Under the b...
Bingo players' reaction to new bylaw mixed

Cindy MacDougall
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 28/00) - A bingo game is not a place for conversation, but several players looked up from their cards Tuesday night to share their opinion on the city's new bingo bylaw.

"I don't think it's OK," said one woman from Rae, who refused to give her name. "They should just go ahead with the $7,000, even if not many people show up."

City councillors voted four to three for the bylaw Monday night. It allows bingo operators to lower the prize money by 30 per cent if the bingo game has a low turnout.

Operators have argued it's better to lower the winnings and refund some of the door money rather than cancel the bingo.

However, if over 10 players vote against lowering the pot, the operator has to go ahead with the original amount or cancel.

The bylaw almost failed to pass because of councillors' concerns for players' rights.

"We've now protected sponsors of the bingo but I don't think we've protected bingo players," said Coun. Ben McDonald.

"As for the 10 people, I can just imagine what would happen if 11 people said no to lowering the bingo.

"I don't want to cause social unrest in a bingo hall."

Mary Martin, a regular bingo player, said it wouldn't come to violence, but she had a suggestion for those unwilling to lower the cash prizes.

"I don't mind when they bring down the bingo. I think people who don't want it (lowered) should go home anyway," said Martin.

Roy Desjarlais often runs bingos for several charitable organizations, including the local skating club. He said he's pleased with the bylaw.

"When I don't have enough people and I don't go down to $5,000 (from $7,000), I have to eat the loss," he said. "There's no profit. And if there's no profit, there's no money for the groups."

The crowd grumbled Tuesday as Desjarlais checked to see if the bingo would be for $7,000 in total winnings.

Although he said he was a little short, the $7,000 game went ahead, and the players clapped.

"Bingo players come in and gamble their money whether they win or not. So should the guys who run it," said Don Strand as he daubed at over 15 cards during the first game of the evening. He came all the way from Rae Lakes to play for the $3,000 final jackpot.

At the end of the night, the bingo had made a small profit, thanks to bonanza games, extra cards sold during the games and through Nevada tickets.