Author Archives: Jonathan Brown

High Stakes Bingo Machines May Result in Mandatory Limits for the UK

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Opposing ambitions arose in the UK when liberal democrat Communities Minister Don Foster started a campaign to wage a battle over the legal limits that can be ‘wagered’ at high stakes gambling machines. Essentially the power struggle between the Coalition and those who maintain an investment interest in games of chance – for example casino owners results in the Coalition ordering a statistical analysis of ‘gambling in the UK’. The physical number and location of the stakes, and the prize amounts and levels will all be examined in the review.

Foster is promoting that more regulation is necessary in order to control the amount of risk citizens are allowed to take with their finances. Clearly upon a moral platform, Foster expressed his viewpoint on the matter by stating that “For too long this problem has been swept under the carpet. There’s no doubt this is ruining people’s lives.” The underlying moral, political, and economic effects of high stakes gambling is certainly the subject of scrutiny in the UK for the time.

Political and Moral Tensions

For now, the Coalition rejected the recommendation that the current restrictions on gambling machines be decreased. The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee suggested that local authorities be given the discretion to approve even more casinos that would house as many as twenty high stakes machines. The committee wishes to see more ‘Las Vegas style’ gaming machines that offer as much as £500 prizes.

Britain’s puritanical gambling laws were relaxed, but for the committee, not enough. According to Don Foster, however, the laws are far too relaxed and he cites ‘destruction of lives’ as the basis for his desire for tighter restrictions when it comes to gambling. If Foster wins, the pendulum will swing the opposite way and stricter governmental regulations on gambling will be implemented.

High Stakes Gambling Hangs in the Balance

Regardless of the outcome the gaming and casino industry in the UK be will be impacted in one way or another. Subsequent to the relaxation of historically puritan rule, citizens in the UK saw high stakes machines in betting shops or casinos on the rise. The fixed odds machines spiked from 16,380 in 2007 to the current number of terminals at 32,000. Punters can currently wager up to £500 per spin and £18,000 per hour at the ‘high stakes’ machines. Should the pendulum swing again punters will be limited to £2 per spin.

Foster asserted that the ‘industry’ could negotiate for a higher limit than his proposed £2 but it would be up to them to initiate the request. The proposal for a new £2 per spin limit on wagers would shrink the gap between the now ‘high stakes’ machines and the stakes that are currently found in bingo halls and certain casino games. The clampdown will allow local councils to determine the restrictions on the machines and require websites operating from abroad to acquire UK gambling licenses.

Bingo! Tippett Trades to the Sydney Swans

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The Sydney Swans gain Kurt Tippett for a net loss to the Adelaide Crows. Kurt Tippett took the Bingo! plunge and signed on with the Sydney Swans. The Adelaide Crows have expressed their surprise and disappointment.

Kurt Tippett: The Best of the Best

At 203 cm (6’8”) and 107 kg (235 lbs.) of muscle, Kurt Tippett is built for football. During the 2012 season, Tippett kicked 39 goals in 21 games. Tippett is a proven competitor and a congenial sportsman. He is a positive element of any team.

The Trade – A True Legend in the Making

Kurt Tippett had been with the Adelaide Crows for six seasons. He is a key forward. The five-year offer from the Crows was in excess of the four-year offer from the Sydney Swans. Tippett had an obvious yen to return to his hometown of Sydney. The AFL premier is the Sydney Swans football club. Tippett, a 25-year-old personification of strength and energy, notified the Crows that he wanted to hold up any contract talks until after the August 20 season final. Two days after the hold, chief executive of the Swans, Andrew Ireland, notified Tippett’s manager, Peter Blucher, that his football club was interested in the young man with the great stats.

The key forward gave the trade plenty of thought. To clear his head, he went surfing for a few days and Bingo! He had made his decision. On “Mad Monday”, while premiership players were whooping it up with costumes and their medals, coach John Longmire and Ireland made their way to Tippett’s residence. Blucher joined them, and three hours of discussion ensued. Blucher later commented on Melbourne radio station SEN that he was amazed that the parties made it through the front door of the Tippett family home without detection by the media.

He is even more awestruck that he, Longmire and Ireland were able to leave the house without the hullabaloo of the media. Ireland gave it his best shot and Tippett sat back and considered the deal. That’s when he went surfing. Upon his return, on Friday, October 5, Tippett called his manager. The one word out of Tippett’s mouth was: Bingo! Saturday, October 6, saw Kurt Tippett requesting a trade to the Swans.

The Draw of Sydney

Blucher said that the lifestyle in Sydney holds more balance for Tippett. That lifestyle was a major element of the decision to accept the trade according to Blucher. Easier would have been for the player to stay put in Adelaide and avoid the hassle and fanfare of the move. However, easier is not always better, and Tippett is a level-headed fellow who weighed his options carefully and decided on a more comfortable football/lifestyle fit.

Tippett’s statement to the press contained a couple of the factors driving the trade. The first involves his family and friends. He was born and raised in Sydney and will now be happy to return home. The second element concerns the team itself. The Swans are the 2012 premiers. They have a depth of skill and strength that is very appealing to a player on the rise. In the game of bingo there is usually one exuberant player who has the joy of yelling Bingo! Tippett is that winner. Everyone loves him.

Breaking Bingo News Stories

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A bingo hall that was raising money for the Marion County, Ohio Athletic Boosters was robbed. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and still searching for the robbery suspects. Resident of Marion County, Marie Yoder says she was been supporting the Athletic Boosters Bingo Hall since its opening in 2007. She says the children cannot even afford to buy equipment to play sports and that is why they play bingo 3 nights a week – to raise money for sports equipment. Yoder said there have never been any crimes committed against the bingo hall until this robbery.

Bingo Hall Theft

Tom Cotton, the director of the bingo hall said he could hear screaming, crying and all sorts of noises that night. He says he knew those screams were not from someone winning bingo but because there were 2 masked men trying to rob the people who were counting the proceeds for the evening. Cotton said he saw 2 guns and immediately got onto the floor as the robbers were yelling to give them the money. Cotton says the men walked right through the back door and into his office and stole approximately $6,000. That money was going to be used to help fund band and sports programs at several local schools. Sherriff Tim Bailey is asking for any information from the public as he said they have no suspects, no vehicle, no direction of travel and no leads. The men were wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves and ski masks. Since the incident, the bingo hall has hired a security guard and now locks the back door. Luckily for the Athletic Boosters, they are insured and will receive most, if not all of the money back.

Electronic Bingo Ban

The Baltimore Patapsco Bingo hall lost its court case that would stop police from implementing a ban on sweepstakes bingo halls that give cash prizes from electronic bingo machines. Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Geller did not grant a temporary restraining order for the business operator of the bingo hall because he said the owner did not prove there was any risk of harm. The owner asked for the restraining order after the bingo hall received a notice from the police saying that electronic bingo machines were considered to be slot machines and were therefore illegal.

This notice was based on a ruling that under Maryland law, slot games or similar games are illegal because they give cash prizes. The lawyer for the bingo hall company and the spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department could not be reached for comment. The operators of these electronic bingo machines say that the game are legal because they sell time on the internet and only give free points. They said they only similarity between these machines and slot machines are their appearance. Patapsco Bingo also has a traditional bingo hall and is one of the biggest electronic bingo machine operators in Baltimore and has over 100 machines. Other bingo hall operators have also started using these electronic machines within the city of Baltimore as well as in other areas in the county.

Newbridge Bingo Anniversary and the Joy of Bingo Brigade for Charity

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25 years ago Seamus Egan of College Park founded bingo in Newbridge and the anniversary celebration is set! A cheese and wine celebration is scheduled to commemorate a quarter of a century of bingo fun. Seamus promises that there will be some surprises that evening and expects quite a gathering. The wine and cheese are reason enough to come socialize with fellow Newbridge bingo enthusiasts, but the surprises add a dash of spice to the evening! In London, the Joy of Bingo group, a family of bingo is raising money for breast cancer care. A plethora of promotions were made available to customers at 888ladies bingo this summer in the effort to provide a summer of donating to good causes while enjoying the sense of community with the 888ladies! The 888ladies and promos put the ‘fun’ in fundraising! Receive bonus funds and welcome packages by signing up today!

Wine, Cheese, and Bingo Surprises

 Mainly a social gathering, the sense of camaraderie that bingo brought to Newbridge offered a fantastic purpose to ‘gather’. There were ‘regulars’ who claimed seats as almost as their very own! Seamus is said to have missed only two events during the entire 25 years. Seamus highlighted he fact that the ladies of bingo are absolutely brilliant and have been loyal participants. There are men that take part in the bingo festivities, as well. There funds raised go toward the needs of Newbridge’s football leagues including two junior teams and three adult teams. Many citizens of Newbridge have contributed their enthusiasm, friendship, and assistance to the football teams via active participation in weekly bingo events. In line with the technological advances during the course, Seamus ensured that the hall kept up ‘with the times’ and went to all digital bingo to continue to attract large crowds and a diversified age range.

He made note that although the regulars have ‘reserved’ themselves their favorite seats in the house, there are plenty more available and encourages everyone to come out and share the joy! Many members that have contributed to the development of Newbridge Bingo over the years and watched as the bingo hall evolved to what it is today. The contributions to the Newbridge football teams were priceless and the organization used to have three busses coming to four different bingos, now on Tuesday nights, from at least a 15 mile radius! While there is typically only one bus arriving these days, there is plenty of fun and lots of fabulous jackpots to be had! The young people in the community may classify bingo as ‘an older person’s game’, but according to Jimmy Dowling, club member, the facility has really kept up with modern technology. The young and ‘older’ alike can enjoy the games for £10.

Joy of Bingo!

The Joy of Bingo community launched a ‘fun-tastic’ summer of bingo exuberance with their Strawberry Tea Bingo Games. The £1k grand prize keeps the best of the best yummy-mummy bloggers coming back for more! Bloggers can share stories, ideas, and the joy of bingo camaraderie. Twenty bloggers were selected and given £50 in credits to play bingo! The bloggers were also able to contribute additional money of their own, as well. The idea – all bloggers agree upon an amount to be donated from their winnings, personal contributions, and even welcome bonuses to a good cause….their charity of choice. The more they play the more they raise – for charity! It’s a ‘win-win’ situation and always a feeling of community with the 888ladies. This was a phenomenal chance to experience the fun while learning the art of bingo.

Playing bingo and progressive slots offers charity donators a sense of community, social gaming intrigue, and fun. The competition results will be published so everyone can check-out the ‘who’s who’ of the bloggers, as well as how much they won during the promotion. The Joy of Bingo planned to donate a minimum of £20,000 to Breast Cancer Care. The winning bloggers will donate the amount they choose from their winnings to the charity with which they are most inspired. Various other promotions were also available during the course of the fundraising event. This promotional event was an experimental process that offered the added bonus of a community feel and a summer of ‘saving’ for benevolent causes!

Bingo Update: U.S. Supreme Court Shuts Down Country Crossings Lawsuit

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Once upon a time, Country Crossings issued approximately $29 million in bonds. Those bonds were issued pursuant to a local court ruling validating the use of electronic bingo machines as a means to repay the bonds. Along came former Gov. Bob Riley and his agenda to destroy electronic bingo in Alabama.

The threat of a raid to confiscate the bingo machines forced the closure of Country Crossings. The $29 million in bonds has never been repaid. Country Crossings has become Center Stage Alabama. There appears to be no viable source of revenue with which to repay the bonds. Therefore, bondholder Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund filed a civil lawsuit in Federal Court against Riley and his Task Force on Illegal Gambling.

Bingo Machines

After a local court validated Country Crossings electronic bingo machines, former Gov. Riley decided to shut down the electronic bingo industry in Alabama. He publicly threated to raid Country Crossings and seize the bingo machines. That prolonged threat forced the closure of the establishment. Further threats of prosecution by the state caused Country Crossings to remain shuttered.

The determination of U.S. District Court Judge Keith Watkins favored Riley and his task force. Watkins ruled that somehow the Country Crossings closure was voluntary. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of the case, reasoning that a governmental entity can begin a forfeiture action without a court hearing if the enterprise is potentially criminal. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the matter. The Court’s refusal creates, as the law of the land, the verdict that any local, state or federal governmental entity can raid any enterprise that it deems illegal, even after a local court rules that it is legal.

Sharpsburg Parish Is Tweeting Bingo

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Bingo is the answer; the question is “how often”?!?

Since the beginning of bingo in 1530, it has been a popular civic moneymaker. Italy started the ball rolling almost 500 years ago with Il Gioco del Lotto D’Italy. As an instant success, bingo funded the Italian government and army. In the 1770s, Italy spread the bingo word to France as Le Lotto. The American bingo innovator was Edwin Lowe, a toy salesman. He fell in love with the game in 1929, changed the name from Beano to Bingo and produced his own boxed bingo sets.

Then the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania became interested. In 1930 a priest bought several of Lowe’s bingo sets and went to town! However, there were too many winners as the number of card variations was small. The priest approached Lowe with a request for more variations. Lowe answered this request with 6,000 different card combinations developed by a mathematics professor at Columbia University.

Sharpsburg’s St. Juan Diego Parish Bingo

For decades, St. Juan Diego Parish has hosted weekly bingo. As many as 250 players would regularly attend the games. Recently, however, that number has dropped to 70. In order to liven up their attendance record, the parish decided to cut down on the schedule. They thought that monthly games might just be a luckier combo than weekly games. So monthly games it is! Now the proof in the pudding is whether this tactic actually works for the church. That remains to be seen.

The Game in North America

In the U.S. and Canada together, around $90 million worth of bingo cards are purchased each week! The game has become a $5 billion contributor to charities. This game remains big business.

Australian Bingo Lovers

Warrnambool, Australia is bingotown. At Temperance Hall in Warrnambool, players begin arriving a couple of hours before the games are scheduled to start. The prizes are wonderful bonuses, but the real draw is the social connection.

Bingo has been popular in Australia for decades. The now generation has caught onto the social ambiance and gaming excitement of bingo halls. There are various bingo locations in Warrnambool; Temperance Hall on Friday nights enjoys one of the longest histories. That hall has seen more than 30 years of play. The bingo regulars include approximately 200 players.

During the three decades of bingo at Temperance Hall, a subculture has developed that adds to the welcome familiarity of Friday evening bingo. Many of the players have established specific seats as their own possession. They arrive from locations across the southwest of Australia. Almost like extended families, they bring take-out dinners and play cards during the two hours before the first number is called.

Colin Parker, the volunteer supervisor of Temperance Hall bingo for the past 20 years, commented that a new generation of players is establishing itself. Most of them go off to the pub as a group after bingo. One younger player said that it’s the atmosphere that pulls her in, and that the prizes are something extra. She loves the adrenalin rush to mark the last number on the card. For Alan Rodger, Bingo! is the best.

The Texas Bingo Act

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A 5th Circuit judge ruled that Texas is not violating the right to free speech by restricting proceeds from bingo to be spent on political advocacy. The Texas Bingo Enabling Act allows for an exception to the gambling laws of the state that allows eligible charities to host bingo games in order to raise money for their charities. However, this Act does not allow these charities to use the money raised from their bingo games to be spent on politics including campaigning against or for ballot issues and lobbying.

The Texas Bingo Case

In 2011, a complaint was lodged against the Texas Lottery Commission by a group of charities that included the Institute for Disability Access, multiple Redmen tribes, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets Post #52 and several Elk Lodges. These charities argued that the ban on contributing to political activities was a violation of their 1st Amendment rights. In Austin, a federal judge gave a summary judgment ruling in favor of these groups and granted a permanent ruling that blocked the enforcement of this ban in the Act. However, a federal appeals court in New Orleans reversed this ruling and said this case was different from the ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee.

Judge Harold Demoss Jr., speaking for a panel of 3 judges said that the ban on contributing to political activity in this Act is within the power of the government – the government can sponsor some activities to the barring of others and thus does not violate the right to free speech. He goes on to say that this case is different from the Citizens United case because Citizens United involved a case against a federal law that prohibits corporations from spending money for speech that relates to a federal election. Judge Demoss said that Texas did not restrict speech within the context of a government subsidy as in the Citizens United case.

The Texas Bingo Act Ruling

In the Texas case, the government of Texas started a subsidy program that allows charities to raise funds for their foundations and because they are participating in this program, the state requires that the funds are not used in political activities. The ruling states that this ban does not restrict political or free speech it just says that the state will not subsidize this type of activity. The panel agreed that the government of Texas did make a subsidy program that is based on a licensing rather than tax exemptions or cash payments. Judge Demoss said that by the creation of this Act, the state of Texas allowed a limited exception to the ban on gambling by enabling charities to hold bingo games, with no competition, to generate extra revenue for their foundations.

He says that just because this supplemental revenue is available through licensing rather than tax exemptions or cash payments does not change the fact that this program is a government subsidy for charities that participate. The panel said they do not believe that there is a constitutional violation by allowing this Act to be enforced if the state holds these bingo games and then gives the money to charities. The ban in this Act was therefore ruled that it did not restrict free speech outside of the bingo program. Charities are still allowed to hold bingo games and be involved in political activity but the Act simply restricts the use of bingo proceeds to fund these political activities.

Lingo Bingo – The Game of Politics

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The presidential debates often appear to be sparring matches. Watching the back-and-forth action of the debates is similar to watching a tennis game. Lingo Bingo is the baby born of the statements of political actors.

Presidential Actors Ply their Trade

The grave issues determined by the results of presidential elections, are often side-stepped in favor of the glib and rehearsed statements of the contestants. Finger pointing commonly replaces the politico’s stand on important matters that decide the future direction of America.

Candidate Bingo

Each candidate becomes a good-looking and self-confident model. There is a lot at stake, as presidential pay is relatively huge, and the lifelong pension of a president is of great value. Barak Obama has employed John Kerry to rehearse endlessly for the debates. Kerry becomes Mitt Romney in the rehearsals. Obama is learning his lines well.

As in any marriage, no one knows for sure who they have married until the honeymoon is over. In many instances, the real spouse stands up immediately after the wedding ceremony concludes. A snake salesman can sell his product easily to the public simply by promising an upward change from the current dilemmas. Once in office, that change may never materialize, and a downward slide may continue indefinitely. The real question concerns the actual ability and foresight of the candidate to focus on employment and other life-altering issues. The voter can never be secure.

The Voting Public

Elections are games of chance, just as Bingo is pure luck. The voting public wants gun control, or the opposite. Voters want economic security, quality public education for their children, safe neighborhoods, fair access to good jobs, reasonably-priced and attractive housing and a bill of fake words that make them feel comfortable. Yes! Voters want to be lead down a primrose path, even if that path ultimately does not exist.

Lingo Bingo

One of the absolutes of any presidential debate is the use of standard political statements. Candidates want to hit home abstract concepts that voters can remember and take with them to the polls. In the Running conceived of a very bright idea. The game of Bingo is so similar to political games, that the two are a natural duo. TV viewers are treated to presidential debates that measure the attraction of the candidates and their acting ability. Real answers to substantial concerns are few and far between.

Lingo Bingo puts it all into perspective. The winning quips of the rivals for the presidency of the United States, as well as the bloopers that are out! of the tennis court, are all fodder for the Bingo card. The squares on those Bingo cards contain different phrases used often by the two major candidates. As each glib word or phrase is spoken, players cross off the appropriate space. Bingo! is the shout of the first player who finds five statements in a row. Lingo Bingo cards can be obtained online. With marker in hand, TV viewers can really enjoy the political game of the debates!

Petersburg Township Votes No for Upper Township Bingo License Fee!

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Petersburg Township Votes NO!

Petersburg, New Jersey will be the first Township to obtain a state gaming license for legalized games of chance. The municipality of the Upper Township knows that it is not economically feasible for non-profit organizations to pay the annual licensure fee of $1,000 and continue to raise money for charitable contributions. The Township Committee voted on Monday to provide local organizations with the use of the community center to hold fundraising events that include games of chance, such as bingo, to raise funds for educational, patriotic, religious, senior citizen associations and other publicly beneficial groups. The groups will utilize the gaming license that the Township seeks to acquire from the New Jersey Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission could issue.

The Commission

The New Jersey Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission received an application for a Bingo license from the Upper Township. Following a committee vote, the Township agreed to apply for the municipal gaming license in order for local non-profit organizations to feasibly promote fundraisers for charitable causes. The industry of ‘charitable’ gaming is an $85 million a year operation, according to their website. The Commission manages almost 1000 amusement games at various amusement parks, state and county fairs, and ‘seashore’ resorts that offer games of chance. Each year the Commission issues nearly 12,000 gaming licenses to an array of charitable organizations.

Petersburg, New Jersey Would Set Precedent

Mayor Richard Palombo asserted that the Township seeks the license that would be exclusive to the community center in order to help the local non-profits raise funds. The municipality is in no way moving forward with the plan to make a profit. The Township simply wants to make a contribution to the many charitable groups that would like to offer bingo games at fundraising events. Individual charity groups are generally unable to afford the annual gaming license that costs $1,000. There has been no further information made available as to the status of the decision to be made by the New Jersey Gaming Commission to date.

Proposed Casinos in Massachusetts could Affect Bingo Revenue

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Three casinos and a slot parlor planned for Massachusetts in the next three years could affect the state’s Bingo popularity. Although the number of Bingo events has declined, the game still holds the top spot, according to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Thousands of people across the state play in churches, halls and clubs. Many are raising funds for charities. Since 1971, Bingo prizes have increased from $50 to $3,000. The game was banned for 30 years before being signed into law in 1971.

Three years ago, approximately 30,000 Bingo fans played every week, spending more than $62.4 million. Also in 2009, total of 212 organizations were licensed for Bingo. In 2011, $38.8 million was wagered on Bingo. Charitable sponsors retained $1.6 million, and prizes totaled $30.7 million. The commission estimates charitable gaming at $75 million per year. Of that, sponsors took their cut of $18 million. Every year, approximately 200 Bingo games are played. Charitable gaming events are conducted by churches, Legions and Auxiliaries, philanthropic organizations and church youth groups. In the north-central region of Massachusetts, organizations made $182,536 in 2011. The region covers three cities. In another region, charitable gaming revenue in the name of Bingo brought in a hefty $769,511. Gross receipts added up to an impressive $5.6 million.

Every Tuesday night in Tewksbury, Mass., about 160 people gather to play Bingo at the local Elks Lodge. Players purchase cards for $10 each. Profits are for educational scholarships, senior citizen Thanksgiving dinners and dictionaries for third grade students in Tewksbury and the nearby community of Wilmington. The Bingo operator on Tuesday nights said the effect casinos will have will depend on location. Casinos located close to the Lodge could pull some of the Bingo crowd, and force the Lodge to reevaluate its contribution to projects. The operator believes charitable gaming may take a hit anyway.

Bingo presents a camaraderie fans might not see in casinos. They are emotionally attached to where they play Bingo and whom they play with. They’re also helping to raise funds for good causes, which makes their ties to Bingo even stronger. All over the world, loyal Bingo fans are communicating, thanks to the benefits of social networking. Internet sites host chat threads specifically for Bingo. Fans share wins, losses and strategies.

They also share important information on Bingo, such as halls that are susceptible to robberies. Charitable Bingo locations are also communicated. Bingo is unique because of its worldwide following, and online explosion. Playing online may not be considered social, however, most sites host chat rooms that are specific to the audience. For example, those who want to discuss current Bingo issues are in a separate chat room from those who want to talk strategies. In addition, younger players can communicate with players like them, or they choose a different room and chat with older players.

The marketing director for the state lottery in Massachusetts said the casinos will have an impact, simply because new gaming always attracts new customers. She expects traditional lottery sales to be affected as well as charitable gaming. Massachusetts already deals with competition from New Hampshire. In Connecticut, a Bingo hall in 1986 eventually became a resort casino, which now boasts Bingo games that will seat 3,600 players. The lottery marketing director contends casinos offer games with higher stakes, thus, the games cost more to enter. She is hoping charitable gaming keeps its local flavor with loyal fans, who prefer to pay less and earn more for charity.