Gambling coming to town (for a benefit)

Gambling coming to town (for a benefit)

Las Vegas setup at Second Chance to benefit the Michigan Theatre

By Norman Gibson

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Detroit voters said last year they don’t want casino gambling, but Ann Arbor Mayor Louis D. Belcher is not so reluctant.

Maybe it’s because the mayor was such a hit as a one-night bartender once last fall at the Second Chance to raise money for the nonprofit and very often financially strapped Michigan Theatre.

Belcher is back in a bigger way to raise money for one of his favorite charities.

He plans to put on casino type gambling in this city for three days. 

In fact, he is looking for potential croupiers who will volunteer for the nights of Jan 17, 18 and 19, when the Second Chance, 516 E.Liberty, will become a large gambling casino with all manner of games of chance.

The croupiers need to be volunteers. because all the proceeds will go for the benefit of the Michigan Theatre.

It is to be called “Millionaire’s Party.”

Admission is $2 per person, the price including one drink. Admission on Jan. 17 will be $4 at the door with the doors opening at 8 p.m. and a Las Vegas Revue of the 1950s and ’60s being presented at 11 p.m. with the White Raven rock group.

Only persons 18 years of age and older will be admitted.

Theme of the benefit is “Michigan, In Love With The Theater.”

DURING THE EVENT, the Second Chance will be given over to roulette, blackjack and the other professional games found in Las Vegas.

The aim of the benefit is to raise $10,000 for the Michigan Theatre.

State law limits winnings of one person to $500 per day and all wagering is concluded when a total of $2,000 in winnings have been achieved per night.

Volunteers are needed to work as croupiers (who work with the dice), dealers (who deal cards), operators (who spin roulette wheels), pit bosses (who watch tables, dealers, operators croupiers and controls spotters) , spotters (who watch a designated area of games for cheating) and rafflers (who sell raffle tickets).

Crap croupiers must be experienced with the game to volunteer.

Others will be trained during a three-day session before the three nights of gambling at the Second Chance.

Games to be offered are Blackjack, in which the player tries to get 21 before the dealer; Race Horse, in which the player bets on a horse and a wheel is spun; Roulette, in which an ivory ball is caught in one of 37 numbers; Big Six, another spinning wheel game; Over and Under 7/Croupier, in which dice are thrown to beat a 7 that may come up on the wheel; Chuck-O-Luck, in which the players bet on numbers on dice in a cage; and craps, in which the thrower tries to beat 7 and 11.

ALMOST 500 volunteers are needed to man the tables and devices for about two hours at a time.

Persons who would like to volunteer should get in touch with members of the committee, who are Susan Jordan of the Michigan Theater, Mayor Belcher’s secretary; Karen Young of the University of Michigan’s Major Events; Mark Godert, station representative for WIQB; Tavi Fulkerson, independent publicist; Johns Briggs of Alternative Lighting, or Stephen Pysz, publicity director for the Second Chance, who is directing the big event.

Pysz can be reached at the Second Chance number, 994-5360.

Event will benefit the Michigan Theatre

NEWS PHOTO BY CECIL LOCKARD

BELCHER