Tuesday nights in downtown Waterloo have once again been dominated by the Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School’s Queen of Hearts drawing of late, even as the game is set to finish with a quarter of the payout from last round.

Just like when the game first began in late 2017, this round – which began in April – has consisted of weekly drawings at Outsider tavern, though the crowd tends to grow large enough to spill onto the Monroe County Courthouse grounds just across the street.

Those looking to participate can purchase tickets at the bar through the week. These tickets are placed in a raffle drum, with one randomly selected at 7 p.m. every Tuesday.

The individual lucky enough to have their ticket drawn – providing they have their ID and card noting their number – then selects one of 52 markers on a board, hoping the coveted Queen of Hearts is revealed when one of the game’s volunteers cuts out the panel they selected.

As the game goes on, each panel is crossed off from the available choices – the pot and chances of winning it growing week by week.

With each dollar ticket purchased, 80 percent of sales contribute to the game’s pot while the remaining 20 percent serve as donations to the Catholic school.

Last round, which went on for months until its conclusion this past Jan. 31, saw a $1.8 million payout after a series of tickets were drawn to finish the game in anticipation of the fundraiser’s $2 million cap set by City of Waterloo ordinance.

It was previously reported the funds raised by SPPCS reached $705,253.50 – boosted by the weekly 50/50 raffle – which has been put toward a number of projects for the school including gym renovations and the purchase of several computers.

The latest drawing has similarly been growing in popularity, with Market Street closing briefly each Tuesday evening to keep the crowd of participants safe.

This round might not achieve the same turnout, however, as it was announced in August that the Diocese of Belleville is capping such fundraising games.

As the announcement came around the same time the current game hit the six-figure mark in Waterloo, this round was grandfathered in with a cap set at $500,000 – though other games in the area have been capped at $100,000.

It is unclear what the limit for future SPPCS Queen of Hearts games will be. It is similarly unknown why the diocese elected to make this change earlier this year.

When asked for further information on the situation surrounding the game, SPPCS administration declined to comment, expressing their hope to consult with the diocese before making any major announcements.

The Belleville Diocese has been unresponsive to several requests for information from the Republic-Times.

Seemingly, the diocese has been unresponsive to other attempts to discuss the change to fundraisers as well.

Donovan Melican, the owner of Outsider, confirmed that his father, Ss. Peter & Paul parishioner William Melican, received no response to a letter he sent to the diocese in August when the change was announced. Donovan also noted that at least three other individuals who also sent letters have, to his knowledge, also heard nothing back.

In his letter, William generally questioned the diocese’s decision to limit the raffle, noting how lucrative and popular it’s become in this community.

William further emphasized this point by noting how the funds from the game benefit SPPCS. He added that various officials in the city participate themselves.

He went on to note that the diocese currently allows bingo, quilt raffles and other such fundraisers, saying, “Gambling is gambling. The difference is the amount generated by each game.”

Echoing his father’s sentiments about the benefits of the game in the community, Donovan remarked on the amount of traffic he and the rest of downtown Waterloo seem to get when a drawing takes place.

“I’d say we’re pretty fortunate that the game grew quickly again,” Melican said. “Maybe not as fast as last time, but that doesn’t happen all the time either… Everybody in town, all the other businesses seem to be benefiting from it too. I haven’t had any negative complaints or anything toward me anyway.”

Waterloo Mayor Stan Darter expressed a similar sentiment, saying the game has become something of a tourism draw which has helped some of the city’s businesses.

“Having Queen of Hearts here is actually a good thing for us, especially when the numbers get up, because it brings people from outside Waterloo,” Darter said. “If it’s cold – which it has been – then they’re looking for a place to eat prior to the drawing, or running into one of our downtown bars, which is always a good thing.”

Donovan also shared his own perspective on the cap. He made clear that he doesn’t begrudge the diocese for limiting the scale of the game, though he does anticipate the change to have an impact on the traffic he discussed.

“When we get to that $500,000 mark and have to give it away, I think we’re gonna be real busy that night, but as far as everything else, it’s a little slower than last year,” Melican said. “I do wish they wouldn’t have capped it, but I certainly understand that they have their rules and that’s what they’ve decided, and I’m not gonna argue with them. It’s their game. I’ve just got the facility they play it at.”

Asked if he would have any plans of conducting a separate Queen of Hearts game, Donovan said he has appreciated the extra business generated by the game but doesn’t plan on seeking a similar boost elsewhere should the SPPCS raffle experience a substantial decrease in turnout.

“They brought it to me. I’m pretty loyal to them,” Melican said. “If they wanna keep doing it there, that’s fine with me… It’s their fundraiser. I’m gonna be open Tuesday no matter what. I wouldn’t just leave them for somebody better. I’m pretty loyal to Ss. Peter and Paul.”

With a jackpot of $382,814 this past Tuesday and the King of Spades chosen after the person selected No. 49 on the game board, there will be one more drawing Tuesday, Dec. 19 before Outsider takes two weeks off for the Christmas holiday. 

The next chance at the jackpot after that would be Jan. 9.