WSOP Down to Nine

As those of us in the charity gaming business here in Michigan know, the popularity of poker has increased dramatically over the last decade. Charity poker halls have opened up throughout the state, and may one day equal or pass the number of charity bingo halls in operation.

With that said, this year's WSOP event is down to nine players, one of them Joe Cada, a 21 year old native of Michigan. Congratulation Joe, and good luck in November when final table action resumes.

Below are a couple of articles on the event, one a quick recap and the other a short profile on Joe after he reached the final 27.

November Nine set: Phil Ivey, Shelby Township's Joe Cada make WSOP main event final table

Shelby Township's Joseph Cada among final 27

FireKeepers Casino Pleased With Progress

Although there's no mention of the bingo hall that will open, the following excerpt from Indian Country Today gives a quick account of what to expect from the new FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek. Due to open in August, the casino may become the premier gambling destination for western Michigan.

One year after the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi began construction on FireKeepers Casino and before its anticipated opening this summer, the $300 million project is already making an economic impact in Michigan.

FireKeepers is expected to create approximately 2,200 jobs – 700 construction and 1,500 permanent. The casino is also projected to generate additional jobs in southwest Michigan when in full operation. Since construction began May 7, 2008, the tribe has made a concerted effort to use business suppliers and labor in the local community and surrounding areas to build and support the casino.

“The tribe is pleased to see the progress we’re making in the construction of FireKeepers Casino and the local economic activity generated from the project,” said Tribal Chair Laura Spurr. “FireKeepers has become a much needed economic boost to not only our tribe but to the region and the state.”

The project is in the finishing stage. Crews are laying carpet, painting walls, positioning cameras and restaurant equipment, and will soon begin the installation of slot machines and tables for blackjack, craps and other card games. Approximately 235 workers representing various trades are on site daily, including painters, carpet and tile installers and bricklayers.

“It is amazing that one year ago, this site was a cornfield,” said Duane Wixson, senior project manager for Clark Construction. “Our incredible progress is a reflection on the leadership of the tribe and gaming entertainment (Michigan) The hard work and effort from our construction team has also contributed to the exceptional quality of this casino.”

For the complete article, please see Tribe pleased with casino construction progress, Indian Country Today, July 14, 2009.

Nonprofit Groups Scramble for Bingo Permits

A list of more than 30 bingo permit applicants released by the city of Birmingham last week offers a glimpse into who might be involved in high-stakes bingo under Birmingham's new bingo ordinance.
Among the permit applicants is the brother of City Councilman Johnathan Austin. Gerald Austin Jr. applied for a permit representing the Center for Urban Missions, a nonprofit founded by Austin's father, the Rev. Gerald Austin Sr.

Councilman Austin was one of four councilors voting in favor of the bingo ordinance earlier this month.

Also applying for a bingo license is a nonprofit that former U.S. Rep. Earl Hilliard founded in 2000, the National Gallery of the Greats. Hilliard provided the initial draft of the new bingo ordinance to Councilman Joel Montgomery, who led the push to authorize and tax electronic bingo in the city. As a lawyer, Hilliard represents bingo operations in Jefferson and Walker counties.

But it's unclear how many groups might be pursuing a new type of permit that will allow them to operate major gaming centers with 500 machines or more.

That's because they all filled out an application designed before more than one type of permit existed that doesn't give them an option.

The city's list of applicants includes six groups that apparently denoted on their applications that they wanted the new bingo permit. The group operated by Austin's brother is among those six.

For the complete story, please see Thomas Spencer, Jeff Hansen, Groups line up for bingo permits in Birmingham, The Birmingham News, June 21, 2009.

Electronic Bingo Hall Moves Ahead Despite Death of Bingo Bill

Enterprise developer Ronnie Gilley said last week the bingo bill may be dead for now, but the Country Crossing mega-entertainment park isn’t.

“We’re marching on,” said Gilley last week after Alabama legislators allowed the Sweet Home Alabama bill to die in the Senate Rules Committee.

The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery and Rep. Marcel Black of Tuscumbia, would have regulated and taxed electronic bingo in Alabama and allowed a statewide referendum. Its death, however, does not stop Gilley’s plans for an electronic bingo hall at Country Crossing, where the primary focus will be on high-quality entertainment, celebrity-themed restaurants and luxury hotels.

“We’re moving full steam ahead,” Gilley said. “Construction activity will pick up dramatically in the next two to three weeks.”

For the complete story, please see Kay Kirkland, Bingo bill dies, development moves ahead, The Southeast Sun, May 13, 2009.

Governor Pushes for Change in Bingo Decision

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - In a move that is anything but surprising Governor Bob Riley asked the Alabama Supreme Court on Monday to throw out a ruling in the White Hall Gaming Center case.

The Governor's office contends that the judge, former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mark Kennedy, should have recused himself of the case immediately for his work for an Indian casino. Governor Riley and the Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling also asked the Supreme Court for an immediate stay of Judge Kennedy's order until the Supreme Court has a chance to consider the appeal.

Kennedy's Saturday afternoon ruling ordered the state to return cash and gaming machines seized during the March 19 raid within five days. It also ordered the state not to interfere with the White Hall Gaming Center's operations until a final ruling in the case.

For the complete story, please see Governor wants bingo ruling tossed, WSFA 12 News, March 29, 2009.