Chelsea's Cafe has brought a youthful twist to an antiquated gaming tradition. On Tuesday nights Chelsea's draws in customers by promising free alcoholic beverages to bingo winners. But Chelsea's did not host the popular game this past Tuesday. Brian DeJean, Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission legal counselor, said Chelsea's owner David Remmetter called him hours before the weekly bingo game was scheduled to begin because he had questions about its legality. According to Title 55 of Louisiana Administrative Code, subsection six, businesses without gambling licenses cannot provide gambling paraphernalia to customers. Gambling paraphernalia includes "but is not limited to playing cards, poker chips, tokens, markers, buttons, card tables, dice, seating cards and containers or other means of storage of wagers for safekeeping during any prohibited game." DeJean said Chelsea's use of the ball tumbler, game cards and place markers are all examples of gambling paraphernalia that are prohibited. "Bingo is gambling, and that's why it's regulated," DeJean said. DeJean also said bingo nights at Chelsea's are advertised to bring in customers. He said the law also prohibits the encouragement or advertising of any "patron to participate in poker, blackjack, craps or any other gambling game conducted on the licensed premises." DeJean said Remmetter indicated in their phone conversation that bingo night was permanently stopped. Remmetter did not return phone calls, but a Chelsea's employee said Remmetter chose not to comment until a decision could be reached with his lawyer about whether the violations applied to them. DeJean said ATC cannot comment about whether businesses are being investigated for violations. He said that if Chelsea's continues to hold bingo nights, they can receive separate violations for every person who attends as well as every piece of gambling paraphernalia used. "If 50 people show up, that's 50 different violations," DeJean said. "And if each person gets a card, that's 50 people being handed 50 cards; they're looking at 100 violations with the potential of $500 per violation." Nancy Mathews, Campus-Community Coalition for Change director, said the practice, which extends past 10 p.m., may also be in violation of the Metro Council drink special ordinance that was passed March 2005.
----- Contact Rebekah Allen at rallen@lsureveille.com
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