Check out this live performance from Alicia Keys! Wow.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Alicia Key’s New CD "As I Am"
Review Current mood: cheerful Category: Music
A Krucial Keys effort
Alicia Key's said in her Thanks section that As I Am was my most "given from the heart" and "mirror of reflection" album to date." It has been four years since her last album was released, The Diary of Alicia Keys. As I Am will not disappoint any Alicia Key's fans. But can it live up to that very successful sophomore album and get any new fans?
I say absolutely! If I Ain't Got You hit the passion overload with everyone on Diary. It absolutely hooked me as a believer in Alicia Key's talents. I think Like You'll Never See Me Again on As I Am is comparable. But to live up to that "got you" passion many live versions must be heard. Superwoman and Lesson Learned with John Mayer are vintage Alicia, great vocals, hooks and lyrics. Alicia sometimes sticks with tried and true melodies too much on her records. And her experimental songs are left up to her live performances. If you missed Alicia's performance at the American Music Awards this year it showed how Alicia expands her musical talent with other music genres. The Reggae and Dancehall legends; Junior Reid, Chaka Demus and Pliers along with Beenie Man complemented Alicia's compilation performance. And stole the show and peer audience.
I will only comment on my favorite songs on this enhanced CD, but all of the songs are good for there own reason. The Thing About Love is a very catchy Doo Wop vibe. (Just up my alley.) Wreckless Love, Sure Looks Good To Me and Go Ahead resonates rhythm and Blues. And the prerelease No One tells it like it is.
I believe in Alicia as a outstanding composer, writer and performer. Her passion is what makes Alicia who she is. She gives it all in every song and it shows. If you asked her why that song was on the album or why did you harmonize it that way, she would completely convince or change the critic's outlook. That includes not only the meaning behind the lyrics but the beats, drums, horns, partnership etc. It give each person an appreciation of her valuable contribution to the music industry. On this enhanced CD there is a behind the scenes studio video that explains Alicia's reasons for Horns and Drums on certain songs on this album. It is a must see.
Hopefully most people don't forget that Alicia not only writes, produces, composes and sings on her songs but she also plays the piano, drums quite well. Of course most critics will find some fault in this album, but once again the lyrics tell her personal journey with a passion that only Alicia can do, As I Am.
So just purchase this album, sit back and enjoy!
Go to all my Amazon Reviews and add a comment!
Currently listening : As I Am By Alicia Keys Release date: 13 November, 2007
A Krucial Keys effort
Alicia Key's said in her Thanks section that As I Am was my most "given from the heart" and "mirror of reflection" album to date." It has been four years since her last album was released, The Diary of Alicia Keys. As I Am will not disappoint any Alicia Key's fans. But can it live up to that very successful sophomore album and get any new fans?
I say absolutely! If I Ain't Got You hit the passion overload with everyone on Diary. It absolutely hooked me as a believer in Alicia Key's talents. I think Like You'll Never See Me Again on As I Am is comparable. But to live up to that "got you" passion many live versions must be heard. Superwoman and Lesson Learned with John Mayer are vintage Alicia, great vocals, hooks and lyrics. Alicia sometimes sticks with tried and true melodies too much on her records. And her experimental songs are left up to her live performances. If you missed Alicia's performance at the American Music Awards this year it showed how Alicia expands her musical talent with other music genres. The Reggae and Dancehall legends; Junior Reid, Chaka Demus and Pliers along with Beenie Man complemented Alicia's compilation performance. And stole the show and peer audience.
I will only comment on my favorite songs on this enhanced CD, but all of the songs are good for there own reason. The Thing About Love is a very catchy Doo Wop vibe. (Just up my alley.) Wreckless Love, Sure Looks Good To Me and Go Ahead resonates rhythm and Blues. And the prerelease No One tells it like it is.
I believe in Alicia as a outstanding composer, writer and performer. Her passion is what makes Alicia who she is. She gives it all in every song and it shows. If you asked her why that song was on the album or why did you harmonize it that way, she would completely convince or change the critic's outlook. That includes not only the meaning behind the lyrics but the beats, drums, horns, partnership etc. It give each person an appreciation of her valuable contribution to the music industry. On this enhanced CD there is a behind the scenes studio video that explains Alicia's reasons for Horns and Drums on certain songs on this album. It is a must see.
Hopefully most people don't forget that Alicia not only writes, produces, composes and sings on her songs but she also plays the piano, drums quite well. Of course most critics will find some fault in this album, but once again the lyrics tell her personal journey with a passion that only Alicia can do, As I Am.
So just purchase this album, sit back and enjoy!
Go to all my Amazon Reviews and add a comment!
Currently listening : As I Am By Alicia Keys Release date: 13 November, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Blog
Dam its hard to keep all of these different outlets up and running smooth! How about the Packer game last night. Brett Favre is the best! And at age 38.
I am looking forward to going into enemy territory this Sunday. I will be going to Kansas City for the Green Bay Packer game. Wish me luck. I hope to stay out of trouble.
Peace
I am looking forward to going into enemy territory this Sunday. I will be going to Kansas City for the Green Bay Packer game. Wish me luck. I hope to stay out of trouble.
Peace
Friday, September 28, 2007
FOXNews.com - Nike Unveils N7 Air Native Shoe Designed for Native Americans - Business And Money | Business News | Financial News
FOXNews.com - Nike Unveils N7 Air Native Shoe Designed for Native Americans - Business And Money Business News Financial News:
"Nike Unveils N7 Air Native Shoe Designed for Native Americans"
"Nike Unveils N7 Air Native Shoe Designed for Native Americans"
Sunday, August 19, 2007
WELCOME TO HARMYLAND: More pics
WELCOME TO HARMYLAND: More pics
I would like to thank Rod Pocowatchit's blog for the pictures. The film The Only Good Indian is directed by Kevin Willmott. My sister Thirza Defoe will be in the film.
I would like to thank Rod Pocowatchit's blog for the pictures. The film The Only Good Indian is directed by Kevin Willmott. My sister Thirza Defoe will be in the film.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Timberjay Newspapers Online
Timberjay Newspapers Online:
"In other business Monday, the council: ‰Tabled a decision on the American Legion Post 480’s request to sell pull-tabs in the Orr Municipal Liquor Store. The Legion had entered into an informal agreement with the Voyageur Trail Society Inc. not to compete with the snowmobile club on pull-tab sales at the liquor store or The Dam in exchange for an annual contribution of $5,000. But the snowmobile club, citing a dramatic reduction in pull-tab receipts, recently stopped making the donation. Mayor Dale Long said the club’s pull-tab agreement for the liquor store runs through 2008 and that he had just received information on pull-tab sales from the club’s gambling manager Terrie Hoff and had not had time to review it."
"In other business Monday, the council: ‰Tabled a decision on the American Legion Post 480’s request to sell pull-tabs in the Orr Municipal Liquor Store. The Legion had entered into an informal agreement with the Voyageur Trail Society Inc. not to compete with the snowmobile club on pull-tab sales at the liquor store or The Dam in exchange for an annual contribution of $5,000. But the snowmobile club, citing a dramatic reduction in pull-tab receipts, recently stopped making the donation. Mayor Dale Long said the club’s pull-tab agreement for the liquor store runs through 2008 and that he had just received information on pull-tab sales from the club’s gambling manager Terrie Hoff and had not had time to review it."
King of the hawkers pulls tab on competition : Local Columns : Evansville Courier Press
King of the hawkers pulls tab on competition : Local Columns : Evansville Courier Press:
"I am in the bingo hall selling pull tabs and I am a lion among sheep. Other parents — like me, volunteers, helping raise money for our children's school — quietly cruise the aisles with their pull-tab buckets, watching the clock, eager for their four hours of service in the smoky bingo haze to be over."
"I am in the bingo hall selling pull tabs and I am a lion among sheep. Other parents — like me, volunteers, helping raise money for our children's school — quietly cruise the aisles with their pull-tab buckets, watching the clock, eager for their four hours of service in the smoky bingo haze to be over."
Winona Daily News - 6.0
Winona Daily News - 6.0:
"Being a native of Rushford, Minn., we had a similar situation. We had an old dilapidated two-story depot sitting on abandoned railroad tracks next to our fire station. A lot of people wanted to tear it down, but luckily my father, Alton Morken, an antique collector and local historian, saw the potential of saving a big part of our history and formed a group. They got the rights for pull-tabs at our local municipal liquor store for a few years, among other fundraisers, and restored it. Today it’s the hub of the Root River bike trail, half used by the DNR and the other half as a Rushford Museum."
"Being a native of Rushford, Minn., we had a similar situation. We had an old dilapidated two-story depot sitting on abandoned railroad tracks next to our fire station. A lot of people wanted to tear it down, but luckily my father, Alton Morken, an antique collector and local historian, saw the potential of saving a big part of our history and formed a group. They got the rights for pull-tabs at our local municipal liquor store for a few years, among other fundraisers, and restored it. Today it’s the hub of the Root River bike trail, half used by the DNR and the other half as a Rushford Museum."
New hope for Florida bingo halls, charities
New hope for Florida bingo halls, charities:
"FLORIDA -- As reported by the Florida Sun-Sentinel: 'A new form of legalized gambling — one that has raked in millions in other states — quietly arrived in South Florida bingo halls this month with no state regulatory oversight. 'It's called pull-tab or instant bingo and has been equated to paper slot machines.' It has been billed as a way to resuscitate the state's struggling bingo halls and pump more money into charitable organizations, especially veterans groups. A state law took effect July 1 allowing the pull-tabs, which are similar to scratch-off lottery tickets. '...Critics of the new law say it lacks the teeth to ensure the proceeds go to nonprofit organizations as required. No state agency oversees distribution of the instant bingo tickets, which cost no more than a dollar. Bingo halls are required to keep records of instant bingo sales, but no regulatory agency is assigned to check them. "
"FLORIDA -- As reported by the Florida Sun-Sentinel: 'A new form of legalized gambling — one that has raked in millions in other states — quietly arrived in South Florida bingo halls this month with no state regulatory oversight. 'It's called pull-tab or instant bingo and has been equated to paper slot machines.' It has been billed as a way to resuscitate the state's struggling bingo halls and pump more money into charitable organizations, especially veterans groups. A state law took effect July 1 allowing the pull-tabs, which are similar to scratch-off lottery tickets. '...Critics of the new law say it lacks the teeth to ensure the proceeds go to nonprofit organizations as required. No state agency oversees distribution of the instant bingo tickets, which cost no more than a dollar. Bingo halls are required to keep records of instant bingo sales, but no regulatory agency is assigned to check them. "
Monday, August 06, 2007
MORE NEW GAMES FROM UK ONLINE BINGO SITE
MORE NEW GAMES FROM UK ONLINE BINGO SITE:
"In addition to Keno, recently launched by Virgin Bingo, players on the UK online bingo site are now being offered the chance to take part in three more games of chance.
These include £1 scratch cards in the style of those available from the National Lottery, with jackpots of up to £10,000.
A new range of pull-tab games have also been created to complement the UK online bingo site's regular activities.
These come in a variety of themes including The Ol' West, Money Hog and Jungle Safari, according to Virgin Bingo.
'If you are looking for something different that is loads of fun, look no further,' the UK online bingo site adds.
'The new pull tabs are bound to bring hours of fun while playing your favourite uk bingo game.'
Finally, a new 75-ball version of regular bingo has been added to the list of games of chance available for Virgin Bingo players."
"In addition to Keno, recently launched by Virgin Bingo, players on the UK online bingo site are now being offered the chance to take part in three more games of chance.
These include £1 scratch cards in the style of those available from the National Lottery, with jackpots of up to £10,000.
A new range of pull-tab games have also been created to complement the UK online bingo site's regular activities.
These come in a variety of themes including The Ol' West, Money Hog and Jungle Safari, according to Virgin Bingo.
'If you are looking for something different that is loads of fun, look no further,' the UK online bingo site adds.
'The new pull tabs are bound to bring hours of fun while playing your favourite uk bingo game.'
Finally, a new 75-ball version of regular bingo has been added to the list of games of chance available for Virgin Bingo players."
The News and Tribune - Charity gaming a boon for area organizations
The News and Tribune - Charity gaming a boon for area organizations:
"Your best bet
Raffles actually offer the best rate of return or lowest overhead costs. For example, organizations throughout Southern Indiana spent a combined $101,000 on raffles in 2006. In exchange for that, they took in about $304,000 in earnings. That adds up to about a 67 percent profit for the organization holding the raffle.
By comparison, festivals make about a 50 percent profit once expenses are subtracted. Game nights make a 28 percent profit and pull tabs make a 17 percent profit.
Organizations running bingo operations — by far the most expensive form of charity gaming — are bringing in some of the lowest profit percentages, even though they’re the ones pulling in the most net cash.
The high overhead cost is typically worth it from an economic standpoint, however. Even though they only have a 7 percent profit, they take in far more in net dollars than other forms of gambling, on average bringing in about $124,000 annually for the organizations sponsoring them. "
"Your best bet
Raffles actually offer the best rate of return or lowest overhead costs. For example, organizations throughout Southern Indiana spent a combined $101,000 on raffles in 2006. In exchange for that, they took in about $304,000 in earnings. That adds up to about a 67 percent profit for the organization holding the raffle.
By comparison, festivals make about a 50 percent profit once expenses are subtracted. Game nights make a 28 percent profit and pull tabs make a 17 percent profit.
Organizations running bingo operations — by far the most expensive form of charity gaming — are bringing in some of the lowest profit percentages, even though they’re the ones pulling in the most net cash.
The high overhead cost is typically worth it from an economic standpoint, however. Even though they only have a 7 percent profit, they take in far more in net dollars than other forms of gambling, on average bringing in about $124,000 annually for the organizations sponsoring them. "
Nightwatch: Bird gets an extreme makeover
Nightwatch: Bird gets an extreme makeover:
"Eek. Now he has those fancy sinks that are basically declining granite slabs, so the water rolls away from you and into a small crack in the back. You'll enjoy washing your hands now.
While much has changed, some things have not. That 'Big Buck Hunter' video game? Still there. Pulltabs? You betcha, though the pulltab station goes dark before too late. And there's still a row of dartboards and a bunch of pool tables.
But that's the balancing act that Dive Bar wants to play, Meyer said. By day, the place is your normal bar/restaurant (Matty B's is in charge of the kitchen) with 17 new plasma TVs showing sports. It's at night, after 9 p.m. usually, when Dive Bar really gets going.
The club had its grand reopening last Friday, bringing in Roonie G., a Las Vegas-based DJ who's made a name for himself spinning videos. While a few Twin Cities clubs have video nights, with DJs playing music videos for the crowd to dance to, this guy put on a show, mixing music videos, movie clips and just plain songs. He'd go from playing Unk's 'Walk It Out' over a clip of the dancing penguins in 'Happy Feet,' to battle scenes from '300' mixed with the Shop Boyz' 'Party Like a Rockstar' video. He'd fit perfectly in a big downtown club. "
"Eek. Now he has those fancy sinks that are basically declining granite slabs, so the water rolls away from you and into a small crack in the back. You'll enjoy washing your hands now.
While much has changed, some things have not. That 'Big Buck Hunter' video game? Still there. Pulltabs? You betcha, though the pulltab station goes dark before too late. And there's still a row of dartboards and a bunch of pool tables.
But that's the balancing act that Dive Bar wants to play, Meyer said. By day, the place is your normal bar/restaurant (Matty B's is in charge of the kitchen) with 17 new plasma TVs showing sports. It's at night, after 9 p.m. usually, when Dive Bar really gets going.
The club had its grand reopening last Friday, bringing in Roonie G., a Las Vegas-based DJ who's made a name for himself spinning videos. While a few Twin Cities clubs have video nights, with DJs playing music videos for the crowd to dance to, this guy put on a show, mixing music videos, movie clips and just plain songs. He'd go from playing Unk's 'Walk It Out' over a clip of the dancing penguins in 'Happy Feet,' to battle scenes from '300' mixed with the Shop Boyz' 'Party Like a Rockstar' video. He'd fit perfectly in a big downtown club. "
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner » Archive » Borough panel fine-tuning tax proposals
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner » Archive » Borough panel fine-tuning tax proposals:
"Should pull-tabs be subject to a proposed area-wide sales tax?
Should newspaper subscriptions?
The Fort Knox gold mine?
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly’s finance committee took up these and other questions at a work session Thursday on two proposals to reduce property taxes.
One proposal, pushed by Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker, is for a 2.5 percent sales tax that would jump to 5 percent in the summer. The other, introduced by Assemblymen Luke Hopkins and Tim Beck, is for a combination sales tax and gross receipts tax.
It turns out that rewriting the borough’s tax system isn’t easy.
There are two different proposals and any number of ways to implement either.
Some of the issues discussed Thursday were policy calls, such as how major taxpayers such as Fort Knox and the Flint Hills refinery should be treated under the new system. Hopkins said it was his intention that both be subject to the gross receipts tax."
"Should pull-tabs be subject to a proposed area-wide sales tax?
Should newspaper subscriptions?
The Fort Knox gold mine?
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly’s finance committee took up these and other questions at a work session Thursday on two proposals to reduce property taxes.
One proposal, pushed by Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker, is for a 2.5 percent sales tax that would jump to 5 percent in the summer. The other, introduced by Assemblymen Luke Hopkins and Tim Beck, is for a combination sales tax and gross receipts tax.
It turns out that rewriting the borough’s tax system isn’t easy.
There are two different proposals and any number of ways to implement either.
Some of the issues discussed Thursday were policy calls, such as how major taxpayers such as Fort Knox and the Flint Hills refinery should be treated under the new system. Hopkins said it was his intention that both be subject to the gross receipts tax."
CJOnline - Kansas Lottery sets sales record
CJOnline - Kansas Lottery sets sales record:
"The Kansas Lottery hit a record for sales in the fiscal year that ended June 30, Lottery officials said Tuesday.
Total sales in the fiscal year were nearly $241 million, an increase of more than 2 percent from the previous year's sales, which also had set a record.
The Lottery will transfer $71 million to the state for fiscal year 2007, the highest transfer in a single year since the Lottery started selling tickets in 1987.
Ed Van Petten, Kansas Lottery executive director, said instant games and pull tabs played an important part in making this a record year."
"The Kansas Lottery hit a record for sales in the fiscal year that ended June 30, Lottery officials said Tuesday.
Total sales in the fiscal year were nearly $241 million, an increase of more than 2 percent from the previous year's sales, which also had set a record.
The Lottery will transfer $71 million to the state for fiscal year 2007, the highest transfer in a single year since the Lottery started selling tickets in 1987.
Ed Van Petten, Kansas Lottery executive director, said instant games and pull tabs played an important part in making this a record year."
Postbulletin.com: Travel scene -- Volunteers help some navigate MSP airport - Sat, Jul 21, 2007
Postbulletin.com: Travel scene -- Volunteers help some navigate MSP airport - Sat, Jul 21, 2007:
"MAC helps out
The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which governs the airport, then granted the foundation a small retail space to raise funds to support its outreach programs and services. The retail outlet, sublet to the Minnesota Store with the foundation receiving a share of the profits, is in the North Star Crossing. That sector is one of the most successful airport retail venues in the world.
Another important source of funding came via Minnesota's approval of charitable gambling in 1988. The foundation sells pull tabs at its lottery booth at North Star Crossing, as well as Powerball tickets at both the Lindbergh and Humphrey terminals. The Powerball franchise is the most profitable in the state, with sales exceeding more than $1 million annually. "
"MAC helps out
The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which governs the airport, then granted the foundation a small retail space to raise funds to support its outreach programs and services. The retail outlet, sublet to the Minnesota Store with the foundation receiving a share of the profits, is in the North Star Crossing. That sector is one of the most successful airport retail venues in the world.
Another important source of funding came via Minnesota's approval of charitable gambling in 1988. The foundation sells pull tabs at its lottery booth at North Star Crossing, as well as Powerball tickets at both the Lindbergh and Humphrey terminals. The Powerball franchise is the most profitable in the state, with sales exceeding more than $1 million annually. "
Herald Argus
Herald Argus: "EDITOR’S NOTE: Rather than Speak Out, we would suggest you do some investigation on the Internet.
“I see where the Polish Carnival advertised gambling through channel 99 today on the La Porte station. How can they let people gamble when your taverns here in La Porte cannot have gambling? This seems very unfair, not only to me, but to a lot of other people. Why can’t the bars have (unintelligible) boards, (unintelligible) boards and pull tabs if this carnival can have gambling right out in the open? Why isn’t it a felony for them like it is for the bar owners now? Why is it any different just because they are a church group? This just isn’t fair.” "
“I see where the Polish Carnival advertised gambling through channel 99 today on the La Porte station. How can they let people gamble when your taverns here in La Porte cannot have gambling? This seems very unfair, not only to me, but to a lot of other people. Why can’t the bars have (unintelligible) boards, (unintelligible) boards and pull tabs if this carnival can have gambling right out in the open? Why isn’t it a felony for them like it is for the bar owners now? Why is it any different just because they are a church group? This just isn’t fair.” "
St. Cloud Times | Opinion
St. Cloud Times Opinion:
"Rep. Larry Haws deserves a big thank you for representing District 15B well. The past year Haws put a lot of time and effort in getting bills passed to help our community and our veterans.
Larry Haws has the edge, the positive attitude, the professionalism, the confidence, the incredible ability and will power to put a bill on the fast track to become law.
Let me mention just one such bill that became law. Haws sponsored a bill to help fraternal organizations pay for expenses such as water, heating, electricity and sewer costs through pull-tab profits. Money made from pull tabs helps relieve poverty, homelessness, disability, treat problem gambling, education, scholarship funds, recognize military service, recreation, snowmobile trails, ATV trails, food shelves, cancer and the list goes on.
Some fraternal organizations have had to close because costs were too high. Now the doors will remain open to carry on this needed work. Thank you, Larry Haws!
Haws represents what we need in St. Paul — 'A little less talk and a whole lot more action,' 'A lot more nice.' ... We need leaders. I think I know who is the leader of the pack — Larry Haws. I like the way he communicates."
"Rep. Larry Haws deserves a big thank you for representing District 15B well. The past year Haws put a lot of time and effort in getting bills passed to help our community and our veterans.
Larry Haws has the edge, the positive attitude, the professionalism, the confidence, the incredible ability and will power to put a bill on the fast track to become law.
Let me mention just one such bill that became law. Haws sponsored a bill to help fraternal organizations pay for expenses such as water, heating, electricity and sewer costs through pull-tab profits. Money made from pull tabs helps relieve poverty, homelessness, disability, treat problem gambling, education, scholarship funds, recognize military service, recreation, snowmobile trails, ATV trails, food shelves, cancer and the list goes on.
Some fraternal organizations have had to close because costs were too high. Now the doors will remain open to carry on this needed work. Thank you, Larry Haws!
Haws represents what we need in St. Paul — 'A little less talk and a whole lot more action,' 'A lot more nice.' ... We need leaders. I think I know who is the leader of the pack — Larry Haws. I like the way he communicates."
The Herald Bulletin - EDITORIAL: Know this: Cherry master games are illegal
The Herald Bulletin - EDITORIAL: Know this: Cherry master games are illegal:
"We don’t have much sympathy for bar owners who are complaining about increased enforcement to shut down their illegal gambling devices, called cherry masters. On July 1, the state passed a new law to increase enforcement by adding 16 extra state excise police officers to go after the machines.
During the same legislative session, however, the General Assembly approved the use of slot machines at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs. Bar owners are crying foul, but what part of “illegal” don’t they understand?
In a meeting in Anderson on June 21, Brenda Scott, primary enforcement officer for the Madison County branch of the state excise police, told local bar owners, “Keep in mind, those dailies, weeklies, monthlies, pull-tabs have always been illegal. No one should have been doing that.”"
"We don’t have much sympathy for bar owners who are complaining about increased enforcement to shut down their illegal gambling devices, called cherry masters. On July 1, the state passed a new law to increase enforcement by adding 16 extra state excise police officers to go after the machines.
During the same legislative session, however, the General Assembly approved the use of slot machines at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs. Bar owners are crying foul, but what part of “illegal” don’t they understand?
In a meeting in Anderson on June 21, Brenda Scott, primary enforcement officer for the Madison County branch of the state excise police, told local bar owners, “Keep in mind, those dailies, weeklies, monthlies, pull-tabs have always been illegal. No one should have been doing that.”"
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
New state gambling laws doom poker clubs, Cherry Masters | The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN
New state gambling laws doom poker clubs, Cherry Masters The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN:
"No 'Wanted' poster
Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, said some bar and restaurant owners would face a serious adjustment to the new enforcement effort by the gaming commission and other efforts by excise police enforcing alcohol and tobacco regulations.
'We are entering a whole new world here,' said Klopfenstein, who said the new gaming police were not unlike Elliott Ness and the 'Untouchables,' special U.S. Treasury agents who enforced federal prohibition laws during the 1930s.
Yelton responded, 'I can assure you we have no 'Wanted' poster here,'
The gaming commission is still working on a policy to enforce gaming laws, and Yelton said there were no plans to target eastern Indiana, even though the region was the headquarters for former Teamsters boss John Neal's video gambling empire.
Neal was arrested last year on video gambling and money laundering charges, just two years after getting out of prison after serving time on charges of operating illegal gambling business, conspiracy to defraud the IRS and money laundering. Neal remains in the Ashland, Ky. federal prison on a probation violation from his previous conviction.
Yelton estimated there could be as many as 5,000 to 40,000 Cherry Masters or other video gaming machines throughout the state, still found in truck stops, tobacco stores, bars and other retail establishments."
"No 'Wanted' poster
Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, said some bar and restaurant owners would face a serious adjustment to the new enforcement effort by the gaming commission and other efforts by excise police enforcing alcohol and tobacco regulations.
'We are entering a whole new world here,' said Klopfenstein, who said the new gaming police were not unlike Elliott Ness and the 'Untouchables,' special U.S. Treasury agents who enforced federal prohibition laws during the 1930s.
Yelton responded, 'I can assure you we have no 'Wanted' poster here,'
The gaming commission is still working on a policy to enforce gaming laws, and Yelton said there were no plans to target eastern Indiana, even though the region was the headquarters for former Teamsters boss John Neal's video gambling empire.
Neal was arrested last year on video gambling and money laundering charges, just two years after getting out of prison after serving time on charges of operating illegal gambling business, conspiracy to defraud the IRS and money laundering. Neal remains in the Ashland, Ky. federal prison on a probation violation from his previous conviction.
Yelton estimated there could be as many as 5,000 to 40,000 Cherry Masters or other video gaming machines throughout the state, still found in truck stops, tobacco stores, bars and other retail establishments."
New state gambling laws doom poker clubs, Cherry Masters | The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN
New state gambling laws doom poker clubs, Cherry Masters The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN:
"Regular players
A handful of poker players were standing outside Royal Crown Wednesday night, talking about the club closing as dealers planned some big dealouts on the final night.
'This is a club and it should be left as a club,' said Joe Ramos, a former dealer and player.
Ramos said Texas Hold'em offered entertainment for many people, with as many as 100 people a night playing at the downtown club.
'I guess I could go to a bar, get drunk and then get pulled over,' he said.
Ryan Clements, who runs the club, said the closing would be like losing family given the number of regular players.
'We have never had any problems,' Clements said.
The closing puts 15 people out of work and shutters a downtown storefront. Koger said she was still looking at how the club might be turned over to a charity.
Rep. Dennis Tyler, D-Muncie, voted for HB 1510, and said he did not know the bill would put Texas Hold'em clubs out of business. Tyler also has been criticized by some bar and restaurant owners for approving slot machines at horse tracks, including nearby Hoosier Park, while outlawing other gaming in other establishments.
'We did that to have property tax relief,' Tyler said, referring to how money from slots would fund property tax rebate checks to homeowners.
Tyler had a bill to legalize drawings, polls and pull tabs in bars, but that legislation never got in the final bill. He will renew those efforts during the short session."
"Regular players
A handful of poker players were standing outside Royal Crown Wednesday night, talking about the club closing as dealers planned some big dealouts on the final night.
'This is a club and it should be left as a club,' said Joe Ramos, a former dealer and player.
Ramos said Texas Hold'em offered entertainment for many people, with as many as 100 people a night playing at the downtown club.
'I guess I could go to a bar, get drunk and then get pulled over,' he said.
Ryan Clements, who runs the club, said the closing would be like losing family given the number of regular players.
'We have never had any problems,' Clements said.
The closing puts 15 people out of work and shutters a downtown storefront. Koger said she was still looking at how the club might be turned over to a charity.
Rep. Dennis Tyler, D-Muncie, voted for HB 1510, and said he did not know the bill would put Texas Hold'em clubs out of business. Tyler also has been criticized by some bar and restaurant owners for approving slot machines at horse tracks, including nearby Hoosier Park, while outlawing other gaming in other establishments.
'We did that to have property tax relief,' Tyler said, referring to how money from slots would fund property tax rebate checks to homeowners.
Tyler had a bill to legalize drawings, polls and pull tabs in bars, but that legislation never got in the final bill. He will renew those efforts during the short session."
New state gambling laws doom poker clubs, Cherry Masters | The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN
New state gambling laws doom poker clubs, Cherry Masters The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN:
"MUNCIE -- Cherry Masters, electronic slot machines, will be the target of Indiana's new gaming police, and Texas Hold'em clubs like Royal Crown in downtown Muncie will close after midnight with a new crackdown on illegal gambling.
'The state has declared us a game of chance,' said Linda Koger, who owns Muncie Liquors and is a partner in the downtown poker club. 'We are being forced to close our doors.'
The option, Koger said, would be possibly facing a class C felony charge for promoting professional gambling.
During its last session, the Legislature approved House Bill 1510, which included new penalties for possessing electronic gaming devices like Cherry Masters and promoting illegal gaming like drawings, pull tabs and sports pools.
That law also redefined gambling as risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part, upon chance, and only permits charitable gaming. And it gave the gaming commission authority to enforce that law.
'We always contended that the law made them illegal,' Ernest Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, said about Texas Hold-em clubs."
"MUNCIE -- Cherry Masters, electronic slot machines, will be the target of Indiana's new gaming police, and Texas Hold'em clubs like Royal Crown in downtown Muncie will close after midnight with a new crackdown on illegal gambling.
'The state has declared us a game of chance,' said Linda Koger, who owns Muncie Liquors and is a partner in the downtown poker club. 'We are being forced to close our doors.'
The option, Koger said, would be possibly facing a class C felony charge for promoting professional gambling.
During its last session, the Legislature approved House Bill 1510, which included new penalties for possessing electronic gaming devices like Cherry Masters and promoting illegal gaming like drawings, pull tabs and sports pools.
That law also redefined gambling as risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part, upon chance, and only permits charitable gaming. And it gave the gaming commission authority to enforce that law.
'We always contended that the law made them illegal,' Ernest Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, said about Texas Hold-em clubs."
Union Leader - Robert Philbrick: Milford arrests show hypocrisy of NH gambling laws - Monday, Jul. 9, 2007
Union Leader - Robert Philbrick: Milford arrests show hypocrisy of NH gambling laws - Monday, Jul. 9, 2007:
"Thank goodness we don't have to worry about Doug Bianchi and Artie Gagnon preying upon hapless gambling addicts any longer. Their reign of lawlessness and illicit activities is finally at an end. After all, as Mr. Metcalf warns, '. . . gambling is not a victimless crime, because addicts don't just hurt themselves', and '. . . instead of supporting their families, they are playing video poker or engaging in other forms of illegal gambling.'
Of course, they could, instead, participate in the legal, 'good gambling' sanctioned by the state of New Hampshire, in the form of Powerball, Megabucks, myriad scratch ticket games, etc., at the convenience store not 50 paces from the 'bad gambling' video games the same state agents tell us are illegal, immoral and harmful to families.
In the room next to the den of iniquity at the Harley-Sanford VFW post, you can spend your paycheck on 50-cent 'pull-tabs,' another legalized gambling game the state of New Hampshire happily takes its cut from."
"Thank goodness we don't have to worry about Doug Bianchi and Artie Gagnon preying upon hapless gambling addicts any longer. Their reign of lawlessness and illicit activities is finally at an end. After all, as Mr. Metcalf warns, '. . . gambling is not a victimless crime, because addicts don't just hurt themselves', and '. . . instead of supporting their families, they are playing video poker or engaging in other forms of illegal gambling.'
Of course, they could, instead, participate in the legal, 'good gambling' sanctioned by the state of New Hampshire, in the form of Powerball, Megabucks, myriad scratch ticket games, etc., at the convenience store not 50 paces from the 'bad gambling' video games the same state agents tell us are illegal, immoral and harmful to families.
In the room next to the den of iniquity at the Harley-Sanford VFW post, you can spend your paycheck on 50-cent 'pull-tabs,' another legalized gambling game the state of New Hampshire happily takes its cut from."
Herald Argus
Herald Argus:
"‘Taxation and regulation’
While State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, voted against the gambling bill earlier this spring, State Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, supported it based on the fact that it continued to allow non-profit groups like veterans organizations to sell tip boards and pull-tabs.
Still, Dermody said he’s disheartened that the legislation could put bar owners out of business, and vowed to fight to amend the law.
“You hate to see business shut down, especially when you make it legal for one group and not for the other. We stopped halfway,” he said. “We’ll come back and fight another day.”
That fight will likely center on what Pelath refers to as “taxation and regulation,” which would legalize tip boards and pull tabs by taxing them at the state level.
“We have riverboats and horse tracks and then we’re going to take it out on taverns and that doesn’t seem the route to go,” said Pelath.
“Owning a tavern is an extremely tough business,” he said. “They are operating at small profit margins.”
Many tavern owners said that to scrape by until the law is hopefully amended, they will likely have to reduce spending and raise prices.
For now, however, all they can do is swallow the bitter pill the state has served them.
“The state isn’t doing anything for us,” said Ted Fouth, president of the La Porte, Porter and Starke County Tavern Association. “It’s getting tighter and tighter. We can’t even breathe.”"
"‘Taxation and regulation’
While State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, voted against the gambling bill earlier this spring, State Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, supported it based on the fact that it continued to allow non-profit groups like veterans organizations to sell tip boards and pull-tabs.
Still, Dermody said he’s disheartened that the legislation could put bar owners out of business, and vowed to fight to amend the law.
“You hate to see business shut down, especially when you make it legal for one group and not for the other. We stopped halfway,” he said. “We’ll come back and fight another day.”
That fight will likely center on what Pelath refers to as “taxation and regulation,” which would legalize tip boards and pull tabs by taxing them at the state level.
“We have riverboats and horse tracks and then we’re going to take it out on taverns and that doesn’t seem the route to go,” said Pelath.
“Owning a tavern is an extremely tough business,” he said. “They are operating at small profit margins.”
Many tavern owners said that to scrape by until the law is hopefully amended, they will likely have to reduce spending and raise prices.
For now, however, all they can do is swallow the bitter pill the state has served them.
“The state isn’t doing anything for us,” said Ted Fouth, president of the La Porte, Porter and Starke County Tavern Association. “It’s getting tighter and tighter. We can’t even breathe.”"
Herald Argus
Herald Argus:
"‘A fair shake’
Still, Fritzen said he generated anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 annually from tip boards and other games -- the kind of revenue that many tavern owners can’t afford to lose.
“We’re not happy. It’s really biting into our livelihood,” said Gene Samuelson, who with his wife Barbara owns Hilltop Bar in La Porte.
“We deserve a fair shake,” he said.
“You have to have entertainment gaming to pay your bills. It’s that crucial for a lot of businesses,” said Larry Rose of Western Inn in La Porte.
While Rose said he could recoup some of the lost profits from illegal gambling by becoming a licensed Indiana Lottery merchant, he said he could never make up the difference completely because gamblers are less likely to play the lottery because the odds of winning aren’t as good as with pull tabs and tip boards.
It’s always been understood, Fritzen said, that tavern gambling games, while a much-needed source of income for some, hold more entertainment value than anything else.
“Which one of these bar owners is making millions and retiring? None of them,” he said.
While tavern owners argue that much of the profits reaped at casino riverboats are sent back to Las Vegas, tip board and pull tab money, they say, gets recycled back into the local economy."
"‘A fair shake’
Still, Fritzen said he generated anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 annually from tip boards and other games -- the kind of revenue that many tavern owners can’t afford to lose.
“We’re not happy. It’s really biting into our livelihood,” said Gene Samuelson, who with his wife Barbara owns Hilltop Bar in La Porte.
“We deserve a fair shake,” he said.
“You have to have entertainment gaming to pay your bills. It’s that crucial for a lot of businesses,” said Larry Rose of Western Inn in La Porte.
While Rose said he could recoup some of the lost profits from illegal gambling by becoming a licensed Indiana Lottery merchant, he said he could never make up the difference completely because gamblers are less likely to play the lottery because the odds of winning aren’t as good as with pull tabs and tip boards.
It’s always been understood, Fritzen said, that tavern gambling games, while a much-needed source of income for some, hold more entertainment value than anything else.
“Which one of these bar owners is making millions and retiring? None of them,” he said.
While tavern owners argue that much of the profits reaped at casino riverboats are sent back to Las Vegas, tip board and pull tab money, they say, gets recycled back into the local economy."
Herald Argus
Herald Argus:
"New gambling law could put some taverns out of business
LA PORTE -- Before selling I Street Family Tavern to Chris Fritzen, former owner Les Strickland told him to never rely too heavily on profits from tip boards, pull-tabs and other forms of illegal gambling to operate the business.
It was some of the best advice Fritzen ever received, as a recent law cracking down on illegal gambling in taverns across the state has already threatened to put some local tavern owners out on the street -- and will soon close at least three cigar stores/pipe shops.
“If I (just sold) liquor and beer, I would be in a world of hurt,” Fritzen said. Fortunately, he also makes a decent profit from food sales at I Street.
Whereas the state formerly turned a blind eye to illegal gambling in bars so long as no one complained, bar owners now fear that under the new law, which took effect Sunday, enforcement will become stricter.
According to the law, tavern owners convicted twice of a gambling offense could be charged with a felony and could also lose their liquor license.
“That’s pretty much the death penalty. It means you’re out of business,” said Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association.
While gambling games have always been illegal to operate at bars, Klopfenstein insists they’ve never been huge cash generators.
“They are nothing but traffic builders. It’s designed to keep people in your establishment and have people spend a little more money,” he insisted."
"New gambling law could put some taverns out of business
LA PORTE -- Before selling I Street Family Tavern to Chris Fritzen, former owner Les Strickland told him to never rely too heavily on profits from tip boards, pull-tabs and other forms of illegal gambling to operate the business.
It was some of the best advice Fritzen ever received, as a recent law cracking down on illegal gambling in taverns across the state has already threatened to put some local tavern owners out on the street -- and will soon close at least three cigar stores/pipe shops.
“If I (just sold) liquor and beer, I would be in a world of hurt,” Fritzen said. Fortunately, he also makes a decent profit from food sales at I Street.
Whereas the state formerly turned a blind eye to illegal gambling in bars so long as no one complained, bar owners now fear that under the new law, which took effect Sunday, enforcement will become stricter.
According to the law, tavern owners convicted twice of a gambling offense could be charged with a felony and could also lose their liquor license.
“That’s pretty much the death penalty. It means you’re out of business,” said Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association.
While gambling games have always been illegal to operate at bars, Klopfenstein insists they’ve never been huge cash generators.
“They are nothing but traffic builders. It’s designed to keep people in your establishment and have people spend a little more money,” he insisted."
St. Cloud Times | Opinion
St. Cloud Times Opinion:
"Rep. Larry Haws deserves a big thank you for representing District 15B well. The past year Haws put a lot of time and effort in getting bills passed to help our community and our veterans.
Larry Haws has the edge, the positive attitude, the professionalism, the confidence, the incredible ability and will power to put a bill on the fast track to become law.
Let me mention just one such bill that became law. Haws sponsored a bill to help fraternal organizations pay for expenses such as water, heating, electricity and sewer costs through pull-tab profits. Money made from pull tabs helps relieve poverty, homelessness, disability, treat problem gambling, education, scholarship funds, recognize military service, recreation, snowmobile trails, ATV trails, food shelves, cancer and the list goes on.
Some fraternal organizations have had to close because costs were too high. Now the doors will remain open to carry on this needed work. Thank you, Larry Haws!
Haws represents what we need in St. Paul — 'A little less talk and a whole lot more action,' 'A lot more nice.' ... We need leaders. I think I know who is the leader of the pack — Larry Haws. I like the way he communicates."
"Rep. Larry Haws deserves a big thank you for representing District 15B well. The past year Haws put a lot of time and effort in getting bills passed to help our community and our veterans.
Larry Haws has the edge, the positive attitude, the professionalism, the confidence, the incredible ability and will power to put a bill on the fast track to become law.
Let me mention just one such bill that became law. Haws sponsored a bill to help fraternal organizations pay for expenses such as water, heating, electricity and sewer costs through pull-tab profits. Money made from pull tabs helps relieve poverty, homelessness, disability, treat problem gambling, education, scholarship funds, recognize military service, recreation, snowmobile trails, ATV trails, food shelves, cancer and the list goes on.
Some fraternal organizations have had to close because costs were too high. Now the doors will remain open to carry on this needed work. Thank you, Larry Haws!
Haws represents what we need in St. Paul — 'A little less talk and a whole lot more action,' 'A lot more nice.' ... We need leaders. I think I know who is the leader of the pack — Larry Haws. I like the way he communicates."
PineandLakes.com: Jenkins council position filled 07/11/07
PineandLakes.com: Jenkins council position filled 07/11/07:
"Pull-tab sales approved
The council approved a Patriot Athletic Club (PAC) request to allow the group to sell pull-tabs at local establishments. At the June city council meeting, Brett Dale from PAC introduced the request to the council saying the group plans to sell pull-tabs at Underdogs Bar and Grill along with the Pequot Lakes Youth Hockey Associaiton (PLYHA).
According to a letter to the city written by John Engstrom on behalf of the PLYHA, Underdogs is not a big enough seller to support both clubs.
'The Hockey Association also feels that PAC has unjustly barged in,' Engstrom continues in the letter. 'We have been doing charitable gambling out of Underdogs for two-plus years. PAC received their license and have now gone after two of our sites.'
Engstrom says both groups are trying to keep costs down for youth sports and acknowledges that the establishment owner ultimately makes the decision about which groups to allow. However, Engstrom feels the profit margin at Underdogs is not large enough to benefit either club."
"Pull-tab sales approved
The council approved a Patriot Athletic Club (PAC) request to allow the group to sell pull-tabs at local establishments. At the June city council meeting, Brett Dale from PAC introduced the request to the council saying the group plans to sell pull-tabs at Underdogs Bar and Grill along with the Pequot Lakes Youth Hockey Associaiton (PLYHA).
According to a letter to the city written by John Engstrom on behalf of the PLYHA, Underdogs is not a big enough seller to support both clubs.
'The Hockey Association also feels that PAC has unjustly barged in,' Engstrom continues in the letter. 'We have been doing charitable gambling out of Underdogs for two-plus years. PAC received their license and have now gone after two of our sites.'
Engstrom says both groups are trying to keep costs down for youth sports and acknowledges that the establishment owner ultimately makes the decision about which groups to allow. However, Engstrom feels the profit margin at Underdogs is not large enough to benefit either club."
Saturday, June 30, 2007
State lottery seeks revenue boost from TV show, multistate game - FOX23 News
State lottery seeks revenue boost from TV show, multistate game - FOX23 News:
"The Hot Lotto game has the same format as Powerball, which is already offered in Oklahoma, and has had an average jackpot of $4.5 million over the past year, Scroggins said.
'Hot Lotto is a game that looks and plays almost exactly like Powerball - it's just better odds and lower prizes,' Scroggins said.
Scroggins hopes the additions will help generate excitement for the lottery, which is projected to finish the fiscal year with $214.7 million in gaming revenues - far short of initial projections. Scroggins blamed the shortfall on competition from tribal casinos and horse racing tracks, the need for additional gaming options and illegal gambling.
Lottery revenues could be helped by also adding video poker, keno or pull-tabs, Scroggins said. "
"The Hot Lotto game has the same format as Powerball, which is already offered in Oklahoma, and has had an average jackpot of $4.5 million over the past year, Scroggins said.
'Hot Lotto is a game that looks and plays almost exactly like Powerball - it's just better odds and lower prizes,' Scroggins said.
Scroggins hopes the additions will help generate excitement for the lottery, which is projected to finish the fiscal year with $214.7 million in gaming revenues - far short of initial projections. Scroggins blamed the shortfall on competition from tribal casinos and horse racing tracks, the need for additional gaming options and illegal gambling.
Lottery revenues could be helped by also adding video poker, keno or pull-tabs, Scroggins said. "
Batesville Herald Tribune, Batesville, Indiana - Fourth of July activities
Batesville Herald Tribune, Batesville, Indiana - Fourth of July activities:
"Adult games include a raffle with four $100 cash prizes, Texas poker and pull tabs. "
"Adult games include a raffle with four $100 cash prizes, Texas poker and pull tabs. "
More Fourth fun
More Fourth fun:
"Coon Rapids celebrates today through Wednesday with carnival rides, free concerts, pull tabs and bingo, food and beverages and fireworks at 10 p.m. Wednesday at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd. (763-767-6565, ext. 601). "
"Coon Rapids celebrates today through Wednesday with carnival rides, free concerts, pull tabs and bingo, food and beverages and fireworks at 10 p.m. Wednesday at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd. (763-767-6565, ext. 601). "
PineandLakes.com: Jenkins says Pequot Tool may expand 06/13/07
PineandLakes.com: Jenkins says Pequot Tool may expand 06/13/07:
"Council hears charitable gambling request
The Patriots Athletic Club is seeking a gambling premises permit to sell pull-tabs at Underdogs Bar and Grill along with the youth hockey organization. Brett Dale says the group already has a lease and requested the Council put the needed resolution on the July 2 meeting agenda. The club already is selling pull-tabs at PestelloUs and will be starting sales at Manhattan Beach Lodge this summer."
"Council hears charitable gambling request
The Patriots Athletic Club is seeking a gambling premises permit to sell pull-tabs at Underdogs Bar and Grill along with the youth hockey organization. Brett Dale says the group already has a lease and requested the Council put the needed resolution on the July 2 meeting agenda. The club already is selling pull-tabs at PestelloUs and will be starting sales at Manhattan Beach Lodge this summer."
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Police arrest 3 people in pea-shake gambling raid | IndyStar.com
Police arrest 3 people in pea-shake gambling raid IndyStar.com:
"Indianapolis metropolitan police arrested three people in a Near-Northside gambling raid Wednesday.
It was the second time in over a month that the pea-shake house in 1500 block of Columbia Avenue has been raided. Four people who were at the house Wednesday had been present during the previous raid.
Michelle Tunstall, 46; Frank W. Long, 54; and Michael W. Patterson, 52, all of Indianapolis, were arrested on charges of promoting professional gambling. Nine other people were cited for visiting a common nuisance.
Police said pull tabs and baseball pool tickets were being sold at the house, the same items that were being sold during an April 12 raid.
Vice officers said that when they arrived about 10:30 a.m. to serve the search warrant, Long was acting as a lookout, using a two-way radio to warn the people inside. Long and Tunstall face additional preliminary charges of obstruction of justice for using the radios. Several radios were seized in the raid, along with $2,000 in cash."
"Indianapolis metropolitan police arrested three people in a Near-Northside gambling raid Wednesday.
It was the second time in over a month that the pea-shake house in 1500 block of Columbia Avenue has been raided. Four people who were at the house Wednesday had been present during the previous raid.
Michelle Tunstall, 46; Frank W. Long, 54; and Michael W. Patterson, 52, all of Indianapolis, were arrested on charges of promoting professional gambling. Nine other people were cited for visiting a common nuisance.
Police said pull tabs and baseball pool tickets were being sold at the house, the same items that were being sold during an April 12 raid.
Vice officers said that when they arrived about 10:30 a.m. to serve the search warrant, Long was acting as a lookout, using a two-way radio to warn the people inside. Long and Tunstall face additional preliminary charges of obstruction of justice for using the radios. Several radios were seized in the raid, along with $2,000 in cash."
Gambling and taxes dominate town meeting | The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN
Gambling and taxes dominate town meeting The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN: "MUNCIE -- Huge property-tax increases and a crackdown on illegal gaming like drawings and pull tabs in local taverns dominated discussion during a legislative town hall on Wednesday.
'Is that a possibility that taxes will raise that high?' retired auto worker Mike Burns asked about recent reports of skyrocketing property tax bills."
'Is that a possibility that taxes will raise that high?' retired auto worker Mike Burns asked about recent reports of skyrocketing property tax bills."
State-Journal.com
State-Journal.com:
"Because of declining attendance at bingo games, more Franklin County charities are hosting Texas Hold'em poker fundraisers.
Dave Cobb is organizing a Texas Hold'em fundraiser for the American Legion Post 7 this weekend. The Legion will use the money to purchase care packages for soldiers overseas and to support veterans and their families.
'Bingos have normally been a large source of revenue, but they are not doing as well as they have been,' Cobb told The State Journal. 'Texas Hold'em is a hot item, they are playing it all over the place, and I thought we should give it a shot ourselves.'
The poker tournament will be 9 p.m. Saturday at the Legion post on Versailles Road. A $75 buy-in gives players $2,000 in chips and they can purchase additional chips for $30 per rebuy. The first place prize is $5,000, but will be adjusted if less than 150 players attend.
Cobb said a number of factors have contributed to a decline in bingo profits, including high gas prices and the smoking ban which went into effect last year. With high gas prices, people have less money to spend on entertainment, Cobb said. Many players have also left because they can't smoke any more during games, he said."
"Because of declining attendance at bingo games, more Franklin County charities are hosting Texas Hold'em poker fundraisers.
Dave Cobb is organizing a Texas Hold'em fundraiser for the American Legion Post 7 this weekend. The Legion will use the money to purchase care packages for soldiers overseas and to support veterans and their families.
'Bingos have normally been a large source of revenue, but they are not doing as well as they have been,' Cobb told The State Journal. 'Texas Hold'em is a hot item, they are playing it all over the place, and I thought we should give it a shot ourselves.'
The poker tournament will be 9 p.m. Saturday at the Legion post on Versailles Road. A $75 buy-in gives players $2,000 in chips and they can purchase additional chips for $30 per rebuy. The first place prize is $5,000, but will be adjusted if less than 150 players attend.
Cobb said a number of factors have contributed to a decline in bingo profits, including high gas prices and the smoking ban which went into effect last year. With high gas prices, people have less money to spend on entertainment, Cobb said. Many players have also left because they can't smoke any more during games, he said."
Gambling crackdown coming | The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN
Gambling crackdown coming The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN:
"We won't approve a license until the (gambling-related) fine is paid,' said Clevenger, who is joined on the ABB by John Sutters and James Lutton.
The excise police crackdown on drawings, sports pools and pull tabs in bars and restaurants comes in the wake of last year's arrest of Delaware County resident John Neal on video gambling and money laundering charges. That investigation led to the shutdown of bars -- in Delaware, Madison and Henry counties -- with ties to Neal and his video gaming empire.
The ABB oversees alcohol sales in nearly 1,000 bars, clubs, restaurants, groceries, drug stores, convenience stores and other retailers. Muncie has 56 restaurant and bar permits, over the city's quota of 45.
Clevenger said a new retailer, Gas America, recently applied to sell warm beer and wine, also noting that some bars connected to Neal remained closed."
"We won't approve a license until the (gambling-related) fine is paid,' said Clevenger, who is joined on the ABB by John Sutters and James Lutton.
The excise police crackdown on drawings, sports pools and pull tabs in bars and restaurants comes in the wake of last year's arrest of Delaware County resident John Neal on video gambling and money laundering charges. That investigation led to the shutdown of bars -- in Delaware, Madison and Henry counties -- with ties to Neal and his video gaming empire.
The ABB oversees alcohol sales in nearly 1,000 bars, clubs, restaurants, groceries, drug stores, convenience stores and other retailers. Muncie has 56 restaurant and bar permits, over the city's quota of 45.
Clevenger said a new retailer, Gas America, recently applied to sell warm beer and wine, also noting that some bars connected to Neal remained closed."
Friday, May 11, 2007
The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:
"WASILLA - When Tennessee accountant Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker's Main Event in 2003, he set off a tidal wave of poker popularity in the United States that has yet to crest.
Today, poker has become a nationwide phenomenon, with high-profile professional players competing with amateurs for billions of dollars in prize money annually. The most popular form of the game - no limit Texas Hold 'Em - is widely televised and played by millions of players in live games and online on a daily basis.
Poker in Alaska occupies a gray area of legality. Gambling for money in the state is technically illegal, although authorities typically turn a blind eye to casual “home” games played between friends.
But players who want live action on a regular basis are often out of luck. Underground, for-profit - or “raked” - poker rooms in the state operate outside the law, but raids on such games are rare.
That changed in the Valley on April 14, when members of the Alaska State Troopers' Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement, along with Palmer and Wasilla police, conducted a high-profile bust on a Wasilla building that led to the arrest - and subsequent felony charges - against five area residents. Warrants were also served on six private residences in Anchorage and the Valley."
"WASILLA - When Tennessee accountant Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker's Main Event in 2003, he set off a tidal wave of poker popularity in the United States that has yet to crest.
Today, poker has become a nationwide phenomenon, with high-profile professional players competing with amateurs for billions of dollars in prize money annually. The most popular form of the game - no limit Texas Hold 'Em - is widely televised and played by millions of players in live games and online on a daily basis.
Poker in Alaska occupies a gray area of legality. Gambling for money in the state is technically illegal, although authorities typically turn a blind eye to casual “home” games played between friends.
But players who want live action on a regular basis are often out of luck. Underground, for-profit - or “raked” - poker rooms in the state operate outside the law, but raids on such games are rare.
That changed in the Valley on April 14, when members of the Alaska State Troopers' Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement, along with Palmer and Wasilla police, conducted a high-profile bust on a Wasilla building that led to the arrest - and subsequent felony charges - against five area residents. Warrants were also served on six private residences in Anchorage and the Valley."
Journal Gazette | 04/25/2007 | Legislators consider pull-tabs for taverns
Journal Gazette 04/25/2007 Legislators consider pull-tabs for taverns:
"INDIANAPOLIS – An attempt to crack down on illegal gambling could include a measure to allow bars and taverns to offer paper pull-tab games.
The discussion occurred Tuesday during the first public negotiation on a charity gaming bill that also seeks to limit Cherry Master machines.
There was little comment about the original core of the House Bill 1510, which updates provisions for the Indiana Gaming Commission on various charitable gaming issues.
But committee members considered allowing bars and taverns that initially sought authority to operate electronic gaming devices to instead have paper pull-tabs, a game similar to one offered by the Hoosier Lottery and something already allowed in charitable fraternal organizations or clubs.
Pull-tab distributors describe them as small paper games of chance used for profit-making or fundraising. The front side of the pull-tab shows winning combinations of symbols and prizes a player can win. The back side of the pull tab has windows to open. If the symbols underneath the pull-tab windows match the winning combinations on the front of the pull tab, the player wins.
Testimony indicated that pull-tab tickets would cost $1 each. The low-stakes game pays back about 70 percent of the money, with 30 percent of the revenue retained by the owner or group running the game."
"INDIANAPOLIS – An attempt to crack down on illegal gambling could include a measure to allow bars and taverns to offer paper pull-tab games.
The discussion occurred Tuesday during the first public negotiation on a charity gaming bill that also seeks to limit Cherry Master machines.
There was little comment about the original core of the House Bill 1510, which updates provisions for the Indiana Gaming Commission on various charitable gaming issues.
But committee members considered allowing bars and taverns that initially sought authority to operate electronic gaming devices to instead have paper pull-tabs, a game similar to one offered by the Hoosier Lottery and something already allowed in charitable fraternal organizations or clubs.
Pull-tab distributors describe them as small paper games of chance used for profit-making or fundraising. The front side of the pull-tab shows winning combinations of symbols and prizes a player can win. The back side of the pull tab has windows to open. If the symbols underneath the pull-tab windows match the winning combinations on the front of the pull tab, the player wins.
Testimony indicated that pull-tab tickets would cost $1 each. The low-stakes game pays back about 70 percent of the money, with 30 percent of the revenue retained by the owner or group running the game."
Gambling compromise sought
Gambling compromise sought:
"INDIANAPOLIS -- State lawmakers seeking a compromise on legislation to crack down on illegal gambling are considering whether to let bars and restaurants sell low-wager paper gambling cards, as nonprofit clubs are allowed to do.
The pull-tabs -- small paper games of chance, typically sold for $1 each -- are common in bars and taverns. Although the cards are illegal, the law rarely is enforced. But bars risk fines, criminal charges or loss of their liquor licenses if caught selling them.
That risk could become greater under House Bill 1510, which is designed to clamp down on illegal gambling, in part by adding 25 excise officers and a special prosecutor to pursue the cases.
Yesterday, Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, urged the conference committee looking for a compromise to consider letting bars and restaurants that sell alcohol have some small form of legal gambling. "
"INDIANAPOLIS -- State lawmakers seeking a compromise on legislation to crack down on illegal gambling are considering whether to let bars and restaurants sell low-wager paper gambling cards, as nonprofit clubs are allowed to do.
The pull-tabs -- small paper games of chance, typically sold for $1 each -- are common in bars and taverns. Although the cards are illegal, the law rarely is enforced. But bars risk fines, criminal charges or loss of their liquor licenses if caught selling them.
That risk could become greater under House Bill 1510, which is designed to clamp down on illegal gambling, in part by adding 25 excise officers and a special prosecutor to pursue the cases.
Yesterday, Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, urged the conference committee looking for a compromise to consider letting bars and restaurants that sell alcohol have some small form of legal gambling. "
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Alaska Star - Your Community Newspaper: Eklutna submits for Indian gaming permit 04/12/07
Alaska Star - Your Community Newspaper: Eklutna submits for Indian gaming permit 04/12/07:
"The NIGC's primary mission is to regulate gaming activities on Indian lands for the purpose of shielding Indian tribes from organized crime and other corrupting influences and to ensure that Indian tribes are the primary beneficiaries of gaming revenue.
According to Pensoneau, in passing the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, Congress included the definition of Class II and Class III gaming.
Class II gaming includes bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards and non-house banked card games authorized or not explicitly prohibited by the state in which the tribal operation is located.
“The gambling that most people think of is Class III gaming,” Pensoneau said. “Vegas-style games like blackjack, craps and roulette.”"
"The NIGC's primary mission is to regulate gaming activities on Indian lands for the purpose of shielding Indian tribes from organized crime and other corrupting influences and to ensure that Indian tribes are the primary beneficiaries of gaming revenue.
According to Pensoneau, in passing the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, Congress included the definition of Class II and Class III gaming.
Class II gaming includes bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards and non-house banked card games authorized or not explicitly prohibited by the state in which the tribal operation is located.
“The gambling that most people think of is Class III gaming,” Pensoneau said. “Vegas-style games like blackjack, craps and roulette.”"
Entertainment galore at the Bingo Plex
Entertainment galore at the Bingo Plex:
"Bingo Plex has a choice of two bingo halls, a 75 ball, and the newly introduced 90 ball, which is steadily increasing in popularity. Each hall has its own progressive bingo jackpot. At the time of writing this, the progressive JP in the 75 ball hall stands at an amazing $8,384.69 and climbing! Who wouldn’t say no to a chance of winning that? The progressive jackpots always re-start at $1000 minimum, so even if you don’t hit the current big one, the next JP starts climbing very quickly.
As well as the great game of bingo, and the exciting chat games, there are also slots games to play, incorporating 3, 4, and 5 reels, as well as the very popular Bank Heist, which currently has a progressive JP of $21,210.01. With Keno, Pull Tabs, Video Poker, and Black Jack, what more could you wish for your online entertainment! www.bingoplex.com"
"Bingo Plex has a choice of two bingo halls, a 75 ball, and the newly introduced 90 ball, which is steadily increasing in popularity. Each hall has its own progressive bingo jackpot. At the time of writing this, the progressive JP in the 75 ball hall stands at an amazing $8,384.69 and climbing! Who wouldn’t say no to a chance of winning that? The progressive jackpots always re-start at $1000 minimum, so even if you don’t hit the current big one, the next JP starts climbing very quickly.
As well as the great game of bingo, and the exciting chat games, there are also slots games to play, incorporating 3, 4, and 5 reels, as well as the very popular Bank Heist, which currently has a progressive JP of $21,210.01. With Keno, Pull Tabs, Video Poker, and Black Jack, what more could you wish for your online entertainment! www.bingoplex.com"
Tax to be lowered on bingo parlors | KXNet.com North Dakota News
Tax to be lowered on bingo parlors KXNet.com North Dakota News:
"Since then, charities have been hurt.
(Sen. Bill Bowman / (R) Bowman) 'I did see an email that said 58 towns are going to benefit from this. The only thing that I was disappointed in is how how many towns would've benefited if included pull tabs, if you want to treat charities, treat them all the same.'
The bill saves the bingo industry one point two million dollars a biennium."
"Since then, charities have been hurt.
(Sen. Bill Bowman / (R) Bowman) 'I did see an email that said 58 towns are going to benefit from this. The only thing that I was disappointed in is how how many towns would've benefited if included pull tabs, if you want to treat charities, treat them all the same.'
The bill saves the bingo industry one point two million dollars a biennium."
KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | When is poker illegal?
KTUU.com Alaska's news and information source When is poker illegal?:
"Bingo and pull tabs are the two types of gaming in the state where someone can actually profit; so, much of the state's efforts on controlling gaming are spent watching these establishments."
"Bingo and pull tabs are the two types of gaming in the state where someone can actually profit; so, much of the state's efforts on controlling gaming are spent watching these establishments."
Monday, April 09, 2007
Village asks for license to gamble - South Sound - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington
Village asks for license to gamble - South Sound - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington: "Village asks for license to gamble
Elizabeth Bluemink
Anchorage Daily News
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Native village of Eklutna applied this week for federal permission to operate a gambling center on tribal land about 20 miles from Anchorage.
The village asked the National Indian Gaming Commission for Class II gaming authorization, which allows bingo, pull tabs or an electronic version of those games.
The village said in a written statement Friday that its proposed gaming center could be positive for the local economy, creating new jobs and enhancing tourism.
'We were told this would not be a full-on casino-type operation,' said city attorney Jim Reeves.
Anchorage and state officials said they are watching the village request closely. The Washington, D.C.-based commission must rule on it within 90 days.
Not casino friendly
In the past, Alaska has fought off attempts to establish casinos or high-stakes pull-tab games on tribal land here.
The only gambling allowed in Alaska is for nonprofit purposes, though even nonprofit gambling here is a big business, with spending exceeding $349 million in 2005, according to state reports.
Under Alaska law, any kind of casino is illegal, including charitable or American Indian-owned.
A key factor in getting federal approval for non-casino Class II gambling is determining whether Eklutna's tribal land can even be used for gambling.
The village, which filed Tuesday, asked federal regulators to decide whether the 8-acre plot on which they hope to build a gaming center - a family-owned American Indian allotment near the Birchwood Airport - meets the definition of tribal land."
Elizabeth Bluemink
Anchorage Daily News
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Native village of Eklutna applied this week for federal permission to operate a gambling center on tribal land about 20 miles from Anchorage.
The village asked the National Indian Gaming Commission for Class II gaming authorization, which allows bingo, pull tabs or an electronic version of those games.
The village said in a written statement Friday that its proposed gaming center could be positive for the local economy, creating new jobs and enhancing tourism.
'We were told this would not be a full-on casino-type operation,' said city attorney Jim Reeves.
Anchorage and state officials said they are watching the village request closely. The Washington, D.C.-based commission must rule on it within 90 days.
Not casino friendly
In the past, Alaska has fought off attempts to establish casinos or high-stakes pull-tab games on tribal land here.
The only gambling allowed in Alaska is for nonprofit purposes, though even nonprofit gambling here is a big business, with spending exceeding $349 million in 2005, according to state reports.
Under Alaska law, any kind of casino is illegal, including charitable or American Indian-owned.
A key factor in getting federal approval for non-casino Class II gambling is determining whether Eklutna's tribal land can even be used for gambling.
The village, which filed Tuesday, asked federal regulators to decide whether the 8-acre plot on which they hope to build a gaming center - a family-owned American Indian allotment near the Birchwood Airport - meets the definition of tribal land."
Cutting through red tape (April 8, 2007)
Cutting through red tape (April 8, 2007):
Cutting through red tape
Several hurdles must be cleared before an Indian-owned casino can be built:
1) Federal recognition. The right to build a casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 applies only to federally recognized tribes.
2) Federally recognized tribes must acquire what the federal government defines as ''Indian lands.”
3) Indian land must be taken into trust by the federal government at the request of tribal applicants. That process is overseen by the Department of Interior and requires the tribal applicant to submit a detailed plan describing how the tribe plans to use the land.
A Government Accountability Office study last year found the Department of Interior takes an average of a year or more to process land-into-trust applications. In one case, it took the federal agency 19 years to process an application, the study found.
As of September 2005, there were 28 off-reservation applications waiting an average of 1.4 years to be processed. There were also 34 appeals filed, taking an average of three years before a decision was rendered."
Cutting through red tape
Several hurdles must be cleared before an Indian-owned casino can be built:
1) Federal recognition. The right to build a casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 applies only to federally recognized tribes.
2) Federally recognized tribes must acquire what the federal government defines as ''Indian lands.”
3) Indian land must be taken into trust by the federal government at the request of tribal applicants. That process is overseen by the Department of Interior and requires the tribal applicant to submit a detailed plan describing how the tribe plans to use the land.
A Government Accountability Office study last year found the Department of Interior takes an average of a year or more to process land-into-trust applications. In one case, it took the federal agency 19 years to process an application, the study found.
As of September 2005, there were 28 off-reservation applications waiting an average of 1.4 years to be processed. There were also 34 appeals filed, taking an average of three years before a decision was rendered."
Saturday, March 31, 2007
The Independent - Marshall, MN
The Independent - Marshall, MN:
"“We sell a lot of pull tabs,” Sodemann said. “A lot of people who gamble also smoke. Is our pull tab business going to go down?”
The community of Marshall will lose if the pull tab revenues decline, Sodemann said.
Pull tabs have generated tens of thousands of dollars for the Legion ball park, for flag poles and other community investments, Sodemann said.
The owners or managers at all four bars said they expect a statewide ban to pass. The only questions are when it will take effect and if smoking rooms would be allowed as well as patios."
"“We sell a lot of pull tabs,” Sodemann said. “A lot of people who gamble also smoke. Is our pull tab business going to go down?”
The community of Marshall will lose if the pull tab revenues decline, Sodemann said.
Pull tabs have generated tens of thousands of dollars for the Legion ball park, for flag poles and other community investments, Sodemann said.
The owners or managers at all four bars said they expect a statewide ban to pass. The only questions are when it will take effect and if smoking rooms would be allowed as well as patios."
Monday, March 12, 2007
Wisconsin lawmakers hear 'State of the Tribes' address
by: Abbey Thompson / Indian Country Today
© Indian Country Today March 12, 2007. All Rights Reserved
MADISON, Wis. - In what was a Native woman's strong call for cooperative action between tribal and state legislators, Patricia DePerry, chairman of the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe in Wisconsin, delivered the 3rd Annual ''State of the Tribes'' address before lawmakers at the Wisconsin State Assembly regular session on March 1. The annual event was held by invitation of Assembly Speaker Michael Huebsch. DePerry spoke on behalf of the 11 tribes in Wisconsin. A drum ceremony and a Veteran's color guard procession kicked off the forum. Eagle staffs mingled with flags, as elected officials and representatives of the tribal nations of Wisconsin (Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Stockbridge-Munsee, Menominee and Ho-Chunk) met in the state Capitol's assembly chamber. Leon ''Boycee'' Valliere, Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe, gave the opening prayer - an invocation delivered in both Anishinabe (Ojibwe) and English. DePerry's speech covered issues facing the tribes, including gaming, sovereignty, racism and underfunded health, education and welfare programs. The outspoken tribal leader urged state lawmakers to uphold tribal sovereignty, ''a decree ordered by the United States government when treaties were signed.'' According to DePerry, ''It's not up for negotiation; it is not up for discussion. It is the law.'' She said tribes today have much to be hopeful about but many problems still exist, including poverty, alcoholism and drug abuse. ''We want for our tribes what the state wants for 'theirs': better health, better education; we want it all.'' DePerry shared childhood memories, being the oldest of nine children born to alcoholic parents. She attended a Catholic school where she was physically abused until she ''stood up'' to her nun schoolteacher and demanded an end to the abuse in seventh grade. ''The moral to this story is we need to be protectors of each other, of those that cannot, for whatever reason, stand up for themselves,'' she said. This sentiment perhaps is a reflection of the current situation in Wisconsin among tribes vying for off-reservation casinos. Most tribes have on-reservation casinos; yet, due to varying geographic locations, there are only three large, profit-making casinos - those owned by the Ho-Chunk, Oneida and Potawatomi. Rural tribes in northern Wisconsin continue to battle the state and other tribes for off-reservation casino approval. ''That is tearing us apart,'' she said. ''Some of us have made it in gaming and some of us haven't.'' She used her home as an example. ''Red Cliff hasn't made it. We sit on the northernmost tip of Wisconsin. Apostle Island country, that's up north. We have problems up there, big-time problems.'' She also discussed the importance of lawmakers being more educated on the topic of treaty rights, which has been one of the top issues concerning Wisconsin tribes since the Voigt Decision of 1983, upholding the rights of the state's Chippewa tribes to hunt, fish and gather off-reservation. DePerry, also recently chosen as the first woman to serve as chair of Wisconsin's Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, was critical of the state DNR. She told members of the Assembly that conflicts between DNR game wardens and tribal members stem from misunderstandings of tribal sovereignty. In closing, she asked for continuing cooperation between the tribes and the state, ''whatever color we may be.''
Please visit the Indian Country Today website for more articles related to this topic.
© Indian Country Today March 12, 2007. All Rights Reserved
MADISON, Wis. - In what was a Native woman's strong call for cooperative action between tribal and state legislators, Patricia DePerry, chairman of the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe in Wisconsin, delivered the 3rd Annual ''State of the Tribes'' address before lawmakers at the Wisconsin State Assembly regular session on March 1. The annual event was held by invitation of Assembly Speaker Michael Huebsch. DePerry spoke on behalf of the 11 tribes in Wisconsin. A drum ceremony and a Veteran's color guard procession kicked off the forum. Eagle staffs mingled with flags, as elected officials and representatives of the tribal nations of Wisconsin (Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Stockbridge-Munsee, Menominee and Ho-Chunk) met in the state Capitol's assembly chamber. Leon ''Boycee'' Valliere, Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe, gave the opening prayer - an invocation delivered in both Anishinabe (Ojibwe) and English. DePerry's speech covered issues facing the tribes, including gaming, sovereignty, racism and underfunded health, education and welfare programs. The outspoken tribal leader urged state lawmakers to uphold tribal sovereignty, ''a decree ordered by the United States government when treaties were signed.'' According to DePerry, ''It's not up for negotiation; it is not up for discussion. It is the law.'' She said tribes today have much to be hopeful about but many problems still exist, including poverty, alcoholism and drug abuse. ''We want for our tribes what the state wants for 'theirs': better health, better education; we want it all.'' DePerry shared childhood memories, being the oldest of nine children born to alcoholic parents. She attended a Catholic school where she was physically abused until she ''stood up'' to her nun schoolteacher and demanded an end to the abuse in seventh grade. ''The moral to this story is we need to be protectors of each other, of those that cannot, for whatever reason, stand up for themselves,'' she said. This sentiment perhaps is a reflection of the current situation in Wisconsin among tribes vying for off-reservation casinos. Most tribes have on-reservation casinos; yet, due to varying geographic locations, there are only three large, profit-making casinos - those owned by the Ho-Chunk, Oneida and Potawatomi. Rural tribes in northern Wisconsin continue to battle the state and other tribes for off-reservation casino approval. ''That is tearing us apart,'' she said. ''Some of us have made it in gaming and some of us haven't.'' She used her home as an example. ''Red Cliff hasn't made it. We sit on the northernmost tip of Wisconsin. Apostle Island country, that's up north. We have problems up there, big-time problems.'' She also discussed the importance of lawmakers being more educated on the topic of treaty rights, which has been one of the top issues concerning Wisconsin tribes since the Voigt Decision of 1983, upholding the rights of the state's Chippewa tribes to hunt, fish and gather off-reservation. DePerry, also recently chosen as the first woman to serve as chair of Wisconsin's Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, was critical of the state DNR. She told members of the Assembly that conflicts between DNR game wardens and tribal members stem from misunderstandings of tribal sovereignty. In closing, she asked for continuing cooperation between the tribes and the state, ''whatever color we may be.''
Please visit the Indian Country Today website for more articles related to this topic.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Columbian.com - Serving Clark County, Washington
Columbian.com - Serving Clark County, Washington:
"Gambling interests play off each other in endless bid for more, more, more
The old game of legal-gambling leapfrog in Washington state is in full swing, with those in power expanding gambling while saying they don't like to see gambling expanded.
The next big boost to gambling in this state is likely to come in a March 9 meeting of the state Gambling Commission (wsgc.wa.gov), whose ex-officio members include Rep. Richard Curtis, R-La Center. It'd be refreshing to see the commission bring at least a temporary halt to the game then and there.
Legal-gambling leapfrog is many years old in Washington and has several major players, including: La Center-style mini-casinos and recreational cardrooms; tribal casinos; bingo parlors; the state Lottery; race tracks, punchcards and pulltabs. "
"Gambling interests play off each other in endless bid for more, more, more
The old game of legal-gambling leapfrog in Washington state is in full swing, with those in power expanding gambling while saying they don't like to see gambling expanded.
The next big boost to gambling in this state is likely to come in a March 9 meeting of the state Gambling Commission (wsgc.wa.gov), whose ex-officio members include Rep. Richard Curtis, R-La Center. It'd be refreshing to see the commission bring at least a temporary halt to the game then and there.
Legal-gambling leapfrog is many years old in Washington and has several major players, including: La Center-style mini-casinos and recreational cardrooms; tribal casinos; bingo parlors; the state Lottery; race tracks, punchcards and pulltabs. "
· IN-FORUM ·
· IN-FORUM ·:
"The region is a particularly ripe one for charity gaming. The National Association of Fund-Raising Ticket Manufacturers’ most recent annual report shows Minnesota led the nation in charitable betting in 2005 with $1.3 billion wagered. North Dakota’s $268.5 million ranked 10th.
North Dakota is also the only state that offers charitable blackjack, said Karen Breiner, president of the Charitable Gaming Association of North Dakota."
"The region is a particularly ripe one for charity gaming. The National Association of Fund-Raising Ticket Manufacturers’ most recent annual report shows Minnesota led the nation in charitable betting in 2005 with $1.3 billion wagered. North Dakota’s $268.5 million ranked 10th.
North Dakota is also the only state that offers charitable blackjack, said Karen Breiner, president of the Charitable Gaming Association of North Dakota."
Winona Daily News - 6.0
Winona Daily News - 6.0:
"Charitable gambling revenues are estimated to drop by 25 percent. Most of these are produced by taverns selling pull tabs. This will hurt the many good causes that benefit from gambling."
"Charitable gambling revenues are estimated to drop by 25 percent. Most of these are produced by taverns selling pull tabs. This will hurt the many good causes that benefit from gambling."
Pine Bluff Commercial Online Edition
Pine Bluff Commercial Online Edition:
"When asked if bingo was the only game, McQueen said 'pull tabs' on which a player pays 25 cents per tab and scratches off to reveal a mystery number is available at the Southwest Drive location.
'My understanding is that falls under the definition of a raffle,' he said. 'If they tell us to stop, then we will.'"
"When asked if bingo was the only game, McQueen said 'pull tabs' on which a player pays 25 cents per tab and scratches off to reveal a mystery number is available at the Southwest Drive location.
'My understanding is that falls under the definition of a raffle,' he said. 'If they tell us to stop, then we will.'"
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Pull-tab profits may be yanked
A dispute between a local pull-tab operator and a property owner could end up costing a handful of Fairbanks nonprofit, labor and service organizations tens of thousands of dollars in potential revenue.
Emerald Isle Pull-Tabs, which up until last summer operated pull-tab games at a location on the Old Steese Highway for at least five Fairbanks organizations including the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, the UAF Tip Off Club and the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, is involved in a rent dispute with the owner of the Old Steese building, Qwik Three Inc.
Last summer, officials from Qwik Three locked the building, taking possession of all the contents, including the pull-tabs.
Pull-tabs are one of the few forms of gambling allowed in Alaska. State law mandates strict regulations surrounding the games. The pull-tabs themselves are the property of nonprofit organizations. Pull-tab parlors, like Emerald Isle, operate the games on behalf of the nonprofits. The two then split the profits from the games.
With the pull-tabs locked up, however, there haven’t been any profits from them for more than six months. The Alaska Outdoor Council, for example, would have received about $20,000 from its pull-tabs in Emerald Isle’s parlor during that time.
“It’s certainly cutting into our fundraising,” said Rod Arno, the nonprofit council’s executive director. “Actually a fair amount.”
Arno said in any given year the Outdoor Council can pull in $50,000 from pull-tab games at various parlors.
“It’s easily a fourth to a third of our funding,” he said.
Alaska Outdoor Council is one of 11 Fairbanks nonprofits involved in a lawsuit against Qwik Three Inc., in an attempt to get their pull-tabs back. All of the 11 nonprofits use Emerald Isle to coordinate their games, but not all of them had pull-tabs at the Old Steese Location, a fact that is complicating the suit, which Arno described as “a slow-moving mess.” Emerald Isle has three other locations besides the Old Steese parlor. All 11 nonprofits were included in the suit because there was some question in the mind of officials at Qwik Three as to which Emerald Isle clients had games at the Old Steese location.
Other organizations didn’t have quite so much money tied up in Emerald Isle’s operation but are still looking at a loss of revenue. According to documents filed in court, the Laborer’s Local 942 usually earns several thousand dollars each month from its pull-tab games. The money from the games is largely used for the union’s scholarship fund.
The Alaska Dog Mushers Association had $13,799 worth of pull-tabs in the parlor.
“That’s 10 percent of our budget,” club president Shannon Erhart said. “It could have helped us with our racing season.”
Hollis Hall, the acting general manager of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, said his organization is out about $2,000 because of the dispute.
David Lambert, the owner of Emerald Isle, stated in an affidavit that there was $115,399 worth of pull-tabs in the building when it was locked.
With the nonprofits already facing tight budgets, the dip in revenue is hurting some services.
“We use that money for education,” Arno said. “We use that money to inform our membership, which is about 12,000 statewide, of state and federal (outdoors) regulations.”
The Alaska Outdoor Council usually publishes four newsletters each year, Arno said. This year, because the pull-tabs weren’t sold, the group will only have enough money to put out three.
The Interior Horse Council, member Leigh Carlson said, uses the revenues from its pull-tab game to build facilities at the Tanana Valley Fair Ground and for educational programs. The group is trying to find ways to work around the funding hiccup caused by the pull-tab dispute.
“We still have revenue; we’re doing other fund raisers, we’re still trying to continue on,” she said. “Luckily, we didn’t have that much tied up to (the pull-tabs).”
Jason Crawford, the attorney representing Qwik Three, said the parties are close to working out a way to distribute the games back to the nonprofits.
“One of the main things is we want them to get back to the rightful holder, the permit holders,” Crawford said.
Qwik Three recently got a list of the permit numbers associated with the various games in their possession, Crawford said, and was checking those numbers against the games they have so they can get the right games to the right nonprofits.
Even if the pull-tabs are returned to the nonprofits, the groups may not be able to make any money off of them. Pull-tabs are usually dated, and the older the pull-tabs, the harder to sell them, Erhart said. There are also rumors that some of the pull-tabs may have been stolen since the building was closed. A police report from last August said someone broke into the building and took an Automatic Teller Machine and possibly some pull-tabs as well.
“There’s a whole room full of pull-tabs, so it’s hard to know if a few of them might be missing,” Crawford said.
It’s going to be difficult for anyone who might have stolen pull-tabs to cash them out, but even so, Erhart said, no one is going to want to buy any of the remaining pull-tabs.
“They’re basically tainted at this point,” she said.
As far as Arno is concerned, he just wants to get his games back, even though he’s pretty sure he won’t be able to use them to raise any funds for his organization.
“The quicker the settlement on it the better,” he said, “so we can consider our loses and we can try again.”
http://newsminer.com/2007/02/27/5553/
Contact staff writer Robinson Duffy at 459-7523 or rduffy@newsminer.com.
Emerald Isle Pull-Tabs, which up until last summer operated pull-tab games at a location on the Old Steese Highway for at least five Fairbanks organizations including the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, the UAF Tip Off Club and the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, is involved in a rent dispute with the owner of the Old Steese building, Qwik Three Inc.
Last summer, officials from Qwik Three locked the building, taking possession of all the contents, including the pull-tabs.
Pull-tabs are one of the few forms of gambling allowed in Alaska. State law mandates strict regulations surrounding the games. The pull-tabs themselves are the property of nonprofit organizations. Pull-tab parlors, like Emerald Isle, operate the games on behalf of the nonprofits. The two then split the profits from the games.
With the pull-tabs locked up, however, there haven’t been any profits from them for more than six months. The Alaska Outdoor Council, for example, would have received about $20,000 from its pull-tabs in Emerald Isle’s parlor during that time.
“It’s certainly cutting into our fundraising,” said Rod Arno, the nonprofit council’s executive director. “Actually a fair amount.”
Arno said in any given year the Outdoor Council can pull in $50,000 from pull-tab games at various parlors.
“It’s easily a fourth to a third of our funding,” he said.
Alaska Outdoor Council is one of 11 Fairbanks nonprofits involved in a lawsuit against Qwik Three Inc., in an attempt to get their pull-tabs back. All of the 11 nonprofits use Emerald Isle to coordinate their games, but not all of them had pull-tabs at the Old Steese Location, a fact that is complicating the suit, which Arno described as “a slow-moving mess.” Emerald Isle has three other locations besides the Old Steese parlor. All 11 nonprofits were included in the suit because there was some question in the mind of officials at Qwik Three as to which Emerald Isle clients had games at the Old Steese location.
Other organizations didn’t have quite so much money tied up in Emerald Isle’s operation but are still looking at a loss of revenue. According to documents filed in court, the Laborer’s Local 942 usually earns several thousand dollars each month from its pull-tab games. The money from the games is largely used for the union’s scholarship fund.
The Alaska Dog Mushers Association had $13,799 worth of pull-tabs in the parlor.
“That’s 10 percent of our budget,” club president Shannon Erhart said. “It could have helped us with our racing season.”
Hollis Hall, the acting general manager of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, said his organization is out about $2,000 because of the dispute.
David Lambert, the owner of Emerald Isle, stated in an affidavit that there was $115,399 worth of pull-tabs in the building when it was locked.
With the nonprofits already facing tight budgets, the dip in revenue is hurting some services.
“We use that money for education,” Arno said. “We use that money to inform our membership, which is about 12,000 statewide, of state and federal (outdoors) regulations.”
The Alaska Outdoor Council usually publishes four newsletters each year, Arno said. This year, because the pull-tabs weren’t sold, the group will only have enough money to put out three.
The Interior Horse Council, member Leigh Carlson said, uses the revenues from its pull-tab game to build facilities at the Tanana Valley Fair Ground and for educational programs. The group is trying to find ways to work around the funding hiccup caused by the pull-tab dispute.
“We still have revenue; we’re doing other fund raisers, we’re still trying to continue on,” she said. “Luckily, we didn’t have that much tied up to (the pull-tabs).”
Jason Crawford, the attorney representing Qwik Three, said the parties are close to working out a way to distribute the games back to the nonprofits.
“One of the main things is we want them to get back to the rightful holder, the permit holders,” Crawford said.
Qwik Three recently got a list of the permit numbers associated with the various games in their possession, Crawford said, and was checking those numbers against the games they have so they can get the right games to the right nonprofits.
Even if the pull-tabs are returned to the nonprofits, the groups may not be able to make any money off of them. Pull-tabs are usually dated, and the older the pull-tabs, the harder to sell them, Erhart said. There are also rumors that some of the pull-tabs may have been stolen since the building was closed. A police report from last August said someone broke into the building and took an Automatic Teller Machine and possibly some pull-tabs as well.
“There’s a whole room full of pull-tabs, so it’s hard to know if a few of them might be missing,” Crawford said.
It’s going to be difficult for anyone who might have stolen pull-tabs to cash them out, but even so, Erhart said, no one is going to want to buy any of the remaining pull-tabs.
“They’re basically tainted at this point,” she said.
As far as Arno is concerned, he just wants to get his games back, even though he’s pretty sure he won’t be able to use them to raise any funds for his organization.
“The quicker the settlement on it the better,” he said, “so we can consider our loses and we can try again.”
http://newsminer.com/2007/02/27/5553/
Contact staff writer Robinson Duffy at 459-7523 or rduffy@newsminer.com.
Business Spotlight: Tapped Out and Tipped Out in Kitsap
Laws more clearly divided taverns and restaurants so they did not directly compete with each other. Patterson remembers the days when a bar served beer and a restaurant made its money on mixed hard liquor drinks. A bar served boiled eggs, pickled eggs, peanuts and pretzels and to be a restaurant you had to offer five different entrees throughout the day.
In the past 10 years, though, bars have applied for more on-site beer, wine and liquor licenses to compete with restaurants — in part for higher profits, in part to attract a different crowd.
But paying the additional taxes for restaurant-classified liquor licenses, as well as permits for pool tables, shuffleboards, and fees to the recording industry for jukebox songs, has pushed small bars to their limits, Patterson said.
"If you’re a franchise, it’s a whole different world," he said. "We decided we couldn’t run it any more because we didn’t have enough young blood to keep it going."
"[Drinking establishments] are shifting," Fischer said. "We’re getting a lot of movement into the county area [and] Silverdale."
The rise of casinos also has a role in changing drinking habits. At the Chips Casino, Ponderay Cafe & Lounge and Bremerton Lanes in Bremerton and the All Star Casino in Silverdale, people can not only drink, but they can play machines, roulette or craps at the same time.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/bsun/business/article/0,2403,BSUN_19063_5379176,00.html
In the past 10 years, though, bars have applied for more on-site beer, wine and liquor licenses to compete with restaurants — in part for higher profits, in part to attract a different crowd.
But paying the additional taxes for restaurant-classified liquor licenses, as well as permits for pool tables, shuffleboards, and fees to the recording industry for jukebox songs, has pushed small bars to their limits, Patterson said.
"If you’re a franchise, it’s a whole different world," he said. "We decided we couldn’t run it any more because we didn’t have enough young blood to keep it going."
"[Drinking establishments] are shifting," Fischer said. "We’re getting a lot of movement into the county area [and] Silverdale."
The rise of casinos also has a role in changing drinking habits. At the Chips Casino, Ponderay Cafe & Lounge and Bremerton Lanes in Bremerton and the All Star Casino in Silverdale, people can not only drink, but they can play machines, roulette or craps at the same time.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/bsun/business/article/0,2403,BSUN_19063_5379176,00.html
Monday, February 26, 2007
Harmless fun or illegal blights? | IndyStar.com
Harmless fun or illegal blights? IndyStar.com:
" The games: Many Hoosier Lottery games are patterned after games that have been played in pea-shake houses for years, such as selecting winning combinations of three or four numbers, pull tabs and tickets. People pay 2 cents and up to play, and a winner can collect several thousand dollars."
" The games: Many Hoosier Lottery games are patterned after games that have been played in pea-shake houses for years, such as selecting winning combinations of three or four numbers, pull tabs and tickets. People pay 2 cents and up to play, and a winner can collect several thousand dollars."
Friday, February 23, 2007
Carlsbad Current-Argus - Little Argus
Carlsbad Current-Argus - Little Argus:
"CARLSBAD — Knights of Columbus will hold appreciation bingo at 7 p.m. today (Feb. 23) at the San Jose Bingo Hall. Master Packs are $5 and extras are $2.50. Guarantee bingo payout for the night is $3,000. Total possible payout for the entire evening is $10,000.00, includes bingo and pull-tabs. Appreciation bingo is held on the second and last Friday of each month. "
"CARLSBAD — Knights of Columbus will hold appreciation bingo at 7 p.m. today (Feb. 23) at the San Jose Bingo Hall. Master Packs are $5 and extras are $2.50. Guarantee bingo payout for the night is $3,000. Total possible payout for the entire evening is $10,000.00, includes bingo and pull-tabs. Appreciation bingo is held on the second and last Friday of each month. "
Saturday, February 17, 2007
North Dakota: Struggle to balance the budget?
North Dakota: Struggle to balance the budget?:
Lawmakers have also approved tax cuts, exemptions and other breaks that would reduce state general fund revenue collections by $201 million over two years, including a sales tax exemption for heating fuels, an income tax cut for married couples, tax reductions for pull tabs and bingo cards, and an overhaul of state oil taxes."
Lawmakers have also approved tax cuts, exemptions and other breaks that would reduce state general fund revenue collections by $201 million over two years, including a sales tax exemption for heating fuels, an income tax cut for married couples, tax reductions for pull tabs and bingo cards, and an overhaul of state oil taxes."
Washington in brief : ICT [2007/02/16]
Washington in brief : ICT [2007/02/16]:
Gaming commission pulls plug on Class II Regulations
The National Indian Gaming Commission announced Feb. 9 that controversial new regulations on Class II gaming, announced last year, will be withdrawn.
At the prodding of the Justice Department, the regulations sought to redefine the line between Class II games, such as bingo and pull-tabs, and Class III slot machines. The commission contended that technological advances in gaming machines have blurred the line.
Tribes have responded that the commission's plans to slow down the pace of Class II action would decrease the revenue stream from Class II machines, in part by reducing the number of plays per machine and in part by driving clients to more entertaining venues. A study commissioned by NIGC substantially seconded tribal fears of economic setbacks under the proposed new regulations.
''We remain committed to bringing consideration of these important issues to an early conclusion,'' said NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen in a statement on the NIGC Web site, ''but as it is likely that our finished product would depart in several areas from that published in the Federal Register in 2006, we are withdrawing those earlier proposals. We are busily working on revisions. If and when we finish those ... new drafts would be published as proposed regulations and further comment would be solicited before they are finalized.'' "
Gaming commission pulls plug on Class II Regulations
The National Indian Gaming Commission announced Feb. 9 that controversial new regulations on Class II gaming, announced last year, will be withdrawn.
At the prodding of the Justice Department, the regulations sought to redefine the line between Class II games, such as bingo and pull-tabs, and Class III slot machines. The commission contended that technological advances in gaming machines have blurred the line.
Tribes have responded that the commission's plans to slow down the pace of Class II action would decrease the revenue stream from Class II machines, in part by reducing the number of plays per machine and in part by driving clients to more entertaining venues. A study commissioned by NIGC substantially seconded tribal fears of economic setbacks under the proposed new regulations.
''We remain committed to bringing consideration of these important issues to an early conclusion,'' said NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen in a statement on the NIGC Web site, ''but as it is likely that our finished product would depart in several areas from that published in the Federal Register in 2006, we are withdrawing those earlier proposals. We are busily working on revisions. If and when we finish those ... new drafts would be published as proposed regulations and further comment would be solicited before they are finalized.'' "
St. Paul Pioneer Press | 02/14/2007 | Popular Burnsville sports bar closes
St. Paul Pioneer Press 02/14/2007 Popular Burnsville sports bar closes:
"The loss of the restaurant is having a ripple effect throughout the city. Youth athletes from Burnsville Hockey Club, who raised funds by selling pull-tabs there, are looking for new fundraising options at other businesses, said club president Dan Schroeder.
'Benchwarmer Bob's was a significant partner of the hockey club for 13 years,' he said. 'It will have an impact. '
It's too early to tell how badly the closing will hurt the club, Schroeder said. He wouldn't say how much the club raised annually at the restaurant, except that it was the 'primary spot' for fundraising. The group sells pull-tabs at two other locations."
"The loss of the restaurant is having a ripple effect throughout the city. Youth athletes from Burnsville Hockey Club, who raised funds by selling pull-tabs there, are looking for new fundraising options at other businesses, said club president Dan Schroeder.
'Benchwarmer Bob's was a significant partner of the hockey club for 13 years,' he said. 'It will have an impact. '
It's too early to tell how badly the closing will hurt the club, Schroeder said. He wouldn't say how much the club raised annually at the restaurant, except that it was the 'primary spot' for fundraising. The group sells pull-tabs at two other locations."
POST-TRIBUNE :: News :: Betting on bingo
POST-TRIBUNE :: News :: Betting on bingo:
"The State Gaming Commission, which also oversees casinos, took oversight of charitable gaming from the Department of Revenue under state law passed in 2006.
By The Numbers
• $44.7M, What the not-for-profits grossed in Lake and Porter counties in 2006
• $980,018, What the not-for-profits donated to charities in 2006
• $5.8M, Lake County net proceeds for licensed bingo halls in 2006
• $805,707, Porter County net proceeds for licensed bingo halls in 2006
The commission is working to set financial standards for the American Legion posts, churches, VFW posts and other not-for-profits that host many of the regular bingo games and pull tab licenses.
In the meantime, the not-for-profits grossed more than $44.7 million in Lake and Porter counties last year, according to state records. They donated to charity a total of $980,018, about 2 percent of the gross."
"The State Gaming Commission, which also oversees casinos, took oversight of charitable gaming from the Department of Revenue under state law passed in 2006.
By The Numbers
• $44.7M, What the not-for-profits grossed in Lake and Porter counties in 2006
• $980,018, What the not-for-profits donated to charities in 2006
• $5.8M, Lake County net proceeds for licensed bingo halls in 2006
• $805,707, Porter County net proceeds for licensed bingo halls in 2006
The commission is working to set financial standards for the American Legion posts, churches, VFW posts and other not-for-profits that host many of the regular bingo games and pull tab licenses.
In the meantime, the not-for-profits grossed more than $44.7 million in Lake and Porter counties last year, according to state records. They donated to charity a total of $980,018, about 2 percent of the gross."
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Snohomish County Business Journal
Snohomish County Business Journal:
"There’s a certain rhythm to bowling that’s almost hypnotic: The thud of the ball as it makes contact with the hard surface of the lane. The accelerating hum as it speeds its way toward the pins. The resulting crash as the ball makes contact. The swoosh of the machinery as the pins are reset and it all begins again.
Apparently, I’m not the only one entranced by the game, as more than 53 million Americans participated in 2004 alone, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. That’s more than the number of folks who played outdoor soccer (14.6 million), softball (14.3 million) and table tennis (14.3 million) combined.
Who are these bowlers? According to SGMA, 53 percent are male; 47 percent are female"
"There’s a certain rhythm to bowling that’s almost hypnotic: The thud of the ball as it makes contact with the hard surface of the lane. The accelerating hum as it speeds its way toward the pins. The resulting crash as the ball makes contact. The swoosh of the machinery as the pins are reset and it all begins again.
Apparently, I’m not the only one entranced by the game, as more than 53 million Americans participated in 2004 alone, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. That’s more than the number of folks who played outdoor soccer (14.6 million), softball (14.3 million) and table tennis (14.3 million) combined.
Who are these bowlers? According to SGMA, 53 percent are male; 47 percent are female"
Bingo bill aims to cut state fee
Bingo bill aims to cut state fee:
"'Local participation is down by about 150 players per day, or 300 per bingo weekend,' she said. 'We have witnessed a decrease in our pull-tab revenue each bingo weekend to the tune of $8,000 to $10,000.' Pull-tabs are printed tickets that have a pull-tab, or seal, opened to reveal a winning or losing combination on each ticket or on a separate card.
'The players are saving their money for an evening at Hollywood Slots, and the locals are choosing to go to Hollywood Slots,' Loring said.
'With the loss of local player dollars and pull-tab revenue, we are experiencing losses of around $20,000 to $30,000 per game weekend,' she said.
If the losses continue at their current rate, the tribe projects, the Penobscot Nation stands to lose revenues of at least $200,000 a year, she said.
The Penobscot Nation is the only federally recognized American Indian tribe in Maine licensed to operate high-stakes bingo games."
"'Local participation is down by about 150 players per day, or 300 per bingo weekend,' she said. 'We have witnessed a decrease in our pull-tab revenue each bingo weekend to the tune of $8,000 to $10,000.' Pull-tabs are printed tickets that have a pull-tab, or seal, opened to reveal a winning or losing combination on each ticket or on a separate card.
'The players are saving their money for an evening at Hollywood Slots, and the locals are choosing to go to Hollywood Slots,' Loring said.
'With the loss of local player dollars and pull-tab revenue, we are experiencing losses of around $20,000 to $30,000 per game weekend,' she said.
If the losses continue at their current rate, the tribe projects, the Penobscot Nation stands to lose revenues of at least $200,000 a year, she said.
The Penobscot Nation is the only federally recognized American Indian tribe in Maine licensed to operate high-stakes bingo games."
Slots look-alikes pop up in Arundel - baltimoresun.com
Slots look-alikes pop up in Arundel - baltimoresun.com:
"At Bingo World in Brooklyn Park, rows of new video-gaming machines dazzle with displays of spinning cherries, 7's and BAR icons. The machines emit a series of throaty 'ka-chings' when the symbols line up, and they can spit out vouchers that can be redeemed for hundreds of dollars.
Some patrons who feed $20 bills into the machines call them 'slots,' but the operators of three bingo halls in Anne Arundel County that have installed 200 of the machines during the past year consider them instant video bingo machines that conform with state and county laws.
Critics aren't so sure. As Maryland lawmakers resume the debate over legalizing slot machines statewide, House Speaker Michael E. Busch questioned whether there is a significant difference between the new video bingo machines and slots.
'That's a legitimate question - and one the attorney general ought to review,' said Busch, an Anne Arundel County Democrat and a slots opponent.
Assistant Attorney General Kathryn M. Rowe, citing a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling six years ago that cleared the way for instant video bingo machines in Calvert County, said, 'As far as state law goes, if [the new Anne Arundel machines] are the same as the Calvert County machines, they are legal.'
Representatives for two of the three Anne Arundel establishments, Bingo World and Wayson's Bingo in Lothian, declined requests for comment. Officials at the third, Delta Daily Double Bingo in Laurel, referred questions to a manager, Craig Romak, who was unavailable for comment.
The emergence of instant video bingo machines in Anne Arundel comes as some Maryland lawmakers, including Senate President Thomas"
"At Bingo World in Brooklyn Park, rows of new video-gaming machines dazzle with displays of spinning cherries, 7's and BAR icons. The machines emit a series of throaty 'ka-chings' when the symbols line up, and they can spit out vouchers that can be redeemed for hundreds of dollars.
Some patrons who feed $20 bills into the machines call them 'slots,' but the operators of three bingo halls in Anne Arundel County that have installed 200 of the machines during the past year consider them instant video bingo machines that conform with state and county laws.
Critics aren't so sure. As Maryland lawmakers resume the debate over legalizing slot machines statewide, House Speaker Michael E. Busch questioned whether there is a significant difference between the new video bingo machines and slots.
'That's a legitimate question - and one the attorney general ought to review,' said Busch, an Anne Arundel County Democrat and a slots opponent.
Assistant Attorney General Kathryn M. Rowe, citing a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling six years ago that cleared the way for instant video bingo machines in Calvert County, said, 'As far as state law goes, if [the new Anne Arundel machines] are the same as the Calvert County machines, they are legal.'
Representatives for two of the three Anne Arundel establishments, Bingo World and Wayson's Bingo in Lothian, declined requests for comment. Officials at the third, Delta Daily Double Bingo in Laurel, referred questions to a manager, Craig Romak, who was unavailable for comment.
The emergence of instant video bingo machines in Anne Arundel comes as some Maryland lawmakers, including Senate President Thomas"
The Pilot-Independent - Walker, Minnesota
The Pilot-Independent - Walker, Minnesota:
"McKeown stressed the revenue the Hackensack Lions Club raises from selling pulltabs at the Muni — revenue the Club donates generously to city projects.
The Lions contribute large amounts of money to keep the community building running, Larry Ciha said.
According to McKeown, between 2004 and 2006 the Lions gave more than $67,000 in pulltab proceeds to community projects.
'Without the Lions revenue, you'd have higher taxes and diminished services,' he predicted.
Equally to the point are provisions of the 15-year bond agreement for the off-sale liquor store. The agreement, signed three years ago, requires that the on-sale continue to operate, as long as it makes a profit. Even without a profit, the city would have to get approval from all bondholders before it could do anything.
Closing the Muni is a moot point, Curly Franzwa said. 'It couldn't be sold as an operating business anyway.'"
"McKeown stressed the revenue the Hackensack Lions Club raises from selling pulltabs at the Muni — revenue the Club donates generously to city projects.
The Lions contribute large amounts of money to keep the community building running, Larry Ciha said.
According to McKeown, between 2004 and 2006 the Lions gave more than $67,000 in pulltab proceeds to community projects.
'Without the Lions revenue, you'd have higher taxes and diminished services,' he predicted.
Equally to the point are provisions of the 15-year bond agreement for the off-sale liquor store. The agreement, signed three years ago, requires that the on-sale continue to operate, as long as it makes a profit. Even without a profit, the city would have to get approval from all bondholders before it could do anything.
Closing the Muni is a moot point, Curly Franzwa said. 'It couldn't be sold as an operating business anyway.'"
Saturday, January 27, 2007
adn.com | sports : Kuskokwim 300 looks much like tournament of champions
adn.com sports : Kuskokwim 300 looks much like tournament of champions:
"The $100,000 purse makes this the second highest paying professional sporting event in the state. Only the Iditarod has a bigger payout. The biggest thing in Bethel all winter, the Kusko has been hugely efficient at collecting money from sponsors and gambling receipts from pull-tabs."
"The $100,000 purse makes this the second highest paying professional sporting event in the state. Only the Iditarod has a bigger payout. The biggest thing in Bethel all winter, the Kusko has been hugely efficient at collecting money from sponsors and gambling receipts from pull-tabs."
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Palladium-Item - www.pal-item.com - Richmond, Ind.
Palladium-Item - www.pal-item.com - Richmond, Ind.:
"Gambling addiction isn't a disease that affects those who can afford it. 'One thing that gets ignored is bingo,' Roll said. 'There are people spending their grocery money on it.'
The growth of the gaming industry isn't likely to subside.
'We've gotten dependent on it,' State Sen. Allen Paul said. 'People don't want taxes.'
A bill that would allow racetracks in Indiana to sell 'pull tabs' is expected in this session of the Indiana General Assembly.
The rampant legalization of gambling has reduced the outcry against illegal gambling.
'I can't remember when the last time was we got a complaint,' Richmond Police detective Sgt. Brad Berner said.
Local police work with Indiana excise police in enforcing gambling laws.
'Frankly, it's a low priority for us,' Berner said. 'It's difficult to enforce something that's been legalized around the state.'
Addiction to gambling is much like other addictions, Campbell-Roux said. 'The brain reacts to gambling in much the same way it can react to drugs or alcohol,' she said.
There is no 'magic pill' to help a person through a gambling problem. Education and support are the key to the cure."
"Gambling addiction isn't a disease that affects those who can afford it. 'One thing that gets ignored is bingo,' Roll said. 'There are people spending their grocery money on it.'
The growth of the gaming industry isn't likely to subside.
'We've gotten dependent on it,' State Sen. Allen Paul said. 'People don't want taxes.'
A bill that would allow racetracks in Indiana to sell 'pull tabs' is expected in this session of the Indiana General Assembly.
The rampant legalization of gambling has reduced the outcry against illegal gambling.
'I can't remember when the last time was we got a complaint,' Richmond Police detective Sgt. Brad Berner said.
Local police work with Indiana excise police in enforcing gambling laws.
'Frankly, it's a low priority for us,' Berner said. 'It's difficult to enforce something that's been legalized around the state.'
Addiction to gambling is much like other addictions, Campbell-Roux said. 'The brain reacts to gambling in much the same way it can react to drugs or alcohol,' she said.
There is no 'magic pill' to help a person through a gambling problem. Education and support are the key to the cure."
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Lexington Herald-Leader | 01/19/2007 | Couple accused in bingo scheme sentenced to three months in prison
Lexington Herald-Leader 01/19/2007 Couple accused in bingo scheme sentenced to three months in prison:
"Undercover investigators found that various charities were used as fronts at Jackpot and that much of its revenue, including sales of 'bootleg' pull tabs, was pocketed by the Adamses and the other defendants Ð Rita Faye Tipton and her sister, Gloria Ann Williams."
"Undercover investigators found that various charities were used as fronts at Jackpot and that much of its revenue, including sales of 'bootleg' pull tabs, was pocketed by the Adamses and the other defendants Ð Rita Faye Tipton and her sister, Gloria Ann Williams."
Friday, January 05, 2007
The Seattle Times: Local News: Jesus gets a toehold at taverns
The Seattle Times: Local News: Jesus gets a toehold at taverns:
"A few months ago, this minister was the talk of the bar when he won $105 playing pull-tabs.
What are these ministers doing here — at the SoundTrack Bar and Grill in Interbay, near the Ballard Bridge? Where earlier this year there was a police drug raid? And a shooting in the parking lot? And where tonight a working girl is sweet-talking any man who strays near the bar's side door?
'Where would Jesus hang out?' shrugs Pastor Rick Reynolds, the one with the spectacles. 'Jesus ran with the hookers and the tax collectors. It's the opposite of where most church people say we should be going.'"
"A few months ago, this minister was the talk of the bar when he won $105 playing pull-tabs.
What are these ministers doing here — at the SoundTrack Bar and Grill in Interbay, near the Ballard Bridge? Where earlier this year there was a police drug raid? And a shooting in the parking lot? And where tonight a working girl is sweet-talking any man who strays near the bar's side door?
'Where would Jesus hang out?' shrugs Pastor Rick Reynolds, the one with the spectacles. 'Jesus ran with the hookers and the tax collectors. It's the opposite of where most church people say we should be going.'"
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