Players at Booster Bingo in Leander are not only likely having fun with friends and family, but they are also supporting a good cause, said Laurie Frederick, owner and general manager of the bingo hall.

Frederick said she was looking for a way to raise money for charities when she started the business a year and a half ago because her passion has always been to help nonprofit and charity organizations.

“Bingo is a fun way to do that,” Frederick said. “One-time bingo events are fairly successful, but the real success as far as raising money for charities ongoing is a bingo hall.”

Frederick said that 100 percent of the hall’s net proceeds, after the business’ expenses are paid, are divided among the charities. Charities currently supported by Booster Bingo are the Rouse High School Band Boosters, the Salado Volunteer Fire Department and the Leander Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. In return, the supported organizations help to promote the bingo hall, Frederick said.

Booster Bingo allows children age 5 and older to play along with their parents, she said.

“It is a good way for a family to get out together and do something fun,” she said. “It’s usually less expensive than a movie and a little bit more fun, especially if you win some money.”

The hall is open five days a week and offers two bingo sessions each day. Players can choose to play on paper, on computers or both.

“Everything is automated on the computer,” she said. “It’s very easy. You just sit there and watch it. It daubs the numbers for you and everything. The only thing the computer doesn’t do for you is yell ‘bingo,’” Frederick said.  

Many players play on paper and computer at the same time, and some even share their prizes, such as Glenda Atkinson from Leander and Paulene Mitchell from Cedar Park. The women became friends through bingo and play together almost every night at Booster Bingo, they said.

“If she wins, I win. If I win, she wins,” Atkinson said. “We split every win. We recently went on a cruise, and we paid for the whole cruise with bingo money.”

Patricia Ortegon said she and her husband, Fernando, play at Booster Bingo several times a week.

Patricia said their teenage children often join them, and said she likes that the family helps support a good cause by playing there.

“Our kids go to Rouse High School and Booster Bingo has charity deals for them, so we come here to support that,” Ortegon said. “It is …  really family- friendly, and it is our community.”

Booster Bingo 11840 Old W. FM 2243, Ste. 204, Leander 512-515-1612 www.boosterbingo.com www.facebook.com/boosterbingoleander Hours: Mon.-Tue., Fri.-Sat. hall opens at 5:30 p.m., bingo starts at 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Sun. hall opens at 2 p.m., bingo starts at 3:45 p.m. and 6 p.m.; closed Wed.-Thu.