Charity Bingo is under attack!

This year could very well be a life or death struggle for Charity Bingo in our Legislature. With the almost curtain passage of Amendment six, the expansion of Indian gaming all over the State of Florida and the general decline in bingo attendance Charity bingo faces devastating declines in attendance. It is imperative that all the organizations that are involved in the Charity bingo industry, get on the same page and try to get reasonable reforms to the existing bingo regulations.

Most of the present bingo regulations have been in place since the sixty’s. Since that time the competition for market share has changed dramatically and shows no signs of slowing down. As our bingo population ages, we must find new ways to attract new players. We cannot continue to squabble over the declining player base. It is in the best interest of all the organizations involved in bingo to pull together. By combining our financial and political assets we can accomplish reform and insure a bright future for this important fundraiser and social pastime to so many organizations and players.

The Pull Tab issue was a very good example of how far we can go if we are unified. We didn’t accomplish all of our goals but we did gain a lot of respect and attention because we showed solidarity and a much stronger power base. The Pull Tab issue was a new approach to solving our attendance problems. We cannot forget what brought us together and, through compromise we have accomplished a great deal. I will outline some of the areas I feel we need to address and how we can come to common ground.

Prize board limitations:

Prize board limitations are the most critical part of the problems that face charity bingo. Because there is such intense competition from the Indian gaming and video gaming facilities, the need to give higher prizes has become essential to maintaining current attendance levels. In some areas there is an imbalance in prize pay outs. This causes competitive problems between the different charitable and non profit organizations conducting bingo. Prize board limitations can be accomplished in several different ways. The most important part of prize board limitations is to offer a consistent prize board across the state. An appealing prize board is enough to stimulate new players and keep the existing player base in the Charity facilities.

Create a level playing field:

This part of any new legislation should address both the have and have not that qualify to participate in the lawful conduct of bingo. Most Charitable organizations neither have the facilities or capital needed to benefit from conducting bingo. If we can accomplish legislation that locks into place a prize payout limiting not only Charity and Non Profit groups but also any operating facility to a per day prize payout, we can accomplish a level playing field for everyone. Again these payout caps must be high enough to attract new players as well as keeping its current players.

Multiple days of operation:

Veteran groups that have large enough facilities should be encouraged to bring in other smaller Veteran groups so they too may share there facilities and participate. This would accomplish a lot in generating more revenue, a higher player base as well as eligible Volunteer help. By using each location to its full potential, the number of Charities and Non Profit groups participating will increase community benefits these organizations serve.

Cost of operation is significantly reduced when charities share the facility, equipment, insurance and other expenses. Organizations such as homeless shelters, food banks, little leagues and many other community service organizations do not have to risk their contributions to get started. Bingo for these organizations becomes a win win situation.

The Player:

The player is the most important element in bingo. Although bingo profits are earmarked for charities and non profit groups, it is the player that makes it all possible. Simply put, “without players there are no bingo profits.”

When the high stakes Indian bingo halls were established these charity games could not compete with the high stake bingo offerings and the Indian game’s are now all over Florida. To further diminish local charitable bingo games revenue, the high stakes offered playing bingo on the internet, and the introduction of boats offering high stake games for $100,000.00 prize board has also grown at an alarming rate.

To keep the player happy we need clean full service facilities that offer a sensible return for the money spent. The cost of a night out to play charity bingo has risen everywhere. The player understands this fact. However, for example, when they compare what they spend at a charity game verses an Indian game, the charity looses because of the prize board.

The Association of Florida Bingos represents countless different Charities and Fraternal groups. To address the needs of all charity bingo games’ interest involved in Florida Bingo, we must promote the passage of new legislation that is in the best interest of all the various styles of bingo played in Florida. We must get the players involved in a writing campaign and with monetary support. It is ‘doable’ if we are a united force and stick together. If we are not united I believe NO ONE WINS!