Beyond Bingo Supplies: How to Manage a Successful Bingo Event Part 4

So, if you've read our prior posts on how to manage a successful bingo fundraiser you should have:

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.

Now, let's focus on the revenue generators for your bingo.

Bingo Books & Admission

Many bingos will sell an admission package to each bingo player when they arrive. This package usually sells for around $20 and includes entry to the event, a bingo book with bingo sheets for each game in the bingo program, and perhaps an added bonus such as a free dauber or an extra bingo sheet for a jackpot game.

If you have early bird games (a handful of games before your main bingo program), you should sell bingo books for them for around $3-$5. Additionally, extra bingo books should be sold (usually for $5-$15 each) at a discount to the admission price. Finally, it's a good idea to sell extra single bingo sheets for the larger prize (jackpot) games.

If you choose not to have an admission package, you can simply sell bingo books for a set price once the bingo players have entered.

Raffles

Raffles are a great way to earn additional funds during your bingo event. During the night, have a friendly person walk around selling with a smile. If possible, it's a good idea to advertise and presell the raffle tickets beforehand.

You can have 50/50 raffles (where 50% of the proceeds go to the prize), or raffle off one or more prizes. Your prizes should be good quality and have obvious value. Don't be cheap!

Be careful, raffles, like bingos, can also fall under state regulation. Be sure you find out your state's policy on raffles beforehand.

Pulltabs

Like raffle tickets, pulltabs (charity tickets) are a great way to increase sales and revenues during a bingo. A pulltab is a similar to a scratch off lottery ticket, but instead it has a number of "windows" that are peeled open to reveal a possible prize. Each box of pulltabs contains a set amount of prizes (usually around 75% of the take). Therefore, each box (once sold) is guaranteed a certain profit.

Pulltabs come in a variety of games and styles. If you decide to sell pulltabs, make sure you know how each game is played beforehand.

Be warned! Pulltabs are even more heavily regulated than bingos. Be sure that they are legal in your state. And, if they are legal, make sure that you are properly licensed to sell them.

Bingo Supplies

Bingo supplies, especially bingo paper, can be a little confusing. If you are unfamiliar with bingo, ordering the proper bingo books can be difficult. We recommend you read How to Order Bingo Paper for a quick overview, or check out WholesaleBingo Supplies-Bingo Cards/Paper for some idea what cuts and sizes bingo paper can come in.

Make sure you order your bingo supplies in advance to give yourself some time. You'll likely need the following, bingo books, additional bingo sheets for jackpot games, bingo daubers (markers for the players), and raffle tickets and pulltabs (if legal in your area).

If you plan on hosting bingos on a regular basis, you might even consider purchasing an advanced bingo console and bingo equipment. But, this can get pricey. For an annual bingo, it's best to find bingo equipment you can borrow. Also, you can get by purchasing a low-cost, quality, bingo cage.

Next: Part 5 of 5, Bingo Concessions & More.