wiegie Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 A bingo Web site has named Grand Rapids the "Bingo Capital of the USA,"... GRAND RAPIDS -- B-4 there was bingo, this was the Furniture City. But, no longer. Yes, it's true, Grand Rapids has been identified as the Bingo Capital of the USA. That comes as a surprise to a woman who calls herself the "Bingo Queen," Sandra Edwards, a 49-year-old laid-off factory worker who plays as many as 12 times a week, several hours at a time, at bingo halls across the area. Monday, Edwards brought in $300, Wednesday $282. Her biggest win ever was $4,800. On Thursday, the Bingo Queen was keeping track of 28 bingo cards at the Disabled American Veterans William Alden Smith hall on Eastern Avenue SE. "This week, I'm already a winner," she said, squinting through cigarette smoke as bingo balls popped up on TV screens on the wall and a monotone caller in the corner announced the next number. The Web site BingoLingo.com says its "study" found Grand Rapids has more bingo games, players and halls per capita than any other metro area in the United States -- due, in part, to the "large population of Roman Catholics." The game is played at places such as Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on the West Side. BingoLingo used its Web site to spread the news, which was picked up by other bingo Web sites, such as bingo-reviewer.com. Never mind the study was unscientific: It involved Google searches of bingo games in every city with a population of more than 100,000. "Another guy did the math," said BingoLingo consultant Anthony Wayne, who could not provide specific numbers. Not everybody in Grand Rapids' bingo circles is buying the results. "Oh, heavens no," Grand Rapids Bingo Supply Co. owner Greg Ferguson said. "They haven't traveled much." Bingo is much more popular in Florida, on the east side of Michigan and in Denver, where Ferguson's father once owned a bingo hall, he said. In fact, bingo is fading, he said. On any Friday night a decade ago, bingo players could choose from 10 places to play around Grand Rapids. Now, there are maybe six, he said. "Bingo is dying," said Sheila Stander, manager of Westgate Bowl. Twenty years ago, bingo was played seven days a week at Westgate Bowl, 4486 Alpine Ave. NW. Now, 80 to 100 people, mostly regulars, play just Saturday and Sunday nights, Stander said. Some blame casinos for the decline; others blame the economy. Back at the Disabled American Veterans hall, about 80 players are scattered around long tables. They play regular bingo, a game called horse-race and another called bingo balls. Many are in the bingo pose -- left hand holding a dwindling cigarette near the mouth, right hand holding a colored chip, eyes aimed at a TV screen. Ash trays and Cokes are within reach. "Sorry, I can't make eye contact," said Tikia Donaldson, 27, whose pose did not include a cigarette. The part-time University of Phoenix student was among the youngest at the hall, sitting across from her mother, who introduced her to bingo. "I thought this was a granny sport," Donaldson said. Moments earlier, the caller announced N-38. "Bingo," Donaldson yelled. She won $200. "This week's been pretty good," she said. "I've won about $800 this week. Yep, I make more money than if I was working." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Must be the capital of old people as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Must be the capital of nerdy professors as well Wurd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I'll be in the area this weekend for a hockey tourney maybe I'll check me out some bingo while I'm there? Then again, maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misunderstood Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Once attended a Bingo Marathon . Played bingo for 16 straight hours walked out of the hall and all i can see was red spots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egret Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Sadly, this makes Grand Rapids sound more exciting than Lansing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Yep, Catholics are now killing Bingo instead of Jews and Protestants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swashbucklers Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 As a major player in the bingo game, I can say that West Michigan is a veritable hotbed for prospective bingo prodigies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Here ya go wiegie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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