Some big changes are coming to Thunder Bay Community Bingo.
The bingo hall operator has worked out a deal with Ontario Lottery and Gaming to create a new, electronic gaming centre.
The bingo hall is currently located on the CLE grounds. It raised over $1 million for its 69 member charities last year. But a steady decline in players is threatening the operation.
The hall's manager will appear before city council on Monday night, seeking support for a new, long-term agreement with OLG. The changes would see the traditional paper games complemented by electronic games. The proposal is part of an effort to renew interest and attract new players.
The plan would not involve slot machines, and OLG would manage the electronic games.
Charity volunteers would no longer handle money at the hall, and charities will only need two volunteers at each event, rather than six to eight.
The profits would be split four ways, 25 per cent for the charities, 25 per cent for OLG, 47 per cent for the hall operator and three per cent for the city coffers.
If approved, the new-look bingo hall would open its doors in March 2014, and renovations need to get underway soon.
Sources say the gaming centre will be located in the former Coyotes nightclub on Memorial Avenue, next to the Super 8 Motel.
