Skip to content

Chances Casino Kelowna has dabbed its last bingo card

Chances Casino Kelowna cancels bingo permanently
30090112_web1_200228-KCN-casino-council-chances_1
Chances casino in Kelowna. (File photo)

Chances Casino Kelowna has shut down bingo for good - and some customers are not happy.

Owner Stan Walt made the announcement on the casino’s website on Aug. 15, citing declining attendance numbers and living under a pandemic for over two years as reasons for the permanent discontinuation of bingo operations.

“This decision has not been made lightly,” said Walt. “…We’ve had some incredible bingo events over the past 35 years. Seeing bingo unable to re-open is very difficult and I know many people will be very upset not to see it return to Chances Casino Kelowna. The past two years have seen many casualties in the business world and bingo at Chances is now one of them.”

Casinos across B.C. were shut down in March of 2020 due to COVID-19, a forced government closure that lasted 16 months. Walt said that despite Chances surviving the closure, it has “re-emerged looking different than when it was closed.”

Players took to Facebook, where the announcement was also posted, to give their two cents, with some vowing to take their business elsewhere.

“Guess that would of (sic) taken away space for the soulless slot machine revenue,” said one comment. “Had some great times thank you but won’t be back either.”

“Very disappointed with this considering Kamloops and Salmon Arm still have bingo at their facilities,” reads another.

Others were more nostalgic and reminiscent.

“I will forever cherish my bingo days at Chances.”

READ MORE: 31 million reasons to celebrate: West Kelowna resident wins big

READ MORE: Okanagan Sun find end zone seven times in first half


@JakeC_16
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.



Jake Courtepatte

About the Author: Jake Courtepatte

Editor of Kelowna Capital News & West K News since February 2022. I have spent the majority of my career working in the Toronto area as both a sports reporter and a general reporter.
Read more