FLINT -- The following is a message from the Michigan Lottery:
The Poker Room at Fisher Hall in Flint will be closed starting today [Wednesday]following violations of law enforced by the Michigan Lottery's Charitable Gaming Division.
The violations were uncovered after complaints were registered with the Michigan Lottery's Charitable Gaming Division. Investigators conducted an eight-month long review of the complaints and the closure of the facility, which begins March 10, 2010, resulted. The investigation uncovered a scheme in which the Poker Room at Fisher Hall charged the charities more for the use of the poker room than what is allowed by charitable gaming guidelines.
The Poker Room, which was used by area charities to conduct their licensed millionaire parties, will be closed indefinitely.
The investigation resulted in a settlement agreement with the Bureau of State Lottery in which the location agreed to close the Poker Room. The settlement, which serves as an acknowledgement of violation, also includes fines.
The Poker Room at Fisher Hall hosted 140 licensed millionaire parties in 2009 and has been in operation since 2004. As part of the settlement agreement, a fine was levied on the Bingo hall which is also in operation at Fisher Hall.
