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THE news Gala Bingo in Pitsea will close on July 28 has upset hundreds of people. But despite the sadness, few bingo players said they were surprised.
Bingo halls across the country are counting the cost after the Government hiked the tax halls pay on revenue from 15 per cent to 22 per cent in May following the Budget.
It is thought the change will cost the industry around £35million per year at a time when bingo halls are struggling to cope because of the recession and the smoking ban, which has put many people off.
Bingo players say there is more to the game than making money. It is also about providing a much-enjoyed pastime and place to meet friends.
Young mum Vikki March is a keen bingo fan and won more than £20,000 on a game in 2006.
The 22-year-old from Sou-thend said the activity is important to help people mix and socialise.
She said: "My nan goes once or twice a week to Mecca in Southend.
"She really enjoys it. Bingo is a big part of her life.
"She goes there to see her friends as well as playing the bingo.
"It would be a huge loss for people if they had to close.
"It is enjoyable to play as well, even if you don't win anything.
"If you win your money back then it's even better."
Since 2003, approximately 4,000 jobs have been lost in the bingo industry and more than 90 clubs have closed in the past three years alone.
The UK's biggest bingo operator Gala Coral is to close five clubs and shed backroom staff, putting about 300 jobs at risk.
Bosses at Mecca bingo in Southend criticised the way the tax is calculated.
Marc Greenberg, operations manager of the hall in Greyhound Way, said: "It just doesn't seem fair that someone can go to the bookies and place a bet and only pay 15 per cent tax, while one of our customers has to pay 22 per cent.
"To our customers, this is about so much more than just bingo.
"For some, this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people and it would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation's favourite past times."
But the industry is not taking this blow sitting down.
Yesterday, bingo firms joined forces to hold a demonstration at the Houses of Parliament.
Mecca and Gala Bingo, the two largest bingo firms, along with seven independent operators and hundreds of customers from across the UK went to London to voice their concerns.
David Holt, manager of Rio Bingo, in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, said: "Why the Government is doing this is a mystery.
"It hasn't raised the tax on bookies or casinos, but it wants to cripple bingo clubs. It needs to see sense before more clubs are put out of business."
The industry has launched a campaign, I'm Backing Bingo, to overturn the tax increase.
Written by Alex McNally
www.echo-news.co.uk
There seems to be a bit of interest in a soon to be released movie from the US from online bingo portals around the country. Bingo Confidential is the brain child of Susan Benfatto who got the idea after taking a friend to a local church bingo session in the US. Before visiting a bingo hall Susan had no idea how popular the game was but after watching the session for a couple of hours and idea for a movie slowly formed.
The plot for Bingo Confidential centres on a group of friends who have lost a loved one. In the will Lois Huckabee, the deceased, leaves an inheritance of $1 million dollars but unlike most bequests there is a twist. The $1 million will be inherited by the winner of a bingo game! Six of Lois's nearest and dearest are invited to play the game to win this life changing amount.
The Bingo Confidential cast were drawn together through their mutual friendships and respect for the creator and each plays a very special part in the movie. Although an American film there is one English born actor, he plays Nigel Ramsay whose character was previously a bingo caller in the UK. A trip to America to audition for American Pop Idol proved less than fruitful for this character and winning the big prize on offer in Bingo Confidential means that he won't have to make his way back to the UK.
Each of the characters in Bingo Confidential has their own story to tell and each is desperate to win the big prize.
It remains to be seen if Bingo Confidential - the movie makes its way onto the big screen but even if it goes straight to DVD it is sure to arouse the interest of bingo players around the globe!
Written by Nickie Shute
Mirror Bingo is offering members the chance to speak to former Big Brother housemates as the current series passes the halfway stage.
From Thursday 2 July, former contestants of the reality TV show will be online for a live chat with Mirror Bingo players.
Membership is free with no deposit needed, and all members will be able to play bingo with the former housemates as well as ask them about the current series and their lives since appearing on the show themselves.
Each chat starts at 8pm and the first will be on 2 July as Glyn Wise and Pete Bennett, the runner up and winner, respectively, of the seventh series. Since their time on Big Brother, Glyn has gone on to DJ on C2 Radio Cymru while Pete has appeared at Glastonbury - a haven of celebrities - and toured the UK with his band Pete Bennett and the Love Dogs.
Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, also known for her glamour modelling work, shared Glyn and Pete's rapid rise to fame through Big Brother 7. Members of Mirror Bingo will have the chance to speak to her through the bingo chat function on Friday 3 July.
The following night, Saturday 4 July, will see contestants of the eighth series Brian Belo and twins Samantha and Amanda Marchant - also known as Samanda - speak to Mirror Bingo members. Brian overcame the odds to beat Samanda to the title of Big Brother 8. Brian has since become a regular feature on Harry Hill's TV Burp while Samanda has embarked on a music career - their first single, a cover of Barbie Girl, charted at 26 before their follow up single entered the charts at 125.
With six former contestants - including two winners - Mirror Bingo members have the chance to chat to some of the people best placed to comment on the experiences of the current housemates.
Mirror Bingo members
will be kept up to date with future events on the site and will be the
first to know of any celebs joining bingo chat in the future.
www.webwire.com
Licensed in Malta, EyesDown.com's Oddly Enough side game allows players to wager on whether a game of virtual bingo will have more odd or even numbers.
The site features a female bingo caller speaking in a northern English dialect while its Bingo War side game allows competitors to place bets on whether the last number of an online game will be higher or lower than the first number called.
New players can take advantage of ten pounds in vouchers to use on the site's range of 75 and 90-ball bingo games but no winnings will be paid unless a deposit is made.
"Unfortunately, until you have made a deposit, any winnings you gain on your ten pounds no deposit bonus won't be available for withdrawal," reads a statement on the site.
"But, we have ensured that we have an impressive first deposit bonus for new players of 150 percent on all deposits of ten pounds or over. The bingo side games available at EyesDown.com are not accessible to players using the ten pounds no deposit bonus but as soon as you make a deposit you can try those out too."
www.onlinecasinonews.com
Over 500 people have already confirmed they will be attending the Bingo tax protest due to take place tomorrow. The protest is taking place on The Green outside The Houses Of Parliament in Westminster, London.
Commencing at 11.30am and going on to 2pm, with MP Bob Spink and many more MP's confirming they will be joining the bingo players to show support for the bingo industry.
The Government increased bingo duty from 15 to 22 percent whilst betting and casino tax remained at 15%, with no consideration for the bingo industry, bingo players and club owners will be in their hundreds with the event expecting to fetch widespread media coverage.
The finance bill is going to be discussed tomorrow with the hope that ministers will be exposed to the results the surprise growth in tax has had on the bingo industry.
Written by Gina
www.gamingalerts.co.uk
The drunk ... the devil ... the watermelon ... Loteria!
Loteria's back at the Grandview Senior Citizen's Center now that City Hall has lifted a ban imposed in May on the bingo-like game played with pennies because the Parks and Recreation Department thought it was illegal.
"People are upset,' Emma Marquez, a regular at Grandview, said Friday. "Why can they play bingo and not loteria?"
Although Marquez knows many of those who play Loteria, she was unaware Friday that the traditional game had been resumed just the day before.
On the other side of the center, about 18 Loteria fans were back at it, playing with frayed picture boards and bags of pennies, glad that the controversy and contention that upset life at the center was over.
They said Loteria had been played at Grandview for years with no questions asked.
Widely known as Mexican bingo, according to the Wikipedia online encyclopedia, Loteria probably had its origins in 15th century Italy and made its way to Mexico in the 18th century. The game is played on boards, each with 16 images out of the 54 used in the game.
As someone calls out the images, players mark them with stones or beans or, in the Grandview version, pennies. A person wins by getting four images in a straight or diagonal row, on the four corners of the board or in a square formed by four images together.
At Grandview, where small stakes bingo is also played, the winner collects the pennies on other player's boards, rarely netting more than $1.25.
"I was asked to stop it because it was considered gambling," said Carlos Barrera, who took over as the center's new manager in May.
Barrera said he was given the reason that while the city had an exemption from the state to play bingo for cash at its centers, the city did not have an exemption for Loteria.
"When they told us we can't play with pennies, I was the one who protested," said Aurora R. Reyes, who has been coming to the center and playing Loteria there for at least the last decade.
Riled by the whole affair, city Rep. Susie Byrd said the decision to stop Loteria was made without consultation with the city attorney's office and is typical of the problems in the Parks and Recreation Department these days.
"Nobody would tell me who made the decision that this was illegal," Byrd said. "Nonprofits have broad exemptions for bingo, and Loteria is, in fact, bingo.
"The issue had never been raised before. The parks staff determined on their own it was illegal and shut them down. I called the Legal Department, and they said, 'Of course, it's legal.' "
Byrd said she intends to bring questions about the Parks and Recreation Department before City Council at next Tuesday's meeting. There is no council meeting this week.
"Nobody would tell me who made the decision that this was illegal," she said.
City Manager Joyce Wilson said the question about Loteria was settled soon after it came up at City Hall.
"But for some reason, word never got down to the centers," she said. "It should have been resolved weeks ago when the issue was first raised.
Written by David Crowder
www.newspapertree.com
At issue is the failure of Animal Relief and Rescue Fellowship Bingo to abide by a Mississippi Gaming Commission requirement that a minimum of 40 percent of bingo proceeds go toward the cause the charity supports.
Documents show the fellowship was giving 34 percent of bingo proceeds for sheltering, feeding, treating and finding homes for dogs.
Fellowship founder Ann Fratesi agrees her organization is in violation of the commission's rules.
The Gaming Commission staff has cited the organization for the violation and recommended its license not be renewed in October when it expires. Fratesi wants the commission to reconsider.
Fratesi said the rules date to 1995 and should be changed.
If the fellowship loses the Indianola bingo, Fratesi said, many dogs will die.
The rescue service, Fratesi said, has dropped the euthanasia rate at Leland's animal shelter from 98 percent to less than 2 percent. She says the drop is mainly because of proceeds from the bingo hall.
Eddie Williams, the Gaming Commission's deputy director, said it is unlikely the board will revise its current rules - at least not in time for the fellowship to renew its bingo license. Williams said he would not recommend to the commission that a 7 0/30 percent ratio be adopted for the purpose of Animal Relief and Rescue Fellowship's case.
"Most other charities stay within the guidelines," Williams said.
Williams said if the commission decides to change the ratio, it likely will be a long process and not within the timeline that the fellowship's case permits.
Fratesi said the fellowship has raised close to $100,000 annually through the bingo hall since 2007. She said it only has been able to do so by spending a bare-bones minimum.
Fratesi said although the fellowship's 66 percent expenditure rate was in violation of the commission's rules, the organization has kept costs at a minimum necessary to run bingo operations, and it effectively performed a needed charity service at no profit to itself.
"It's as if the merits of the charity did not matter in the least," Fratesi said.
www.clarionledger.com
However, several organizations in Hardin County say much of the money that is wrapped up in the annual gross is distributed back to the bingo players, with a large chunk of the remainder paid out in expenses for running the sessions and fees that are filtered back to the Department of Charitable Gaming.
In 2007, Hardin County organizations grossed almost $15 million in bingo receipts, but managed a net of $1.3 million, according to documents obtained from the Department of Charitable Gaming. In the first two quarters of 2008, local organizations grossed about $7.5 million, but net receipts totaled less than $600,000, according to the documents.
Local organizers such as Gayle Johnson, president of Hardin County Pet Protection Inc., said much of the money goes back to the bingo players. Her organization usually pays out about $5,000 per session, the limit allowed by the state.
On top of that, she said, organizations have hundreds of dollars in expenses per night, including the cost of pull tab and bingo paper, rent, security and staff.
The company exceeded $2.8 million in gross receipts in 2007 and grossed close to $1.3 million for the first two quarters of 2008. However, the net was much lower at less than $300,000 for 2007 and about $124,000 for the first two quarters of 2008, according to the Department of Charitable Gaming.
Bill Moser, who helps organize bingo for the Voiture Locale's 40 & 8 in Elizabethtown, said the organization pays out an average of $2,800 or more per night and has about $700 to $800 in nightly expenses. The organization grossed $1.3 million in 2007 and more than $600,000 in the first two quarters of 2008, according to receipts provided by the Department of Charitable Gaming. Its net was about $101,000 for 2007 and less than $40,000 for the first two quarters of 2008, according to the receipts.
Another expense, Johnson said, is the fees paid to the state to operate and maintain a gaming license, often accumulating into the thousands of dollars per year.
In 2008, the Department of Charitable Gaming, which issues gaming licenses and serves as the oversight body for the state of Kentucky, received $2.8 million in fees and fines, which included nearly $12,000 in license fees, $31,500 in application fees and $228,000 in license renewal fees, according to documents obtained by The News-Enterprise through a series of open records requests.
The bulk of the money was collected through financial report fees, however, at $2.4 million, while $119,000 was collected for fines levied. The total has been on a rapid decline over the years, though, as it fell from $3 million collected in 2007 and $3.4 million in 2006, according to the documents obtained from the Department of Charitable Gaming.
Allan Francis, president of the Hardin County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the organization struggled in the early conception of its bingo program and was floundering when he took it over in November.
The organization, new to bingo, grossed about $366,000 in the first and second quarters of 2008, according to totals provided by the Department of Charitable Gaming.
However,
he said expenses pile up. An average night can produce $4,000 in
expenses, including rent and bingo supplies. However, costs vary depending on
issues like the number of pull tabs sold, the crowd and fluctuation of
rent costs. There also are the payouts, which usually are about $5,000
per session, with bingo games varying in scope and size.
Written by Marty Finley
www.thenewsenterprise.com
We all hope to come away from an evening in the theatre feeling richer. Usually, we are thinking in terms of our spiritual or intellectual wealth. But one lucky audience member at each performance of Everybody Loves a Winner, which opens at Manchester Royal Exchange next month, will be walking out with more cash in hand than when they went in. That's because Neil Bartlett's new play will turn the auditorium into a bingo hall, complete with caller and cards. Every audience will have the chance to play a real game during the show.
"As Frankie, the caller, says to the audience, we don't just want you to know how it works - we want you to know how it feels," says Bartlett. "So you're not watching a bingo hall from the outside, you're in the bingo hall with its regulars. You get to meet them, you get to hear their stories and, if you are the lucky winner that night, you get to go home rather better off than you were when you came in."
The experience will start in the foyer, with an array of slot machines, and carry on in the auditorium, kitted out with a lurid carpet and seats culled from a former bingo hall in Leeds. "It all works," says Bartlett, with evident pride. "It's not a mock-up of a bingo computer: it is a bingo computer."
To understand how Bartlett, a ground-breaking writer, director and performer, ended up playing bingo in Manchester, we have to travel via Brighton, where he currently lives. A few years ago Bartlett noticed that the Brighton Hippodrome was closing its doors as a bingo hall. The building had an interior designed by Frank Matcham (architect of the Lyric Theatre in west London, which Bartlett had run for a decade). Fearing that this might be his last chance to see it, Bartlett asked if he could look round. But he couldn't just walk in.
"The woman on the door said, 'You've got to become a member.' So I paid my pound, became a member of Mecca, walked in and saw this astonishing place. The total silence and concentration; the sense of ritual. I was completely struck. And that loitered in my head."
So when Manchester International Festival and the Royal Exchange both invited Bartlett to create a show, he decided to try his luck. "I said to the festival, 'I know you're Europe's leading producers of experimental, avant-garde theatre - but I want to do a show about bingo.'"
For the past year, Bartlett has been engaged in research, getting his eyes down around the country. He has been on "bingo weekend breaks" with the composer Simon Deacon and the choreographer Struan Leslie. "We come up to Manchester for three days and we play bingo basically non-stop. If you go round town to different halls you can play more or less without interruption from 11am until 10.30 at night."
He discovered a warm and welcoming community, mostly composed of women (his largely female cast reflects this). He suggests that while some may be hooked, people turn up for many other reasons. "If you want to see addiction, go to the Arndale Shopping Centre on a Saturday morning. That's the addiction that scares me."
Bartlett was at the first Manchester International Festival in 2007 with The Pianist, a moving work about the Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, who survived the Warsaw Ghetto. Everybody Loves a Winner is, Bartlett admits, a change of direction. But his career has always been richly eclectic, embracing both "high" and "low" art, traditional and experimental, chamber opera and street clowning.
"I've been in incredibly different fictional worlds," he says. "My last show at the Lyric was Molière's Don Juan set in some strange infernal hotel. I am someone who goes to worlds which are utterly unlike my own world, but I never feel like an anthropologist. I mean, what's Everybody Loves a Winner about? It's about hope, it's about loneliness, it's about women, it's about laughter. These aren't foreign territories.
"I think the sense of a buried reality is a very strong thread in my work," he adds. "The Pianist said: beneath that unbelievably beautiful phrase of a Chopin sonata lies the landscape of Warsaw. A Vision of Love Revealed in Sleep said: underneath this drag queen's tatty old wig is an entire history of courage and defiance. If you can pay sufficient attention to a moment, you can tune into that, you can hear everything that lies underneath."
Beneath the earthy comedy of Everybody Loves a Winner will be a more serious purpose. Much of the script is based, verbatim, on conversations Bartlett has had in bingo halls, but it often shifts into a more meditative gear, with the women speaking in unison like a Greek chorus, voicing the hopes and fears that drive their attendance.
"It's about hope," says Bartlett. "What is hope? A woman who doesn't have any money goes to a bingo hall. Is what she feels hope? Or would we call it something else? Do we call that delusion? Do we call it desperation? All the phrases we use when we talk about other people. So, actually, it's a serious inquiry."
The play, opening in a recession, takes in economic hardship and the cost of consumerism. But it also digs deeper, touching on the psychology of gambling, probability and even metaphysics. Above all, the show will explore the multiple questions implied in the title. What is a winner? What is a loser? And why does winning matter?
"One of the many extraordinary things about bingo is that you can't play it badly and you can't play it well," Bartlett observes. "It's a very rare phenomenon. It's purely random. It's not like a race, or a match, or a contest, where, if you want to win, you have to train. There are 90 numbers on every bingo card, and the computer is set on random. Eventually someone has got to win. You can't get any better at it by going to it. Equally, you can't be bad at it.
"If you want to get theological, it's the equivalent of the doctrine of grace," he adds. "You can't deserve to win at bingo. Only the computer can decide. The computer takes inscrutability to a whole new level. It has no feelings, it doesn't know you, yet it appears to choose you."
The live game in the show will demonstrate that unpredictability, presenting the cast with the challenge of ad-libbing and the audience with the frisson of possibly winning. It's a risk and a chance for everyone, including the theatre, which has had to acquire a licence and, like everyone else, is hoping for a full house. But it's in that anticipation that the heart of the piece lies.
Bartlett won't disclose the value of the prize, but he admits that it will buy more than a round of drinks. "As we say in the trade, it's not a [life-]changer. But it will give you that sensation of being a winner." And what about Bartlett himself? After the show, will he go back to the bingo? "I don't know," he says, pensively. "I don't know. I am owed a win."
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www.onlinecasino.org
Three Cumbrian bingo halls will be launching petitions to help save the game after fears it could be wiped out by a huge tax rise.
Bosses are drafting letters and petitions for regulars to sign to help save the clubs in Workington, Whitehaven and Penrith.
They are incensed by government plans to increase the "profit tax" levied on bingo businesses from 15 to 22 per cent - a move that critics say is likely to be the kiss of death for many smaller clubs.
Shaun Edwards, director of Opera Bingo in Workington, told the News & Star that the rise is likely to cripple the business.
Yet while harder gaming such as bookmakers, the football pools and even casinos are being asked to pay a gross profits tax of 15 per cent, bingo's tax is due to be increased to 22 per cent in July.
Mr Edwards said: "We are proposing to ask customers if they want to join our campaign this weekend. We are supporting the Bingo Association and the owners' with raising awareness of the tax rise to 22 per cent. It has no relevance to other gaming activities.
"Betting and booking offices and casinos still have to pay 15 per cent. We would lose in excess of £100,000 between the three clubs within a year. It is a lot of money at a time when trading is difficult anyway. We have the credit crunch and we are still trying to get over the smoking ban. That has decreased our members by 1,500 a week for the three clubs. That's 20 per cent of our members."
He added: " We are asking our customers to support us. Bingo is a very important part of this community."
Bingo fan Dorothy Bond, 61, of Mossbay Road, Workington, said: "It's disgusting that they will be charging tax. There is a chance that the club could close because of this. I only come out twice a week, and that's to come to bingo. I am a pensioner and I enjoy coming to bingo and meeting other people here socially."
Freda McGuirk, 64, of Mossbay Road, Workington, said: "Why should we be penalised for going to play bingo. This is our leisure time. We don't just come to play bingo, we come to socialise with other people. It was bad enough after the smoking ban when people stopped coming, but this will make it even worse."
The letter going out to customers says: "I understand that this increase in taxation could well lead to the closure of some bingo clubs and if our own club closed this would be a devastating loss to our local community and the thousands like me who don't just play bingo for the enjoyment but also for the friendship and community spirit that I believe exists in our club."
The Workington office employs 40 people, while 20 work in Whitehaven, and 15 in Penrith. In Carlisle 1,200 fans have joined the mass letter writing campaign to save Rex Bingo Club in Denton Holme.
Written by Safira Ali
www.newsandstar.co.uk
Video bingo machines have now been banned throughout St. Tammany Parish.
The Slidell City Council late Tuesday followed the earlier lead of the parish council to ban the gambling machines. The parish voted out video poker in 1996 - and critics said video bingo was a backdoor attempt to bringing gambling back to the area.
State law allows local governments to tax or ban the machines. Proceeds are supposed to be shared between charitable organizations and the for-profit businesses that supply machines for video bingo halls.
The two government panels acted following public opposition to plans for video bingo halls near Slidell, Covington and Lacombe.
www.wxvt.com
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The Slidell City Council banned video bingo in a unanimous vote after a public hearing on Tuesday night.
The council's vote follows that of the St. Tammany Parish Council, which voted earlier this month to ban video bingo in the parish's unincorporated areas. No residents spoke about the proposal during Tuesday's meeting.
Slidell officials said they sought to ban video bingo in
the city after hearing of plans to open a video bingo hall
near Sgt. Alfred Drive and Codifer Street, in Councilman
Lionel Hicks' district.
"It seems to me that they're put in areas that are easily accessible to people that can't afford to lose their money," Hicks said prior to the meeting.
Under state law, proceeds from video bingo machines are to be shared between local charitable organizations and for-profit businesses that supply machines for the video bingo halls.
Though St. Tammany residents voted in 1996 to ban video poker, electronic bingo games, which use slot-like machines complete with flashing lights to declare a winner, have provided an opportunity for gambling in St. Tammany.
State law allows nonprofit groups to hold traditional "called" bingo games as well as electronic bingo if the groups meet the necessary requirements and charitable bingo is permitted within the parish. The law states that local governments are allowed to restrict or prohibit video bingo.
Hicks said before the meeting that he co-authored the ordinance banning video bingo with Councilman Ray Canada after hearing from constituents who objected to plans for video bingo halls.
The Parish Council, which considered regulating video bingo, voted to ban it in unincorporated areas after hearing from constituents who voiced opposition upon hearing of plans for video bingo halls near Slidell, Covington and Lacombe.
Many parish residents also made their opposition to gambling known this spring, prompting Parish President Kevin Davis to abandon a plan to create an entertainment district with a casino boat on the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline near Slidell.
"If we allow this to happen, we're just cracking the door open for other gambling to ease back into our city," Hicks said of video bingo.
Canada objected during the meeting to the fast-paced video bingo games, which allow players to lose more money than traditional games. He also said that any revenue that could be raised by allowing video bingo halls isn't worth the expense of maintaining them.
"The expense of regulating and police activity that
could occur in that area easily eats up that cost and then
some," he said.
Written by Kia Hall Hayes
www.nola.com
The group had collected a petition signed by more than 300 people, which they handed over to the MP.
At the meeting, the representatives discussed the impact of the proposed changes to the treatment of bingo in the government's budget which saw bingo club's tax liability rise to 22 per cent and which has seen local clubs struggle to survive.
Mr Campbell said: "I am concerned that the model used by the Treasury in calculating these changes does not take into account the precarious position of the smaller clubs.
"I am lobbying the government to look again at these changes.
"I know that bingo clubs are used by many of my constituents, particularly the elderly, and have become a vital part of our social fabric."
Written by David Sedgwick
www.newsguardian.co.uk
The online bingo site that has one of the friendliest communities of bingo players has a selection of bingo rooms that offer better chances of winning than their larger competitors. The site has recently been revamped however Smart Gaming Group has announced that is has big plans for the bingo site with several upgrades and cash prize increases planned in the coming weeks.
Additionally, Smart Live Bingo is offering a 50% reload deposit bonus an all deposits for their existing customers. There is also a 150% deposit bonus for all players that deposit on any Monday. This promotion is called "Super Duper Mondays" and will also make players eligible to take part in a wider range of chat games.
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Smart Live Bingo has over
news.prnewswire.com
Bingo, in any medium, has long been thought of as an old, outdated past time for the elderly. But recent studies have shown a trend that bingo, and more specifically online bingo, is taking hold and gaining popularity with young professionals.
One reason for the rise in popularity is definitely because of the
convenience of gambling online but what is it specifically about Bingo
that's attracting these new players? After all, there are a whole host
of other, entertaining games to choose from.
Perhaps
it's the low skill level the game requires to play. Many of us have
already been exposed to bingo in one form or another, you've either
seen it on TV or on a movie, or maybe even been to a bingo hall for fun
once or twice. But Bingo is such an easy game to play that virtually
anyone can do it.
Or maybe it's because of the social aspect of
the game, because whether you're online or in a hall you've got loads
of people to converse with while you play. Or could it be the low risk
factor involved? Who knows, but on the thing is sure, the game is
gaining popularity!
A recent report from Mintel, cited by the
Evening Star, stated that there are more than 700,000, 18-24 years old
who now make up part of the huge $3.5 million online bingo players in
the UK. It was also noted that the amount of managerial and skilled
workers who played online bingo jumped from 27% to 38%.
So it
looks like online bingo is shedding its past reputation and stigma as
an obsolete game after all and the online casinos are taking advantage.
You can find loads of online bingo sites solely dedicated to the game
from top online gaming providers including PartyGaming, InterCasino and more.
www.onlinecasino.org
On this website, you can also find reviews of various bingo paypal websites and other online casinos. This website can be relied completely for all the online casinos related information. If information about a particular casino is not found on this website, then it does not exist.
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www.bignews.biz
The Government had already given into pressure to end charging both VAT and gross profits tax on bingo but it recently raised gross profits tax on bingo to help it rake in an extra £35m. More than 300 Mecca Bingo customers and employees wrote to Chester MP Christine Russell to try to win her support in seeking a reversal of the Treasury decision.
Naomi Glass, manager of Mecca Bingo in Chester, said her company was now paying a higher tax rate than other forms of gambling.
She said: "Bingo is not a huge money maker. It is one of the softest forms of gambling, yet thousands and thousands of elderly people come to us as it is a social thing.
"We used to get charged VAT, but so was every form of gambling.
"Now, the Government has put our tax back up to make it the level it was before."
She added: "Hard forms of gambling such as casinos now pay seven or eight per cent lower in taxes, but with bingo it's now worked out the same.
"We have been treated unfairly because we pay a higher rate than other forms of gambling."
Mrs Russell says there had been a number of changes to the way bingo is taxed.
In a letter she stated: "These changes were made to help simplify the way in which bingo clubs are taxed, something that people have asked for.
"The changes mean that overall tax on bingo is 22 per cent, down from an estimated 24-25 per cent rate before the Budget.
"This has been brought down from the much higher rate of 35 per cent, in force in 2003."
She added: "The tax rate on bingo is comparable to the average tax rates on gaming machines, casinos and the National Lottery, all of which are taxed within a 20-25 per cent range.
"There have also been a number of other changes to help bingo clubs.
These include changes to the stake and prize limits and the number of gaming machines a club can offer.
www.chesterstandard.co.uk
Bingo halls have been struggling to overcome continuous obstacles that they have been presented with. The problems all began with the smoking ban, followed by numerous other factors and now more dominantly their biggest problem has been the recession. It has hit them hard causing operating profits to fall by 40% and admissions now down by 20%. In addition, with an estimated 90 Bingo halls already shut down, the change in the bingo duty structure announced by the government will lead to the cost of up to £33 million meaning the closure of even more halls.
However, despite the difficulties Bingo halls have been faced with, it is not all bad news for the bingo industry. Online Bingo is booming and now said to account for 20% of the Bingo market. Although this is fantastic for some company's profit margins, there are now concerns in this area too because of the high rate of competition, with it still steadily growing. An increasing number of Bingo suppliers are turning to online and with a higher number of players turning from the halls to their computers, there is even more competition to win over customer loyalty and first time players.
Bingo halls rely on admissions as the more people playing the bigger the cash prize on offer is, therefore it is essential that Bingo halls concentrate heavily on effective marketing and essentially creating value for the customer. This is not the first time that Bingo halls have suffered, but after their struggle to compete with the introduction of the national lottery, they worked hard and put their confidence and hope into their product and were able to hold their place within the gambling industry. The same mindset and tactics alongside carefully set objectives such as focusing on increasing admissions will ensure they fight back with considerable success.
Written by Gina
www.gamingalerts.co.uk
Well hasn't Foxy Bingo got something great in store for you this coming Wednesday, why yes they have and it includes a good old game of bingo too which we all love! So at the online bingo site of Foxy Bingo they are giving 3 fabulous prizes: IPods! And guess what it is a different type of IPod for each of the three and they get better as the game goes on too, so if you are the winner of the last IPod you would have one the latest model.
Now you know that there are three IPods up for grabs at Foxy Bingo and I bet you want to know what models they actually are! Well here they goes:
- iPod Shuffle
- iPod Nano
- iPod Touch
So in one game 3 iPods will be won and given away in that exact order shown above. The winner of the iPod Shuffle will be the bingo player who wins the bingo game for this promo on a 1 liner. The winner of the iPod Nano will be the bingo player who wins on a 2 liner in the same bingo game. Finally the winner of the iPod Touch will be the bingo player who wins on the full house and again in the same bingo game
This game will be taking place in the 90 ball bingo room this Wednesday so keep your eye out for it! And guess what the bingo tickets for these games are as cheap as you can get without making them free so obviously you've guessed it now, they are 1p each! How great is that you could be playing a fab bingo game where you will have three chances to win an iPod and to have that chance you bought 1p bingo tickets!
If that isn't a great online bingo promo I don't know what is and guess what tickets are on sale now too in the brand spanking new Foxy Bingo lobby, well get a load of that!
www.onlinebingoclub.co.uk
Bingo clubs might be forgiven for thinking that someone has had it in for them of late. They have been hit hard by the smoking ban, the removal of a large number of lucrative gaming machines and the recession.
The damage has been dramatic, with operating profits declining by about 40 per cent and customer visits (admissions) by 20 per cent. The share price of Rank, the operator of Mecca Bingo, has halved and the private equity owners of Gala Bingo have had to write off the value of their investment.
To add insult to injury, the Government announced a change in the bingo duty structure that will cost the sector up to £33 million a year. This will lead to another wave of bingo club closures to follow on from the estimated 90 closures in the past three years.
So where does bingo go from here? First, it has not been all bad news for the sector, with the emergence in the past two or three years of a burgeoning online bingo market. Online is estimated to represent 20 per cent of the total bingo market and, although this has been helpful for some in offsetting their falling profits, it has not benefited everyone, especially with a raft of new competitors entering the market via this route. Furthermore, online bingo has, inevitably, attracted a number of club bingo customers away from the bingo halls, which has added to the operator's woes.
The big challenge for the club operators is to try to return to top-line growth. The key factor in this will be admissions, the fall of which has been the main driver of the decline. Admissions are crucial to bingo because, as a pooled-stake game, the more players you have, the higher the prize money you can offer. In this way, admissions go a long way to defining the attractiveness and value of the bingo product. Falling admissions can create a vicious circle that drives further declines as prize money falls. Crucially, though, this can work the other way and this is where bingo operators need to focus.
The sector must invest in growing the business, with an increase in admissions the key target. This will be about effective marketing plus improving the bingo product through innovation and increasing the value for the customer. The experience must match the expectations of the modern consumer.
Arguably, the most important thing for the operators to get right is their mindset. After all that has happened to them, there has been an understandable loss of confidence in the product. The sector can take heart by looking back to its recovery from the impact of the launch of the National Lottery, when it lost significant business. Led by management that believed in bingo and by focusing on the basics, it came back to achieve considerable success. I think that this is what will be required again if the industry is to avoid a slow and painful long-term decline.
I truly believe that the bingo club business can start to rebuild itself, but the industry needs to take up the challenge of growing the top line sooner rather than later. I believe that it can and hope that it will.
Written by
business.timesonline.co.uk
Among the permit applicants is the brother of City Councilman Johnathan Austin. Gerald Austin Jr. applied for a permit representing the Center for Urban Missions, a nonprofit founded by Austin's father, the Rev. Gerald Austin Sr.
Councilman Austin was one of four councilors voting in favor of the bingo ordinance earlier this month.
Also applying for a bingo license is a nonprofit that former U.S. Rep. Earl Hilliard founded in 2000, the National Gallery of the Greats. Hilliard provided the initial draft of the new bingo ordinance to Councilman Joel Montgomery, who led the push to authorize and tax electronic bingo in the city. As a lawyer, Hilliard represents bingo operations in Jefferson and Walker counties.
But it's unclear how many groups might be pursuing a new type of permit that will allow them to operate major gaming centers with 500 machines or more.
That's because they all filled out an application designed before more than one type of permit existed that doesn't give them an option.
The city's list of applicants includes six groups that apparently denoted on their applications that they wanted the new bingo permit. The group operated by Austin's brother is among those six.
But the other groups, including Hilliard's, are listed by the city as submitting new applications, annual applications or annual renewals without a type of permit specified.
All of the groups will have to fill out new forms.
'I had no clue'
The city's Public Safety Committee, which Montgomery chairs, will review those applications beginning July 1.
Councilman Austin, who is one of three members of the committee, said he didn't know his brother was pursuing a bingo permit until he saw the name on the list of applicants. The councilman, who formerly worked for the Center for Urban Missions, said he has six siblings and 12 nieces and nephews.
"I had no clue," he said. "I don't know everything my family members do."
Austin said he would abstain from voting on matters involving his family.
According to the application list provided by the committee, the address for the Center for Urban Missions' proposed facility would be at the former Jim Burke Motors at 2400 Ensley Ave. The property has a value of $3,424,600, according to the Jefferson County Board of Equalization and Adjustments
Tyrus Sturgis, vice president of marketing and public relations for the center, said it would be premature to comment until the council considers its application. Responding to questions, Sturgis wrote that, like many charities, the Center for Urban Missions is always looking for ways to support and expand its services.
According to Sturgis, Urban Missions offers after-school tutoring, summer camps, job training and job placement programs. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The pursuit of bingo wasn't discussed with Councilman Austin, Sturgis said.
No word on plans
The nonprofit National Gallery of the Greats was organized by Hilliard
and his wife, Mary, and describes its purpose as an educational and
cultural research center honoring African Americans.
The city's list states the group filed an "annual bingo application" and cites Tereshia Huffman, an assistant in Hilliard's law office, as the contact. Hilliard's office declined to comment on the bingo plans.
The addresses associated with the National Gallery of the Greats' application appear to be downtown buildings listed by the Board of Equalization under the names Booker T. Washington Insurance and Booker T. Washington Broadcast Co.
Other than Urban Missions, groups the city specifically reported had applied for Class II licenses were: a nonprofit called Freedom Rain, which listed the address of a large, closed Wachovia branch at 6434 First Ave. North; Birmingham Health Care Inc.; My Father's House; Set Free Community Development; and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy-Alabama Chapter.
In some cases the relationship of the applicant to the charity is unclear. Max Michael, dean of UAB's School of Public Health and a founder of Birmingham Health Care, said he was not aware of a plan to apply for a bingo license.
The news also came as a surprise to Rhyann Granger, president of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy chapter.
Granger called her vice president Friday and found out that the person named in the bingo application, Jennifer Parten, was a former treasurer of the chapter. Parten evidently had told the vice president a year ago that one of her friends was starting a bingo business and a certain percentage of the proceeds had to go to a charity. She had raised the possibility of the chapter being that charity.
Granger said she would look into the issue further.
Traditional operators
The city's new ordinance is causing confusion for some organizations
that have long traditions of operating bingo, including the lodges of
the Benevolent Paternal Order of the Elks.
Terry Clem, a member of Birmingham Elks Lodge 79, based at Cascade Plunge, said Birmingham's new ordinance defines bingo played on paper as "Class I" and bingo played electronically as "Class II."
That distinction doesn't exist in law anywhere else and conflicts with the definitions of Class I and Class II gaming used in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Clem said.
His lodge holds two bingo games a week and uses paper and handheld electronic devices that allow players to play multiple cards.
If it is forced to apply for an electronic bingo license, he said, he doesn't know where the lodge will get the money to bring in 500 machines and pay the fee of $100 a month per machine set out in the new law. That amount jumps to $2,000 per machine per year in January 2011.
"How many people have that kind of money?" Clem asked. "My lodge doesn't." The only way it would be possible for the Elks to meet those requirements would be to contract with an outside operator willing to front the money, he said.
Clem and representatives with the Veterans of Foreign Wars also believe the city cannot legally tax a corporation recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS.
The VFW already has opened a large electronic bingo hall at a former Goody's Department Store in Roebuck Plaza. A confrontation with the city over the operation led the VFW to sue the city, and it now is operating under the protection of a restraining order.
The VFW is close to reaching the 500-machine minimum required under the ordinance, but VFW representatives have expressed concern about the council's stated intent to limit the number of Class II bingo permits.
Headed to the courts
What all sides agree on, including Montgomery, is that the city will wind up in court on even more suits.
"There will be all sorts of lawsuits filed, and it is all going to be decided in the Alabama Supreme Court," Clem said.
Councilwoman Valerie Abbott, who cast the lone dissenting vote on the bingo ordinance, said bingo was allowed under the state constitution to raise money for charity. But that is not going to be the result in Birmingham, she said.
"It is going to enrich certain people, and I think the nonprofits are going to be used in the process as a stepping stone."
Written by Thomas Spencer and Jeff Hansen
blog.al.com
Occupying about 10,000 square feet at the casino's west end, the facility was opened with a ribbon-cutting on Friday morning. It holds 425 seats, 324 with terminals, and when a big game is on, the show lounge at the other end of the casino can accommodate an additional 180 players.
Applying some lessons learned from the experience at Sixth and Quebec, Major is hoping it will bring back the players who abandoned the gaming centre for various reasons.
"It's a little cozier," Major said as he stood by a bank of bingo terminals in a facility meant to better appeal to bingo players than its predecessor.
"I think our last place was a little too big and spread out, so this is just a little more comfortable and a little tighter," he said.
It also features a sound-proofed glass wall to separate the bingo hall from the main casino floor and to silence the noise from the slot machines in the process. There were slot machines at the gaming centre but the noise they produced was considered a distraction, not an attraction, for the bingo players.
So far the reviews have been positive, according to Major.
"A lot of the players have already had a look at the place and say they feel a lot more comfortable," he said.
The opening represents the second move of the bingo hall in 15 months. In March 2008, the new community gaming centre at Sixth and Quebec was opened, replacing the old Good Time bingo hall at Fourth and Victoria, which is slated to be leveled to make way for a new Prince George RCMP detachment.
But just four months later, Major was back before city council, seeking permission to relocate to Treasure Cove after the gaming centre failed to live up to expectations. At 26,000 square feet, the gaming centre was criticized for lacking the social atmosphere bingo players like while a new provincial law prohibiting smoking indoors didn't help. Two smoking patios are in place at the new bingo hall.
There are still some loose ends to tie up at Sixth and Quebec.
Not only is Major trying to find a purchaser for the building, he also remains obligated to build some townhouses on the site.
Major said he's found an interested party and indicated the townhouses are part of the negotiations.
"We're just working on a whole plan together with these people," he said adding he hopes to have something more concrete to announce in about a month.
Mayor Dan Rogers, who participated in the ribbon cutting, said he likes the new facility and believes it will continue to provide a good source of revenue for local charities and non-profit organizations.
Written by Mark Nielsen
www.princegeorgecitizen.com
Chairman Lynn Sasser promised Covington County he would hold a workshop to discuss bingo, and he has made good on that promise.
"Comments on bingo" is one of three items scheduled for discussion in a 9 a.m. workshop Monday one hour prior to the commission meeting. A proposal to manage Pt. A Park and the proposed leasing of the Covington Center Arena are also scheduled for discussion.
Sasser notified media earlier this week a workshop would be scheduled before Monday's meeting, which has been moved to 10 a.m. He said he hopes to always hold a workshop before each meeting.
Bingo became a hot-button topic in the county as speculation mounted on whether or not the county commission was pursuing electronic bingo as a way to generate revenue for the cash-strapped county.
That speculation came to a halt last week after Sasser said publicly he intends to ask for a motion to prohibit electronic bingo in the county; however, no such line item was listed on an agenda released Friday evening.
An amendment to the state constitution passed in 1994 authorizes the commission to set rules for charitable bingo in the county. Previously, the commission has held discussions with at least two electronic bingo representatives about bringing it into Covington County.
Commissioners were expected to have the proposed bingo rules on their May agenda, but removed them at the last minute. At the time, they said they expected to have rules ready in June. On Fri., June 5, they again said the rules weren't completed and would not be discussed at the Mon., June 8, meeting. The Star-News, The Opp News and the Covington County Coalition Against Gambling have made requests for copies of the rules but have not yet received them.
Written by Stephanie Nelson
www.andalusiastarnews.com
The Dolch word list contains 220 high frequency words that are found in all children's books. Children need to master these words before they enter third grade in order to do well in school. Being able to read and recognize a new word takes time. Being able to understand its meaning and use it in a sentence takes a longer time. Experts say we need to have forty to sixty encounters with a word before we master a new word.
Sight Word Bingo helps increase a word's exposure. One bingo card can fit twenty-four new words. This bingo game is especially beneficial for second language learners because they get to hear the word and see it in print.
The teacher or an advanced student can be in charge of reading the words. All other bingo players listen for the word and try to find it on their bingo card. The object of the game is to get five in a row. It could be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. You could also play for the four corners or to cover the entire board.
To help those children who aren't sure of the word, students can spell the word once they have found it. Once students can identify all the words, you can have the reader draw pictures instead of reading the word. More advanced students can give a definition or read a sentence with a blank space.
Sight Word Bingo is available from any teacher store. You can also play online or create your own Bingo from your own word lists.www.examiner.com
The
June 11 benefit performance for PEO Chapter #18 was played to a nearly
sold out house -- and that house was having a really great time!
Maybe
it was the thought of winning a frozen turkey - yep, at one point, the
audience gets to play bingo with the cast - for real!
The
mood is set before the play even begins, as big band music coaxes
audience members into tapping their toes and humming along.
The
set is incredible, thanks to the hard work and artistic efforts of Joe
Osterholt, Michael Lyon and several other dedicated set construction
workers. There are signs for men's and women's locker rooms, banners
boasting "St. Joe's Chargers" and banners urging, "Skin the Bobcats!"
There's
even a basketball hoop! The only thing missing from this Catholic high
school gymnasium is the smell of sweaty children -- thank the lord!
As
Father Frances McKenzie Muldoon readies the players, we meet bingo
fanatics Babe and Sis. These 50-something, brightly-dressed sisters
decorate an entire table with equally brightly-colored knickknacks
(good luck charms?) and the sign "Come on Caller, make me holler!
As they settle in for the evening, their bingo games are peppered with conversation - gossip about various bingo players and, eventually, about the sisters themselves.
Sis is widowed, lives alone and loves playing bingo often, despite her adult children's disapproval. In fact, bingo addict that she is, Sis has been known to tell a fib or two, just to make it to a game.
Babe loves bingo - it's about the only thing that takes her mind off of food. She has weight issues, and goes to great lengths to cover herself up - especially when hiding from a potential beau, Coach Anderson.
Although there's a bit of rivalry between the sisters, the bond of family is stronger than who's thinner, or who wins more often.
Joe Osterholt is the voice of the Bingo Caller. Although he's never seen on stage, he manages to wrangle a few laughs out of his lines.
Lee Jones Mosser plays Father Frances McKenzie Muldoon, another small part played to the hilt. He instructs the audience about the "Middle Bird Special" n the bingo game played just before intermission. Don't worry n the "bird" he uses onstage isn't the prize!
At the end of the evening, he'll present an actual frozen turkey to the lucky winner.
Judi Anderson plays Sis, the less dramatic of the sisters. Sis really knows her bingo, and Anderson seems to as well. Although Sis is quick with a comeback, Anderson also infuses her with a bit of melancholy.
She also creates an insightful character, one who not only picks up on Babe's most recent bout of weight issues, but who offers potential solutions as well.
Holly Strother's Babe is, at turns, blunt, exuberant and, best of all, neurotic! Her antics as Babe suffers a mini-meltdown are a hoot. Crawling around on the floor, hiding under the table n flashing the bingo players n Strother sells it all.
Anderson and Strother are a wonderful pair, bringing out the sisterly bond between these two characters.
Expect a really fun night at the theatre when you play with the queens of bingo!
www.casperjournal.com
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www.bignews.biz
Wednesday, Birmingham's public safety committee delayed the approval of all bingo permits. The committee said it first needs more detailed information under the new ordinance.
In the two weeks since the Birmingham City Council voted to make electronic bingo legal, more than 20 new applications for a bingo permit have been submitted by charities.
Birmingham City Councilor Joel Montgomery, a supporter of the new bingo ordinance in Birmingham, said Wednesday he was not concerned about any opponents of the new law.
"As soon as I get that done and get that permit process complete I'm gonna have no concern whatsoever," Montgomery said. "We're gonna issue those permits hopefully...I think the mayor will go along with me...its law..the city council voted it in and it is law in the city of Birmingham."
The city's public safety committee is scheduled to bring up the applications at its meeting on July 1.
www.myfoxal.com
"...pursuant to the terms of the Scheduling Order entered by Judge (Charles) Robinson, the Defendants' testing and inspection of the electronic bingo machines installed at the American Legion Post 170 in Ashville has tentatively been scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2009, subject to confirmation of our expert situation," states the June 11 letter from Bill Weathington Jr., who represents St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles in the electronic bingo case, to Pell City attorney Matt Abbott, who represents Shooting Star Entertainment Group, LLC, which recently got a permit to operate charity electronic bingo within the Ashville City limits.
In May, Robinson ruled that electronic bingo machines were legal to play in Ashville.
The ruling came after the City of Ashville, American Legion Post 150, and Shooting Star Entertainment Group filed a lawsuit in circuit court, seeking a declaratory judgment on whether a city ordinance passed by the Ashville City Council was in compliance with Amendment 542 of the Alabama Constitution. The council passed an ordinance in December outlining the issuance of permits or licenses for electronic charity bingo machines and/or operations in Ashville.
St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles and District Attorney Richard Minor were plaintiffs in the case and have since appealed Robinson's court ruling.
Both Surles and Minor say they are only upholding the laws of the state, laws they were sworn to uphold.
Minor contends Amendment 542 of the Alabama Constitution only allows bingo to be played on paper, and that electronic bingo machines are nothing more than slot machines disguised as bingo machines.
The plaintiffs in the case, Surles and Minor, must then file a written notice within 48 hours with the circuit court, following Thursday's inspection of the electronic bingo machines at the American Legion Post 150 in Ashville.
"The parties shall identify all expert witnesses intended to provide opinion testimony within seven (7) days of the completion of the Defendant's inspection and testing," Robinson wrote in his June 5 Scheduling Order. "Any depositions of proposed expert witnesses shall be completed by the parties within 14 days of the notice that the inspection and testing by the Defendant has been completed.
"Upon completion of discovery as provided herein, the Court will schedule within 14 days thereafter, a final hearing on the certification of the electronic bingo machines/system proposed by Plaintiff Shooting Star, allowing each party to present arguments, exhibits and/or testimony."
Surles said Tuesday he is uncertain what their expert will determine by the inspection of the electronic bingo machines installed at the American Legion Post 150 in Ashville.
There are about 260 electronic bingo machines at the American Legion Post 150.
"Our own expert said there are legitimate bingo machines," Surles said. "I really don't know. I haven't been in there or stepped foot on the property."
Surles said he's been told by people, who have been in the American Legion Post 150 facility, the electronic bingo machines are nothing more than slot machines.
Attorneys for the defendants, Minor and Surles, have asked the Alabama Supreme Court for a stay until their electronic bingo appeal is heard by the high court. The Alabama Supreme Court has yet to rule on the defendants' request for a stay.
A stay by the Alabama Supreme Court would
basically, at least temporarily, shut down electronic bingo in Ashville
until the case is decided by the Alabama Supreme Court Justices.
Written by David Atchison
www.thestclairtimes.com
The new European-facing online bingo network includes such brands as Bingohuone and Play Cherry and offers players games in English, Swedish and Finnish.
The network is powered by the Parlay5 bingo and gaming products integrated into Entraction's back-end administration system. The European-facing network is based in Malta and managed by Entraction.
Scott White, CEO of Parlay, said, "Entraction's rapidly expanding international presence, now also powered by Parlay's industry leading bingo platform, creates a more compelling offering. And this is just the start - we are working with Entraction to deliver additional brands in the coming year."
"We are thrilled to launch bingo with Parlay as our experiences with the Parlay team have all been positive. We find Parlay5 to be the best bingo software in the market. The flexibility of the product, its customization options, and the user friendly interface for both operators and end users made Parlay an easy choice for Entraction," says Johanna Karlsson, Product Manager Bingo at Entraction.
Parlay is proud once again to be the Platinum Sponsor of the
4th Annual Online Bingo Summit, to be held June 16-17 at the Millennium
Gloucester in London.
ca.sys-con.com
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Through the "VIP Deal", MGM Bingo is distinguishing itself from its fierce online Bingo competition by two main innovations. First, the "VIP Deal" is potentially worth thousands of dollars; second, the "VIP Deal" is offered to practicably any internet user who simply chooses to accept it. Though many of the basic concepts behind the "VIP Deal" are far from new, innovative proportions between the different elements of standard business strategy create an honest and bold approach to internet marketing. With no long term customer fee commitment plan MGM Bingo is proving unusual confidence in the quality of their service, and with plenty of good reason, too. Looking back at a strong terminus a quo of %13 annual growth in Bingo account holders prior to commencement of "VIP Deal" MGM Bingo currently stands well beyond the %25 line, and showing no signs of deceleration.
In his bestseller "Looking Online Odds in the Eye", MGM Bingo marketing director Jacob Mon describes what he calls the "clientele fallacy" involved in main stream internet Bingo marketing strategy:
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www.pr.com
Providence-based GTech debuted its new division at the recent European Lotteries Congress and stated that G2 now comprises online gambling software provider Boss Media alongside Finsoft, St Minver and Dynamite Idea.
The new update, G2 Bingo Version 2.1, was introduced last week and includes five mini titles including the first miniature table games. G2 stated that its upcoming cycle of major releases is set to be frequent as the bingo product begins to feel the full effect of GTech's development resources and technology heritage.
"We're delighted with the progress we're making on bingo," said Atul Bali, President for G2.
"Our footprint is exceptional. We offer our customers market-leading software alongside superb managed services where required. The community and entertainment values of the game make bingo central to our strategy, which will benefit our customers and their players.
"A key part of Boss Bingo's growing success is our Gaming Management System single account system and its ability to provide bingo to all of the current Boss Media customers as an additional revenue stream to their current operations. Throughout the summer and autumn Gaming Management System will also be delivered to customers who continue to you use their own legacy systems, clearly establishing the system as the only tool able to evolve towards customers multiple needs without restriction."
Through its Boss Media subsidiary, G2 is also serving as a sponsor of the Bingo Summit, which takes place today and tomorrow at the Millennium Gloucester in London. The event brings executives from leading online bingo companies together to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the industry.
William Scott, Vice-President Of Business Development for G2, is due to speak later today during the Summit's Product Development And Technology segment. He will share ideas to help operators' distinguish themselves from the competition while also helping them understand how advanced chat and community building capabilities can deliver a real player experience.
In addition, Leigh Nissim, Vice-President and Commercial Director for G2, is scheduled to speak tomorrow on the second day of the Summit regarding hot European bingo growth opportunities and how these may be exploited. He will share tangible statistics and key performance indicators while offering his insights into European bingo by region and discuss partnerships and opportunities in lucrative landscapes.
www.igamingbusiness.com
Rosalyn Clemson had been playing bingo at her local Mecca hall in Chester for over 50 years but was served with a banning order after organising a trip to Club 2000 in nearby Runcorn with a group of friends.
'All I did was organise a little trip to Runcorn for a change of scene for me and a few friends,' said Clemson.
'The way the Mecca reacted you would think I was some kind spy or traitor to the cause.'
Following her visit, the pensioner received a letter informing her that she and her husband, Frank, would not be welcome in any of Mecca's 102 bingo clubs across the UK.
However, after reading about the Clemson's dilemma, LadbrokesBingo.com agreed to sponsor the grandmother and has given her a laptop computer along with a monthly cash deposit into her bingo account. The site is also set to present the pensioner with a new mobility scooter.
'When Mrs Clemson's plight was brought to our attention, our hearts went out to her," said Ruairi Boyle, Head for LadbrokesBingo.com.
'It does seem a drastic measure to ban a lifelong member. But, in this instance, their loss of a loyal customer is our gain. With so much experience Mrs Clemson will prove an invaluable asset to LadbrokesBingo.com. She will assume an ambassador role and act as an advisor and consultant on our many new games and promotions.
'Mrs Clemson is the linchpin of one of the most powerful social networks ever, the local community. After all, word of mouth is the basis of sites such as Facebook and Myspace. Who knows, she could be the first of many recruits we commission to spread the LadbrokesBingo.com word. It could be the beginning of a new 'old school' network, The Blue Rinse Bingo Brigade."
www.onlinecasinonews.com
CrownBingo.com revealed that the National Osteoporosis Society is the only charity that is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in the UK and needs considerable help in funding its work.
The site stated that it has raised £4,368 for worthy causes courtesy of its special online bingo charity games and this sum is set to increase later today thanks to its National Osteoporosis Society night. To show their support, players need to log onto the bingo site between seven and nine o'clock in the evening with 50 percent of the prize pools going to the National Osteoporosis Society.
www.onlinecasinonews.com
The phones start lighting up half an hour before game time as regular radio bingo fans check their speed dial.
Consider that a tip for rookies.
If the caller's fingers aren't quick enough, up to $10,000 in prize money goes to the next caller.
"I-26. Under the I, two six," Larry Pasula read out last Monday evening in a small radio studio tucked into the Bonaventure industrial park in northwest Edmonton.
Up north in Grouard, 300 kilometres away, ShawnaGouletwasathome, nursing her infant son with one hand and holding a bingo dabber in the other.
"Bingo, yeah I got a bingo," she said. Her mom jumped up and dialled the phone.
"It's something to do," Shawna said later, laughing, and $200 richer.
Radio bingo is coming to the Edmonton airwaves this summer as a rural-based aboriginal radio station expands. CFWE-FM started as a small community radio station in Lac La Biche in 1987, broadcasting to 10 aboriginal communities.
Its signal now stretches into the boreal forest and parkland across northern Alberta. The station hopes to test a new Edmonton transmitter this month.
Capital region residents could be listening to 98.5 FM and dabbing bingo cards by the end of July.
Radio bingo is a side program for CFWE-FM. It mainly plays country music during the day, with an emphasis on independent and aboriginal artists. Weekends keep the aboriginal focus but switch to contemporary rock and hip hop, station director Alan Standerwick said.
The weekday noon program focuses almost exclusively on drumming. "I know for a fact you're not hearing that anywhere else in the city," he said.
Radio bingo is Monday and Thursday evenings. It began in 1996 as a way for the station to finance capital projects like the Edmonton transmitter. They've given out $1.8 million in prize money, between 60 and 65 per cent of the money they take in.
Most bingo players buy their cards from a network of rural corner stores, pizza places and native friendship centres. Five dollars buys a pack of three cards, said Joanne Rediron, bingo co-ordinator.
When players win, they phone in and give their card number. It is checked automatically when the verifier punches the code into a computer. The cheques are written the next morning.
The list of bingo ticket sellers is online at www.radiobingo.ca.Radio bingo has been a hit in many remote northern towns, Rediron said. People invite neighbours into their homes and make "Indian tacos" with fried bannock and the fixings, she said. A steady group of players meets at the Fort McMurray friendship centre.
She hopes Edmontonians will be interested because they can play from home and it's cheaper than a bingo hall. "It will fly," she said. "Bingo is popular everywhere."
www.edmontonjournal.com
Almost 200 jobs are under threat as the UK's biggest bingo operator prepares to close loss-making bingo clubs.
Privately-owned Gala Coral is ready to consult staff on the closure of at least six of its 156 clubs, according to the Times newspaper.
This could lead to 180 more jobs lost on top of 200 staff cut in November last year, the report says.
Gala Coral, which also owns the Coral bookmaking chain and employs around 19,000 people across the bingo group, was unavailable for comment.
Bingo clubs have been under pressure in recent years from the introduction of the smoking ban, restrictions on money-spinning gaming machines and economic downturn.
Chancellor Alistair Darling cut VAT on bingo in April's Budget - but hit the industry with a shock rise in bingo duty from 15% to 22%.
Gala Coral's nearest rival, Mecca Bingo owner Rank, rushed out a profit warning following the Chancellor's move.
Rank expects an extra £6 million in costs this year, rising to £9 million in future years as a result of the tax hike.
Both companies own a string of casinos, but these has also been hit by the Treasury imposing gaming duty on casino card rooms.
Gala Coral, which is owned by private equity firms Candover, Permira and Cinven, saw underlying earnings fall 10% to £362 million in the 12 months to September 27 last year, with revenues down 3% at £1.27 billion.
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While traditional bingo halls are struggling to survive, online bingo has become the fastest-growing form of internet gambling. Its attractions are such that the auction of Cashcade, owner of the popular Foxy Bingo and Getminted casino web brands, has sparked wide interest.
Cashcade, in which Independent News & Media has a near-20 per cent stake, is expected to fetch £70 million to £100 million, with PartyGaming, the PartyPoker owner, tipped to seal a deal in the face of opposition from 888 Holdings and Paddy Power, the Irish bookmaker. Cashcade, which has appointed Jefferies, the investment bank, to handle the sale process, recently reported a 91 per cent jump in revenues to £33.7 million, with pre-tax profits doubling to £10.9 million.
Its fortunes mirror those of the wider internet bingo sector, as punters look for alternatives to poker and casino games. The online bingo sector was worth $1.4 billion last year on a global basis. It is forecast to hit $1.7 billion this year and $2 billion in 2010. The UK accounts for about 20 per cent of the market.
Foxy Bingo, founded in June 2005, is the No 2 online bingo brand behind Gala.
The fear for Gala if PartyGaming wins the bidding for Cashcade is that it might lose its No 1 position as the internet gambling behemoth leverages its scale by cross-selling to its poker, casino and sports betting customers.
A victory for PartyGaming would also be a setback for 888 Holdings, which
provides the software for Cashcade's websites and had been tipped as the
early frontrunner. Inevitably, a victory for PartyGaming would see it lose
the contract.
Written by Dominic Walsh
business.timesonline.co.uk
Gala Coral, the private equity-owned gambling group, is facing another wave of regulatory uncertainty just as the debt-laden business struggles to swallow swingeing duty hikes imposed on its bingo halls and slot machines.
Industry regulator the Gambling Commission is later this month expected to advise culture minister Gerry Sutcliffe to carry out further research into links between betting shop roulette bingo machines and problem gambling. A study two years ago found one in nine players on the machines were problem gamblers.
The move will add to uncertainty for all bookmakers, including Coral, which was one of the first to see the potential of roulette slot machines. Analysts are speculating that Chancellor Alistair Darling may see roulette machines as an easy target for future tax increases.
The commission has also privately told ministers it believes Gala and other bingo operators have persuaded local authorities to twist licensing rules in order to increase the number of £500 jackpot slot machines permissible in each club. Artificial subdivisions within clubs have been used to gain multiple licences, boosting the number of lucrative bingo machines they are allowed to run.
The commission has repeatedly published guidance on how local authorities should treat multiple licence applications, but privately concedes it is powerless to enforce its views.
Regulators are not believed to have singled out Gala Coral, but the business is seen as one of the most vulnerable to any regulatory crackdown because it is already straining to service debts of £4.4bn.
Gala Coral is the only UK business to operate in all three high street gambling categories - bingo halls, casinos and betting shops - all of which have been hit by regulatory and tax changes in recent years. Combined with drops in consumer spending, these have prompted its private equity owners Permira, Cinven and Candover to each write down the value of their investment to zero.
In May last year Gala Coral received a £124m cash injection from the three firms, and renegotiated some of its loan covenants. However, it must repay £80m of debt by September this year, with a further £150m falling due in the following 12 months.
The firm denies it is preparing another restructuring, dismissing rumours that it is seeking to demerge bookmaker Coral, the division that generates almost two-thirds of operating profit.
The company is fiercely cutting costs and has cancelled its membership of trade associations Bingo Association, the British Casino Association, the Association of British Bookmakers and the Remote Gambling Association.
At year-end last September Gala Coral had £4.4bn of borrowings, of which £1.6bn was "investor-funded debt". It made an operating profit last year of £362m. Since then the business has been hit by duty rises on bingo and slot machines introduced in April's budget, with the impact expected to run into several millions of pounds.
Adding to its woes, Gala Coral will be forced to book an exceptional charge of £10.6m when it publishes accounts for the current financial year because of a failed interest rate swap contract with collapsed investment bank Lehman Brothers.
Written by Simon Bowers
www.guardian.co.uk
Bingo halls have been hurt in recent years more by a smoking ban than the recession. That is according to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP research that has been released this week. The study shows that casinos are being hit harder by the recession than bingo halls.
"It appears likely that betting and casinos will be impacted more by the recession than bingo, which may benefit from the resilience of its target demographic," said David Trunkfield, UK Head of Gaming, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Trunkfield believes that the recession this time around will hurt the casinos because it is the high rollers that are struggling the most with the economy. The bingo halls have lower spending limits, and their customers are not of the high roller variety.
"UK casinos are staring down the barrel of a recession decline," said Trunkfield, "With relatively high spend per head, and the potential impact of the decline in the financial services sector on London casinos, the market could see a drop of as much as eight percent in revenue."
Written by Terry Goodwin
www.casinogamblingweb.com
In his suit filed Wednesday morning Harp asked the court to rule on the legality of the standards for the bingo machines approved last week by the Etowah County Commission.
He named D&F Charitable Trust and CBS Supply as defendants in the suit.
In the suit Harp said there is a "real and justifiable question as to whether the bingo machines that will be used in the bingo operation constitute gambling and/or can be readily made into a gambling device" which is prohibited by Alabama law.
D&F Charitable Trust has been issued an interim electronic bingo permit, but Sheriff Todd Entrekin said when he issued the permit that it was contingent on the court approving the machine bingo standards and the machines that will be used.
Harp said in his suit that CBS would lease bingo equipment to D&F.
In his suit Harp said while the Etowah County Commission has adopted technical standards that the commission had determined constitutes the game of legal bingo he said a controversy does exist whether the bingo machines constructed by the standards will be "legal bingo" in the county or a "gambling device" as defined in the Alabama Code.
Harp said he will file a motion for a computer server and several of the bingo machines to be brought to the county so they can be examined by the court.
The bingo machine standards were prepared by Gaming Laboratories International, which is an international gaming testing lab that works with gaming regulators.
Harp said he will have an expert that will present testimony that the bingo machines are basically slot machines and said he expects CBS will have an expert that will testify the machines are legal in Alabama.
Harp said the county regulations do say that a bingo card must be visible on the screen when a game is played.
Christie Knowles, an attorney representing CBS Supply, could not be reached for comment.
After the standards were approved by the commission, Entrekin wrote Harp a letter asking him to file a suit asking a judge to determine if any of the adopted standards violate gaming laws in Alabama.
The commission has approved a development agreement with CBS Supply, which has announced plans for a $200 million development, including a bingo facility, near Pleasant Valley Road and Interstate 59.
CBS has said it will operate a temporary facility while the development is being built.
Harp said it would likely be several months before the case would come to trial since both sides will have to take depositions of witnesses and prepare arguments.
Written by Andy Powell
www.gadsdentimes.com
A former judge warned Covington County commissioners Monday that they could lead the county into a legal quagmire if they adopt rules governing electronic bingo, and a former commission chairman said electronic bingo is needed to "save the county."
After listening to the two men for 45 minutes, county commissioners only said they'll discuss it in a workshop meeting in the future.
There was standing room only at Monday's meeting, with an estimated crowd of more than 100 people.
Former Covington County Circuit Judge Jerry Stokes, serving as the spokesperson for the Covington County Coalition Against Gambling, said he believes electronic bingo is illegal in Alabama.
"I have seen nothing that indicates that anyone (on the commission) has really come to grips that it may clearly violate the constitution of Alabama and the Criminal Code of Alabama for us to bring electronic bingo in," Stokes said.
Stokes said the county's enabling legislation, passed by the Alabama Legislature in 1993, puts severe restrictions on charitable bingo, such as preventing any charity from operating bingo with the use of anything other than volunteer help.
Stokes added that action of the state's Supreme Court is consistent with the idea that electronic bingo machines are slot machines.
"Bingo by those amendments is narrowly interpreted and limited to the traditional paper-and-card type bingo that has been around for a very long time," he said. "So the commercialization of the bingo process has been struck down by the (state) Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals every time it's been before them.
"And I don't want to see us in the news like White Hall and some of those other places," he said. "I see no indication that the Supreme Court it is going to change its mind."
Earlier this year, Gov. Bob Riley's gambling task force seized machines from the gaming facility in White Hall in rural Lowndes County, claiming the machines were illegal. Nonetheless, White Hall continues to operate.
Stokes also encouraged the commissioners to consider the intent of the constitutional amendment approved by local voters in 1994 that allows charitable bingo.
"Are you doing what the people of Covington County want you to do," he asked. "I don't think our people intended to bring casino-type bingo into Covington County. You should ask if you are committing a breach of faith by allowing electronic bingo.
"Everyone indicated they wanted to have their charitable bingo in a traditional, club atmosphere type fashion and the people decided to let them do that," he said. "The electronic bingo, or the commercialization of bingo or the casino-type operations was not even breathed into that campaign to pass our amendment."
He also encouraged commissioners to practice transparency, and allow local residents to review proposed bingo rules before acting on them.
"Give the people of the county a true opportunity to see it, to review it," he said of the proposed rules and regulations. "Our laws require transparent government, and a lot what I'm sensing around the county is that people feel they are being excluded from a fair participation in the process."
Commissioners were expected to have the proposed bingo rules on their May agenda, but removed them at the last minute. At the time, they said they expected to have rules ready in June, but on Friday again said the rules weren't completed. Both The Star-News and the coalition against gaming have made requests for copies of the rules but have not received them.
Stokes also said people should realize that most of the monies raised do not benefit a charitable organization.
"Constantly we hear about all the money that is going to come in to the county coffers or charities," he said. "It occurred to me to hunt up what I could on the financial reports of the charities that have started operating the bingo games. White Hall's is Cornerstone Community Outreach, Inc. What I see for every dollar taken into White Hall, less than a dime makes its way into the charity; it might not even amount to more than a nickel.
"This is a very sophisticated financial set up," he said.
Most of the money, he said, goes to rent bingo software. In the case of White Hall, 60 percent of the money generated by the operation of the electronic machines was for software rental.
"That money didn't go to charities, to Lowndes County or to the citizens. You need to ask whether or not these casino operations ... are they going to bring money in or send money out?"
Stokes cited both the governor's task force and the position taken by Covington County district attorney Greg Gambril, who has said he will prosecute anyone who puts in electronic gaming.
"Gentlemen, be careful before you go there," Stokes said.
Referencing potential bingo operations, he said, "If they've got something good, they ought to be willing to get out in the open and they ought to be willing to show their books and records and point to other operations they've operated so you can go and make sure it's clean."
But former commission chairman Johnny Mac Weed urged commissioners to look at electronic bingo as a means to "save the county."
"What has happened is that this county has went down for the last 14 years on account of some bad decisions that were made," he said. "(Commissioners are) trying (now). They've made cuts, but we have to help get this county back.
"If it's not legal, I'm not for it," he said. "If it's legal, we're taking away the rights of the people who play bingo. My concern is this county is $18-19 million in debt. Regardless of the crowd here (Monday), if people are gambling, they're going.
"My concern is the people that play bingo and gamble, they're not here today," he said. "We don't want a group of people to tell us what to do. It seems like to me, we're trying to tell them where they can spend their money and where they can't. And that's not right."
Commissioners didn't make any comment about proposed rules, nor did they answer any questions posed by Stokes. Commission Chairman Lynn Sasser said proposed rules will be discussed in a future workshop meeting, tentatively scheduled next Tuesday.
In other business, the commission transferred a beer license to Jerry Qualls at Horn Hill Grocery, announced it will revert back to meeting on the second and fourth Monday of each month, and heard from Joe Faulk, president of the state association of county commissioners.
Written by Stephanie Nelson
www.andalusiastarnews.com
"Dale," says one.
"Dale," calls another from several tables away.
The almost rapid-fire calls in the moments leading up to the bingo's 6 p.m. start draw an immediate response from Dale Krueger, who on this night is hawking thick stacks of instant game tickets. He stops, peels off a few tickets, collects the cash, shares a few words and a laugh, and darts off to the next customer as his name is called out again.
It's all part of being a loyal and active member of the Sertoma Club, a social service organization that spends the bulk of its time raising funds to assist children in Crawford and Erie counties.
But it's only a fraction of what Krueger does for the club, President Jack Thompson said.
In addition to spending five or six hours each Monday night to help run the weekly bingo game, Krueger serves as club treasurer, runs the club softball leagues and keeps its fields in shape. He helps with the cooking for the club's various parties, and he sets up the entertainment for the annual Jimmy Moore Christmas party.
"The rewards that you get are great, but you have to be willing to put some time in it," said Krueger, 37, a health and physical education teacher at Cochranton Junior-Senior High School. "For me, it's about eight hours a week, and in the summer it's up to 12 to 15 hours a week."
It all started for him in 1994. While walking past the Sertoma Club's old building, Krueger was asked by Thompson to lend a hand in unloading Thanksgiving baskets that the club was passing out in the community.
Krueger joined the club a short time later.
"It's the camaraderie, the guys in the club and the fun we have together," he said, describing the organization's social appeal.
Krueger said he also took a liking to the good things that the Sertoma Club does for the community. Topping the list is the Jimmy Moore, a 40-plus-year club tradition that provides a Christmas party and presents to local kids in need.
About 600 children were served at the latest party in December.
Some of the kids whom Krueger has served at the party over the years were his students. Some are now the children of former students, he said.
As much fun as it is for Krueger to hand a Christmas present to an excited youngster or to deliver a Thanksgiving basket to a grateful family, he gets equal enjoyment in shooting the breeze with a fellow club member or chatting with one of the more than 100 bingo players who visit the club every week.
Even if some of those conversations are a bit unusual.
"You're a schoolteacher? How do you spell ravioli?" a woman asked moments before a recent bingo game began.
"Oh, geez. I'm not Italian," Krueger replied as he scribbled out the word on a piece of paper and passed it along.
Written by Tim Hahn
www.goerie.com
Bingo has come so far in such a small amount of time. Once believed to be the favourite pass-time of pensioners, it is now one of the fastest growing areas of online gaming. Thousands play at bingo halls around the UK and millions more play online.
According to a press release from Bingo Confidential, the great game has been immortalised in the form of a feature length comedy.
Named, "It's Not a Game for Kids", the film follows six "whacky bingo-loving players" as they go in search of the ultimate bingo game. The game is the last wishes of Ethel Bell, who made her fortune from playing bingo.
All six of the main characters are desperate to win the jackpot game, but standing in their way are the greedy relatives of Ethel Bell who want to contest the will and stop the game from going ahead.
Written, directed and produced by American Susan Noel Benfatto, the film is in the style of a documentary in High Definition and captures the excitement and thrill of bingo.
The cast is made up of Professional actors, real bingo players and amateur actors. The DVD will be released in Autumn 2009.
Written by Rommon,
www.gamingalerts.co.uk
These are the words spoken by Mayor Robert McKay after electronic bingo machines were moved into the American Legion Post 170 late Friday and all day Saturday.
Electronic bingo is being played in the city of Ashville.
McKay said he received word Friday around noon that St. Clair County Judge Charles Robinson said there is no reason for them not to continue to pursue the idea of playing electronic bingo.
"Finally, finally, after about seven or eight months of pursuing this we finally have succeeded in opening the doors," McKay said. "We had the machines certified by two different laboratories. Everything is a go, so we are here. Not only is it a great day for Ashville, it is a great day for the St. Clair County School System. We plan on giving 90 percent of what we generate this weekend to the school system as early as Monday. The kids will benefit from this."
McKay added they would be able to pay off city hall, extend the sewer to the schools and build new ball fields.
Bobby Cook, resident of Ashville for over 50 years and a member of the American Legion since it started, said electronic bingo is wonderful.
"It is a win-win situation for the American Legion and the city of Ashville," Cook said. "The American Legion was about to close its doors because the paper or card bingo was not paying the bills. This electronic bingo is going to bring so much more revenue in here, especially to the city. If we don't have this, we are going to be another Argo and have to cut back in the police and fire departments and city workers. We don't want that to happen so electronic bingo is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to the city of Ashville."
Tim Couch and his wife, Cindy, drove from Gadsden to experience the first night of electronic bingo is Ashville. They were actually the first ones to play electronic bingo.
"This is a great thing because it is great entertainment," Couch said. "We do not have this in Gadsden but they are trying to get it."
Cindy Couch said driving to Ashville is so much better than having to drive to Wetumpka or even to Philadelphia, Miss.
"We make those trips about once a month," she said.
"Beings that we are in Ashville, we'll be here about four times a month," said Couch.
John Hashbarger of Gadsden said this is the best thing that has ever happened so close to where he lives.
"I used to play a lot of card bingo down here and now I'll be down here a lot playing electronic bingo," Hashbarger said.
As of Saturday, there were 250 electronic bingo machines at the American Legion. McKay said they were bringing in another 100 Sunday and then by Monday, they would be at full capacity with 600 to 625 machines.
"We get $100 machine tax on each machine per month," McKay said. "That's $60,000 per month the city will get. That's not counting the revenue we'll get from the supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, motels, etc. The revenues are going to go out the roof. Can you imagine when the new facility is built with 5,000 machines? That's $6 million a year going into the city coffer. Imagine what the school system will get then."
St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles said Judge Robinson has made his ruling and that's why they took it to the Alabama Supreme Court.
"Right now, Robinson has said they can play and it sort of takes me out of the picture," Surles said Saturday night. "We still feel that the way the law is written that electronic bingo is illegal. I guess all we can do is wait and see what the Supreme Court decides. If they decide that it is illegal, I'll make sure they get those machines out of there as quick as they put them in."
McKay said he understands there is still a fight going on in Montgomery.
"Personally, I don't understand because we are just as legit as anyone in the state," McKay said. "As long as they are operating in Macon and Greene counties, then I feel like we are doing the right thing. We are depriving our citizens and our kids of all this money. We could rebuild Ashville school and Ragland school. It's just a great day for the kids. Although it is the adults who will be spending the money here, the money will end up in the hands of the kids and the school system."
McKay said he respects Surles and he is doing what he feels like he needs to do.
"We feel like we are doing what is lawful," McKay said. "This is strictly a business decision while his is strictly a political decision of what he feels he needs to be doing. I have no hard feelings toward the sheriff. It's all falling into place. Video bingo is here to stay. I truly feel that during the next Alabama Legislative session, the Sweet Home Alabama bill will pass. We don't need to give up that revenue in the meantime."
Written by Gary Hanner
www.dailyhome.com
Sheriff Dennis Meeks said Friday he wants nothing to do with licensing charitable bingo operations in Covington County.
Instead he believes the county commission should assume that responsibility if it adopts rules governing charitable bingo in the county.
He said that's why he has yet to act on the bingo application submitted to him last month by the Opp-based Danley Foundation.
The Danley Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization created in 1988 whose main project is financing and maintaining the Danley Charitable Park on U.S. Hwy. 331 south of Opp. If licensed, the group hopes to sponsor scholarships with the bingo proceeds.
"I've not acted on (the application)," he said. "It's still sitting right here in my desk drawer. Why? The biggest reason is I hope the commission takes (approving bingo permits) out of my hands."
Meeks said he felt "it should have been put in the commission's hands" when a bill was passed in 1993 by the state legislature. That act, which sets rules for charitable bingo in Covington County, also gives the sheriff authority to issue $100 permits for charitable bingo and sets guidelines for issuing those permits.
Constitutional Amendment 565, approved by voters in 1994, allows charitable bingo in Covington County and charges the county commission with setting rules for it.
In Meeks' opinion, the commission should become the group on record for licensing those charitable bingo operations -- not the sheriff.
"The issuing of bingo permits needs to be like issuing any other permit like liquor or beer," he said. "Those permit fees go to the (county's) general fund. They don't go to the sheriff's office.
"In my opinion, it should be the responsibility of the commission," he said.
In the current bingo license application, gaming is limited to two days a week and for no more than five hours a day. It requires any non-profit organization seeking a license to either provide copies of its tax-exempt status or a copy of its charter.
Meeks said as of Friday afternoon, the Danley Charitable Foundation application is the only one he's received for a new bingo license. At present American Legion Post 80 is the only charity in the county with a current bingo permit.
"There's a lot of controversy about (bingo)," Meeks said. "I think a lot more questions need to be answered about the whole situation of bingo in Covington County."
Written by Stephanie Nelson
www.andalusiastarnews.com
Last Friday night, organizers of the Relay for Life of Newington continued Linda's Almost Midnight Bingo in memory of Linda Carneiro, 48, a Griswold Middle School language teacher who lost her battle with cancer in April. A few dozen people - including many friends and family - came into the survivor's tent for the event.
Her son Carlos spun the number wheel and long-time friend Isabel Seguro took over Linda's roll in calling out the numbers. She said it was hard but she also felt that her friend's presence was in the tent.
"Her memory and presence was there the whole time." Seguro said. "I believe that."
Still the relay was difficult for friends and family. Rachel Ewaski of Wethersfield first met Carneiro at a cancer support group at Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield. She said the Carneiro, a language teacher at Griswold Middle School in Rocky Hill, was always more concerned with others than herself.
"It's not the same without her," Ewaski said at the bingo. She, however, was glad the event was held.
Carneiro was known for running the event at the relay, just part of her work with the event. Carneiro co-chaired the Newington relay itself for five years.
Seguro, who knew Carneiro since age 9 when the two attended Portuguese School in Hartford, agrees it was hard without her friend. During the survivor's walk, she kept expecting her to be on the track.
Seguro and others plan to keep Carneiro's memory, kind spirit, support and fight against cancer going. In addition to the bingo, they once again sponsored the team - Kickin' Cancer - that she had started. She added that Carlos wants to co-chair the team next year.
"He wants to carry on his mother's tradition," she said.
She said she was touched in many other ways as well. Once again many local businesses donated prizes for the bingo. Her own son Brandon made some pastries and helped Carlos sell bingo cards. One man bought 40.
"That's a pretty high tribute." she said.
The bingo raised about $267 for the American Cancer Society and the team as a whole brought in more than $3,000. Seguro said she was also grateful that so many speakers at the Relay mentioned Carneiro.
"I think the whole relay in general did a wonderful tribute to her," she said.
www.zwire.com
IS the number up for Southport's bingo hall?
Customers at Mecca Bingo on Lord Street are protesting against a seven per cent rise in taxation.
Bingo players spoke of anger and disappointment after the Government made the game the most heavily taxed form of gaming.
The smoking ban, a reduction in £500 jackpot machines and the recession have already affected clubs across the country.
Keen bingo player Val Bacon, of Viceroy Court, attends Mecca Bingo on a daily basis.
She said: "It is the last thing we could do with, it could be immensely damaging.
"Numbers are already severely down because of the credit crunch and because people are looking after their pennies.
"This could be a nail in the coffin."
Employees at the bingo hall have also voiced their concern at the rise.
One staff member wrote to the Visiter saying: "I really enjoy working at my club and I am worried that the Government's attack on Britain's bingo clubs could lead to me losing my job if our club is forced to close.
"I find this uncaring attitude very hard to take and they obviously don't understand how much bingo means to people."
Dr Pugh - who voted against bingo duty - met with frustrated bingo players last week.
He said: "The decision to increase tax on bingo was cowardly and wrong.
"It was cowardly because the Government should be tackling harmful betting practices, not going after a positive activity like bingo. It was wrong because bingo centres are a vital community resource, providing people of all ages and backgrounds with a place to meet, relax and have a good time.
"By putting up bingo tax during difficult economic times, the Government puts jobs at risk and could force bingo centres to close."
Wrtitten by John Siddle
www.southportvisiter.co.uk
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SOUTH Cheshire MP Edward Timpson has earned some national attention for speaking out on behalf of thousands of Bingo players in Crewe and Nantwich.
Mr Timpson has been campaigning against the Government's decision to increase the rate of bingo duty from 15% to 22%.
His efforts were lauded in The Times this week as he signed a petition against the increased charges.
The Tory MP has also used his own website to help the cause.
The site, edwardtimpsonmp.com, now wears the bright pink 'I'm Backing Bingo!' badge, which links to the campaign website of the Bingo Association.
The MP's office met with a representative of the Bingo Association at the House of Commons this week.
After the meeting, Mr Timpson said: "I am pleased that local MPs like me have been able to bring pressure to bear on the Government on such a worthwhile cause that affects a safe and enjoyable part of so many people's social lives.
"The Government are beginning to show signs that they realise that overtaxing the softest form of gaming makes no sense.
"This isn't going to go away quickly, and new ways of raising the issue have been discussed at this afternoon's meeting.
"At the end of the day though, what is required is some courage from Treasury ministers to admit that a different approach is required."
After hearing the concerns of bingo players Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich David Williams raised the issue directly with HM Treasury.
The response said: "These changes were made to help simplify the way in which bingo clubs are taxed, something that people have asked for.
"The changes you mentioned in your letter should be seen alongside the removal altogether of VAT on bingo player fees.
"The changes mean that overall tax on bingo is 22% - down from an estimated 24-25% rate before the budget.
"This has been brought down from the much higher rate of 35%, in force in 2003.
"The tax rate in bingo is comparable to the average tax rates on gaming machines, casinos and the National Lottery, all of which are taxed within a 20-25% range."
Mr Williams added: "I am very aware of the importance that bingo has in people's lives and communities.
"I will continue to listen to bingo players and their clubs, and I
will make sure their concerns are raised with the Government."
www.creweguardian.co.uk
Covington County Sheriff Dennis Meeks confirmed Monday that the local non-profit Danley Charitable Foundation has submitted an application to operate bingo for charitable purposes.
Meeks, speaking at a meeting of the Kiwanis Club, said that the Opp-based 501(c)(3) organization has submitted the bingo application, but he has not yet issued a permit.
John Ellis, a trustee in the Danley Charitable Foundation, explained that the non-profit organization was created in 1988 and its main project is financing and maintaining the Danley Charitable Park on U.S. Hwy. 331 south of Opp. Ellis' grandfather founded the Danley Furniture Company.
"The foundation was set up when Danley Furniture was sold to Heilig-Meyers," Ellis said. "With some of the money from the sale, we were able to open a park for people who need a place to have family reunions and things like that. At this point, the money that is in the foundation is basically used to keep up the park."
Ellis said the foundation wanted to "put its name in the hat" as a group that would be interested in operating bingo in Covington County.
"I believe it would help the county," he said. "All we're looking for is something that may allow us to help the charities in the county. Right now, we're just taking a look at it and would be interested in it. We're just looking into it to see if we could get a little money to where we could sponsor scholarships and things like that for people in the county."
Ellis' mother, Peggy Ellis, is also a trustee in the foundation. She is also the mother of District 1 Commissioner David Ellis.
A local act passed in the Alabama legislature in 1993 sets rules for charitable bingo in Covington County. Those rules give the sheriff authority to issue $100 permits for charitable bingo and set guidelines for issuing those permits.
Constitutional Amendment 565, approved by statewide vote in 1994, allows charitable bingo in Covington County and charges the county commission with setting rules for it. The county commission has been given proposed rules by its attorney, Julie Moody. However, the commission has not publicly discussed those rules and has denied requests by this newspaper for copies.
The issue is expected to be discussed at next Monday's county commission meeting.
In a joint motion by the city of Ashville, American Legion Post 170, and Shooting Star Entertainment, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, the group is seeking a "showing of compliance" order by the court, so electronic bingo machines can be legally brought into St. Clair County.
"Plaintiff Shooting Star Entertainment Group, L.L.C., has taken great measures and spent considerable time and monetary resources to comply with specific terms and conditions of this Court's March 30, 2009, Order regarding electronic and/or machine bingo devices," states a motion recently filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court. "The attached certification report from BMM Compliance shows conclusively that Shooting Star Entertainment Group, L.L.C., has obtained the right to implement an electronic bingo system that complies with the Court's March 30, 2009, Order, Amendment No. 542 and city of Ashville Ordinance No. 2008-011."
In March, the city of Ashville, American Legion Post 170, and Shooting Star Entertainment asked the court for a declaratory judgment about whether the city of Ashville was in compliance with the Amendment 542 of the Alabama Constitution when the city council passed an ordinance in December outlining the issuance of permits or licenses for electronic charity bingo.
St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles, who was named in the original suit, said publicly he would arrest anyone in possession of or operating an electronic bingo machine.
St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor joined the case as a defendant with Surles, alleging the proposed "charity electronic bingo machines" are nothing more than slot machines.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Charles Robinson eventually ruled in favor of the city of Ashville and the other plaintiffs involved in the case.
The judge ruled electronic bingo machines were legal, and the city of Ashville could move forward with bringing electronic bingo to that city.
Robinson refused to order a stay in the case, and a motion for a stay was filed with the Alabama Supreme Court by the defendants, Minor and Surles.
A stay would temporarily halt the opening of electronic bingo operations in Ashville and possibly throughout St. Clair County, until the Alabama Supreme Court rules on its legality.
Parties involved in the case say the Alabama Supreme Court could make a ruling on the stay within the next 7-10 days.
According to Robinson's order in March, each machine, electronic device and software which constitutes the bingo system, must facilitate the playing of the game of bingo and incorporate the following elements:
• A game played on a card containing a grid of five rows intersecting five columns containing a series of numbers or symbols in each square, with no two cards containing the same pattern of numbers or symbols in any one game.
• Numbers or symbols are generated at random from a finite pool which corresponds to the pool of numbers or symbols contained on the cards.
• The numbers or symbols generated are covered on the cards.
• The game must be played by two or more individuals competing against one another.
• The winner(s), either by game-ending patterns or interim patterns, are those card holders being the first to match specific predetermined patterns.
Matt Abbott, attorney for Shooting Star Entertainment Group, L.L.C., said the company's machines meet the judge's requirements.
He said software for the electronic bingo machines was specifically developed to meet the Ashville ordinance, Amendment 542 and the court's order.
"There is no other machine in the state that has this type of software," Abbott said. "This was specifically development to meet the requirements of the (March) court order."
He said plaintiffs are moving forward with the certification process, because there is no stay ordered by the courts, and there may not be any stay ordered by the Alabama Supreme Court.
Abbott said electronic bingo machines specifically development for St. Clair County were certified by an independent gaming laboratory in Nevada and meets the requirements outlined in Robinson's, March 30, order.
The plaintiffs have asked for an immediate hearing before Robinson on the certification issue so "machines, devices, hardware and/or software can be brought into St. Clair County without threat of seizure and/or confiscation by the collective Defendants."
Under Robinson's order, a party can challenge the certification of proposed electronic bingo machines within 10 days, and defendants in the case put the court on notice that the legality of any electronic bingo machine brought into St. Clair County would be challenged.
Robinson has not set a hearing date regarding the proposed electronic bingo systems.
Written by David Atchison
www.dailyhome.com
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The idea that the games would end had some bingo members more than upset.
Member Norma Wright contacted the media and her U.S. senator to complain and seek intervention in the issue.
"These bingo games were ideal for the senior because the cost was low," she wrote in a petition to U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. "For some, this is their only entertainment. I am a firm believer that physical and mental activity is very important to the seniors. Don't deny them these few simple pleasures."
Wright said seniors weren't getting any straight answers.
Portage Township Trustee Joyce Webster, however, said this week that bingo will continue, but in a different form or possibly sponsored by a different agency.
The center's Ways and Means Committee holds the state license to operate the charity bingo games, she said. That license expires today, and it has not been renewed. While the group has applied for the renewal, Webster said she must sign paperwork to allow the center to host the bingo games.
She hasn't signed the letter, she said, because the committee and her office have been in negotiations for several months over the operation of the center and the control of funds raised by the committee. She's hoping the two sides settle the disagreement shortly.
No matter what happens, Webster said, bingo will continue.
However, instead of bingo members paying $6 to play, the games will be free. And, instead of winning a cash pot made up of the entry fee, bingo players will have a chance to win prizes donated by area businesses.
The bingo games will continue that way until the committee and trustee settle their differences or until Webster can find another organization that holds a valid charity gaming license for bingo to operate the weekly games. Webster said her office cannot seek a license because it is a government agency.
Written by Joyce Russell
www.thetimesonline.com
Cosmic Bingo has hit Seminole Casino Hollywood.
"Definitely not your grandma's bingo," general manager Adrian Fox said.
The staff wear outlandish wigs and fluorescent shirts that say: "Play With Me In The Dark." Players have glow-sticks around their necks. Danceable oldies blare ... Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours, Kool & The Gang's Ladies Night and the BeeGees 'Stayin' Alive.
There's also free liquor. As part of a temporary promotion, the casino has been giving free drinks to people playing slots, poker or bingo.
The casino, known to locals as Seminole Classic, opened in 1979 as a bingo hall before adding slots and poker. Fox said Cosmic Bingo has drawn a younger crowd.
Guillermo and Eneida Vega, of Miramar, recently came with their 31-year-old son, Guillermo Jr. Eneida -- whose son calls her "a professional bingo player" -- has been visiting the bingo hall for 16 years. She said the noise and the darkness of Cosmic Bingo make the game "confusing but fun."
Adds Fox: "I think we have a bright future ahead of us. Or maybe a dark future with glow sticks."
Written by
A BINGO-playing pensioner has been banned from more than 100 Mecca halls across the country - because she organised trips to a rival bingo club.
When 76-year-old Rose Clemson organised three day trips for elderly friends to a Runcorn bingo hall, she thought nothing of having a change of scenery from her regular haunt, the Mecca bingo on Brook Street - opposite her St Oswald's flat, St Anne Street, Newtown.
But then Mecca sent a letter to Rose banning her from all of their clubs for breaching membership rules.
It cited evidence from customers that they had 'approached members at Mecca Chester offering coach trips to opposition bingo clubs'.
It also claimed that they were 'aggressive' towards the duty manager and that their behaviour was 'unacceptable' when they were asked to leave.
The retired nurse, who had been playing bingo in Chester for 53 years, was escorted from the floor with her husband last March. She is now threatening to leave the city and take legal action.
Rose said: "They've made my life hell. I've gone to rock bottom. It's the only thing that people have got round here. There's no picture house, no theatre.
"I don't know how long I've got to live and they've taken away everything that I love to do."
Husband Frank, 73, added: "If you do something in a place that's where you get barred, but not all over the country."
She added: "I want to leave Chester now. I am utterly depressed over it. I just want my self respect back and my character clean."
A Mecca Bingo spokesperson said they do not comment on individual cases but added: "We can confirm that Mrs Clemson and her husband are not welcome in Mecca Bingo clubs and we have written to them to explain the reasons for this. I must stress that we do not take the decision to bar people lightly."
Written by Laurie Stocks-Moore
www.chesterchronicle.co.uk
More than 600 customers and employees at Mecca Bingo in Stevenage have written to Barbara Follett, MP for the town, asking for support in demanding the Government overturns its decision to raise the rate of bingo duty from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.
The rise, announced by Alistair Darling in his Budget statement in April, means bingo is now Britain's most heavily taxed form of gaming.
Sue Baker, operations manager at Mecca Bingo in Stevenage, said: "I do not know why the Government has chosen to discriminate against bingo, but I do know that in these difficult times it can be immensely damaging.
"I really enjoy working at my local club and am worried the Government's attack on Britain's bingo industry could lead to me losing my job after 32 years, if our club is forced to close."
The smoking ban, a reduction in £500 jackpot machines and the recession have already forced bingo clubs to the wall.
Numbers are down from almost 700 in 2003 to about 585 today in an industry that employs 17,000 people.
Tracey Wilsmore, manager of Mecca Bingo in Stevenage, said the Government is targeting women, adding that it is not fair that someone can go to the bookies and place a bet and only pay 15 per cent tax, while a bingo player has to pay 22 per cent.
She said: "To our customers, this is about so much more than bingo. For some, this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people and it would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation's favourite past times."
However, Treasury ministers have reportedly told Mecca Bingo that they are not concerned if people lose their jobs through club closures as these are assumed to be compensated for by job creation elsewhere in the economy.
Ms Baker said: "I find this uncaring attitude very hard to take, and they obviously don't understand how much bingo means to people.
"If clubs close, not only will employees like me suffer, but millions of our customers will lose something special in their lives.
www.thecomet.net
PORTAGE -- Portage Township Trustee Joyce Webster said Wednesday weekly bingo will continue at the Bonner Senior Center, regardless of whether the state gambling license held by the center's Ways and Means Committee week is renewed.
The license expires this week.
Webster would say only that meetings among her office, the township attorney and the committee are taking place and several options are being explored, without giving details.
"Everything's still in the works. We hope to have it wrapped up by the end of this month," she said.
Webster agreed the bingo games are "very popular," after an incident Friday at which a shouting match reportedly erupted when someone tried to read a letter to U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh in the presence of an unidentified township office staffer, according to a Bonner Center member who wished to remain anonymous.
The person said the controversy involved the possible ending of bingo at the center this week after the gambling license expires.
"She treats us like children," the woman said.
On Tuesday, a sign at the front door stated "NO UNAUTHORIZED GAMBLING -- The management reserves the right to approve or deny any activities or events," and cited a section of the Indiana law code.
Center director Janet Clem said Tuesday the sign was put up last week. She said she was not present Friday and referred all other questions to Webster.
"I always have members of my staff at the center. Nobody reported anything to me," Webster said. She said she was at the center in the afternoon, when the after-lunch games used by the committee to raise money for activities are held.
She said there are three options in addition to renewing the committee's license:
* An outside contractor that holds a gambling license could be brought in to run the games.
* A new group that would hold the license could be formed at the center.
* Weekly bingo could continue, with no need for a license, by offering noncash bingo prizes and with no money changing hands.
Differences between Webster and the Ways and Means Committee surfaced in January when organizers started considering updates to committee by-laws. Webster said she would release a statement regarding the bingo games when the situation is resolved.
Written by Charles M. Bartholomew
www.post-trib.com
