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PAST KENTUCKY CHARITABLE GAMING UPDATES
12-7-2006 - On Tuesday, December 12, the Kentucky Charitable Gaming Association will host an open meeting in Louisville at 3 EST. As most licensees know, the KCGA is endorsing legislation to provide more options for its organizations. At least one manufacturer will make a presentation on some of the electronic versions of our current games that are being used in other states. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions about what might be in our future, and how charities are succeeding in other states.
Please call 502-554-2749 or email us for directions.
11-11-2006 - The Office of Charitable Gaming hosted their annual conference last week in Owensboro, and KCGA representatives Kaven Rumpel and Ron Morris were in attendance.
On the first day, the meeting format was based on teaching the Charities how to complete session forms and inventory. The effort included worksheets and a model demonstration.
The second day the OCG furnished up-to-date information on raffles and fundraising events. Following lunch, Quarterly reports were reviewed. Finally, after a roundtable discussion, separate training sessions were offered to Charities.
We believe the format was one of the best the OCG has offered. Anyone who missed the meeting, missed an informative and helpful agenda.
10-31-2006 - KCGA Executive Director Ron Morris travelled to Hardinsburg Monday night to meet with OCG officials, legislators and licensees. On the agenda was a discussion about Charitable Gaming compliance and regulations.
The meeting was set up by Senator Carroll Gibson of Leitchfield. Representative Dwight Butler of Harned and Owensboro Representative Tommy Thompson were also present.
Compliance was discussed at length. The OCG has now instituted a "kinder and gentler warning" as opposed to issuing fines over first time offenses - provided the mistakes are of clerical nature. There were numerous suggestions about changes which need to be made by lawmakers.
Mr. Morris suggested that if the legislators were willing, we would work with the Department of Public Protection to offer a bill that would make some of the needed changes in the existing law. Both the OCG and Mr. Morris offered to receive those ideas.
10-26-2006 - If you still have questions about the new regs or any other charitable gaming issue, the OCG is hosting its annual conference November 8th and 9th. To pre-register, follow this link.
10-16-2006 - SPOTLIGHT: Because of their generosity in lending a helping hand, we'd like to mention a company that provides special event equipment. We have many great equipment providers in Kentucky, but we ask that you consider checking out Timmy Spears' website at Casino Entertainment when you're making your choice. We don't endorse suppliers, but we have received several positive comments about Mr. Spears. (If you're at work, you may want to turn the sound down before visiting his site!)
10-13-2006 - The Joint Interim Licensing & Occupation Committee met at Yum! in Louisville to discuss several statewide issues, including Charitable Gaming. Former Rep. Bill Donnermeyer gave a brief testimony about the regs as they relate to his friends and associates in smaller bingo halls. Leah Boggs, Tony Royalty and Alan Wagers testified next about how and why the regs were written, and they also identified the OCG's specific efforts to train both staff and licensees before and during their implementation.
Ron Morris of the KCGA testified next, giving an account of how the Kentucky Charitable Gaming Association worked closely with as many licensees as they could find to participate, as well as Public Protection officials and the OCG. He gave examples of changes that the KCGA had proposed that were rejected, and he also recognized that the OCG had made several accomodations to the Association.
Brian Duffy, the current VFW State Commander, gave a brief testimony in which he characterized the regs as 'overly complex.' Before, during and after the meeting, several legislators gave mention to the fact that their constituents had been calling to complain.
A follow-up action to this meeting was not announced.
9-29-2006 - Attention: The KCGA will have a meeting on October 12 at 2:00 EST. If you'd like to listen in or participate, please contact Ron at 502-554-2749 or 502-241-6097. We will have a 800 number for you to dial in and join the meeting.
9-2-2006 - To view the proposed Smoking Ban ordinance by Councilman Fleming, please follow this link.
8-30-2006 - Louisville Metro Councilman Ken Fleming has proposed a stricter Smoking Ban ordinance less than one year after the original was instituted. Nearly all exemptions were stricken in this modified version of the original, with notable exception Churchill Downs remaining exempt.
It is not clear whether Charitable Bingos are exempt, and we fear that this modification will affect us. Charitable Gaming supporters are urged to contact their Council members. Follow this link for contact info.
Remind them that a small dip in attendance WILL AFFECT YOUR 40%! If 10% of players stop going to a charity's bingo session, it is potentially devastating to a charity.
8-18-2006 - Before the July meetings, we collected many questions, comments and concerns about the new regulations and general Charitable Gaming compliance issues. The questions were submitted to OCG officials, who have responded in writing.
Many of the questions were asked frequently, and the responses were condensed. If you submitted a question, and you don't feel that it was answered sufficiently, please contact us or the Offic of Charitable Gaming.
A link to the OCG's responses is here.
7-31-2006 - Public Protection Commissioner Chris Lilly called the KCGA office at the end of last week and talked about the recent meeting on the regulations. And as an act of good faith, he has requested that we contact our members seeking additional comments for better ways to make the regulations work.
We are inviting you to submit any ideas to us so that they may be forwarded to Commissioner Lilly and the Department of Public Protection and the Office of Charitable Gaming for consideration. It is the goal of Kentucky Charitable Gaming Association to alleviate the tension and problems that exist for our licensees. Please email ron@kentuckycharitablegaming.org with your suggestions.
The OCG is presently reviewing all questions that were brought forth at the Hopkinsville, Guthrie and Louisville meetings. They hope have to formal answers in the very near future. Therefore it is important that our members respond to Commissioner Lilly's request.
Please check this website often for updates on this information.
7-21-2006 - Wednesday's meeting about the new regulations in Louisville was well attended. Chris Lilly, Commissioner of Public Protection, Leah Cooper (OCG), Alan Wagers (OCG) and Tony Royalty (OCG) spent nearly 3 hours answering questions and explaining the OCG's thought process behind many of the regs.
Licensees from Bell, Franklin, Henderson, Nelson, Fayette, Christian, Warren, Boyd, Calloway, Daviess, Campbell and several other counties came to Louisville to discuss the new charitable gaming regs with state officials in Louisville. The Kosair Shrine donated use of their ballroom to the KCGA for the event.
While no legislators were able to attend, several gave notification ahead of time that they had scheduling conflicts. Many elected officials including Larry Clark, Tom Burch and Dan Seum have expressed a willingness to review the concerns of licensees.
We hope to have formal answers in writing to the many questions that were submitted through the KCGA in a relatively short time. When we have them, we will post them on this website.
OCG officials who were present stated clearly that if you have questions that are not being answered in a timely manner, to please contact them, and all questions would be answered in a reasonable amount of time.
Cindy Dowell from Charity Bingo discusses new bingo rules with Ron Morris (KCGA) and Louie Caudill (Kosair Shrine).
7-19-2006 - Just a reminder that it is very important that you attend today's meeting in Louisville. If you have questions or comments on the new regs, this is your opportunity to present them in a public forum. There may not be another opportunity.
Here is a map to the meeting at Kosair Shrine.
Please know that many of the questions we have received are similar, and they are likely to be asked by others. So if you're uncomfortable speaking up, others will probably address what's on your mind.
We've been told by the OCG that they will be arriving in time for lunch at 12, and we will begin the meeting immediately afterwards.
"What Else Can I Do?" Many folks have called asking what else they can do to address their concerns about the new regs. The answer is simple: Call your legislator.
7-15-2006 - Our meeting in Guthrie on July 13th was a success, with well over 100 people in attendance. Senator Joey Pendleton, an advocate and supporter of charitable gaming, listened and discussed issues with licensees.
 
Guthrie Mayor Scott Marshall (facing in picture on left) attends the meeting at Tiny Town. Marie Burns, from Helping Hands Health Clinic, helps people sign in (picture on right).
Commissioner Chris Lilly, Executive Director Tony Royalty and Assistant Director of Compliance Leah Boggs attended the meeting in Hopkinsville on Friday, July 14th to answer questions and listen to issues facing licensees since the new regulations were published. Senator Pendleton was also in attendance.
 
KCGA Executive Director Ron Morris introduces (from left) Senator Joey Pendleton, Tony Royalty, Leah Boggs and Commissioner Chris Lilly in the left photo. At right, Judy Folz from Saints Peter and Paul shows some of the hospitality that made the event a success.
The KCGA would like to thank Tiny Town Bingo, Saints Peter and Paul, Senator Joey Pendleton, Commissioner Lilly, OCG officials, and the many licensees who participated in these events. If you missed the meetings, please contact us or make plans to attend the next event in Louisville on July 19 at noon. Details are mentioned below.
7-12-2006 - After receiving many comments on compliance and the new regulations, we are compiling our final list. We thank everyone who has participated in this process, and if you have comments or questions you haven't submitted, please get them to us by Monday, July 17th. This information will be shared with top level OCG officials and it is possible we will share it with legislators.
If you are uncomfortable putting your thoughts in writing, please attend one of the upcoming meetings listed below. This is an opportunity to speak to the people who control our industry. There is much at stake, so please make every effort to participate in this process.
We have charities from across the state planning to attend, and some will be travelling several hundred miles. To those who are travelling, please have a safe journey.
6-29-2006 - New meeting info: A meeting for licensees will be held on Thursday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Tiny Town Bingo in Guthrie, KY. It is located at the intersection of Hwy 79 & 41. Phone: 270-483-8086. Thank you to Tiny Town Bingo and Helping Hands Health Clinic for helping with this event.
Senator Joey Pendleton, a strong advocate for charitable gaming, and other government representatives have scheduled this meeting to allow charitable organizations to express their concerns about the new rules imposed by the Office of Charitable Gaming.
The OCG will not be present at this meeting, and if you have knowledge of the game and how the new rules affect bottom line revenues, we urge you to attend.
Senator Pendleton has also scheduled a second meeting with the OCG, and it will be held the following morning, July 14th at 10 a.m. The location is:
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church - Parrish Hall
902 East 9th Street
Hopkinsville, KY
Phone: 270-885-8522
Map
6-26-2006 - More important meeting news: On July 14th, there will be a meeting held to discuss implications of the new regulations. It will be in southwestern Kentucky, and a time and location will be announced soon. We expect legislators, agency officials, KCGA reps and charitable gaming licensees to be present.
Please check back here in the coming days for more details.
6-21-2006 - As requested by several of our members, we are compiling documentation on what is being called "uneven enforcement" of charitable gaming rules by compliance officers.
If you believe that you have been harassed or treated unfairly by a compliance officer, please send a summary of the incident(s) to confidential@kentuckycharitablegaming.org. Please be as specific as you can by including dates and first names. We will keep your information anonymous.
Regulation training class schedule can be viewed here. We recommend that you call to reserve a spot at 800-729-5672.
How do you spend your bingo money? We are looking for charities with interesting stories about how they spend their charitable gaming revenue. What are your projects? Who are you helping? Please send your stories to stories@kentuckycharitablegaming.org.
5-22-2006 - PRINT THE NEW REGS HERE - The Kentucky Charitable Gaming Association has combined all of the newly published regulations into one printable document. Please click here to view or print it.
5-19-2006 - KCGA officers have been in communications with OCG officials regarding Regulatory training and enforcement. There are currently training sessions being coordinated around the state. Please visit this website before the end of May, as we will have dates, times and locations available.
5-3-2006 - We have been flooded with calls about the new charitable gaming regs. Our board of directors held an emergency meeting to discuss some of the unexpected issues that have come up. Before we can take appropriate action, we need specific information from those licensees who are having difficulties.
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