Charitable Bingo Revenues Continue Slide
The number of bingo games for charity is on the increase throughout the state but revenues continue to decline. This despite efforts by lawmakers who have passed legislation that allow larger prizes and permit charitable organizations to sell instant bingo tickets at an unlimited number of retail establishments in their home county. The competition from the casinos and racinos, electronic games at veterans and fraternal organizations, and the illegal Internet cafes has proven to be quite formidable. Recently released data from the charitable section of the Ohio Attorney General’s office illustrate the decline. From 2012 to 2014 charitable bingo revenues declined 12.5%. Profits declined during this time period 12.8%. This reduction is on top of a nearly 50% decline in revenues from 2005 to 2012.