Smoking Ban Passes Michigan House

The Michigan House of Representatives has again passed a smoking ban. This version will exempt casinos and tobacco shops.

However, there is no word yet on whether or not charity bingos may join that list. Last year's smoking ban legislation (which eventually expired before a compromise could be reached) did include nonprofit bingos amongst their exemptions.

From The Detroit News:

The debate about a possible workplace smoking ban in Michigan continues.

A state House committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would ban smoking at most workplaces including bars and restaurants. But casinos and tobacco shops would be exempt from the ban, similar to plans approved by the Democrat-led House in 2007 and 2008.

The Republican-led Senate has not taken up a smoking ban bill this year. The Senate approved a ban with no exceptions last year. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester said no deal has been reached on a compromise.

The Senate and House would have to agree on a version of the ban for it to become law.

Gambler Sues After Losing Millions

High-rolling Nebraska philanthropist Terrance K. Watanabe is mounting an unusual defense to charges he failed to pay $14.7 million in Strip gambling debts.

He is accusing Caesars Palace and the Rio, both owned by Harrah’s Entertainment, of providing him with a steady flow of alcohol and — in the case of Caesars Palace — prescription painkillers as his losses increased.

His Las Vegas attorney, David Chesnoff, lays out the defense in a letter to prosecutors, claiming that casino employees will testify that the resorts kept the prolific gambler in a constant state of intoxication in the latter months of 2007 in violation of state gaming regulations.

For the complete stroy, please see Jeff German, Gambler who lost millions claims he was plied with alcohol, drugs, Las Vegas Sun, May 19, 2009.

FireKeepers Casino Expected to Open in August

"So far I'm getting used to these chips."

Steve Feltner is on his first day of what he hopes will be his new career. He was laid off from his exterminator job and jumped at the chance to become a dealer.

"The way I see it, this job's gonna be here for a really long time," said Feltner. "Plus the bare fact that I absolutely love being around people, I just figured this would be a good career to undertake."

All four hours of the first day and part of the second will be all about the chips.

Cutting, stacking, pushing-- they're the foundation of the job.

Mark Agabashian is pretty good with the chips-- he's been a dealer for 10 years-- but was laid off from Motor City Casino in Detroit last month. Dealer school is a formality for him.

"It's like work, but it's not easy," says Agabashian. "The procedures are really precise."

Both Feltner and Agabashian have easy going, friendly personalities that would seem to make them excellent dealers from a gambler's perspective.

"I like this a lot," Agabashian continues. "It's entertaining. The players are amazing."

They are both after the same thing-- a career at the new Firekeepers Casino just off I-94 in between Marshall and Battle Creek. It's 45 miles South of Lansing-- which is 15 miles closer than Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant.

Construction is moving along well and doors are now expected to open in early August.

For the complete story, please see Jason Colthorp, New Casino Opening in August, WILX.com, May 18, 2009.

Legislature Folds on Casino Smoking Ban

It had been weeks since the Mohegan Tribe pushed a massive bet to the center of the table: a threat to immediately sue the state and place into escrow Connecticut's share of slot machine revenue if lawmakers imposed a smoking ban on their casino.

On Tuesday, with as much as $400 million in annual revenue from both of Connecticut's casinos at stake, the legislature finally folded.

Despite strong pressure from labor groups who want a smoking ban to protect their workers - and to demonstrate their clout after recently organizing some workers at Foxwoods Resort Casino - there has been widespread consensus among legislators and their aides that the Mohegans' bet was one that lawmakers and Gov. M. Jodi Rell could not afford to call, especially with the state facing a combined deficit of nearly $9 billion over the next two fiscal years.

For the complete story, please see Ted Mann, Finance Committee Kills Casino Smoking Ban Bill, TheDay.com, May 13, 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.

Presidential Daubers Are Here!

Wholesale Bingo Supplies is always looking for the latest bingo products, and the anytime new Designer Dab Daubers are introduced, they're always fun. Well they've outdone themselves this time with their Presidential Daubers.

These bingo daubers have a cool patriotic label and actually dab the likeness of the President which is pretty funny. So, if you're interested go check them out. They are a limited edition and won't be available for very long.

Also, if you're into Presidential collectibles check out this site MyBarocks.com run by a friend of ours.

Buying Bingo Paper Made Easy

Even the most experienced bingo managers can sometimes have a little difficulty when it comes to ordering bingo paper. With all of the different bingo book sizes, cuts and various terminology it can be confusing.

Here is a video that can help.



For more information on how to manage a bingo, please visit our Bingo Videos Page.