to wait until tomorrow.
As it happens, the random winner has been selected, but there was a little difficulty contacting this person. So, we will try again tomorrow and if we can't contact him or her, we will go ahead and make the announcement anyway.
Also, look for our latest bingo newsletter to go out sometime in the next day or two.
Legislature Bans Certain Class of Electronic Bingo Games
A bill that would prohibit charities from using electronic bingo games was approved Friday by the state Legislature at the insistence of California Indian tribes.
The compromise by Democratic Sen. Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles prohibits the games, which work like slot machines. But it lets many charities employ so-called remote-caller technology, which uses audio or video equipment to run bingo games at multiple locations simultaneously.
California's attorney general and Indian tribes say electronic bingo violates state agreements that give tribes sole use of slot machines.
Attorney General Jerry Brown moved to stop their use by charities, but a federal judge issued an order in June temporarily preventing the state from seizing the machines. The judge's ruling came in a lawsuit by charities that rely on the revenue and by two people with disabilities who said the e-bingo machines enable them to play the game.
For more information, please see Calif. Senate approves ban on electronic bingo, Associated Press, August 29, 2008.
The compromise by Democratic Sen. Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles prohibits the games, which work like slot machines. But it lets many charities employ so-called remote-caller technology, which uses audio or video equipment to run bingo games at multiple locations simultaneously.
California's attorney general and Indian tribes say electronic bingo violates state agreements that give tribes sole use of slot machines.
Attorney General Jerry Brown moved to stop their use by charities, but a federal judge issued an order in June temporarily preventing the state from seizing the machines. The judge's ruling came in a lawsuit by charities that rely on the revenue and by two people with disabilities who said the e-bingo machines enable them to play the game.
For more information, please see Calif. Senate approves ban on electronic bingo, Associated Press, August 29, 2008.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Study to Determine Casino Impact
As the frame of the FireKeepers casino takes shape near I-94 and 11-Mile Road, proponents eagerly anticipate new jobs and economic growth while opponents worry about an increase in crime, traffic and social problems.
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi's $300 million complex is scheduled to open next summer after years of government red tape, court battles and controversy.
What type of impact will it have on the community? That will be the focus of an ongoing study by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, which last week revealed the baseline measurements by which its economists will assess how the casino affects Calhoun County.
For the complete story, please see In Your Voice Study can be valuable gauge of casino's impact, Battle Creek Enquirer, August 24, 2008.
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi's $300 million complex is scheduled to open next summer after years of government red tape, court battles and controversy.
What type of impact will it have on the community? That will be the focus of an ongoing study by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, which last week revealed the baseline measurements by which its economists will assess how the casino affects Calhoun County.
For the complete story, please see In Your Voice Study can be valuable gauge of casino's impact, Battle Creek Enquirer, August 24, 2008.
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