Michael Brooks
Bingo has long been associated with Catholicism, with the game taking over Catholic parish halls across the United States during the Great Depression. Despite this, the stereotype of bingo-playing Catholics is reportedly overblown, with many parishes not holding bingo nights. For those that do, bingo nights are often held on Fridays, with doors opening around 6:30 pm and games starting at 7:30 pm or 8 pm. These events are typically fundraisers, with prizes, food, and drinks on offer, and volunteers working the floor and in the concession areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Day of the week | Friday, Saturday |
| Time | 7:30 pm, 8 pm |
| Tickets | $4 early bird, $5–$22 regular, $5 specials, $16–$26 packages |
| Age limit | Over 18s only |
| Food | Burgers, chips, hot dogs, nachos, BBQ beef sandwiches, cheesecake, popcorn |
| Prizes | $1,000–$1,199 coverall, $2,000 bonus coverall jackpot, $500 Marker Madness bonus |
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What You'll Learn
Bingo's association with Catholicism
Bingo is strongly associated with Catholicism in the public imagination. The game is thought to have originated in the US during the Great Depression, with Americans organizing 10,000 Bingo games per week by 1934. However, the stereotype of bingo-playing Catholics is considered to be overblown, with the majority of parishes not holding bingo nights.
Despite its popularity, Bingo has faced criticism from some Catholics who view it as a game of chance that does not belong in a house of God. New York's mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia, was among those opposed to the game, fearing that it would attract criminals. LaGuardia imposed a temporary Bingo ban in 1938, but the game persisted, and it even spread to synagogues and other Christian churches, which often held weekly Bingo games to supplement their collections.
Bingo has also been criticized as a problematic fundraising mechanism for Catholic parishes, with some arguing that it preys on elderly people and harms the reputation of the Church. A 2004 study found that the typical church Bingo player was a low-income elderly woman who spent a significant amount of money on the game. This raises questions about the ethics of parishes relying on such individuals for funding.
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Rules and prizes
Bingo is a game of chance that is closely associated with Catholicism. It is said to have originated in the US during the Great Depression, with Americans organising 10,000 Bingo games per week by 1934. However, the stereotype of bingo-playing Catholics is considered overblown, as most parishes do not hold bingo nights.
The rules of Bingo are simple. It is a game of chance in which players match 24 numbers printed on 5x5 matrix cards. Each card has a FREE square in the middle, which is considered automatically filled. The five columns of numbers on the card are labelled B, I, N, G and O, facilitating the identification of the called-out numbers. The numbers are randomly selected from one to 75.
A winning bingo pattern requires the last number called to be part of the winning combination. A bingo game is closed at the caller's discretion, and once a new game begins, the previous game is officially closed. The next number to be called is transmitted on monitors throughout the hall as a courtesy, but it is only valid once verbally called by the caller.
Prizes vary depending on the parish and the specific game being played. Prizes can include:
- Regular payouts of $100 or more
- Coverall prizes ranging from $1,000 to $1,199
- Bonus jackpots of up to $2,000
- Additional prizes of up to $500 for specific game packages
- Smaller prizes for 25¢, 50¢, and $1 break-open tickets
Some parishes offer early bird specials and discounts for purchasing multiple game packages. For example, at Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish, a 1-Pkg. 9 ON costs $16, while a 6-Pkg. 9 ON costs $26.
In the case of multiple winners, winnings are divided equally. Winnings exceeding $600 on instant tickets or $1,200 on bingo games are subject to taxes by Ohio law, and winners must fill out a tax form and provide valid government-approved ID before receiving payment.
Bingo volunteers must be at least 18 years old and fill out a state form for approval. At Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish, no one under the age of 18 is permitted in the bingo hall after 4:00 PM, except for staff members.
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Food and drink
While bingo is closely associated with Catholicism in the public imagination, the game's origins are more interfaith and ecumenical. Bingo took over Catholic parish halls in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. It was seen as a fun way to bring people together and raise funds for parishes.
Today, many Catholic churches continue to host bingo nights as a form of community-building and fundraising. These events often include food and drink concessions, with a variety of options available for purchase.
At All Saints Catholic Church, the doors open at 6:30 pm, and players can purchase their bingo materials and 50/50 Split the Pot Tickets. They can also take part in free gift card raffles. Adjacent to the kitchen is a bar that sells beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water. The kitchen also offers an exceptional Italian meal selection.
Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish also offers food and game specials on bingo nights. On certain Fridays, they offer promotions like a free burger, chips, and a frozen treat or $1 fries and $2 onion rings. They also have pre-game food specials like $19 for a small combo of one 9-on and one small early bird, or $28 for a large combo of three 9-ons, three large early birds, a bonus jackpot, a large lightning (3-on), an extra coverall, and an angel.
Some Catholic churches, like Epiphany Catholic, have concession areas open from 7 pm till the end of the evening, offering hot dogs, nachos, barbeque beef sandwiches, cheesecake, and popcorn. They also sell daubers for $1 each, which are needed to mark the cards during play.
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Tickets and costs
While bingo is closely associated with Catholicism, the game is not exclusively played by Catholics, and it is not played in all Catholic churches. Bingo is, however, a significant fundraising tool for many Catholic churches and organisations.
Bingo tickets can be purchased online or at the parish office. The cost of playing bingo varies depending on the venue and event, ranging from a few dollars to over a hundred dollars. Church bingo games are often designed as fundraisers and have lower entry costs, typically between $5 and $10 for several games. Churches may cap the maximum cost for tickets and entry at a low price, such as $8, to encourage participation and community involvement.
At Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish, for example, the cost of a 9 ON package ranges from $16 for one package to $26 for six packages. Early bird specials are also offered, with prices as low as $1. Extra 9-ons are $2 each, and there are various combo deals that can be purchased in person only, such as the small combo for $19, which includes one 9-on, one small early bird, a small lightning (1-on), and an angel.
Players may also need to purchase bingo markers, which typically cost between $2 and $5. Food and drinks are often available at bingo halls, so bringing extra cash for concessions is recommended.
It is important to note that any winnings exceeding certain amounts, such as $600 on an instant ticket or $1,200 on a bingo game, may be subject to taxes by state law. Winners may be required to fill out a tax form and provide a valid government-issued ID before receiving their payout.
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Volunteers
While the stereotype of bingo-playing Catholics is overblown, with most parishes not holding bingo nights, the game has a long history with the Catholic Church in the United States. Bingo became popular in the U.S. during the Great Depression, with Americans organizing 10,000 Bingo games per week by 1934.
The association with Catholicism arose when a Catholic priest from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, saw the game as a way to finance his parish school. He bought several sets of the game and invited his parishioners to play, but as each set had multiple copies of the same cards, he had to give out many prizes. The game's manufacturer, Lowe, saw the potential for Bingo to be used as a fundraiser and created unique, non-repeating numbered cards with the help of mathematician Carl Leffler.
Today, Catholic churches like the All Saints Catholic Church and Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish continue to hold bingo nights as fundraising events. Volunteers are an integral part of these events, with All Saints noting that most of their volunteers are members of the All Saints, Knights of Columbus (KofC). Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and pass background checks, as required by the State of Georgia. They work every fourth week and are asked to arrive between 6:45 and 7:30 pm, with bingo games typically ending by 10 pm. Volunteers can also help with cleanup after the games, including wiping tables, sweeping, and putting away tables and chairs. Working in the concession area is another volunteer opportunity that does not require state approval and is open to children 12 years and older.
At Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish, volunteers are expected to provide courteous service to players and ensure they have a good experience. The parish reserves the right to ask any player to leave if they are disrupting the game or being discourteous to volunteers, and volunteers are not permitted to accept tips.
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Frequently asked questions
Bingo became popular with Catholics during the Great Depression in the 1930s. A Catholic priest from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, noticed the game and thought it could be a solution to his problem of financing the parish school. He approached the game's manufacturer, who saw the potential for Bingo to be used as a fundraiser.
Bingo is often used as a fundraising method for Catholic churches and parishes. It supplements their dues and collections, and profits are used for various areas of Parish life.
This varies depending on the location. Some Catholic parishes start early bird games at 7:30 PM and regular games at 8:00 PM. Others start early bird specials at 7:00 PM and regular games at 8:00 PM.
