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.