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Legislation Update |
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July 15, 2009 - Legislation AnnouncementACTION REQUIREDHouse Bill 5121 and Senate Bill 669 are currently being proposed, and may go to a vote soon. These bills both contain the same wording, and if passed, they will increase the licensing fees for charities hosting 4-day events from $200 to $1000. This will severely limit a charity's ability to raise money during a charity poker event, and it is likely that many charity poker rooms will close. Please make Lansing hear your voice and ask your State Senator and State Representative to VOTE NO on these bills. You can send them an email by copying an pasting the letter below. Just insert your name and address at the bottom of each email.
Mr./Ms. <Senator or Representative>,
There are two bills, one in the house (5121) and one in the senate (669) that are going to be introduced and scheduled for a vote shortly. If these bills pass, one of the last reliable sources of charity fundraising in Michigan will be eliminated. This would also eliminate many small businesses and local jobs as dealers, room managers, wait staff, etc that have been created and sustained by Michigan's charity poker rooms.
These two bills propose to raise the price of a millionaire's party license from $50/day to $250/day to host an event at a charity poker room. This would require a charity to front $1000 vs the $200 it costs today. The majority of charity poker rooms are small venues where the charity leaves with $1500 to $2000. Coming up with $200 to walk away with $1500 is a great fundraiser, especially in the current economic conditions where corporate donations have evaporated. There are not many groups that can pay $1000, plus all the volunteer time and effort to raise $1500. This increase of five times the current price to obtain a license is price gouging.
This also doesn't take into account all the Michigan jobs that would be eliminated if the majority of charity poker rooms closed. The dealers in these charity poker rooms are laid off auto workers, former auto suppliers, idled construction workers, etc who are trying to keep a roof over their family and food on the table. Thousands of Michigan jobs would be eliminated if this bill were to pass.
Please vote these bills down. They would eliminate a main source of fundraising for non-profit organizations as well as desperately needed Michigan jobs.
Sincerely,
Your Name Your Address Your Phone Number . July 1, 2009 - New Charity Poker Event RulesOn July 1st, the State of Michigan Bureau of State Lottery sent a new directive to all the charity poker rooms limiting the types of prizes that can be awarded. Below is a summary of the changes you will see as a result of this directive. Fixed Limit Texas Hold'emNo alternative prizes or anything of value may be awarded or given to a player. This includes but is not limited to
Tournament Texas Hold'em
No alternative prizes or anything of value may be awarded or given to a player. This includes but is not limited to
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