Many RMEF chapters recently started hosting Bingo nights as a secondary event to their big game banquet. Below, we take a closer look at this new event type.

Looking for a high energy event that is easy to manage and great for engaging your community? RMEF’s new Bingo night format is proving to be a big hit and is a perfect secondary fundraiser for established chapters or a great introductory event in new communities.

These weekday events are fast-paced, simple to organize and deliver strong results without the scale or complexity of a full banquet. Best of all, they are fun for guests and flexible for chapters.

Event Format & Structure

Bingo nights follow a familiar banquet style setup with tables, food, raffles and games but with a tighter schedule and a bingo-focused fundraising model.

Suggested Ticket Options

  • Reserved table for eight – $240
  • Reserved table for six (discounted) – $200
  • Couple ticket – $60
  • Single ticket – $30

Pricing is based on approximately 100 guests and includes $15 budgeted per person for food (like a taco bar) and a $1,250 venue rental. If your event uses a free venue or takes place at a brewery with food for purchase, you can reduce ticket prices and shift food to a cash purchase model or boost pricing for larger prizes or premium offerings.

Fundraising Elements

Bingo Nights incorporate multiple revenue opportunities beyond just ticket sales:

General Raffle Drawings

  • Aim for 10–15 items with a total goal of $5,000–$10,000
  • Budget around $2,500–$3,500 for prize costs

Silent Auction

  • Recommend 15–20 fully donated items to maximize proceeds

 

Specialty Raffles

  • Consider a progressive drawing (e.g., bow or rifle)
  • Set up a card raffle station for added excitement
  • Optional additions are 50/50 raffles, sports boards and themed baskets

Bingo Card Packages

Guests purchase cards to play in 10 regular games plus one bonus round. Here is a suggested structure:

Package                                Description                                          Price

Single card                          one per game (10 total)             $50

Three cards/game       30 total cards                                     $100

Six cards/game              60 total cards                                     $160

Nine cards/game          90 total cards                                     $220

All-in pack                           Nine Cards + four Bonus + Extras      $280

Note: Be aware of your state’s laws because some states do not allow bingo cards to be sold online.

Your card pricing should align with your prize structure. High-value prizes justify premium packages, while modest prizes support more accessible pricing. Tailor your strategy based on the audience and fundraising goals.

Sample Event Schedule

Time                        Activity

5 PM                        Doors open: check-in, food and bar, bingo card sales, auction opens

5 PM                        Welcome, emcee introduction, rules overview

6 PM                        Bingo begins (10 rounds played)

8 PM                        Bonus round

8 PM                        Closing announcements: raffle winners, thank-you for attending

Use a digital bingo caller with a screen to keep the pace moving. Standard five-in-a-row rules apply unless you announce custom patterns.

In the case of multiple winners, use a card draw tiebreaker:

  • Each player draws a playing card
  • Highest card wins the prize
  • Redraw in case of ties

Setup Tips & Roles

  • Prepare stations for:
    • Guest check-in
    • Bingo card sales
    • Raffle entry and prize display
    • Food/bar service
    • Emcee podium and mic
    • Silent auction and card cut stations

Assign staff for:

  • Door check-in
  • Game table support
  • Finance and raffle sales
  • Emcee duties

Best Practices for a Successful Night

  • Choose a confident, fun emcee to keep energy high
  • Follow the schedule but stay flexible during high-energy moments
  • Keep guests engaged during breaks with shoutouts, raffle updates and auction reminders
  • Thank sponsors, donors and volunteers throughout the evening
  • Announce fundraising milestones live to build excitement

Event Program Suggestions

  • Create a simple, visually engaging four to six-page program:
  • Display bingo patterns and rules
  • List game prizes
  • Include auction item previews
  • Add a final page with upcoming RMEF events

Summary

Bingo Night is a high-energy, low-lift event format that helps chapters raise critical funds for elk country. It is fast, fun and effective, whether you are bringing your community together between banquets or building a brand-new base in a new area.