Beyond Bingo Supplies: How to Manage a Successful Bingo Part 5

This is our fifth and final entry on managing a successful Bingo. So far, we've:

1. Determined your bingo licensing regulations for your state.
2. Estimated your bingo player attendance.
3. Built your bingo program.
4. Determined your prize payout.
5. Determined the revenue generating bingo products your going to sell.

Now, let's go over some final considerations for your next bingo fundraiser.

Bingo Callers

If at all possible, find an experienced bingo caller. You don't want some novice person calling bingo who has trouble handling the equipment (dropping bingo balls in the middle of a game can be a disaster) or lacks confidence in front of people. If you can't find an experienced caller, then find someone who is comfortable with crowds and have them practice with the equipment ahead of time. Go over your bingo program step-by-step.

Whether experienced or not, you want your bingo callers to call numbers at a regular pace. We recommend that bingo numbers be called about every 20 seconds for commercial bingo hall environments where seasoned bingo players play. However, this speed should be adjusted to fit your crowd and the number of bingo faces in play. Hopefully, your bingo equipment will have a timer which will alert your caller when to call. However, if no timer is available, use a watch or clock as best you can to call at a regular pace.

Cash vs Baskets or Other Prizes

It doesn't make a lot of difference if you give away cash or prizes or a mixture of both at your bingo fundraiser. The important thing is to make sure that whatever you give, you are giving something with value.

Make your bingo prizes worth the effort for your bingo players. If you give bingo baskets, fill them with quality products. If you give cash, make sure you give away some big jackpots. When your bingo players win a bingo, they want win something and they want to win something good.

Bingo Concessions

Your bingo event will usually last from 3-5 hours, with the actual bingo program taking about 3 hours to play. Therefore, it is important to have refreshments and food available if possible. Bingo players are not robots. They will get hungry and thirsty.

Make sure that the food you serve is good quality and keep your prices reasonable. We believe it's smart business to have your bingo concession be a draw for your bingo event and not a profit center. Let your bingo games make the money while your concession keeps them well-nourished and happy.

A bingo fundraiser requires planning. You'll need to assemble a team of volunteers, find a qualified bingo caller, acquire prize donations, locate a site, advertise, and more. Make sure you give yourself at least a month or two to prepare.

Good luck and happy fundraising! If you follow our advice, we're sure your next bingo fundraiser will be a success.