More Perspective on Smoking Bans and Their Negative Impact on Bingos and Charities

Following is an excerpt of an editorial discussing the recent New York Times article about smoking bans and their negative impact on bingo:


I grew up playing bingo since my Dad was a bingo caller for the Elks. He was also a Shriner, a Mason, a Lion, and an overall charitable person with organizations that rely on bingo games to support their service to the needy. My sister is heavily involved in the Women's Moose organization that also relies on bingo for much of their philanthropic work. Me - well, I just love to play bingo to support all my favorite local charities as my Dad taught me to do. Charities who operate bingo games to raise money are seriously suffering from the smoking bans in bingo halls.

In a report published by the New York Times, there is solid evidence that charities are suffering from the smoking bans. Some charities have had to close their bingo operations because the smokers made up the largest percentage of their customer base. Other charities have lost up to 50% of the revenues over the last year. When news broke about casinos in Atlantic City banning smoking, as do the casinos in Colorado, I was relieved to know the trend is continuing. Don't get me wrong, I smoke, but do not like smoking around people who are on oxygen tanks or become ill from my smoking. I am happy to step outside or move if someone next to me if affected by my bad habit.

Oddly enough, the nonsmokers are really the ones who benefit from the smoking bans, but they do not support the bingo operations by showing up to play and donate to the charities. Bingo employees and volunteers who do not smoke are happy about a smoke-free workplace, but many have had to find new jobs when their bingo operation shut down. So many bingo halls have closed down from lack of nonsmoker support, you would think there could be a smoking only bingo hall to keep the charities afloat, and let the nonsmokers go to the smoke-free casinos. Then everyone would be happy.

For the full article, please see Aly Adair Smoking Bans in Bingo Halls Hurt Charities Associated Content, April 28, 2008

Michigan Attorney General to Review Casino Dispute

A dispute is growing over the decision by the owner of the new Four Winds Casino Resort to withhold revenue-sharing payments from the state and county.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board sent a letter this month to state Attorney General Mike Cox, asking him to review the matter and determine a legal course of action against the Dowagiac-based Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

For the full article, please see Mich. attorney general asked to take action against casino Mlive, April 29,2008

Non-Smoking Legislation Proves Fatal for Many Bingos

The New York Times has published another article about the negative effects non-smoking has on charitable bingo.

For good or bad,bingo seems to attract smokers. And, when given the choice between a non-smoking charity bingo at the local bingo hall, or bingo with smoking at a casino, players will usually pick the casino.

Again, our position is that if Michigan passes non-smoking legislation, they need to excempt charitable bingo. Otherwise, they're giving an unfair advantage to casinos and many charities and veterans groups will be hurt.

For more information, please see Stephanie Strom After the Smoke Cleared, Where Did All the Bingo Players Go? New York Times, Apirl 24, 2008.

Battle Creek Casino on Schedule for 2009.

Despite the absence of construction activity at the FireKeepers Casino site east of Battle Creek, project officials say the project is still on target for completion in mid-2009.

"There's no exact date, but I think people will see things moving before June," said casino spokeswoman Donna Halinski. "We're optimisitic we'll have a June 2009 opening — I think that's achievable."

For more information, please see Darby Prateri Casino project awaits start Battle Creek Enquirer, April 28, 2008

YouTube & Bingo

Okay, this has nothing to do with anything, but I thought it would be interesting to see what was on YouTube regarding "bingo". Some kind of interesting stuff on bingo from here and there:





Above are a couple of personal interest stories on bingo and bingo players.




Above,
bingo and celebrities in the UK.




Finally,from collegehumor.com.


What can I say? I was bored. Of course, there's a ton more out there. Some good some bad. If you have some time go to YouTube "Bingo"

Bingo America on GSN

Patrick Duffy talks about hosting "Bingo America" on GSN.

Big Money Bingo Jackpot Site

Just wanted to give a quick note about the Big Money Bingo website Big Money Bingo for Michigan bingos. The Big Money game is a linked jackpot only available in Michigan (as far as we know). This site lists the current jackpot amount.