Legendary Tiger-Cat kicker Bernie Ruoff on "Dragons Den"

For those who didn’t see the segment :

Product …Chuck 'Em Casino Game
Pitcher …Bernie Ruoff & Larry Yurkiw
Hometown …Caledonia, ON
Ask …300K for 30%
Description… This duo from Caledonia, ON, hope their new casino game will pay off in the Den.

Click here to see the video of Bernie’s pitch to the Dragons:

[url=http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/2012/01/chuck-em-casino-game.html]http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/2012/01/ch ... -game.html[/url]

this was on last week.
they dont get a deal.

Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us lol

Very sad to see them put their pension funds into the game to try and get this to happen.

What a society we live in.

I like the show and try to watch it every week. When I heard them introduced, I just couldn't be sure. I even looked at some old pictures. Thanks for verifying.

I too fear for his financial well being after he said that he put his pension into this venture.

I hope for the best for them.

I don't like how they were rejected. I thought Bernie's pitch was very good and it looks like they put a lot of effort and thought into the design of their game. I hope they continue to pursue their dream and don't let the clowns on that show deject them.

Most applicants on the show are rejected. I read a story about the show one time and it turns out that even a lot of times when the applicant is accepted and hands are shaken, it turns out later that the deal is not done after all... it breaks down in the fine print.

Let's remember, it's a TV show, it's entertainment. If the business idea is a good one and the plan is sound, there may be other sources of funding to tap. Let's hope that happens for Bernie and his partner.

Doing some "techie stuff" at Bernie's home over the years, I've watched him work very hard at this and know a bit of the history.

Sadly, Bernie's co-creator of the game, Al Piccirillo (of the Canadian 70's rock band "Looking Glass") passed away in 2010.

Alex worked at Casino Niagara as a courtesy "trainer" (teaching newbie patrons how to actually play the games on the floor). Bernie was a dealer there before going to Casino Brantford for a spell (if memory serves). No doubt, that's how they came up with the idea.

I agree with those who think this is a good game and deserves a chance.

Trouble is that the OLG is so highly regulated that it's hard to crack the line-up.

Perhaps they will have more luck in the States eventually.......or even some on the American Indian Reservation Casinos south of the border.

If I had any money to speak of, I'd invest in this for sure.

Anyways, just thought you guys would be interested in this.

BTW, I'm enjoying reading all your threads when I get the chance. Sadly, I have no time to participate anymore (some are thankful without a doubt)...hahaha :wink:

C,mon football season ! 8)

Cheers to all !

DH

maybe they should redo their pitch and try getting on the shark tank.

Krisiun wrote:

"I don't like how they were rejected. I thought Bernie's pitch was very good and it looks like they put a lot of effort and thought into the design of their game. I hope they continue to pursue their dream and don't let the clowns on that show deject them."

Birnie was making a business pitch, like every other candidate on the show. The Dragons recognized that the game he created was fun and had possibilities. However, they also said that it would be very very tough to get his game into most casinos in Canada, a fact that, if Mr. Ruoff did his homework had to be already aware of. As I understood it, Birnie previously had his idea tested at one casino and it was not extended. So, at least, one establishment didn't think it would be successful. OLG is ALL about money, so if they honestly thought it could make substantial revenue for them, I'm sure they would have continued with it.

Let's keep in mind that these "Dragons" will be putting their own money into it, besides staff and lawyers and such to assist with the venture and if this is such a long shot these resources likely have to be used more than usual.

Also, what you see on the show is only about 6 minutes of about an actual hour long presentation that is edited down for broadcast, so there could have been more information that affected their decision that you didn't see.

I felt for Birnie, but considering the circumstances, I thought he got a fair hearing.