Genie Bingo to Host UK’s Biggest Charity Game for Haitian Relief
GenieBingo.com is inviting people across the UK to take part in the nation’s biggest charity online bingo game on February 12th, in support of Haitian Earthquake Relief. Inspired by the incredible outpouring of support and creativity by individuals and businesses around the world, Genie Bingo will join in the effort by hosting Bingo for Haiti, an International Charity Bingo Game day.
Beginning at 12am, and continuing until midnight the following evening, 100% of the day’s proceeds will go straight to the Red Cross’s Haitian Relief campaign. To further incentivize players to join, each new player will be given 20 free cards to get them started in the days gaming activity.
“Traditional bingo, played in churches and bingo halls, has roots firmly in charity and giving”, says Charles Sullivan, Genie Bingo’s Director of communications, “It’s about a community of players coming together not only for a chance to win the big prize, but to help out an important cause too.”
This spirit of community charity has largely been lost in the modern bingo world as large private operators have come to dominate the industry, while the anonymity of online bingo has largely shifted players’ focus more towards the biggest prizes and payouts. “Online bingo allows us to extend the reach of giving beyond just our local community or parish, which is obviously needed now more than ever”, adds Sullivan.
Prizes for the day will be bigger than ever, with dozens of jackpot games played ever hour. “The charitable donations will come entirely from Genie’s proceeds, so the prize payouts won’t be reduced at all,” adds Sullivan, “In fact, by getting new players to come join the game, they’ll not only help contribute charitable fund, but to the total prize money for players too.”
Charity and donation work so well in bingo because like poker, it is what’s commonly referred to as a “rake game”, meaning the number of players determines the total prize money in the pot. The more players, the bigger the prizes. Traditionally, whatever is left over after a jackpot is paid then goes to the game’s operator, but in the case of Bingo for Haiti, will be donated directly to the Red Cross Haitian Relief Program.
Bingo for Haiti kicks off at 12am on Friday, February 12th, 2010 and runs all day long, the first in a year long series of Genie Bingo International Charity Game days.
Genie Bingo was established in 2006 and is licensed and regulated in Gibraltar. In addition to traditional 75 and 90-ball bingo, the site offers a mix of innovative table, casino, slot and scratch card games, and a deep resource of community-oriented bingo information including regular blogs from its resident personalities and experts, and an informational archive of relevant bingo information.
