Société des bingos du Québec (Network bingo)

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Mandate

In operation since December 2, 1997, the Société des bingos du Québec (SBQ) was mandated with the marketing of network bingo products in bingo halls in order to support non-profit organizations (NPOs) which rely on this popular pastime to help fund their charitable endeavours.
The four network bingo products marketed by the SBQ – Le Grand Tour, Le Petit Tour, Le Lièvre et la Tortue and Fiesta – are offered in participating halls where NPOs, licensed by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ), operate traditional bingo activities.
The playing of bingo by minors (persons under 18) is prohibited.

Number of Employees

The SBQ's more than thirty-five employees manage the network and ensure the integrity of the networked bingo draws.

Network Bingo – 100% of Earnings Go to NPOs

Loto-Québec receives no income from the bingo sector.

Since April 1, 2002, all annual net earnings stemming from network bingo activities have been distributed to more than 800 NPOs with a bingo licence as a means of further subsidizing their earnings.
Moreover, the commissions paid directly to NPOs represent 36.4% of network bingo sales, less the value of prizes paid out to winners.
Last but not least, 5.45% of Le Grand Tour sales, less the value of prizes paid out to winners is deposited into a special fund for redistribution to 299 NPOs that hold bingo events, without offering network bingo products.

On March 31, 2009, after 11 years of commercial operating, the SBQ has handed more than $110 million to NPOs, which amounts to approximately $10 million a year.

Hall Managers

Québec has about 300 bingo halls, of which 80 offer network bingo.
The SBQ does not own any of the bingo halls linked to its network. These halls are operated by NPOs or by private or community-held management organizations, each of which has obtained an operating license issued by the RACJ.

Games

Le Grand Tour: Takes place at 8:30 p.m. at participating halls. On average, 55 bingo halls are linked every night to participate in Le Grand Tour.
Le Petit Tour: Played at 2:30 p.m. at participating halls, with an average of 20 halls networked daily.
Le Lièvre et la Tortue: Played just before Le Grand Tour and Le Petit Tour, Le Lièvre et la Tortue is a short game with a 35 ball draw maximum.
Fiesta: Played Fridays and Saturdays at 11:15 p.m., Fiesta is a really dynamic game available at around 10 participating halls in Québec.

Société des bingos du Québec - Fact sheet
[PDF Format, 39 KB - Help, last update on May 22, 2009]

Last update: May 22, 2009

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