FireKeepers Leads to Higher Traffic For Some Area Businesses

While no real solid numbers are available, many businesses located near the FireKeepers Casino have seen higher traffic. However, some area businesses located further away may have seen traffic declines.

Overall, studies have shown that counties with casinos (and surrounding counties) will experience meaningful economic growth within the first few years of a casino opening. Plans for a new hotel across the street and other area growth should help local businesses more in the future. Typically, new business growth will beget more new business.

As far as area nonprofit bingos are concerned, most seem to have suffered lowered attendance by the competition from the FireKeepers bingo hall. FireKeepers opened their bingo last fall, so the record is incomplete. Many feel that they are adjusting and this may only be a temporary setback.

For more information, please see Casino neighbors still await payoff.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and well wishes to you and your family from myself and everyone at WholesaleBingoSupplies.com.

Is Las Vegas the Next Detroit?

Ran across an interestting article from a former Detroiter, Mary Riddel turned economics professor at UNLV comparing the problems staring at Las Vegas with the problems that hit Detroit (and Michigan) in the 1970's and continue today.

As we all know from living here, Michigan and Detroit have struggled to diversify their economy away from the auto industry, and have also fallen behind in educating their workforce. In fact, Michigan's population just dropped below 10,000,000 for the first time since 2000. (See, Michigan's population drops below 10M). Ms. Riddel warns that Las Vegas may be facing the same fate.

With the economy still reeling, an overreliance on gaming and the travel and leisure industry has left Las Vegas suffering more than most. From the article:

"Let's be careful comparing Las Vegas to Pittsburgh and Detroit because our story hasn't played out yet," she said. "But it's in decline. We have increased competition. We had massive home price increases. There were people smart enough to say, 'I can't afford to buy a home.' I don't know how many people.

"We're at a crossroad. We don't need any more houses. The gaming industry doesn't need any more expansion. What about new industries? What can we take from Detroit? What can we do better and cheaper than other places? What are our resources?"

Will Las Vegas look to Detroit's struggles and try to diversify their business base? Will the economy turn around and Las Vegas reclaim its footing? Or, will Las Vegas become the next Detroit?

For more information, please see Does Las Vegas face a similar fate as down-and-out Detroit?

"Bingo Confidential" Movie takes Light-Hearted Look at Bingo

It's not often that bingo is made the central focus of a movie, let alone a comedy feature that garners some award recognition, but "Bingo Confidential" has done that.

Winner of the Long Island Film Festival's Best Comedy Feature Award, Bingo Confidential tells the story of Ethel Bell, a deceased bingo lover who has bequeethed a million dollars towards a bingo game in her honor. The tale centers around 6 wacky characters who all have a strong desire to win the big prize.

We just came across this movie a few days ago, so we haven't seen the movie, although it looks pretty funny...especially for those who play or work bingo games. Apparently, they are offering free shipping of the DVD until the end of December.

We'll probably get around to seeing it sooner or later, and when we do we'll post our comments here. If anyone has already seen it, please let us know your thoughts.

Governor to Sign Smoking Ban Today

Governor Jennifer Granholm will sign Michigan's smoking ban into law sometime today. The ban will take effect in May of 2010.

As we discussed earlier, the ban will not exempt Michigan charitable bingos. The only exemptions will be tobacco specialty stores, cigar bars and the gaming floors of the Detroit casinos. Of course, tribal casinos in Michigan will not be subject to this law and can allow smoking or not on their own.

Outdoor Smoking Areas Remain a Question

Last week, Michigan passed a statewide smoking ban which will outlaw smoking in charitable bingo halls beginning May 1, 2010.

For now, there is still little information regarding the specifics of any allowed outdoor smoking section. Although we believe some accomodations (like a smoking tent) will be allowed for smokers, nothing is likely to materialize until after the bill is officially signed.

We will keep you posted.

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