The number of bingo players in Ohio is dwindling. Once a very popular gambling pastime, bingo in Ohio is facing a steady decline in fund raising.

“The numbers (of players) are going down, down, down,” said Helen Burns, who has been with the American Legion Post 64 for 20 years. “We used to have 75 to 80 players a night. It was a big deal years ago. Now we’re down to about 21 people, if we’re lucky.” Soon they fear the game may not be worth their efforts.

There are several theories of what may be causing this rapid decline. Many feel that it is being impacted by the states law that bans indoor smoking while others blame other culprits such as the aging of many players, proliferation of electronic gaming machines or the larger payoffs at gaming resorts right across the border from Ohio.

Many bingo clubs and halls are starting to explore incentives to get their players back. A few of them have built smoking pavilions and adding smoking breaks to their schedule. Others are offering increased, better door prizes and gifts.

All of this is impacting the fundraising that these bingo games have been doing for years. Many community, church and school programs are the ones who are paying the price for the dwindling bingo industry.


- 2007-10-28