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Charitable gambling facing challenges
Published Thursday, October 2, 2008
Charitable gambling, a big part of non-profit clubs and organizations in Otter Tail County and across the state, are struggling. A sluggish economy is only one factor contributing to their challenges.
With this in mind, Allied Charities of Minnesota (ACM), the statewide organization of charitable gambling groups.
Tom Burau of Fergus Falls, a volunteer with ACM who represents Otter Tail County and Region 1 on the ACM board of directors, said increasing expenses, burdensome state taxation and the demands of state regulation also make it are more difficult for non-profits to bring in money. Those funds are donated to charitable organizations and other community projects.
“In prior months, non-profit organizations have contended with the effects of a statewide smoking ban, plus a bad economy,” Burau said. “A charitable gambling study was mandated by the 2008 Minnesota State Legislature.”
Dick Horn, president of ACM, said the charitable gambling study mandated by the legislature hopefully will present an opportunity for some relief for community organizations.
Region One includes Otter Tail, Wilkin, Wadena and counties to the north.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on October 2, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The fascist Smoking ban strikes again!
Posted by ckint1975 (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the main reason for the shortfall in funds is because of the no-smoking ban in the bars. I knonw of one bar in the area that is down about 40% in gambiling funds. Those are also the funds that get donated to youth programs,and other non-profits. I'm not sure about how much less that they are donating but i think it is around 100k less this year than last year. Maybe they shouold of thought about that before they passed the law.
Posted by prowler (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would someone PLEASE make these people proof read their work!!! The second paragraph makes absolutely no sense.
"With this in mind, Allied Charities of Minnesota (ACM), the statewide organization of charitable gambling groups."
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The smoking ban has nothing to do with it. It's the economic slowdown that's causing a reduction in gambling. I know numerous restaurants that have seen an increase of business due to the smoking ban.
Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The smoking ban has alot to do with it. Charitable gambling is done mostly in bars NOT restaurants. I'm guessing by spring there mite be 2 bars left in this area, Mabel's & the Z. For a state in such a financial bind, they sure keep shooting themselves in the foot. Banning smoking from bars was extremely stupid and everyone will feel it in someway.
Posted by HotFergusMan (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now instead of me smoking and drinking around other adults who have the ability to make their own choices (ie hanging out in bars with smoke), Im forced to do it at home, in my house (where it's climate controlled), WITH MY CHILDREN: !Thanks!. P.S.- Gambling with my children isnt fun either; although it would probably be less expensive. I wish all the local charities the best. Now I'm going to have a smoke.... right after my daughter gets me the ash tray ;)
Posted by sassica (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK First of all, ACM, Allied Charities of Minnesota is a statewide organization FUNDED by charitable organizations AND a membership is required!!!!!!
89Heritage, you are correct, most charitable gambling is done in drinking establishments, not as much in restaurants.
Some may not know what charitable gambling is and what effects it has in every community.
Charitable gambling includes, pulltabs, bingo, raffles, paddlewheels, and tipboards provided by either a Fraternal, Religious, Veteran, or other non-profit organization (including booster clubs, and fire depts).
At some point most of you have participated in Lawful (charitable) Gambling.
What you may not know is each of these organization donate 35% of gross profits to charity.
Please visit the MN Gambling Control Board website and educate yourselves before you point your fingers directly at the smoking ban.
www.gcb.state.mn.us
HoTFergusMan,
You completely gross me out. You are forced to smoke and drink at home? I doubt anyone is physically pulling you out of the bars and forcing you to sit at home and make your children fetch you an ashtray so you can blow smoke in their face! YUK! Your children probably wish you were at the bar instead of disgusting them at home. Maybe you could step outside for a smoke like the rest of MN instead of being so selfish and disgusting! I wish health and happiness to your children!
Posted by HotFergusMan (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It appears as I have struck a nerve... thank you
Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 2:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sassica-
It's not worth trying to argue with someone like "HotFergusMan" with a topic like this. All smokers that read this article will claim that the loss in revenue is due to the passing of the smoking ban, some of which it may be, however plenty of other factors will play into this decline also....(which some will all be blamed on "smoking") I for one enjoy being able to stop off at a bar for a cold beer at the end of a work week, enjoy a burger (and be able to taste the flavers) and leave knowing I don't have to rush home to shower and wash my clothes that smell like the bottom of an ashtray. Also, I understand that pull tabs or any of those other "games" of chance have long since always been set up to where the house always comes ahead. If everyone was a winner, our "charitable organizations" would have nothing to show. Instead of a percentage, I have and will continue to donate my money directly to the organizations which retain 100% of my money (which is also tax deductible). I have come to find that your average smoker has a weak, feeble mind which they need to feed with cigarettes, pull tabs and a drink....and their feel good at the end of the night is knowing that a smaller percentage of their money they pi$$ed down their leg went to a charitable organization. I guess whatever makes it right in your minds. Since the smoking ban is in effect, I'll gladly lineup a few outhouses which smell better than that darn habit (and you can gladly light up all you want), and I'll even let you bring your drinks....hand me over a 100 dollar bill...I'll hand you a tablet of paper you can rip to appease yourself and all the proceeds can go to your organization of choice. I'll even hail you a cab at the end of the night to drive your sorry a$$ home alleviating the issue of driving under the influence.
I am guessing HotFergusMan's comments were made just to create a stir.....and if not, he'll definately be coming up short on the "Father of the Year" award. If you were serious, hopefully your daughter was born with more intelligence than will probably ever grace your presence....
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. Great posting JAnderson. I love it when the smokers ban the smoking ban for everything. Did you know the financial crisis we are in right now was caused by the smoking ban?
My favorite qoute so far is "Banning smoking from bars was extremely stupid and everyone will feel it in someway." I already feel it. I can breathe when I come out of the bars now. Thanks smoking ban!
Posted by Pretendyouareanadultpeople (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To this comment from JAnderson: "I for one enjoy being able to stop off at a bar for a cold beer at the end of a work week, enjoy a burger (and be able to taste the flavers) and leave knowing I don't have to rush home to shower and wash my clothes that smell like the bottom of an ashtray." "we filthy smokers" would like to congratulate you "holler than thou part time bar goers" on taking over for us in supporting all the small bar business in Ottertail County. We notice that the bars are all but empty now-a-days. There should be PLENTY of room for you "healthy, great smelling" over weight people to belly up at the bar and enjoy your $2/weekly patronage. YOU ARE WHAT PAYS THE BILLS AND MAKES THE DOORS STAY OPEN! Who could ever deny that?
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Smokers by nature love to complain. They love to congregate together outside the work place, smoke their cancer canes, and talk bad about other people. The smoking ban is just one more thing for them to b***h about when they're shivering outside in January.
Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pretendyouareanadultpeople-
Wow, that was an extremely enlightening post you made there. I believe the definition of Patronage goes along the lines of something like this: The support or encouragement of a patron, as for an institution or cause.
The only plausible observation that I can come to in regards to all the local bars/restaurants closing down due to the smoking ban is that the only real "Patronage" that "Joe-Smoker" has is to their favorite tobacco product. The local "watering hole" is nothing more than just another place to patronize your cigarette. In the last year, one thing has changed....the smoking ban which leaves the choice...cigarette or a cold beverage of choice in a local atmosphere (which many establishments have taken the measures to create an environment outdoors for the smokers to curb their craving and not offend those that don't smoke.)
This reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw 5 or so years ago. "I don't mind if you smoke if you don't mind that I fart" I am guessing the average smoking population wouldn't be to keen on sitting down to eat a meal or have a beverage sitting right next to an individual sitting on a toilet minding his own business. (and stench) There are bathrooms for that...just like there are outside porches for smoke breaks.
Big Business Tobacco sure hasn't taken a hit....it's the local business that has. Just remember, when you point a finger at us non-smokers and how it's our fault for our lack of patronage, remember the other four are pointing right back at you.
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great post JAnderson.
Posted by timetotalk (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is something interesting to look at.
How many people do you think WERE employed at these establishments?
http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007...
Posted by robbie (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
janderson now that you have us weak feeble minded smokers out of the way---get in there like you all said you would last summer complaining of our stench.
HotFergusMan you are just a hoot-I bet the bars miss us we maybe feeble and weak but dang we are alot of fun!!
Posted by Pretendyouareanadultpeople (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
timetotalk & robbie: I am one of the unemployed due to a closed bar. Watched the tips go from $100+ a night on the weekend to less than $50. "They" keep whining about the smoke, now there is no smoke and they STILL aren't in there buying anything. All "we" want is to sit in the bar and drink and smoke (with the money we made while paying taxes) like we used to do when this was a free country (remember when that was?) We wouldn't go into their office ((sounds like a real blast as far as a place to hang out)) and smoke or complain about the people farting ((maybe nonsmokers don't fart?? Maybe their s**t doesn't stink either?? ;-)) WE don't care if you are in the bar, just don't complain about the smoke. Toss us out and YOU are the ones with nothing to complain about. Look down at your own four fingers JAnderson. Regardless of whether you smoke or not, as a free person, you should definitely bve concerned about the government deciding how a business owner runs his business or not. You don't like smoke, YOU go sit outside and shiver! Or ban the cigarettes completely! Bet you won't tho, you'd miss driving on all these nice paved roads :-) **Maybe we should start a sugar tax to replace the banned cigs?? More fat people out there than smokers anyway........ talk about hard on the socialist health care dollars.
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's an idea for the businesses that are 'hurting' because of the smoking ban....Change your business model! Stop trying to earn the business of the smoking, drinking, unemployment-earning population. Put out a better menu, put out a better selection of wine and martinis, improve your atmosphere. It's no surprise that Stella's and Bello Cucina are THRIVING right now. They offer great food, great wine and beers lists, and more importantly....atmosphere.
I don't feel the least bit sorry for the bars that continue to do the same lame promotions like 'buck burgers'...'free poker'....and 'come watch the Vikings with us'. That ship has sailed...along with the chain smoking passengers it carried.
Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The clueless like votedem & janderson are good humor, but still clueless. They obviously know nothing about people or what freedom means. I don't drink ,but I like little dive bars. The majority of people in this country make 35k or less a year. I would be willing to bet the majority of people who go to the bars are smokers who like small down to earth bars with down to earth ,real people. The places mentioned above (That I have never heard of) are fine for you uppity yuppies. But believe me, they don't want us there as much as we don't want to be there. Take it from some one who use to drink alot & has been in bars from AK. To Calif. The best atmosphere is small town bars with real people who like to play pull tabs,poker, pool, darts, & watch football. Americans, there are still a few of us left
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