HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-05-141 - Request to Change the Prizeboard of Media Bingo - Kitchener Pioneer Lions Club
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Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Chair and Members of the Finance
and Corporate Services Committee
September 26, 2005
R. Gosse, Director of Legislated ServiceslDeputy City Clerk
Patricia Harris, Interim Manager of Licensing
September 15, 2005
CRPS-05-141
KITCHENER PIONEER LIONS CLUB - REQUEST TO
CHANGE THE PRIZE BOARD OF MEDIA BINGO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the request of the Kitchener Pioneer Lions Club to increase the prize board of their media
bingo from $3,000.00 per week with a maximum of six $5,500.00 prize boards per calendar
year, to $5,500.00 weekly be denied.
BACKGROUND:
The Pioneer Lions Club in conjunction with the Guelph Lions Club has been selling media bingo
cards in the City of Kitchener and other area municipalities since 1998. Since 1998 to the
present, Council has permitted the Lions Club to sell media bingo cards in the City provided the
prize board was restricted to $3,000.00 per week with a maximum of six $5,500.00 prize boards
per calendar year. This was approved to maintain a fair playing field for all types of bingo
events being operated in the City.
REPORT:
Attached is a letter from Boris Sniatenchuk, Treasurer of the Kitchener Pioneer Lions Club Inc.
requesting Council to remove the previous restrictions allowing for a weekly prize board of
$3,000 and permitting 6 special Bingo events annually with a prize board of $5,500.00. They
are requesting a weekly prize board of $5,500.00, which is permitted in Provincial Lottery
regulations.
Currently, City Policy 1-580 restricts the bingo halls in the City of Kitchener to a $3,000 prize
board per event with the opportunity to have six $5,500.00 prize boards in a calendar year. This
allows all charitable and non-profit organizations holding bingo events to be on a level playing
field when raising funds for their respective charities.
Although both Bingo Associations have the opportunity to hold six $5,500.00 bingo events in a
calendar year, they have not done so as the Bingo Associations have found that it is not
financially viable based on the present bingo market.
Both Bingo Hall Associations have been contacted with respect to this request and their
comments are attached. Kitchener Charities Bingo Association and the Concourse Bingo
Association are concerned that by allowing the Lions Club to increase their prize board while the
bingo halls are still required to maintain the current policy will hurt some of the organizations in
their attempt to raise funds for their worthy causes. Both Associations are working very hard
just to maintain the current level of income for their charities.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Both Bingo Hall Associations have been notified of this request.
(MRS) PATRICIA HARRIS
INTERIM MANAGER OF LICENSING