Bingo still spells big bucks for groups

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Straight lines are so 20 years ago. These days, it’s four corners, corner clusters, big diamonds, inside squares or a variety of other combinations when a player yells “Bingo!”

When they do, Ed Fox is ready. For many years, Fox has been volunteering his time to run twice-weekly bingo sessions at the Knights of Columbus hall on Woodland Avenue. Although bingo revenues have decreased statewide, local non-profits are seeing just the opposite.

For over two decades, St. Mary of the Assumption School has received a steady revenue stream from charitable bingo. This year looks to be especially profitable for the school, which stands to receive close to $100,000 in revenue from bingo.

While bingo opponents offer every argument against the game, Fox sees it as a way to assist non-profits — and keep money in the community.

“One-hundred percent of our revenue goes to the school,” Fox said. “If they’re not going to give it to us, they’re going to give it to someone else, so at least it stays local.”

Many bingo players, Fox said, have been attending sessions for years, and the game appeals to players of any age. While state law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from participating, the game’s popularity is drawing in a younger crowd.

“We see people here of all ages,” said Dick Hoverman, bingo chairman at the Van Wert Senior Citizens Center.

The Van Wert Council on Aging began conducting charitable bingo in the fall of 2010 as a means of generating revenue to help offset decreased state and federal funding. Despite the recent openings of Ohio casinos, both local organizations are holding steady, or even increasing, revenues and attendance.

“We’re averaging anywhere from sixty to seventy people on Monday nights, and our attendance is up over last year,” Hoverman said, adding that special giveaways and door prizes have helped to draw in more people.

At the K of C hall, Fox has added a “warm-up” game that has also helped to increase profits. Raffles, instant games and concessions also add to the bottom line.

Bingo is not only popular for players, it’s a big financial boost for the organizations that benefit from bingo. “Our bingo revenues help us provide services to senior citizens like transportation and lawn mowing in the summer,” Hoverman said. “Non-profit organizations have to continually find ways to raise money, so anytime we can do that in this economy, we’re very thankful.”

Bingo financials are public record, and are regularly audited by the state. As of 2010 (the most recent figures available from the state attorney general’s office), there were 10 organizations in Van Wert County licensed to conduct Type I, II or III bingo.

While charities designated as 501(c)(3) can keep 100 percent of the profits, fraternal and veterans organizations are required to give a certain percentage to local charities.

Typically, charities actually lose money on Type 1 bingo, the traditional game where players receive a cash payout for getting a bingo. The money is gained back, however, on the sale of instant bingo tickets, oftentimes referred to as “pull tabs.”

“We definitely lose money on regular bingo,” Fox said. “But we get that back in instants. That’s really where you make money.” The records reflect that. St. Mary’s bingo lost approximately $36,000 in Type 1 bingo in 2010, but grossed over $154,000 in instant tickets.

No matter what side of the fence you’re on, bingo is big business for Ohio charities, although casinos and other types of gambling are leading to lower bingo revenues in parts of the state. According to the Ohio Attorney General’s numbers, bingo has brought approximately $100 million in profits to Ohio non-profit charities from 2005-2010. During that time, state residents spent approximately $6.3 billion on bingo, which represents a decline of 25 percent.

Statewide, non-profits have experienced a drastic reduction in revenue. Locally, though, bingo remains a popular pastime for players, as well as a significant revenue source for non-profits.

“In attendance, we’re probably seeing just about the same, but we’ve got a really good year going, one of the best years we’ve ever had,” Fox said.