TRAVERSE CITY — Restaurants in Traverse City have stopped offering D-J Bingo nights because of a warning from state regulators.
Even though they’re putting an end to the games, local deejays say they haven’t broken any laws. And the situation has left them with more questions than answers.
Bill Schramm is the local representative for D-J Bingo. He says music nights have turned into a real highlight for the restaurants and bars that offer it.
“You know, some people literally look forward to this all week,” Schramm said.
But now, officials with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission have approached local restaurants, telling them bingo might be against the law.
“Basically, what the commission is saying,” Schramm said. “Or the investigator that I spoke with from the commission, is that the amount of time that the guest spends inside the restaurant is considered the value or monetary contribution needed to meet consideration in the three elements of gambling.”
That announcement led to canceled bingo nights at restaurants like That’s a Pizza in Traverse City.
The d-j’s who run the program say they were surprised at the interpretation because time does not automatically equal money.
“It is 100% free to play the game,” Schramm said. “Like, you can go into the restaurant and buy food and drinks and play the game, or you could choose to sit there and drink water and not buy food or anything, not spend a dime. ”
A case similar to this has already been brought to court. In 2021, the commission ruled that bingo nights like this were legal, and the charges were dropped.
“They decided with prejudice,” Schramm said. “Which means that it should forward to future decisions. When a decision is made without prejudice, then it’s not, you know, forward. It’s not able to be applied forward.”
Nine and Ten News reached out to the director of the control commission. Although he was not familiar with the Traverse City situation, he did say there have been no major rule changes regarding illegal bingo since the 2021 case.
Restaurant owners will be meeting this week to discuss the allegations of illegal gambling and work on their response.
But in the meantime, DJs like Schramm are left with more questions than answers.
“I don’t understand why anyone would want to take away something that helps people connect, Schramm said. “Especially on something like music. It’s a common interest that everybody has, and bringing people together through music is a beautiful thing.”