The ultimate game of chance: Bingo makes big comeback to Potawatomi

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Bingo made a successful comeback at Potawatomi Casino this week.

The bingo hall reopened on Monday for the first time in two years, with games throughout the week.

Bingo director, Frank Fischer, said each session has averaged about 400 players.

Friday's matinee was one of the largest, with nearly 600 players.

"They missed the comradery of the actual bingo session. We're more social than actual gaming, so a lot of friends are being seen for the first time in probably two years," Fischer said.

Lines were long Friday afternoon, with hundreds of people hoping to have their turn at the ultimate game of chance.

Bingo was one of the founding games at Potawatomi, serving crowds of more than a thousand in the past.

Now, the Legacy Ballroom's capacity is 640 players. Fischer told CBS 58 they hope to expand throughout the year.

A big welcome back to bingo is set for New Year's Eve: The Bingo Bash starts at noon on Saturday and it is sold out.

Regular daily sessions start up on Jan. 4.

After Saturday's Bingo Bash, the hotel and casino are open for a New Year's Eve party.

The theme is "One Night in Paris".

The casino is expecting 20,000 people to stop by throughout the night.

"We're going to have a ton of entertainment on the floor. Food and drink will be readily available for folks, we'll have a champagne toast at midnight, and a big countdown clock to ring in the new year," said Ryan Amundson, Potawatomi's PR manager.

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