Bingo! – New law allows larger jackpot, younger players

Bow Editor — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:17:00 GMT

One of New Hampshire’s newest laws is right on the money for local bingo players.

The law, which went into effect Friday, Aug. 17, changes the total prize amount for senior citizen bingo organizations from $150 to $500, while also decreasing the minimum age of players from 60 to 55.

For bingo areas such as Hopkinton, the law will be beneficial in increasing the size of games.

“It is exciting. I think bingo will increase here, and I think we’ll be able to eventually afford better supplies, get more folks out participating and increase the revenue we’re bringing in, as well as the prizes we’re giving out,” said Hopkinton recreation director Justin La Vigne.

Hopkinton games currently take place in Columbia Hall in the middle of town, but the facilities are not ideal.

However, soon players will be able to play bingo in the new Slusser Center, which will be opening soon.

La Vigne said the combination of the law and the new facility should help raise bingo interest in Hopkinton.

“This is great. Bingo is in its infancy here, and we’re going to be able to advertise the new age when it used to be 60. That kind of limited things, and this way we can include five more years of people, which changes things a lot,” he said. “I believe with advertising, the new senior center opening and our great volunteers, we will really be able to draw in a lot of people.”

Joanne Woodward, a bingo volunteer in Hopkinton, is also excited about the new law.

“It’s wonderful. I think it sounds like a grand idea. It is absoloutely going to change things. When people find out it is going to be for money, I think a lot more people will come,” said Woodward. “We’re just starting, so it’s going to be a lot of word of mouth.”

In Hopkinton, most of the rewards for bingo victory are small prizes, with low cash prizes on occasion.

At $2 per bingo card, the more players who come to Hopkinton for Friday afternoon games will increase the chances that cash payouts will grow, something regular Judy Sanborn is looking forward to.

“I think it will be nicer to get a lot more people out. Right now it’s just a lot of little prizes, so I think a lot more people would come if the prizes were a little bit more,” said Sanborn. “It seems to be a great law for everybody, and I’m glad they passed it.”

Hopkinton News : bingo

Bingo! – New law allows larger jackpot, younger players