AP News, February 28th, 2007
Violet Fojut, 88, isn't happy that the bingo games she and fellow senior citizens have participated in at the Cream City Cafeteria in the Southridge Mall won't be held any more.
"It was always packed. Every table was always packed," he said Tuesday after learning that police had told officials of Boston Store, in which the cafeteria is located, that the games violate state law.
"I go every week after I have my hair done," she added. "It's such a friendly atmosphere. You really get to know all the people. And the food _ you take home enough for two days afterward."
The cafeteria had been offering early bird specials in which diners, nearly all senior citizens, got seven bingo cards on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays along with their food. Those who were the first to cover a row with chips got a prize wrapped in white tissue such as a tea towel set, some costume jewelry or a set of candles.
But, after the games were brought to the attention of the state Department of Administration's gaming division, Rob Dams, police chief in this Milwaukee suburb, said he called the store's head of security Friday and told him the games had to stop.
Dams noted that churches, as nonprofit organizations, can run bingo games in Wisconsin if they get a license and follow the rules but Boston Store would never be eligible for a license.
"Yeah, this is nickel-and-dime stuff," the chief said. "But no matter how small it is, I had to do something. I can't give someone permission to break the law."
Dams said he did not intend to seek gambling charges against the store, its employees or customers. The violations were unintentional and the game was shut down after the store was notified of the law, he said.
Fojut said the game wasn't a big secret, noting that a framed copy of a newspaper story published in 2002 was prominently displayed at the entrance to the cafeteria.
The chief said he expected to receive complaints about the move.
"I'll just give them a hug and try to find some other place they can go and play bingo legally," he said.
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Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com
