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| Post Number: 31
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jimhanson 
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 28 2004,10:33 pm |
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| Quote | | I have to disagree that you would get "lots" of the bingo money and pull tab money from our local clubs in town. The people going to the "Clubs" spending that money on a regular basis are "older" people. Most of these "older" people won't drive 15 miles to spend money in Northwood. They like their local "Elks" club bingo night. It's a social thing for them. I do agree some of the money will come to Northwood but not "lots" like you stated. |
Most of the service clubs and charitable organizations in AL have a charitable gambling license. Operations are VERY tightly controlled. In the case of the ELKS club used as an example--ALL profits from Charitable Gambling MUST be spent on charitable activities--and subjected to scrutiny by the State. The local Elks club gives donations of about $100,000 annually in money, time, mileage, and scholarships to COMMUNITY organizations, including 18 LOCAL scholarships. The split is about 60/40 on youth/community activities, including both boys and girls basketball, baseball, wrestling, bands, hockey, veteran's ride service, .......over 60 LOCAL charities. This is money that STAYS IN THE COMMUNITY. Yes, Albert Lea IS a "club" town--Albert Lea can be proud that we have the largest ELKS Lodge in the State, and I believe we also have the largest Eagles Lodge. This is indicative of the mutual support that the service clubs give the community, and the community supports the service clubs--no government handout required.
I mention this because having a Casino, with FULL gambling, only 15 miles away would drain funds from these limited charitable games, as well as providing "cheap eats" subsidized by the gambling profits in the Casino. It would make it hard for the clubs to continue their community service, and would make it even harder to have good dining in town. Not looking for an unfair advantage here, just to have the rules apply equally to the clubs and casinos.
And Tiger, I resent that "older" reference--I'm "only" 56--the same median age as the 2111 other Elks members!  Actually, our median age has gone down dramatically--we have about 325 life members (those who have been members more than 30 years), but for the median age to fall 6 years on average (in only 4 calendar years), it means we are working hard (and succeeding) in signing young family members. Finally, most Bingo players are NOT Elks members--Bingo is open to the general public.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 32
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Tiger
Group: Members
Posts: 606
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,9:25 am |
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I don't think I said the people at Elks bingo night were members. Jim have you ever been to a bingo night at the Elks. I went one time and the people were "older". Even older than you. I really don't think the people playing bingo at the Elks will travel to Northwood to play bingo. Like I said before it is a social thing for these people. They see the same faces week after week.
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| Post Number: 33
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Frustrated
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,11:35 am |
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Jim - I agree that a casino might have some impact on charitable gaming revenues, but pull-tabs suck anyway. Perhaps the solution is to require a small portion of casino revenues to go to these charities. As far as cheap eats and drinks subsidized by gaming revenues - that won't happen without competition between casinos.
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| Post Number: 34
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Frustrated
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,11:40 am |
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PS Jim Sorry, I guess I missed the point about the casino being in Northwood - I'm still stuck on putting one in Albert Lea.
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| Post Number: 35
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Old Geezer
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,11:41 am |
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| Post Number: 36
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,11:44 am |
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^Wasn't da minner^
But I did save a bunch of money by switching to Geico.
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| Post Number: 37
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,4:41 pm |
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Tiger--the "old people" thing was all in fun--I'm not offended (just let me wipe the tears from my eye!) I have to agree, Bingo and pull tabs aren't for me--but they must be for some people, and that's all the State will let charitable gambling have. If a FULL casino opened at Northwood--it would hurt charitable gambling in the local community. As I said last post--not looking for a free ride--just let charitable gambling be regulated the same as what is available across the border.
From Frustrated--"Cheap eats and drinks won't happen without competition between casinos"? Look at the indian casinos at Morton, Baraboo, Hinkley, etc. No casino competition close by--but the drinks and eats are cheap as an enticement to get you there.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 38
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Tiger
Group: Members
Posts: 606
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 29 2004,5:06 pm |
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It's hard to be sarcastic in writing Jim. I didn't think you had taken any offense.
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| Post Number: 39
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 30 2004,9:33 am |
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I'm tellin' ya, this board NEEDS a designated SARCASM SMILEY! 
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 40
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Michael Jackson
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 30 2004,11:14 am |
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As for wine, or as I like to call it Jesus Juice, I think it should be available for everyone anywhere. It is too bad the only place you can really get your fill of Jesus Juice it out at Neverland.
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