From our media partners at WOOD TV:
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — With bar bingo games in Michigan being declared illegal gambling by the state’s Liquor Control Commission, a group of bar owners is taking legal action.
Harmony Hall Brewing Company on Stocking Avenue NW has hosted the popular game for years, just like several other bars and breweries throughout Michigan. A typically slow Tuesday night for bars was made lively by the game, co-owner Heather VanDyke-Titus said.
But about a year ago, the LCC started coming into bars and breweries, telling them that it constituted gambling.
“There’s no money exchanged, there’s no gambling. It really doesn’t make sense to us why we can’t do it and it certainly doesn’t make sense to customers,” VanDyke-Titus said.
The basic component of gambling is that the person playing has money in the game. The LCC says the act of patronizing the bar constitutes payment.
VanDyke-Titus said the LCC can threaten to pull a liquor license if violations continue or fines are not paid. Harmony Hall was convinced to stop about a year ago, even though it had a loyal following that came out every week to enjoy the game and the fellowship.
Attorney Joe Infante is representing bars from around the state in a lawsuit saying the LCC’s action is frivolous and doesn’t give the bars due process. In the lawsuit filed in Kent County Circuit Court, he argues that bingo is allowed under the same state law that allows McDonald’s to offer Monopoly prizes. He said there are attorney general opinions that contradict the LCC’s claim as far back as 70 years.
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