Under the O, it's Over: Bingo chased out of Cape Breton town after 40 years

Bingo's number is up in a Cape Breton town.

After 40 years of jackpots and spinning balls at the New Waterford and District Community Centre, the Friday night tradition has been cancelled.

"You can't be steadily losing money," said David Wilton, chair of the centre's board of directors.

"Over the last number of weeks, we've lost $1,000here, $1,500there.And now this last week,we lost money in the tune of $3,000."

Wilton said people's gambling money is going to Chase the Ace games in Cape Breton and many die-hard bingo players belongto a different generation.

"It's harder for seniors to get out and play bingo like they once did and the younger people are not attune to bingo," he said.

"It's just not working for us anymore."

Resident Florence Jurcina said her family and friends will miss the weekly game.

"It is a great loss to the community," she said."I wish we could keep it together."

Wilton said the board has started up its own Chase the Ace game, which has a jackpot of $10,000.

"Now we will have to spend more energy on Chase the Ace to see what we can do there, and if that's not the case, then we will look at other avenues to raise money for the rink."

The board intends to approach the mayor of CBRM to discuss a sustainability grant.

They are also considering asking the provincial government for financial help.