At Bingo Fridhemsplan at St. Eriksgatan is the mood on top ahead of today’s bingodragning. It slaskiga snövädret is in contrast to the jovialiska atmosphere that reigns inside the bingo halls.
– There are so many people, in particular elderly people, who are sitting at home alone and sad. Then you might as well come here instead, ” says Britt Högdahl.
been a part of Britt’s life; the first time she played was in 1965, in a local in Bredäng.
” I usually come here a couple of times a week. My children think it is great that I go here. It means a lot to me, and for many others.
The new spellagen came into force at the end of the year, and with it followed a gaming tax of 18 percent. To cover spelskatten takes Games a larger share of Vegasmaskinernas profit, which often is an important source of revenue for the bingo halls.
Olav Klemets is the manager of Bingo Fridhemsplan. Photo: Erik Ardelius
Olav Klemets is the manager of Bingo Fridhemsplan. He sighs when he thinks of how the future of many of the country’s bingo halls.
” There ought to survive here. But it is mainly the small halls in small towns who are learning hit hard by this, ” he says.
today, the 62 pieces of the bingo halls, all of which have beneficiaries in the different associations. Bingo Fridhemsplan has some 200 associations in the Stockholm area who share their surplus.
“What especially bothers me with the new tax is that they take money from all the youth activities that are largely dependent on the money that we generate in the bingo halls,” he says.
Last year gave the country’s bingo halls around sek 60 million to the various parts of the bodies, mainly to sport and youth associations.
– It remains to see how it goes, but I’m worried about how it’ll go for many of the compounds that play an extremely important role in society, ” says Olav Klemets.
Britt Högdahl. Photo: Erik Ardelius
it snöblötta the floor with light steps, before leading us into the big bingo halls located up a flight of stairs. Below stands the visitors in the rökkiosker and take a break. This day is around the 40 pieces on the spot. And just when we arrive have a winner utkorats.
– It does not happen too often, but you will be equally pleased every time, ” says 77-year-old Gun-Britt Arell.
Even for Gun-Britt has bingo halls have come to symbolize something greater: a meeting place.
– It is so nice to get out and see people. Through the years I have learned to know many new friends here, ” she says.
in bingobranschen is Olav Klemets sure what he values most.
– the Mix of people. It’s amazing to get to meet so many different characters. People of many different ages tend to come here. During my time here we have had everything from the homeless to the directors of the visitors.
a number of gaming companies in violation of the law – e-mails and calling off player
the 16 companies receiving first spellicenserna