Some charity gaming feeling burned by smoking ban

[The Straight Story]

Some charity gaming feeling burned by smoking ban



Attendance and revenue at bingo parlors and charity card games fell about 25% in the most recent quarter, and some organizers blame the state's smoking ban, which took effect May 1.

"It's killing bars and restaurants," said Duane Owens of FL.com, a company that manages poker rooms. "The revenue from poker is determined by how many people you get in your establishment. Less people means less players and less revenue."

It's also being felt by the charities -- from Little League teams to marching bands to Lions Clubs -- that sponsor the events. Statewide, charity gaming revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $45.5 million, down from $61.8 million for the same quarter in 2009, according to figures from the Michigan Lottery.

"Gamblers are smokers," said Joe Puertas, an Oakland County businessman who has poker rooms in four bars he owns. "A lot of people just stay away."

http://www.freep.com/article/20101127/NEWS06/11270373/1001/News/Some-charities-feeling-burned-by-smoking-ban