After 47 years, no more Bingo

PARIS – After 47 years, the cry of “Bingo!”, will no longer echo in the hall of the American Legion in South Paris.

Gilbert Turner, chairman of the Post 72 Bingo Committee, says the games no longer bring in as much money as they cost.

The Post, on Church Street, has no plans to shut down, or close for the winter, as the Veterans of Foreign Wars was forced to do last year. The cancellation has to do with Bingo nights only.

“I think the economy has a lot to do with it,” said Turner, “but people stay home now and play on their computers.”

Younger people are not developing an interest in the game, or in the socializing that was as big a part of the attraction as the chance to win money. As older, dedicated fans are dropping out, one-by-on, no one is replacing them. This is as true for the volunteers as for the players.

“It's too bad," continued Turner, "Bingo used to bring in $100 or so a week, back 20 years ago, or more. Then, there would be 60 or 70 people playing. Then it dropped, about 10 or 15 years ago, and we still had 50 or 60 come. But now, we're down to 30, and we need 35 to break even.

“It used to pay for almost all of our public charity, scholarships, Boy's State, and so forth. Now it doesn't even pay for itself. It's too bad. But it's the end of an era,” Turner said.”We can't afford to keep it up if we're losing money on it.”

Now, the post makes more money from rentals of the hall, such as for weddings, social events, and craft shows, than any other types of fund raising, said Turner.

For the loyal South Paris players, the Norway Post still offers Bingo. Turner wasn't certain about other posts that are going to carry on.

While the American Legion is still flourishing, Turner believes the game is fading away, not only in American Legion Halls, but all over the country.

“It's really a shame,” said Turner. “It was a nice, quiet way to spend an evening.”