_Anlsland Publishers Newsmagazine

F

here’s a blue haze of cigarette smoke hanging over
the place, despite the state of the art ventilation
system. The players are intent on the strips of
cards in front of them, ready to pounce on the next
number, fat colored dabbers in hand. The voice of the caller
drones on in an almost hypnotic cadence. Suddenly, the
spell is broken by the cry of a single word — “BINGO!”

It’s one of the most often used words in the English
language, according to Bob Lynn, operations manager for
City Bingo Association which operates the 711 Bingo
Emporium on Johnson Street in downtown Victoria. Many

pot us don’t notice ourselves using the word as an expletive,
‘much like “eureka!” To Lynn and the 84 charities that
make up the association he works for, the word is
synonymous with bucks. The dollars collected by the 711

-Bingo Emporium and the four others in the Capital
Regional District — Bingo Bingo on Esquimalt Road;
¥angford Drop-in Bingo, Colwood Drop-in Bingo and
Peninsula Bingo in Sidney — are the lifeblood of numerous
community organizations.

Lynn oversees the operation of the downtown bingo
palace His job is to a design the bingo programs, run them,
look after the staff and take care of promotions.

The law says that a minimum of 25 per cent of the gross
taken in by bingo hall must go to charities. Lynn said that
in many cases, the charities actually make more than the
mandatory 25 per cent.

~ Last year, the 711 Bingo grossed $5.1 million. Of that
amount, $1.3 million went to charities. Lynn said the bingo
parlor should do just as well this year.
Many people are under the false impression that the
dollars made in bingo parlors go in to private pockets.
“That's simply not true,” Lynn points out. “A lot of people
are under the misconception that the money is garnered by
independent people but that’s simply not true. It has never
been true. It’s just a misconception that has surrounded
the bingo business from people not being knowledgeable.”
Every society that receives bingo proceeds must be
licenced by the B.C. Gaming Commission. The commission
sets and administers policy and administers licences. The
B.C. Gaming Branch enforces policy set by the commission.
The charities that derive profits from bingo are rotated.
When certain groups are no longer in need of funds, they

iran Lage ton obi: hackibes mate

BINGO BRINGS IN BIG BUCKS for charity says Bob Lynn, operations manager for the 711 Bingo
Continued on Page 3 Emporium in downtown Victoria. It’s also 16 hours per day of fun and entertainment.

are replaced on the list by a group that needs the financial
| assistance.

THE RATZ is destined for
the silver screen —
see Page 4.

= BASIC BLACK: Everyone
talks about it —nobody does
anything about it. Arthur
rains on the weatherman’s
parade/ 2

gm DR. TOMORROW:
Technology is transforming
the humble tomato into a
taste treat — hold the
mayo!/ 6

ge LIFE’S LIKE THAT: Is there a
right way up in the art
world? Joan Myles explores
this and other burning
issues./ 7

= BOOKS WEST: Are women
smarter than men? — that’s,
only one of the questions in
Our Kind reviewed by Mike
Steele/ 12

]

CAN

ACLOBAL EINE

TIRED OLD WORLD in for some help on
Earth Day — Page 15