Over the past several weeks Mr. Allard met with some 400 NPO managers in various regions (Quebec City Chaudiere&8209;AppalachesMauricie Centre&8209;du&8209;Quebec Montreal Monteregie Laval Lanaudiere Outaouais and Saguenay&8209;Lac&8209;St&8209;Jean). Although they pursuea variety of missions all the NPOs serve their communities by carrying out worthwhile projects including support for frailseniors upcoming athletes informal caregivers environmental groups or art troupes.
The objectives of the NPO tour were to better communicate the SBQs mission and explore solutions to the challenges currentlyfaced by the bingo industry. In Quebec as is the case throughout Canada the industry is in crisis. A stagnant client baseand the application of the Tobacco Act are factors that greatly contributed to the decline. The number of participating SBQnetwork bingo halls has shrunk by over 60% since 1997 while SBQ sales have dropped by about 20%.
Despite the Corporations efforts to maintain customer interest in network bingo products and consequently in regular bingoproducts about twenty halls have closed their doors since 2008 therefore jeopardizing the financial health of the NPOs thatdepend on them. The number of orphaned NPOs has never been higher worries François&8209;Patrick Allard.
NPO representatives were invited to discuss the problems they are facing. Their conclusions are as follows
The core Bingo clientele is getting older.
Overall attendance on a constant decline (4% per year).
The number of halls offering network bingo has dropped dramatically with only 70 left in Quebec.
The number of orphaned NPOs has reached about 130.
The dialogue with NPOs has also resulted in a consensus that the SBQ should find a practical solution to the issue at handand take on the leadership role in its implementation. The General Manager showed openness and expressed clear willingnessto help orphaned NPOs. The SBQ intends to find a way to reverse declining bingo revenues and maintain its historic yearly$10 million contribution to NPOs.
About the Societe des casinos du Quebec inc.
The Societe des bingos du Quebec has been marketing network bingo products since 1997. Reaching over $10 million annuallythe profits generated by network bingo sales are redistributed to over 600 participating NPOs to help carry out their charitableworks. Since the beginning of its commercial operations the SBQ has paid out over $120 million to NPOs.