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MINUTES <br />City Council <br />May 14, 1986 <br />Bingo Finnerty reported that the State allowed the Indian reservations <br />(Cont.1 to write their own definition of bingo. The Indian bingo operations <br />have many more bingo-type games than what the charities are planning. <br />Mrs. Scalse asked if Mr. Finnerty was in this line of business <br />prior to Indian bingo. <br />Finnerty replied that he has been in business since 1972 which is <br />prior to Indian bingo. <br />Finnerty also explained that State law will not allow the expenses <br />of this bingo operation to exceed 50% of the income for bingo and <br />40% of the income from pull tabs. This is the reason the charities <br />are combining their efforts to make them more cost efficient. <br />It was pointed out that the charities will need between 200 and 250 <br />people per session to break even. <br />Finnerty pointed out that if the charities do not make a certain <br />percentage of money, the State will not grant them a license next <br />year. <br />It was also pointed out that the charities are seei<ing a waiver from <br />a State requirement limiting a charity to four bingo sessions per <br />month. <br />Fahey asked if the Gambling Commission was aware of the double <br />bingo sessions. <br />Finnerty reported that benefit bingo is holding double sessions and <br />they have had no problems with the State. <br />Mrs. Scalze pointed out that based on the financial data submitted, <br />Minnesota Tip Board would gross between $36,850 and $49,140 per <br />month from this bingo venture. The City would get between $45,000 <br />and $60,000 per month. <br />Mrs. Scalze asked who the food concession would be awarded to. <br />P1r. Finnerty reported that that decision has not been made. <br />Pat Vitale of the Venetian Inn reported that the Venetian Inn is <br />interested in the food concession and has expressed this interest <br />to P9r. Short. Vitale stated that even if the Venetian Inn does <br />not get the concession, he welcomed the bingo venture to Little <br />Canada and pointed out the benefit the City's businesses would <br />derive from it. <br />Mr. Blesener reported that he spoke with a couple of business <br />managers in the Plarket Place and they do not see any additional <br />business for their businesses from the bingo operation. These <br />businesses thought it might be a hinderance to their businesses. <br />Page -12- <br />