How to Play Bingo and Have Fun

August 15th, 2011
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© sarae

Bingo is a well known game that is often played by older people, usually at gaming halls and social gatherings. Nonetheless, the game is becoming more popular, even among younger people, as the game has embraced the latest technology through online bingo. The game is therefore accessible to people of all ages, and interested bingo players can now even play the game from home on their computer.

Bingo is a rather simple game to play. The objective of the game is to achieve a specific pattern on a bingo card by marking out numbers that are called by the bingo host. In a typical game of bingo, each of the players has a card with the letters of the word "bingo" horizontally spell across the top. Under each of the five letters, there is a column of numbers. As the host calls out different letter and number combinations, such as "I-4", the player then marks that combination if they have it on their card.

Casinos in Texas

August 15th, 2011
Casinos in Texas
© Kaloozer

School districts in Texas are struggling with reduced budgets as the state cuts back to reign in a serious budget deficit. The funds dedicated to public education from the Texas Lottery have been falling steadily for the last several years, which has led some to suggest that land-based casinos in Texas would be a better alternative to help fund state education needs.

The outflow of Texas cash to casinos in other states in in the billions of dollars annually, and keeping that money in state would provide a huge benefit to Texas citizens, according to this argument. Jobs would be created in cities where casinos are located, at both the construction phase and the operation phase, and taxes paid on casino operations would benefit the local economies as a portion of them would be dedicated to public education, with the rest going to other state programs that need more funding.

Casinos in Downtown Minneapolis

May 14th, 2011
Casinos in Downtown Minneapolis
© Triin Q

When one thinks of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, casinos don't typically come to mind. But Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has said that he's open to the idea of a state-run casino in downtown Minneapolis' Block E if half of the proceeds went to the state. A current proposal under consideration would see 25% of revenues going to the state, but according to Dayton this is too low and unacceptable.

The first phase of the casino would open in spring 2012 if the legislature can reach an agreement to approve it. Developers estimate that it would bring the state between $100 million and $150 million in the remainder of the 2012-2013 budget cycle, and up to $250 million in each two-year budget period that follows. During his candidacy for governor, Dayton also proposed building a state-run casino near the Mall of America in Bloomington.