Charitable Gambling Down in Broken Economy

People who are short on cash are also scaling back on fun -- and that means a drop in charitable gambling. For some, bingo night is a weekly ritual. But in these tough times, the tradition may have become too much of a luxury. So what kind of effect does this have on your community?

For years, nonprofit organizations like church groups, youth groups and even services like fire departments have received charity dollars from local bingo halls and lottery games like pull tabs.

Those organizations are also hit hard by the nation's economic crisis.

A year ago, bingo at the Bloomington Knights of Columbus would keep Terri Rudolph coming back three times a week. Now, it's only once a week.

She's not the only one staying home on bingo night. The players that do come, spend less. And even at 25 cents a pop, these pull tabs are a splurge.

"You can put out $10, $20 dollars in pull tabs, and not get any return back," says Terri.

It seems most of the crowd has better things to do with their money -- meaning less of it goes to help others.

"We used to do about $30,000 to $40,000 dollars a year in charitable donations. Mainly to religious groups, local children's sports groups, both Kennedy, Jefferson, Richfield High Schools. But those have been drastically cut back over the last few years," says Scott Marette, the gambling manager.

Now, most of the money raised goes towards the bingo prizes, the rest barely covers the building's operating costs.

With most nonprofits depending on charitable gambling, shrinking numbers could eventually mean cuts in your community.

The Knights of Columbus have tried all kinds of gimmicks to bring back customers -- coupons, specials -- and they're struggling to cut costs.

"We have gone from an entirely paid staff to an entirely volunteer staff," says Marette.

The Knights of Columbus say the smoking ban drove a lot of bingo players away, and that old age has kept regulars at home.