Bingo back big in Troy

Atrium Bingo recently opened its doors -- in a space once occupied by Off Track Betting -- on the second floor of the Troy Atrium on Broadway.

The effort is a collaborative effort by eight Catholic churches and schools: LaSalle Institute, Catholic Central High School, St. Peter's, St. Augustine's, Our Lady of Victory, St. Jude's, St. Patrick's and Sacred Heart.

Smoked out

In 1994, laws were enacted that banned smoking in school buildings and on school grounds, the very places Catholic schools and parishes often hosted their profitable Bingos.

The schools in Rensselaer County originally received waivers from the county Board of Health that allowed the games to continue. In 1997, however, complaints to the County Legislature led to a withdrawal of the waivers. Schools were forced to relocate their Bingo operation, offer smoke-free Bingo, or cease the games altogether.

Losses

Sister Carolyn Schanz, CSJ, president of Catholic Central High, said losing the waiver brought about some stressful times for her school. "We used to make $45,000 a year with Bingo," she noted. "There were very serious concerns about making ends meet."

To compensate for the loss of revenue, the school increased tuition and added other fundraisers to the school calendar. Sister Carolyn hopes Atrium Bingo will help the school see an increase in revenue.

"We've heard of groups making $100,000 a year at the Bingo Palace in Schenectady," she said.

Major operation

"It wouldn't be your favorite way to raise money," said Sister Carolyn.

Elizabeth Allard, principal of St. Augustine's School, doesn't mind the commitment. "I'm somebody who likes Bingo," she said. "It brought my mother joy."

Her school gave up the game totally after the waiver was revoked and lost $10,000 a year. That led to budget cuts and additional fundraisers.

Raising funds

Unlike the other schools participating in Atrium Bingo, this is OLV's first attempt at the game. Mrs. Snyder said the school chose to participate because of the financial opportunity it provides. Their research showed that they can expect to make $1,000 a week, after expenses.

Bingo and the other fundraisers help "offset the cost of a quality Catholic education," Mrs. Snyder said.

Needed revenue

Sister Carolyn also pointed out that public schools are doing more and more fundraising. However, she believes a voucher system that allows parents to choose the school of their choice would lessen, if not eliminate, the need for fundraisers.

Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of schools for the Albany Diocese, would like "to see a day without Bingo," calling the ban on smoking a "blessing in disguise" that resulted in the elimination of Bingo at some schools. However, the ban did present problems because "it came so quickly that schools didn't have time to plan."

Alternatives

But even with new financial planning efforts, the superintendent said, fundraisers might be here to stay.

"Fundraising has always been a part of Catholic education," she said. "It's getting to a point if we want to do any enhancements of our curriculum or extra-curricular activities, fundraisers are necessary."

Other benefits

But Bingo also presents challenges to the Church, which has concerns with gambling's negative effects.

According to the New York State Catholic Conference, "Games of chance or wagers are not in themselves contrary to social justice. However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church also recognizes that the passion for gambling can become an enslavement and that gambling becomes morally unacceptable when it deprives someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others."

Sister Jane noted that while Bingo is gambling, it is a bit different in that "it attracts a different type of person than casino gambling."

(06-15-00) [[In-content Ad]]