Ontario's Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization, launched a decade ago in Barrie, has now raised over $100 million for local charities across the province, as a result of the revitalization of charitable bingo and gaming.
Boardwalk Gaming Centre in Barrie hosted the official celebration for the $100 million milestone, as this location served as part of a pilot project for the province-wide revitalization initiative.
"OLG is proud to have raised more than $100 million with Ontario charities through the Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization initiative," said Greg McKenzie, OLG's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
"OLG's contributions help create stronger communities by supporting charities like local children's groups, food banks and the arts in addition to support for healthcare and community services across the province."
In the past 10 years, OLG has been working with the CGAO and the OCGA to revitalize the province's Charitable Bingo and Gaming industry. By developing and introducing new products and technologies that have invigorated the traditional charitable gaming experience, more money has been generated for thousands of local charities across the province.
The pilot project tested electronic versions of existing paper-based bingo games with six charity bingo centres in five communities in Ontario
New charitable games offer customers more choice and complements existing paper bingo games:
- Electronic Bingo: Charitable Gaming Centres offer terminals with touch screens that allow players to touch the screen to dab the numbers and play along.
- Play On Demand (POD): A collection of electronic games that can be played anytime, with great prizes to be won.
- Tap Tix: The evolution of the classic Break Open Ticket features an interactive display screen on a ticket dispenser.
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman spoke about the positive impact the contributions have had on the city.
"The numbers are mind boggling," he said. "So many organizations have benefitted with so many little projects and little moments that wouldn't have been possible withouth this money."
There was a symbolic $100 million cheque to show how much money has been raised since the pilot project began in Barrie in 2005.
It all began in Barrie at the Boardwalk and now there are 31 gaming sites across Ontario.
With over $100 million raised, it is estimated that 1,800 charities and not-for-profit organizations have received money.
In Barrie, the list includes Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Aids Committee of Simcoe County, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Seasons Centre, soccer groups, Talk is Free Theatre, Simcoe Community Services, the Ontario SPCA and Barrie North Collegiate.
A full list of charities and links to their websites is avaialable at http://boardwalkgaming.com/barrie/charities.
Many volunteers from various charities joined the celebration, enjoying a free lunch and a bingo game with a $1,000 jackpot.
"It's amazing how many charities are affected," said Kim Gibson, a local volunteer.
"I think the patrons have a lot of fun here, and it is a great feeling to know that your money is helping others who really need assistance."
