More analysis of the Michigan tribal casino situation:
The Gun Lake Tribe's compact may be a model for agreements to be renegotiated in the next four to five years, according to James Hill, professor at Central Michigan University.
The compact is different from earlier agreements in three major ways. The tribe agreed to share revenue on an increasing scale, beginning with eight percent and rising to 12 percent of slot machine revenues, calculated on gross revenues. As the tribe makes more, it pays the state a higher percentage.
For more information please see Lynn Stevens, Casinos: New compact could be model, Business Review Western Michigan, via Mlive, April 10, 2008.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Word About Bingo Paper
Having been in the bingo industry for awhile, we understand that bingo paper can be complicated to order. Different areas have different ways to describe bingo cards. So, we have provided a brief overview (below) to help you with your paper orders:
“The Cut”
All bingo paper is cut into various shapes and sizes depending on the bingo game. These shapes are described by the number of faces (single squares, or “plays”) and how the paper flows, either vertically (up and down) or horizontally (side to side).
Generally, “the cut” is the first thing shown when looking at a bingo paper description.
Case Paper
Case paper is a box of multiple sheets of bingo paper that are all the same color. These paper sheets are generally sold for specific bingo games in a program (such as a large jackpot) in addition to collated books. Typically case paper is packaged in groups of single, loose sheets.
Collated Bingo Paper
Collated bingo paper or “bingo books” of paper are various differently colored sheets glued together to form a multi-colored packet. The number of multi-colored bingo sheets in a book are the “ups”. This packet or “book” is then used to play a number of bingo games sequentially in a bingo program.
Remember, the “ups” are simply the number of sheets glued together in a book. The sheets are almost always several different colors, each designating a different game.
“The Cut”
All bingo paper is cut into various shapes and sizes depending on the bingo game. These shapes are described by the number of faces (single squares, or “plays”) and how the paper flows, either vertically (up and down) or horizontally (side to side).
Generally, “the cut” is the first thing shown when looking at a bingo paper description.
Case Paper
Case paper is a box of multiple sheets of bingo paper that are all the same color. These paper sheets are generally sold for specific bingo games in a program (such as a large jackpot) in addition to collated books. Typically case paper is packaged in groups of single, loose sheets.
Collated Bingo Paper
Collated bingo paper or “bingo books” of paper are various differently colored sheets glued together to form a multi-colored packet. The number of multi-colored bingo sheets in a book are the “ups”. This packet or “book” is then used to play a number of bingo games sequentially in a bingo program.
Remember, the “ups” are simply the number of sheets glued together in a book. The sheets are almost always several different colors, each designating a different game.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Bingo Paper Prices to Go Higher
We've heard rumblings for many months that bingo paper manufacturers were preparing to increase paper prices substantially. Well, that day is finally here.
A couple of the largest bingo paper manufacturers have already raised prices, but today, we received notice that the last major holdout American Games, inc will be increasing paper prices in the near future.
This was inevitable. Commodities prices for most manufactured goods have been going up for some time, adding to manufacturers' costs. Further, gas prices continue to climb, and bingo paper is a heavy product that is expensive to ship. These things create a recipe for upward pricing.
The bottom line: Expect your bingo's paper prices to increase 10-20%in the near future if they haven't gone up already.
One Way to Beat the Price Increase
Keep in mind that most bingo distributors will offer some price breaks for bingos that use "standard" bingo paper. "Standard" paper books are simply bingo books that follow a specific color pattern determined by the manufacturer. It is easier (and less costly) for the manufacturer to produce books in the same color order than to create special runs for unusual color patterns.
If your bingo paper is in a special color sequence, you should ask your bingo distributor about switching to a "standard" rotation. While you may have to let your bingo players know about your game color changes (and reprint bingo programs), your bingo will probably save money in the long run.
A couple of the largest bingo paper manufacturers have already raised prices, but today, we received notice that the last major holdout American Games, inc will be increasing paper prices in the near future.
This was inevitable. Commodities prices for most manufactured goods have been going up for some time, adding to manufacturers' costs. Further, gas prices continue to climb, and bingo paper is a heavy product that is expensive to ship. These things create a recipe for upward pricing.
The bottom line: Expect your bingo's paper prices to increase 10-20%in the near future if they haven't gone up already.
One Way to Beat the Price Increase
Keep in mind that most bingo distributors will offer some price breaks for bingos that use "standard" bingo paper. "Standard" paper books are simply bingo books that follow a specific color pattern determined by the manufacturer. It is easier (and less costly) for the manufacturer to produce books in the same color order than to create special runs for unusual color patterns.
If your bingo paper is in a special color sequence, you should ask your bingo distributor about switching to a "standard" rotation. While you may have to let your bingo players know about your game color changes (and reprint bingo programs), your bingo will probably save money in the long run.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Demand for "Bingo America" Bingo Cards Shuts Down Site!
Apparently, "Bingo America" the bingo-themed gameshow on GSN is a hit. Overwhelming demand for bingo cards shut down their website, and forced the show to issue apologies. They hope to have everything corrected shortly.
For more information please see Carrie Grosvenor, Bingo America Premieres and Wipes Out GSN Website Carrie's Game Shows Blog, April 1, 2008.
For more information please see Carrie Grosvenor, Bingo America Premieres and Wipes Out GSN Website Carrie's Game Shows Blog, April 1, 2008.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Big Money Bingo Winner Hits for Over $44,000
We don't usually see a lot of write-ups for the Michigan Lottery's Big Money Bingo game and its winners, but I ran across one today and wanted to share it here.
WYANDOTTE — Bingo usually is seen as a small-stakes game.
Not that a jackpot of $1,000 or more wouldn't put a smile on anyone's face, but the really big money in games of chance generally are found in casinos or state lotteries.
Theresa Guzenda would beg to differ. The 84-year-old Wyandotte resident walked away from an Oak Hall bingo game Thursday afternoon $44,000 richer.
For the complete story, see Jim Kasuba, Woman hits $44,000 playing Big Money game, the News-Herald, March 23, 2008.
WYANDOTTE — Bingo usually is seen as a small-stakes game.
Not that a jackpot of $1,000 or more wouldn't put a smile on anyone's face, but the really big money in games of chance generally are found in casinos or state lotteries.
Theresa Guzenda would beg to differ. The 84-year-old Wyandotte resident walked away from an Oak Hall bingo game Thursday afternoon $44,000 richer.
For the complete story, see Jim Kasuba, Woman hits $44,000 playing Big Money game, the News-Herald, March 23, 2008.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Bingo as a Team Building Exercise? Why Not?
Bingo is an exciting and fun way to award prizes at corporate and team building events. It takes little effort and creates an exciting atmosphere.
How Do You Do It?
Simply hand out bingo cards to your staff and call numbers from an old-school bingo cage. As each number is called, your staff will mark them on their bingo cards with a bingo dauber until an entire row is checked off. Once a row is complete, the worker yells "Bingo!" and receives a prize. Easy enough?
For bigger prizes, you could play a longer bingo game such as a "coverall" where a players must mark every number on their bingo card before a bingo occurs.
Team bingo activities are an easy way to inspire employees and help them learn about each other in a fun environment. For more information see Bullfrogbingosupplies - corporate events
How Do You Do It?
Simply hand out bingo cards to your staff and call numbers from an old-school bingo cage. As each number is called, your staff will mark them on their bingo cards with a bingo dauber until an entire row is checked off. Once a row is complete, the worker yells "Bingo!" and receives a prize. Easy enough?
For bigger prizes, you could play a longer bingo game such as a "coverall" where a players must mark every number on their bingo card before a bingo occurs.
Team bingo activities are an easy way to inspire employees and help them learn about each other in a fun environment. For more information see Bullfrogbingosupplies - corporate events
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Political Parties Ready to Run Bingos Again in Michigan?
LANSING - Political candidates searching for innovative ways to raise campaign funds may soon be crying "BINGO!"
Legislation introduced by Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, would change charitable gaming rules to allow political parties to run bingos to raise money for candidates.
Under current rules, parties can run bingos, but can use the proceeds only to pay for operational costs - like party headquarters' light bills or informational ads - not to advocate a candidate or a position, said Mike Petersen, deputy Lottery commissioner.
The proposal comes in a year when all House seats are open and more than a decade after the state said bingo proceeds couldn't be used to support campaigns.
For the full article, see Whitney Lloyd, "Democrats betting on more bingo cash" , Capital News Service, March 21, 2008.
Legislation introduced by Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, would change charitable gaming rules to allow political parties to run bingos to raise money for candidates.
Under current rules, parties can run bingos, but can use the proceeds only to pay for operational costs - like party headquarters' light bills or informational ads - not to advocate a candidate or a position, said Mike Petersen, deputy Lottery commissioner.
The proposal comes in a year when all House seats are open and more than a decade after the state said bingo proceeds couldn't be used to support campaigns.
For the full article, see Whitney Lloyd, "Democrats betting on more bingo cash" , Capital News Service, March 21, 2008.
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