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.

Fraternal Organizations to be Allowed Slot Machines

In order to increase some nonprofit organizations ability to raise funds, the state of Massachusetts has pushed forward on the idea of allowing slot machines in service clubs and fraternal organizations.

It will be interesting to see if this idea catches on in other areas. Maybe slot machines will eventually join bingo and pulltabs as a common method for nonprofits to gain revenues.

Following is an excerpt from an article regarding this issue:

"A bill adding Worcester County to the list of Eastern Shore counties permitting slot machines in non-profit service clubs and fraternal organizations breezed through the House by an overwhelming margin this week, setting the stage for final approval by the Senate.

House Bill 65, introduced by Democratic Delegates James Mathias and Norm Conway, would allow limited slot machine gambling in service clubs and fraternal organizations in Worcester County, such as the American Legion or the Elks Club, for example, in the interest of expanding their fundraising capabilities. Slots are currently allowed on a limited basis in all other counties on the shore, and the bill, which passed through the House by a vote of 127-6 this week, would add Worcester to the list.

Slot machine gambling in the clubs had been resisted for years in Worcester County, but last year, for the first time in nearly 30 years, the exact same bill introduced by Mathias and Conway had the backing of the Ocean City Mayor and Council and the Worcester County Commissioners. Last year, the bill passed a House vote, but died as the session expired before the full Senate could vote on it when the legislation got caught up in a swirl of other bills related to slots and gambling."

For the complete story, please see Shawn J. Soper, House Finds No Problem With Slots In Service Clubs, The Dispatch, March 27, 2009.

For a Happy Bingo, Treat Your Bingo Players Like Gold

Bingo managers frequently struggle with getting and keeping good bingo workers. As a result, their bingos can often be strained as new workers make mistakes while learning the ropes, causing bingo players to grumble and become unhappy.

Happy, knowledgeable workers can be a bingo's biggest asset. They treat their players well, are helpful with explaining bingo supplies and bingo programs, and generally help smooth out operations from start to finish. In turn, player retention is usually very strong.

For tips on recruiting bingo workers and keeping them happy, please see Bingo Workers Are People Too.

FireKeepers Casino on Pace for Summer 2009

FireKeepers Casino, located on Interstate 94 near Battle Creek, announced today the completion of an attached five-story parking structure offering 2,078 spaces. The garage, visible from the interstate, is attached to the casino, making visiting FireKeepers convenient, safe and hassle free.

FireKeepers Casino will feature Las Vegas-style gaming, including 2,500 slot machines, 90 table games and a live poker room, along with exciting nightlife options and five restaurants.

The Tribal Council of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians and construction workers signed the last pre-cast concrete panel before it was set into place, completing the parking structure.

“The Tribe is pleased with the progress made by our construction and design team keeping FireKeepers Casino on schedule for a Summer 2009 opening. At this point, 60 percent of the project is complete and we will begin focusing on the interior finishes,” said Laura W. Spurr, Tribal Chair of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.

For the complete story, please see Eric Dimoff, FireKeepers Casino completes 2,078 space parking structure, The Battle Creek Enquirer, March 24, 2009.

Greektown Casino to be Led by Consultants

A bankruptcy judge has given financially troubled Greektown Casino-Hotel the go-ahead to employ three Las Vegas-based consultants to run the city's third-smallest gambling hall.

Judge Walter Shapero approved an order that clears the way for three executives of the Fine Point Group, the gaming consultancy hired in January to help Greektown improve its bottom line, to take top positions at the casino.

Randy Fine, Fine Point's founder, is set to take the reins as chief executive. Amanda Totaro and Chris Colwell will head up the casino's marketing and operations. All three have experience with big-name casino operating firms such as Harrah's Entertainment

For the complete story, please see Nathan Hurst, Judge approves consultants to run Greektown Casino, The Detroit News, March 16, 2009.

Bingo Battle Continues

The battle between charity and tribal bingos continue to be fought in California. Below is an excerpt on the latest.

From The Sacremento Bee:
California tribal casino representatives warn that the state risks losing tens of millions of dollars in tribal revenue-sharing payments if authorities can't shut down charitable bingo parlors that operate casino-style machines.

A new law intended to ban electronic bingo games used by many charities went into effect Jan. 1.

But several bingo parlors in Sacramento and elsewhere have continued operating the machines under a court injunction that stopped state and county authorities from shutting down the games.

For the complete story, please see Peter Hecht, Courts set to decide charity bingo machine cases
, The Sacremento Bee, March 9, 2009.

American Legion Voices Concern Over Healthcare

While the following article doesn't have anything specifically to do with bingo game supplies or the bingo industry, it's obviously pertains to The American Legion.

And, since many American Legions run fundraising bingos (many of them our customers), we thought this would be of interest. So, below is an excerpt from an article regarding a new proposal from President Obama dealing with veterans and healthcare.

From The American Legion:
The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.


"It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. "He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it."


The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, "This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ' to care for him who shall have borne the battle' given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America's veterans!"

For the complete story, please see Craig Roberts, The American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment, The American Legion via Yahoo News, March 16, 2009.