July 21, 2014
PRESS RELEASE |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2014
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ALL MILLIONAIRE PARTY GAMES at TRIPPERS BAR (Lansing, MI), NORTHVILLE DOWNS (Northville, MI) SUSPENDED
ACES GAMING, MICHIGAN’S LARGEST Charitable Gaming Supplier, ADMITS ILLEGAL SIDE AGREEMENTS (payments) WITH NORTHVILLE and TRIPPERS
The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced a 30-day suspension of the license of Aces Gaming. Aces, the largest Millionaire Party supplier in the state of Michigan, made illegal payments exceeding a million dollars to Trippers Bar (Trippers) in Lansing and Northville Downs Race Track (Northville). Aces has admitted, in writing, that its agreements with Northville and Trippers were illegal and in violation of the Bingo Act ultimately agreeing to the suspension which resulted in games being cancelled at both locations . Gaming’s investigation began in late 2013.
Records indicate reported chip sales at Trippers and Northville totaled over $76 million from 2010-2013.
Aces Gaming, which by law, may only charge charitable organizations “reasonable and necessary” expenses for dealers and equipment to assist charities in running poker games, systematically diverted a percentage of the profits to Trippers Bar, Northville Downs, and a consulting company owned by former State Senator Doug Cruce. Cruce is the founder and current adviser to the Michigan Charitable Gaming Association. Records show that from 2008-2012, approximately $525,000 was diverted to Northville Downs; approximately $562,000 to Trippers ownership; and approximately $516,000 was paid to Cruce via his consulting company, for a total of over $1.6 million.
Charities can rent a location and hire a supplier to assist. However, when the location and the supplier collude, use the charity’s license to operate a card room casino without any oversight, multiple issues occur. These have ranged from illegal diversion of funds, fraud, falsifying state records and multiple criminal acts. The MGCB and Lottery have shut down poker games at 23 locations for various violations and crimes since 2010. This interrupts the charities ability to raise funds and adversely affects the integrity and fairness of the gaming.
Aces Gaming Supply will not be allowed to operate until August 10, 2014. No millionaire party events will be permitted at Northville or Trippers during that time.
Information and a list of other suppliers and locations allowed to operate can be found at the MGCB website at www.michigan.gov/mgcb.
