Badger Bingo Is Big Fun

When the Badger began its new life as a passenger ferry in 1992, new traditions were brought on board; the most exciting of which is the famous Badger Bingo.

Bingo games are held in the Main Lounge, and everyone is welcome to play. Many returning passengers love Badger Bingo so much, they head straight to the lounge to grab a seat as soon as they board.

Bingo prizes are selected from the merchandise in the gift shop. The first rounds in each session of Badger Bingo earn smaller prizes, while the final games win the most coveted items, like mugs and caps and tote bags. Mugs are such hot commodities; some particularly dedicated bingo fans will return more than 10 times in a single summer, hoping to collect the entire current set.

Though, of course, if you don’t win, most of the bingo prizes are also available for purchase in the gift shop.

The entertainment staff loves seeing familiar faces return to play, not just year after year, but often many times in the same season. “The folks really love playing bingo,” says Badger Entertainment Director Todd Hansen.

Hansen, a Ludington native who is celebrating his 19th summer on the Badger in 2023, began working on the ship after retiring from the Navy. And he enjoys putting on the bingo games as much as the passengers enjoys playing. Jokes are Hansen’s specialty, and the role has earned him a taste of local celebrity.

Whether he’s hanging out in his hometown, or at events downstate, he occasionally hears people whispering excitedly “Hey, it’s the Badger Bingo man!”

There are only three rules to Badger Bingo.

One bingo card per person
Be nice to your bingo card
Have Fun!

Hansen loves to tell passengers that the first time you break a Badger Bingo rule, you’ll receive a friendly reprimand. But do it again, and he’ll throw you overboard.

Luckily Badger Bingo fans are good rule followers. So far, not a single one has been forced to walk the plank.