November 2007 Archives

Technorati Profile

Premier Bingo's operations manager Mike Lowe has warned of an uncertain future for the industry if the UK government does not change the current tax laws for the industry. Speaking to FiFe Today, Lowe said the bingo industry must be given a fairer system of taxation, adding that, along with the smoking ban, the laws have had a dramatic effect on the sector. 

Lowe recently lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament highlighting the problems and urging the government to make representations to the UK Government calling for a tax system similar in line with the rest of the gambling industry.

He said: "We pay VAT and Gross Profits Tax (GPT). It's an unfair taxation system so what we're asking is to give us some VAT relief and this would go some of the way to providing bingo operators with some breathing space."

Texas group says games are a legal charity function

The attorney seeking a temporary restraining order against the Madison County sheriff over a Triana electronic bingo operation asked a federal judge to postpone a hearing this morning because the parties are trying to work out the situation out of court.

Sheriff Blake Dorning authorized a raid on the electronic gaming machine parlor on Nov. 3 and confiscated $3 million in equipment, stating the business was violating state gambling laws.

Michael Choy, a Birmingham attorney representing the Texas veterans group that was running the electronic for-charity bingo center under contract with the Alabama VFW, contends that the operation was conducting business legally. The attorney filed a motion for a restraining order against Dorning to prevent him from seizing any more gaming machines his client might place in the Triana building.

Choy said late Thursday afternoon that his discussions with Madison County Attorney Julian Butler held promise that the two sides could find a compromise and not have to indulge in a "lengthy, expensive court battle."

So far, Choy said, the defendant has agreed not to execute arrest warrants on those affiliated with the operation. The plaintiff has promised not to bring in any more machines for the time being, he said.

"We've asked for a continuance to see if we can demonstrate to the sheriff's satisfaction that we were operating a legal bingo operation in Triana," Choy said.

Butler said he does not comment on pending litigation. Dorning is out of town and unavailable for comment.

The whiff of political scandal has reached the gambling industry with the revelation by The Daily Telegraph that a New South Wales casino has donated to the Australian Labour party.

Mirroring recent 'cash for favours' scandals in the UK, Australia's Star City Casino reportedly made a AUS$100,000 donation to the Australian Labour party just before the election in that country this year.  Labour came to power on an anti-Iraq and global warming platform.

Star City Casino currently enjoys a monopoly in the Australian state of New South Wales which it paid $100 million for, a figure that puts into perspective the size of the donation to the Labour party.  Star City Casino maintains it has done nothing illegal in making the donation.

Star City Casino's does not offer online bingo as part of its range of games and is not a major online gaming entity.  UK online bingo operators and online bingo halls have not been implicated in any 'cash for favours' scandals in the UK.

Written by John Witherspoon

The Danes seem to have found their own version of Barney Frank, the US Congressman doing such a good job in the fight to lift the US' Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

Freddy Blak, a former member of the Danish Parliament has decided he is sick of waiting for the end of the Danish gambling monopoly called Danske Spil and is now taking the issue to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

He is bound to find a lot of sympathy for his grievances at the ECJ which has been actively pursuing similar claims against the French, Swedish and Greek gambling monopolies.

Mr Blak believes the Danish Gambling Authority, which monitors Denske Spil, has actively disadvantaged European online gambling group Unibet in the Post Danmark Rundt cycle tour amongst other injustices.  He also points to the hypocrisy of the Danish government which takes a high-minded stance on problem gambling while at the same time extensively marketing Danske Spil.

Central to Mr Blak's concerns is the long-running nature of the case against Danske Spil which has been bogged down for nearly four years.
Online bingo is not a big part of the Danish gaming scene and Bingo Street was unable to confirm whether or not Mr Blak is person who play online bingo, but the demise of the Danish gambling monopoly would be seen in the free online bingo industry as a positive development.

Recent reports covering the Swedish gaming monopoly Svenska Spel's foray into online gaming has shown a sharp rise in interest in online bingo by Scandinavian online gamers.

Written by John Witherspoon

BEIJING -- PacificNet, Inc. , a leading provider of gaming technology, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and e-commerce in China, announced today that its Take1 Technologies ("Take1") subsidiary has entered into an agreement to place its Electronic Bingo Machines with a leading slot operator in Asia. Terms of the deal include a profit sharing provision. Further terms of the deal were not disclosed but will be discussed in the Company's upcoming conference call.

Take1 Technologies (http://www.take1technologies.com), a subsidiary of Pacificnet, is in the business of designing and manufacturing electronic multimedia entertainment kiosks, coin-op kiosks and machines, Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM), bingo and slot machines, AWP (Amusements With Prizes) games, server-based downloadable games systems, and Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) such as Keno and Bingo machines, including hardware, software, and cabinets.

Electronic Bingo Machines are played much like traditional bingo, but without the hassle of paper cards and mess of ink blotters. The Take1 Server Based Bingo Games (SBG) are based on a client-server computer network architecture and players can buy electronic bingo tickets using one of the many electronic bingo terminals (VLTs or client betting stations) situated in a variety of electronic bingo sales outlets. This automation allows for players to play more games faster and to play from any location that's linked to the central electronic bingo server, thus increasing the bingo operator's revenues and profit margins while minimizing labor and maintenance costs.

About PacificNet

PacificNet, Inc. (http://www.PacificNet.com) is a leading provider of gaming and mobile game technology, e-commerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in China. PacificNet's gaming products are specially designed for Chinese and Asian gamers with focus on integrating localized Chinese and Asian themes and content, advanced graphics, digital sound effects and popular domestic music, with secondary bonus games and jackpots. PacificNet gaming products include: Multi-player Electronic Table Games - Baccarat, Sicbo, Fish- Prawn-Crab, and Roulette machines, Server-Based Games (SBG) with multiple client betting stations, slot and bingo machines, Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), Amusement With Prizes (AWP) machines, gaming cabinet and client/server system designs, online i-gaming software design, and multimedia entertainment kiosks. PacificNet's gaming clients include the leading hotels, casinos, and gaming operators in Macau, Asia, and Europe, while ecommerce and CRM clients include the leading telecom companies, banks, insurance, travel, marketing and business services companies and telecom consumers in Greater China such as China Telecom, China Mobile, Unicom, PCCW, Hutchison Telecom, Bell24, Motorola, Nokia, SONY, TCL, Huawei, American Express, Citibank, HSBC, Bank of China, Bank of East Asia, DBS, TNT, China and Hong Kong government. PacificNet employs about 1,500 staff in its various subsidiaries throughout China with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macau and Zhuhai China, USA, and the Philippines.

Safe Harbor Statement

This Company's announcement contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, PacificNet's possible future losses, uncertain regulatory landscape in China, and fluctuations in quarterly operating results. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in PacificNet's Form 10KSB and other filings with the SEC.

Riva Gaming Group, one of the UK's leading bingo club operators, has recently opened England's first fully electronic bingo club.

The Riva Club in Sutton, South West London, uses over 600 handheld terminals (582 inside and 20 in specially designated smoking areas) instead of the traditional paper bingo ticket.

These terminals offer customers greater choice in terms of what they spend on bingo and ultimately support a wider range of games.

The Riva Club is currently the only one of its kind offering electronic bingo, and is a pioneer in upgrading and evolving the image of bingo clubs.

Riva hope the new system will help modernize the game and attract a new audience.

That's the view of Mike Lowe, operations manager of Premier Bingo, who spoke to The Press this week about his fears for the industry.

He has called for the Government to tax the bingo industry in the same way as it does the rest of the gaming industry.

His call comes just a week after MSPs, including Mid Scotland and Fife's Claire Baker, once again considered a petition lodged by Mr Lowe at the Public Petitions committee of the Scottish Parliament.

The petition, first lodged in February, urges the Scottish Government to recognise bingo clubs have been hit by both the smoking ban and an unfair system of taxation.

It goes on to urge the parliament to make representations to the UK Government to tax the bingo industry in the same way as it does the rest of the gaming industry.

MSPs decided to seek an update on the issues raised in the petition from the Scottish Government when they discussed the petition last week.

Claire Baker said the bingo industry was also faced with an "ageing clientele" and added: "We need to wait for a response from the Treasury to find out what the justification is for the taxation situation that bingo clubs are in at the moment."

Mike Lowe told The Press the tax situation coupled with the effects of the smoking ban has had a "dramatic effect" on the bingo industry.

He said: "We pay VAT and Gross Profits Tax (GPT). It's an unfair taxation system so what we're asking is to give us some VAT relief and this would go some of the way to providing bingo operators with some breathing space. There's a good chance that further operators won't have to close if they do get this."

By Cara Dodson

The Gala Bingo club in Glenrothes was the destination for the UK bingo national jackpot recently, the game's operating body reveals. 

But the lucky recipient had to be convinced she had won - and still claims not to be one of life's big winners.

"I'm an ordinary, down to earth person - this kind of thing always happens to other people, not me," she tells National Bingo.

The unemployed 46-year-old became £45,000 richer after sharing the UK Bingo jackpot with another player in Clacton.

Each had reached Bingo in 43 calls, the fewest number of balls drawn in any of the competing clubs across the country.

A fan of the game for the past eight years, the Glenrothes player reveals she has been a member of the Gala Bingo club since it first opened.

She, along with an estimated three million other Britons, competes two to three times each week.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

Online gaming developer Microgaming is enjoying a busy time with the release of a whole new slew of games during November and on to the end of the year.

The release of the games is helping the company avoid a general end-of-the-year slowdown affecting much of the broader market.

The Isle of Man-based company is a popular choice for many online bingo games operators and provides the underlying software for a number of online bingo halls.  Microgaming is currently promoting its range of UK pub-style interactive games which have enjoyed a growth market this year.

Written by John Witherspoon

Bingo! In the seven years that Fakenham reception Sharon Moore has been raising funds for cystic fibrosis her efforts have brought in £21,000 and now she has set herself a new target of raising £25,000 by the year 2010.

And it will be eyes down and look in on Monday when Sharon stages a Christmas Bingo at the Institute Hall, at North Elmham. The event starts at 7.30pm and there are some good prizes to be won.

Sharon is delighted at the total she has raised for the cause and has expressed thanks to everyone who has supported her efforts over the years.

She became an active and enthusiastic fund-raiser when her cousin Donna Leaver, now 25, was diagnosed with the condition.

Her fund-raising was given a big boost in July when around three thousand pounds was raised from a sponsored walk on Fakenham racecourse. The walk was one of nearly 50 across the country as part of the Great Strides Campaign by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

In the early days of her fund-raising Sharon pledged that she would continue raising cash for the cause and she has become well-known in the Fakenham area for her money-making events.

"I have been very fortunate in the way that people have always supported my fund-raising and I have always appreciated that," she said.

Acquisition fever seems to be the thing at Swedish gambling company Unibet with the group announcing further plans to raise as much as Euro 100 million to buy into more companies.

The company is contemplating the issuing of a bond in the Euro 100 million region as a way of raising the required capital.

"For some time now, the company has had discussions with a number of parties regarding strategic acquisitions and it is the board of directors' opinion that one or more of these acquisitions may be realised," Unibet said in a statement. "For the purpose of being financially prepared in connection with such acquisitions, Öhman Fondkommission has been assigned by the Board of Directors to explore the possibilities of raising capital in the bond market to a maximum volume of EUR 100 millions, in line with the company's financial objectives."

Unibet has achieved high growth since its inception, yet still is not committed to entering the online bingo industry in any noticeable way.  Speculation amongst free online bingo games operators and online bingo halls has already begun that Unibet may be looking to make acquisitions in the bingo online sector.

The company has indicated it is always evaluating acquisition alternatives.  Founded in 1997, Unibet is one of the largest privately-owned gambling operators in the European market with over 2 million customers around the world.

Written by John Witherspoon

The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars is asking a federal judge to declare its electronic bingo operation legal in Triana.

The Texas VFW says in a suit in U.S. District Court in Birmingham that it had all the licenses and was following state and local laws in playing bingo for charity. It seeks a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order to prevent Sheriff Blake Dorning from confiscating more of its machines.

The Texas VFW has a three-year agreement with the Alabama VFW to operate in the state and share proceeds for the groups' charities.

On Nov. 3 deputies seized 200 electronic bingo machines, other property and more than $36,000 in cash. On Nov. 6 deputies returned and confiscated a computer server used for the electronic bingo game, according to the suit.

The lawsuit states that the Texas VFW was legally operating under the rules set by the state constitutional amendment that allows charity bingo in Madison County, a Triana town bingo ordinance, and an opinion by the Alabama attorney general.

Great Canadian Gaming Corp. has bought a Maple Ridge bingo hall for $1 million, with a view to making it a larger community gaming centre with slot machines in the future.

The casino operator said the agreement to acquire the 525-seat Haney Bingo Plex from the Ridge Meadows Bingo Association includes potential future considerations of up to $1.25 million over 10 years.

Great Canadian said the purchase should be completed by the end of this year if approvals to establish a community gaming centre are granted by the B.C. Lottery Corp. and the district of Maple Ridge.

The bingo hall currently operates seven days a week at 11187 224th Street. Potential future expansion would involve a 1.6-hectare vacant land parcel acquired by Great Canadian last year about a kilometre away in downtown Maple Ridge.

The company said it expects little or no change to the bingo hall's operation while it considers this "longer term potential redevelopment."

Maple Ridge Mayor Gordon Robson said the district endorses the community gaming centre concept and is "very excited" at the bingo hall sale, which has been in negotiations for more than a year.

"We went through a public consultation process last year and decided the community had no objection to expanded gaming," he said in an interview. "There was very, very little opposition, even from church groups."

BCLC vice-president Kevin Gass said a new Maple Ridge community gaming centre is consistent with the lottery corporation's strategy to transform bingo halls into multi-purpose facilities with bingo, slot machines and higher-end food and beverage amenities.

He said the new gaming centre would likely start with 50 slot machines and increase to a maximum of 150, depending on market demand. Off-track betting on horse races will also be considered.

Robson said about 35 local charities that benefit from the bingo hall operations support the sale and creation of a larger community gaming centre.

"The bingo hall has had a parking problem since its inception and we look forward to this as an opportunity to redevelop our downtown," he said. "The gaming centre would just be a small part of what we expect to see as a result of this freeing up some land."

Robson said Maple Ridge officials are "very interested" in promoting more retail development in the downtown core.

Written By Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun

For many bingo players, the occasional £10 win might be enough reason to rejoice.

But for six members of Bingo Liner, this weekend brought wins of up to 100 times that amount, the UK bingo website states.

This included five cash awards of £100 each, presented to participants in the site's bingo games on Saturday night.

Kittencath, cazzerooo, lisaloo1, mollyminga and shaun65 were the five lucky recipients.

But luck was even more on the side of Nals, the latest name to be drawn out of the hat in Bingo Liner's weekly prize draw.

The £1,000 jackpot sum was given to Nals for being present when the names were picked from all members to earn tickets over the week.

Entry into the draw is earned at the rate of one ticket for every £10 wagered on bingo or £30 on slots and quick games.

Reaching bingo on the Pound pattern is worth two tickets, while depositing £20 is worth three.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

The Mecca Bingo club in Bedford made one of its members £100,000 richer as the lucky punter scooped the UK bingo national jackpot, reports the game's operating body.

While the fire safety worker states he is happy with the win, he could have difficulty in expressing his delight, as he claims to still be "gob-smacked".

Some of the money is to go towards clearing his debts, the winner tells National Bingo, while a new car is also likely to be on his shopping list.

"I was just happy when I realised I had won the house prize, let alone the big one," the 42-year-old adds.

The UK Bingo playing population accounts for as much as eight per cent of all the nation's residents, according to figures from the operating body.

More than three million citizens play the game of chance at least twice a week.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

A STUDENT nurse scooped £45,000 on national bingo - with a card which was paid for by her mum.

Amy Ramsdale, 20, from Wigan, was feeling lucky, so she took her mum Jean, 48, to their local bingo hall.

She said: "For some reason I wanted to go. I had no money and mum had to put mine in.

"I only noticed when I had four numbers left to get. I didn't have time to get panicked or worked up because it happened so quickly."

After an agonising half hour wait their win was confirmed. Amy said: "I thought: `I can't have won.' Then Kevin the caller pointed at me and said: `It's you.' I just burst into tears. I was in shock."

Jean, a matron for Wigan Health Trust, said: "People we didn't know came over and congratulated us, it was heart-warming.

"We're not down from cloud nine. Although you hope for a big win you always think it will happen to someone else."

Amy plans to put a deposit on a house and go to Florida with her boyfriend, while Jean wants to take husband Ian on a holiday.

One thing they agree is that they'll still play bingo. Amy said: "I won't have to ask my mum for money for a card now, though."

A Reuters report has said that an as yet unnamed Asian online gaming company has entered into a deal with online software developer Playtech for the supply of player-to-player games for the Asian market.

According to the report Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said the deal would make a significant contribution to second quarter earnings in 2008.

"I have seen some [analyst] estimates with which we feel confident that it [the deal] will be worth $4-5 million in revenue in 2008," Weizer said.

Playtech are a popular choice of software platform for many online bingo halls and operators of online bingo games.

Written by John Witherspoon

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets and undertaking of Ridge Meadows Bingo Association (RMBA) located in Maple Ridge, British Columbia for $1.0 million. The agreement between the Company and RMBA also includes potential additional future consideration of up to $1.25 million over ten years if approvals to establish a Community Gaming Centre in Maple Ridge are granted by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and the District of Maple Ridge. The purchase of the assets of Ridge Meadows Bingo Association is expected to be completed near the end of 2007 and is subject to execution of a definitive agreement and required regulatory approvals.

Ridge Meadows Bingo Association operates the Haney Bingo Plex, a 525-seat bingo gaming hall located in downtown Maple Ridge, 45 kilometers (28 miles) East of Vancouver. The facility offers bingo 7 days a week and features a restaurant, the Oasis Cafe. In November 2006, Great Canadian acquired approximately 4 acres of land in central Maple Ridge and the Company's current plans are to utilize this land for potential development of a gaming property. Great Canadian expects little to no change in the current operation of the Haney Bingo Plex while it considers this longer-term potential redevelopment.

Ross J. McLeod, Chairman and CEO of Great Canadian Gaming, commented, "This is a great opportunity to expand our presence in one of Lower Mainland's fastest growing communities through the operation of this local bingo facility and the potential for a future Community Gaming Center at this site. We look forward to working with RMBA's staff, BCLC, and the District of Maple Ridge to continue delivering entertaining gaming offerings to the residents of the greater Vancouver area."

ABOUT GREAT CANADIAN

Great Canadian is a multi-jurisdictional gaming and entertainment operator with facilities in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Washington State. Great Canadian operates eleven casinos, five thoroughbred or standardbred racecourses, a community gaming centre, a hotel, two show theatres, and various food and beverage facilities. Further information is available on the Company's website, www.gcgaming.com.

Putting your money where your mouth is constitutes a virtue most gamers will appreciate, especially when it's the boss of a gaming firm showing his confidence in the future of his company.

PartyGaming CEO Mitch Garger has expressed his confidence in the online gaming giant by taking options for 3.5 million shares and reversing previous plans to sell some of his existing stock, according to a Reuters report.

PartyGaming offers the PartyBingo online bingo game product along with a host of other casino online offerings.

Though enjoying a productive last two quarters, PartyGaming is currently awaiting news on whether or not US authorities are likely to take action on the company's taking of bets from US-based gamblers prior to the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) last year.  PartyGaming was amongst many online bingo operators who lost substantial amounts of revenue due to the implementation of UIGEA.

PartyGaming immediately withdrew from the US market as soon as UIGEA became law.

Written by John Witherspoon

The European online gaming industry has signaled its happiness over the efforts made by European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to address unfavourable online gaming trade practices by the US during his recent visit to Washington.

Mandelson took the opportunity during his stay in Washington to lobby for compensation to the European online gaming industry over the US' intentions to renege on its WTO obligations to open its online gambling market to foreign competition.

Mandelson reportedly called for US to give European online gaming operators fair and non-discriminatory access to its online gambling market. Failing that, the EU is still in negotiations as to the amount due in compensation from the US with estimates running to the billions of dollars.

Online bingo industry observers and representatives are joining other Europena online gaming pundits in the applause being given to Mandelson.  Bingo online and operators of online bingo games suffered greatly last year when the US market was closed overnight to them with the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

While in Washington, Mandelson is reported as saying: "The US has so far opted for compensation to make right what is wrong. I don't think compensation does that job. What we really need is for legislation to be put right and for foreign operators not to be discriminated against in the way that the present legislation does. I will continue to make these arguments on behalf of European industry".

Clive Hawkswood, CEO at the Remote Gaming Association, commented on Mandleson's efforts saying: "We were very pleased to hear Commissioner Mandelson's public support for non-discriminatory legislation to regulate gambling in the US. It is in the consumer's interest to have a legitimate, well regulated market. We urge the Commission to ensure that adequate legislation is in place before concluding the current compensation negotiations".

Written by John Witherspoon

Following a period of illness, a 77-year-old retired docker missed his usual bingo sessions for a number of weeks, reports National Bingo.

But after making it back to his local venue for the first time after recovery, he hit the UK Bingo jackpot of £80,000.

With the house prize of £400 adding to his overall win, the lucky punter reveals he soon forgot how poorly he had been.

"I hadn't been to bingo for five weeks because I have been under the weather," he explains to National UK Bingo.

"But I decided to go on Saturday even though I still wasn't feeling great - the win certainly perked me up!"

He now plans to make the most of the festive period - providing the cheque arrives in time.

The win came at the Castle Club in Newport, which has now given away more than £1 million in UK Bingo jackpots, according to figures from the game's operating body.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

A new study commissioned by Littlewoods Bingo reveals that two-thirds of UK Bingo players would consider leaving their partner if they won enough money.

While the typical amount required for Brits to take advantage of their newfound financial freedom is £1 million, for 20 per cent of respondents £1,000 would be enough.

And a similar two-thirds suggest they would relocate to a more desirable part of the country if they scooped a jackpot.

Steve Lerner, spokesperson for Littlewoods Bingo, comments: "The research does prove how life-changing winning money can be, enabling people to go on dream holidays, buy a flash car or move house."

Nearly one in three of those surveyed admit that moving house would be a ploy to escape their current neighbours.

This weekend could prove the ideal opportunity for members of the UK Bingo site to put aside their money worries.

Littlewoods Bingo is offering the prospect of winning £1,000 per month for the rest of their lives if they reach bingo in less than 32 balls on one of two promotional games on Sunday.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

A BINGO caller from the Capital has narrowly failed in his bid to be named the industry's top star.

James Cook, who works at the Fountainpark Mecca, beat off competition from his mentor Alan Brown of Gala Wester Hailes in the Scottish final, to secure his place alongside five others at the UK final of the Bingo Caller of the Year competition.

The 31-year-old took a busload of supporters to back him in the final at London's Wood Green Mecca.

But he was pipped at the post by South Shields Mecca caller Blake Robson.

Mr Cook, who lives in Slateford, had to face a panel of judges at the UK final for an interview, in which he was grilled on the rules of the game.

He then had to give a three-minute presentation on why people should get involved in bingo, as well as call a full game. Despite falling at the final hurdle, Mr Cook now wins automatic qualification into next year's Scottish final and is hoping he can scoop the regional title for a second year in a row.

"Maybe I can even go a step further next year, we'll just have to see," he said.

"It was a good experience going down there and it was a really good day."

Parlay Entertainment Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PEI), the world's leading supplier of Internet bingo software, is pleased to announce that Bet24, a leading Internet bookmaker, has launched online bingo using Parlay's bingo technology. Bet24 is owned by Modern Times Group, an international entertainment broadcasting group with the second largest geographical broadcast footprint in Europe. The bingo site, available at www.Bet24.com, targets Scandinavian audiences and is available in the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian languages.

"We're pleased to widen our gaming offering with the addition of online bingo," said Lotta Lindquist-Brosjo, CEO of Bet24. "This launch strengthens our product offering, ensuring that our customers enjoy the most exciting gaming products on the market. We are delighted to offer online bingo in partnership with Parlay Entertainment who have extensive bingo industry expertise."

"Bet24 has tremendous marketing reach because their ownership provides access to a very large European broadcast network," said Steve Cook, Parlay's European Managing Director. "The bingo industry has seen explosive growth in the past year, but there is still room for smart operators like Bet24 who are initially targeting a very specific audience. We're proud to welcome them to Parlay's family of bingo licensees."

"The online bingo industry is set for another record breaking year in 2008," continued Mr. Cook. "Next year we'll begin to see rapid expansion beyond the core UK market into other countries where bingo has traditionally been popular. Bet24 is on the leading edge of that trend."

Bet24 is just the latest bingo software integration for Parlay Entertainment. The software provider has successfully integrated and launched bingo with an impressive list of more than 50 gaming operators worldwide, including tier one media and lifestyle brands.

About Parlay Entertainment

Parlay Entertainment Inc. is the world's leading developer and licensor of online bingo software. As the inventor and patent holder of Internet bingo, Parlay was the first company in the world to develop and deploy a commercial Internet bingo product. Parlay Bingo is available in both 75-number and 90-number versions and is complemented by a full suite of lottery and casino games. The company's multi-player, multi-platform technology is used to power more online bingo sites than any other software provider in the world. Some of the world's best-known brands use Parlay Bingo solutions, including Virgin, AOL and Yahoo. Parlay also powers two leading European bingo networks operated by St. Minver and The Gaming Network. Parlay is headquartered in Oakville, Canada with locations in Bridgetown, Barbados, Valletta, Malta, and the UK.

About Bet24

Headquartered in Malta, Bet24 was established by Nordic Betting Limited in 2001. The company provides online fixed odds betting and gaming through the www.bet24.com internet site. Bet24 enables its 70,000 registered account holders to bet live 'in-game' on a wide range of sports such as Europe's leading football, handball and basketball leagues, as well as internationals.

For more information on Parlay solutions and services, please visit our Web site at www.parlaygroup.com.

This document may contain statements about expected future events and/or financial and operating results of Parlay Entertainment Inc. that are forward-looking. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions and other forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept any responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts: Parlay Entertainment Inc. Tyler Schwartz Communications Specialist (905) 337-6532 Email: tyler.schwartz@parlaygroup.com Website: www.parlaygroup.com

Bet24 Email: support@bet24.com Website: www.bet24.com

SOURCE: Parlay Entertainment Inc.

Sydney Harbour may be one of the finest stretches of water in the world, especially on a perfect day in early summer, but not one of the 60 or so people on this boat has eyes for anything other than the pieces of paper in front of them.

Opera House? Pah! Shark Island? Phooey! Fort Denison? Give us a break. We've got more important things to think about, like one little duck, naughty 40 and legs 11 (cue wolf whistle).

Bingo on the Boat is an inspired idea, and there's no wonder the boat is full. The average age of the punters may be getting up towards the high end of the bingo card (that's "top of the house, number 90" for the uninitiated) but they're a feisty lot.

Apparently tests have shown that women needing one number to win a game of bingo have more endorphins in their system than men who are skydiving, and there's a fair bit of adrenaline flowing on the lower deck of this old ferry as the games reach their feverish climaxes.

Especially pumped are Nana Daytripper and Auntie Daytripper, whom I've brought along in the hope that they can share some of their bingo expertise. It turns out they're the only 70-something and 80-something women in the Western world who've never played. "Is it anything like quoits?" asks Auntie Daytripper. And that's after we've finished three games.

Before long, though, the bingo virgins are dabbing away with the best of them, dotting their cards with the rhythmic regularity of assembly-line robots. Like the rest of us, they're in the zone: as focused as Zen monks. Never mind the Opera House; the Loch Ness Monster could have popped his head up and no one would have blinked.

"Funboat bingo!" is the cry when you've got a full house. One bloke gets confused and shouts "Pleasure house bingo!" He must be having a good time.

The first half of our three-hour harbour extravaganza involves morning tea (the teacake's moist; no complaints there) followed by a feed (chicken, salad, prawns and so on) of such abundance that it sets us up perfectly for a sedentary afternoon. So much for pensioner portions; some of these folk won't have to eat again for a month.

We take in a bit of sightseeing before the games begin, complete with commentary that's more entertaining than most on the harbour, thanks to hosts Dave and Chucky, who turn the boat into a kind of floating Butlins holiday camp.

Bingo caller cum Elvis impersonator Dave soon has the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand and a crawl past Lady Jane nude beach leaves us listing badly to starboard, such is the interest in the men flaunting their bingo dabbers on the sand. There's also a lot of excitement as we pass the homes of talkback radio doyen John Laws and hunky Gladiator star Russell Crowe. Bingo players love a sex symbol. They don't mind Russell Crowe either.

These distractions only serve to heighten the tension as we wait for the real business to begin. At last, it's time. Lucky Buddhas appear on tables, the pros produce their own dabbers, reading glasses go on, and it's eyes down for a full house. I win three games, collecting three bags of lollies in the process. Not bad for a beginner. Auntie Daytripper wins a tin of Tim Tams in the raffle. We miss out on the toilet roll and the toaster but there's always next time.

As we pull up to the wharf at Star City casino Dave is belting out a blue version of Rhinestone Cowboy. Those high rollers don't know what they're missing.

TRIP NOTES

Bingo on the Boat leaves Star City wharf at 11.45am most days, $38. Phone 1300 551 804. See www.functionsafloat.com.au.

Written by Simon Webster

Bingo caller Mark Lunn of the Mecca Club in Wednesbury may have been Top of the Shop with bookies but he missed out on a national title at a competition in London.

The 30-year-old scooped the Midlands title earlier this year and was joint second favourite to win the National Bingo Game caller of the year at 7/2 according to bookmakers William Hill.  

However, he lost out to Blake Robson from the Mecca Bingo Club in South Shields in the final held yesterday.

Mark, who lives on the Yew Tree estate on the Sandwell/Walsall border, said: "It was a tough competition - I had to entertain the judging panel and I performed a magic trick.

"There was also an interview with last year's winner and the head of PR. Then I had to do a typical bingo calling session."

A staggering two thirds of Brits would consider leaving their partner if they won a million pounds playing online bingo or the National Lottery, according to a new study.

Amazingly, one in five people would only need to win £1000 before they considered ditching their partner.

Whilst men are more likely to hit the jackpot, spending over three times the amount of money on gambling or gaming a week than women, ladies are more likely to leave their partner if they came into a large amount of money.

The survey of 3,000 people, commissioned by LittlewoodsBingo.com, also revealed guys are more likely to not tell their partner if they came into money.

And when it comes to the amount of money deemed life-changing - men are also the greediest. They need to win £410,616 more than women for their jackpot to make a dramatic difference to their life. Yet when asked how much money Brits would share if they won a million - men were the most generous, saying they would shell-out 18%of their winnings to family members.

The research also showed ditching a partner isn't the only life-changing step gamblers may take if they came into money. A whopping 66%of people surveyed said they would consider leaving the area they live in.

People in the North East are the most likely to up-sticks, with the south the most popular relocation destination. Londoners crave sunnier climates - almost one in five (18%) said they would move to the continent to enjoy their winnings.

The reason most Brits would move location in the event of a windfall was due to hating where they live now, whilst almost a third confessed they would welcome a win solely to enable them to get away from their neighbours.

When it comes to splashing their lottery or bingo cash, one in five people would book a round the world trip, one in ten would buy a flash car or go on a dream holiday and a worthy one in twenty would give money to charity.

Steve Lerner from LittlewoodsBingo.com said: "It's incredible how many people would consider leaving their partner if they came into money and it's shocking for some, it wouldn't take much cash to trigger the decision.

"Littlewoods has been creating big winners for almost 85 years. The research does prove how life changing winning money can be, enabling people to go on dream holidays, buy a flash car or move house and it's fantastic to think that LittlewoodsBingo.com potentially changes peoples lives daily!"

Written by Steve Lerner

Mecca Bingo was well represented in this year's Caller of the Year awards, with four of the UK Bingo operator's employees sent to the grand final.

For one of the cohort, Blake Robson of the South Shields Mecca Bingo club, the day proved to be successful.

Mr Robson claimed victory in the grand final on Sunday November 25th to become the UK Bingo Caller of the Year 2007.

As well as £500 in cash and a trophy, he now has the chance to call the numbers for one celebratory game in Las Vegas.

Mecca Bingo reveals that three more of its staff were contenders, including Will Willard of the Cwmbran venue.

He, along with all of the company's representatives, were presented with outfits from supermarket chain Asda especially for the final.

"Confidence in your appearance is a big part of projecting the right image, so the offer of such a fantastic suit was too good to miss," Mr Willard explains.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

While no major outsider has yet made a move, there is increasing interest in the Spanish online bingo market by the big online bingo operators. This follows Golden Star Lounge group's move to start offering its Golden Riviera Casino online gaming services in Spanish as a way into this expanding market.

While Golden Riviera has a range of casino-type games, it hasn't yet included online bingo games or products.

Hard on Golden Riviera's heels, Malta-licensed Begawin has been launched by parent company Begawin Malta Limited with games in English and Spanish. The online casino and sports betting company will be confining its marketing and promotional efforts to the Spanish market at this stage, covering mainly Spanish sporting fixtures as well as some international events.

Spain is seen as one of Europe's most important and interesting markets, according to Begawin Managing Director, Blair Wood. Mr Wood predicted great things for the initiative, particularly in the light of the Spanish market's big growth potential. Begawin is a well-known brand in Spain, through its land-based casino operations.

CEO of Net Entertainment, Johan Ohman, praised Begawin's move, and looked forward to a growing customer base and increasing revenues from what he described as "the rapidly-growing Spanish online market."

Begawin will be using three different technology systems, including the Swedish provider Net Entertainment's classy range of online casino games.

The Spanish market is expected to provide significant opportunities for operators recently hit hard by American exclusionist policies. Typifying the hardball US approach was the arrest of London-based e-wallet company Neteller's founders, and a ruinous fine of $136 million imposed under the new UIGEA provisions. This was coupled with a payback of $94 million of US customers' funds said to have been collected illegally. Neteller has subsequently posted massive trading losses, and may not recover for a decade.

UK and European online bingo operators are looking to Europe with renewed interest following the controversial US move, which seems contrary to its WTO free trade obligations. Add to that the strange case of Petter Nylander's arrest by the French, in defence of their own exclusionary gambling laws which themselves transgress France's EU free trade obligations. Mr Nylander, still on bail, is Chief Executive of Unibet.

Clearly the face of online bingo, and online gaming generally, will look very different after the massive turmoil that the industry is currently undergoing.

Written by Denise

From pre-war flour miller to giant leisure conglomerate to struggling bingo operator, the fortunes of the once mighty Rank Group are looking decidedly iffy. In its heyday, Rank owned Pinewood Film Studios, Odeon Cinemas, Butlins Holiday Camps, Xerox photocopiers, a stake in Universal Studios theme park in Florida, and Hard Rock café.

As the walls closed in, one by one Rank reduced its asset portfolio. With Hard Rock Café the last of the old guard to go, sold last year for £480, the group's decision to concentrate on Mecca Bingo, Grosvenor Casinos and Blue Square online gaming looks like a bit of a gamble.

Ian Burke, with no luck at all, became Rank's Chief Executive just in time to be faced with Gordon Brown's final budget in which gambling taxes on bingo were hiked. Operators must now pay 17% VAT as well as a 15% levy on gross profits, i.e. profits before operating expenses are deducted to give net profit. Then to top things off, along came the smoking bans, beginning in Scotland the month that Burke joined Rank's board.

The biggest challenge to hit the industry in 40 years, some have called the smoking ban legislation. Already, smoking shelters have been built outside 80 Mecca bingo halls, while many halls too costly to modify and with too little patronage have been closed down.

This causes Burke concerns beyond Rank's ailing bottom-line. "In many towns the closure of the local bingo hall causes a serious loss of social amenity," he said. "Communities are suffering, and customers are angry that bingo is being picked on by the government."

Typical of the disaffected many is Olive Moss, 86. Olive is a bingo stalwart of more than 50 years. With her husband gone, she says she'd have little to keep up her interest in life and nowhere to meet people, were it not for the local bingo hall. "I really don't know what would happen to me," she said.

A study on bingo club closures and their social impact was carried out in August by consultancy firm The Henley Centre. According to their report, deprived urban locations and small rural venues have been hardest hit by the spate of closures. "Not only have these communities suffered a loss of pastime, but they've also lost a crucial social support network," a spokesman said.

Meanwhile Rank's share price has plummeted 24% since the beginning of this year. While Ian Burke has plans to go upmarket with Rank's casinos, and has cut costs by trimming 200 jobs, he and his corporate colleagues are courting local MPs as well as Chancellor Alistair Darling, hoping for a reversal of the double tax on bingo operators.

The Prime Minister has assured Paul Talboys, Bingo Association Chief Executive that he is aware of the industry's situation, and intends to confer with the Chancellor and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe ahead of next year's budget.

Written by Denise

With the bingo industry reeling from the effects of the smoking ban, double taxation, and for online operators, American and French exclusionary tactics, Top Ten Holdings, which operates bingo halls, amusement arcades, online bingo and a snooker club, has announced a drop in both revenue and profits for the six months ending 30 September.

In the current year, revenue for the first half-year fell from £14.69 million to £13.65 million, while op-erating profits dropped from £2.1 million last year to £1.4 million in 2007. The company foresees a flat second half as well, and is unlikely to declare a dividend until business picks up.

Top Ten has more than 40 clubs across the UK, with a focus on the north of England. Its chairman, Sir Aubrey Brocklebank, in acknowledging the impact of the unprecedented challenges besetting the industry, said "Our strategy to sell off our most marginal clubs will assist the group to ride out the difficult market conditions."

The company has closed two small bingo halls during the period, realizing £551,000 on the sale. Further closures are expected in the current six months. Top Ten Bingo has reduced its staffing and other costs through the closures, and is tightening its belt across the board. Rivals Stylus Sports are fol-lowing a similar strategy, with two more bingo halls closing down in the last few weeks.

The Top Ten group is the third largest bingo club provider in the UK, after Gala Bingo and Mecca Bingo.

The group is lobbying the Government for the removal of VAT on bingo games. This tax is not levied on other forms of gambling in the UK, which only pay Gross Profits Tax. Although not expecting a short term solution to the problem, Top Ten is hoping for a VAT refund in the order of £5.4 million if its protest is successful.

Share strategists don't at present see a lot of value in Top Ten's stock, which lost considerable ground in October on profit warnings. At the same time, unfortunately for the faithful punters, more closures are certain as the whole bingo club industry declines, through not only the massive set-backs of the past year but also the aging of the game's long-term customer base.

Apart from a roll-back of the taxation and exclusionary regulations, the industry is in urgent need of new blood in the form of a new generation of players. How to attract and keep them is no doubt at the forefront of many an operator's mind.

Written by Denise  

The bingo world held its version of the Oscars this weekend as hundreds of enthusiasts turned out for the national Bingo Caller of the Year awards.

Blake Robson won the honoured title of Bingo Caller of the Year at yesterday's national final in North London. Blake wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles and the chance to call bingo at one of Las Vegas' top casinos, plus £500 and a trophy. Emmerdale actress Lorraine Chase presented his prize.

The annual competition searches for the UK's best bingo caller. Heats are held in various regions, with each area sending the regional winner to the finals.

Winner Blake will spend the year being an ambassador for UK bingo, an important job in a year that has seen bingo profits plummet, hit by rising taxes and the smoking ban.

Blake, 41, a former pub manager and part-time singer, works at South Shields Mecca Bingo and was North-East champion before taking the national title.

In a week that saw land-based bingo group Top Ten Bingo admit to slumping UK profits blamed on the new smoking ban and new UK gambling regulations, Riva Gaming has stated in the Financial Times that up to one hundred land-based bingo clubs may close in the UK due to taxation pressures.

Simon Hannah, CEO at Riva Gaming told the Financial Times that the so-called 'double taxation' being imposed on land-based bingo through combined VAT and gross profit tax is putting the industry at a commercial disadvantage of significant proportions.

"Where betting shops and casinos only pay 15 percent gross profit tax, we must also pay 17.5 percent VAT on our bingo income, putting us at a significant commercial disadvantage," Mr Hannah is reported as saying.

Riva Gaming is considered one of the more technologically progressive land-based bingo operators with its introduction of electronic bingo innovations to its bingo halls.

Despite Top Ten Bingo's losses in its land-based bingo operations, the company does have an online bingo presence in the form of its Top Ten Bingo.com operation.

The sentiments expressed over the threat to land-based bingo has fueled further speculation that online bingo will benefit as players shift their focus to play bingo online to escape the smoking ban and gambling regulations. Free online bingo games are considered to constitute one of the fastest growing niches in the online gaming industry.

Written by John Witherspoon

With the Internet today games like online bingo are now only a few mouse clicks away! Online Bingos are played by millions of bingo players from around the world. Initially bingo players had only Land based locations like bingo halls were they could play a game of Bingo. Now, in the comfort of your own home you can play Bingo online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and chat with bingo players online from all over the Planet!

This Bingo Café has a seat for you!

Online Bingo has never been better! Bingo Café brings you the best and most advanced bingo games on the internet. They have some of the highest payouts and bonus on the web. All this with a user-friendly bingo site and a fun atmosphere makes Bingo Café the fastest growing online bingo site out there.

Bingo Café offers the most unique bingo software on the web--this is bingo with a twist. Instead of the boring top down view offered by most online bingo sites, Bingo Café offers an entire 3-d world of bingo fun. Chat with virtual avatars of your bingo buddies; move from table to table playing bingo; or head over to the slots to try to win a big jackpot.

You will be amazed with the multitude of free bingo games Café Bingo offers. There are regular bingo competitions occurring constantly to keep your Bingo Brain Bouncing and live assistance to help your online bingo experience be that much smoother. If you are a beginner they have countless pages of terms and tips, along with an in depth bingo dictionary to help you quickly become a bingo expert.

Café Bingo is the bingo site with variety. Super Sevens, Fruit Frenzy, Cash Carousel, Slots of Bingo, and Bingo Bonanza are just some of the premiere games offered at Café Bingo. Can there be more? Definitely; at Bingo Café you will find more than just bingo games. They offer slots, video poker, scratch cards, and more.

Become a Bingo Café player for free today and become a winner. In fact tell all your friends about the café with all the fun, just do not forget the coffee.

You will be part of an online bingo industry that is becoming "HUGH" in its growth, with even bigger cash prizes, and new innovation and improvements to online bingo software in gameplay and design. Bingo game designers are coming up with new concepts and ideas all the time. Online Bingo has achieved the status of being trusted, reliable, fun and a great value for your money.

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Leaders of an association of charities are wondering if state Sen. Gibson E. Armstrong is deliberately holding up a bill they believe would help nonprofits raise money, but the senator says that's not the case.

The bill, House Bill 169, would boost by thousands of dollars the maximum payouts from small games of chance -- punchboards, raffles and so on -- put on as fundraisers by nonprofit organizations. Proponents say the change is needed to keep the games appealing in an era of slots gambling and multistate lotteries.

The bill is before the Senate Appropriations Committe, which Armstrong chairs. A similar bill, Senate Bill 845, has been stalled since June before the same committee.

"We just want things to percolate with Sen. Armstrong," said Emmet Mahon, a spokesman for Harrisburg-based Allied Charities of Pennsylvania, which lobbies for fraternal and charitable organizations.

The Refton Republican is already on record as opposing the bill. The Senate Finance Committe approved the bill 9-1 in October, with Armstrong the lone dissenter.

Mahon said Allied Charities wants the bill voted on in committee and sent to the Senate. The group believes the bill has enough support to pass in both venues.

"We've always said we respect his position, and if he feels free to vote 'no' in committee and if he needs to vote 'no' in the full Senate, that's fine," Mahon said. "We don't have a problem with that. What we can't understand is how one person would prevent a bill from clearing committee and going to the full Senate."

Mahon said he's attempted to contact Armstrong but has not been able to talk to him directly.

Armstrong, however, said Sunday he doesn't believe Mahon has tried to contact him.

"I'm pretty easy to get ahold of," he said. "All he has to do to meet with me is call."

Armstrong said committee members are still studying the bill.

"We just got it a month ago," he said.

He could not say when the bill might come up for a vote.

The bill would allow daily payouts to increase from $1,000 to $5,000 and weekly payouts up to $20,000.

To run small games of chance, organizations are required to obtain a state-issued license. The bill would change the licensing fee from $100 every year to $300 every two years.

Mahon said small games of chance are facing stiff competition from legalized slots gambling in Pennsylvania, and the cost of operating the games has increased.

"Not only don't we have a better chance of marketing ourselves, but with the declining revenues ... it's dispiriting to members of our organization," Mahon said.

The House passed the bill in June by a 173-27 vote, with seven of the "nay" votes coming from Lancaster County Republicans. Democratic state Rep. Mike Sturla of Lancaster city voted in favor of the bill.

Armstrong said he voted against the bill when it came before the finance committee because he thinks the liberalized payouts are excessive.

"They're talking about a lot of money," he said. "I expect we'll hear a lot of lobbying from both sides of the issue on this."

State Rep. Gordon Denlinger, a Narvon Republican, said although the games can benefit charities, fire companies and veterans' organizations, that's not enough to redeem them in many Lancaster Republicans' eyes.

"Small game of chance... are a form of gambling and the Lancaster County members pretty much across the board take opportunities to register our opposition to gambling at any opportunity," Denlinger said. "Involvement in bingo and other similar activities is still viewed as not entirely proper by a lot of residents across our county."

Written by DAVE PIDGEON, Staff
Intelligencer Journal

Event held at Frederick Moose Lodge 371 to support 4-year-old Mackenzie McCarter
Originally published November 26, 2007

	Photo by Sam Yu The Frederick Moose Lodge 371 hosts a basket bingo fundraising event Sunday afternoon to benefit the Mackenzie McCarter Leukemia Fund. Melissa McCarter of Hagerstown holds her shy daughter Mackenzie, 4, in a room full of players.

Doctors diagnosed Mackenzie McCarter with leukemia in September. Her treatments are expected to continue for at least another 2 1/2 years.

The 4-year-old's family and friends chipped in to show their support Sunday at a basket bingo fundraiser.

More than two hundred people crowded the Frederick Moose Lodge 371, dabbers and bingo sheets at hand. About 30 baskets filled with toys, snacks and toiletries lined the venue.

Mackenzie, who lives in Hagerstown, came to the bingo, but left before it ended because she became tired.

Her cousin, Deanna Sheckles-Hawse, helped organize the family's first fundraiser for the cause, which was sponsored by the Jeremy Foundation.

Sheckles-Hawse, of Frederick, expected the bingo fundraiser to raise almost $10,000, but did not have a total amount Sunday night.

Dianne Ryan started the Jeremy Foundation after her nephew Jeremy died at age 3 from ependymoma, a type of brain tumor that can start in the brain or spinal cord, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The organization reaches out to families with children who are battling cancer, Ryan said, helping them to cover the costs of nonmedical expenses.

Insurance does not cover food, gas, electricity bills and mortgage payments, she said. And, parents often have to stop working to care for the child.

Mackenzie's mother, Melissa, has had to take an extended leave of absence without pay from her job. She had recently been hired as a teacher in Washington County.

The foundation helps ease financial burdens for such families by organizing fundraisers, Ryan said.

The foundation has organized several basket bingos for 10-year-old Emily Zimmerman, of Walkersville, who came to play bingo at Mackenzie's fundraiser with her mother, Sandy Zimmerman.

For the Zimmermans, the fight against cancer is all too familiar -- and fresh in their minds.

Emily was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2005. She will undergo her last round of chemotherapy Dec. 18.

Holding on to her raffle tickets and getting ready for the games to begin, Sandy Zimmerman said she and her daughter attended the bingo as way of giving back.

"We support her because so many people supported us."

By Sarah Fortney

A NORTH-EAST bingo caller hit the jackpot tonight when he was named as the best in Britain.

Blake Robson, of the Mecca club in South Shields, beat off the competition from five other regional heat winners to take the National Bingo Gaming Association's Bingo Caller of the Year award.

The thrilled 41-year-old received his trophy from actress Lorraine Chase, of the ITV soap Emmerdale, after impressing the judges with his clarity of calling at Mecca's Wood Green club, in north London.

He is also £500 better off, and now looks forward to an all expenses paid holiday for two, to Los Angeles, in the USA.

Part of the trip includes the chance to call a game in the prestigious surrounds of the Sun Coast Casino in Las Vegas, a former haunt of his musical hero, Elvis Presley.

Mr Robson, from South Shields, won through to last night's final after being named regional winner at the North-East heat staged in Wallsend, in September.

By Bruce Unwin

Casino and bingo operator Rank has rejected an approach from U.S. casino giant Harrah's Entertainment, Britain's Telegraph newspaper reported on Sunday.

Without citing sources, the paper said Rank rebuffed the deal, which saw Harrah's effectively offer to swap its own UK casinos for a 28 percent stake in the enlarged Rank.

A spokesman for Rank declined to comment, Harrah's could not be reached for comment.

Rank has seen its shares battered over the last year as a ban on smoking and forced removal of lucrative slot machines has sparked a sharp decline in its bingo business, while a surprise hike in taxes has hit casino profits hard.

Media and analyst reports have linked a string of names to a possible offer for the firm including Ladbrokes and Malaysia's Genting.

Caesar's palace owner Harrah's is in the process of being taken over by private equity funds Apollo Management LP and TPG Capital. It grabbed a foothold in the UK casino market last year when it bought London Clubs International but the tax changes have left a hole in the deal's finances.

Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Quentin Bryar

Rank, the embattled casino and bingo operator, has rejected an audacious proposal from Harrah's Entertainment, the owner of the Caesars Palace casino and one of the world's largest gambling companies.

	Harrah's Entertainment is in the process of being acquired by private equity groups Apollo and TPG

The proposal would have seen the Las Vegas-based company sell a significant portion of London Clubs International (LCI) to Rank in return for a stake of around 28 per cent, according to people familiar with the discussions.

It is not clear why Harrah's made the unusual offer - which is not thought to have included LCI's overseas operations, such as its South African Emerald Casino resort.

The US company, which is in the process of being acquired by Apollo and TPG, the private equity groups, bought LCI only last year for around £300m, its first foray into the newly deregulated British gambling market.

However, the operating environment has since changed after Gordon Brown's new government torpedoed the liberalisation plans set out by his predecessor, Tony Blair.

Leisure groups such as Rank have seen their shares hit in recent months as investors have raised concerns that tougher legislation, in particular the smoking ban, will hit profits. Last week Riva Gaming warned that 100 bingo clubs could close within six months.

In addition, changes introduced by the Gambling Act have already forced Rank, led by chief executive Ian Burke, to remove around 950 gaming terminals from its Mecca Bingo clubs and Grosvenor casinos.

Rank, which has 33 casino operating licences and 12 non-operating licences, issued a profits warning last month that sent its shares crashing to their lowest level in seven years. On Friday the shares closed at 80p, valuing the company at around £315m.

Since the profits warning, analysts have speculated that a predator - such as Harrah's, Genting, the Malaysian gaming group, or a private equity firm - could emerge with a bid for Rank. Ladbrokes and William Hill have also been cited as potential bidders and analysts have said there would be no competition issues. However, sceptics believe that Rank's debt and a minimal freehold estate mean it is unlikely that a bidder will emerge.

There has certainly been interest from private equity firms in the past. At the beginning of the summer Charterhouse Capital Partners made an approach for Rank, but it was rebuffed by Burke. Two years ago Apollo teamed up with BC Partners and Global Leisure Partners to launch an offer; however, that plan was aborted at the last minute.

None of the parties involved would comment last night.

By Ben Harrington

TUSKEGEE, Alabama (STPNS) -- A lawsuit filed against Macon County Sheriff David Warren alleging "arbitrary and capricious" action by the sheriff relating to bingo licensing rules in Macon County has been dismissed by a federal judge.

In his ruling dated Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, United States District Court Judge W. Keith Watkins dismissed the lawsuit filed by plaintiffs Macon County Investments, Inc., (MCI) and Reach One Teach One of America, Inc. That means there won't be a trial as requested in the suit.

By Guy Rhodes

Thanks to a new state law, a local charitable organization in Saline County has begun a new fundraising venture by playing bingo every Saturday.
The activity is held at 6 p.m. at Meg's Auction House, 2430 Salem Road in Benton.
"With the state Legislature legalizing bingo for nonprofits this past year, Saline County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) board started charitable bingo," said CASA director Jackie Perkins.
"The state-approved bingo faces, dabbers, blowers, bingo boards ... this is all part of the new legalized bingo that has been approved this year for nonprofit organization and it will help us raise donations."
According to Perkins, the task of obtaining financial support has grown increasingly more difficult for nonprofit organizations that must seek alternate ways of raising money and meeting financial budgets.
    "The woes of our economy have put a strain on charitable organizations as they receive less and less support," Perkins said. "As the board of Saline County CASA looked at different avenues of raising funds, they wanted to do something that would provide a form of entertainment and also raise much needed financial support for the organization." 
    On July 31, the state Legislature enacted a law that allows charitable organizations to legally offer charitable bingo games and raffles to raise funds and/or donations. The 85th General Assembly approved laws concerning the licensing, regulation and taxation of bingo and raffles. Because of this new law, organizations such as Saline County CASA can find new sources of fundraising for their charitable work.
    "As we visited other bingo halls, we found out that there are people who play bingo every night of the week," Perkins said. "Knowing this ,we felt that even though there are other organizations in our surrounding area playing bingo, we would not be in competitions with them and there are plenty of people out there that love to play bingo."
    All funds from the bingo games will benefit the Saline County CASA whose mission is to help every abused and neglected child in the juvenile court system within Saline County and to be the child's voice in court, according to Perkins. According to the Web site, www.salinecountycasa.com, "Arkansas State Court Appointed Special Advocates approved a Saline County Program in 1997.  Since then, we have served as the 'eyes and ears' of the court and spoken up for the best interests of the children within our county. We have grown to represent approximately 60 percent of all of these children within the Juvenile Court System."
    Saline County CASA is a nonprofit organization and is a member of the National CASA Association. It is an active member of the Arkansas State CASA Association and volunteers to Saline County CASA are appointed by Saline County Circuit Judge Gary Arnold. The Web site states: "Volunteers then make a recommendation to the court at each hearing along the way, thus providing the judge with valuable information on the child to help the court make a sound decision about his or her future."
    Perkins said bingo games began Nov. 10. She said she has found there is more to the game than she anticipated.
    "I thought bingo was diagonal, horizontal and vertical -- not anymore," Perkins said. "Crazy L, 5 around the corner, small picture frame  ... those are just some of the game patterns played at the bingo hall and people use big ink babbers to mark their bingo sheets as the caller announces each number."
    The Saline County CASA bingo games are held every saturday night, but Perkins said it is possible that another day will be added.
     "We were thankful to find a building to rent on Saturday night," Perkins said. "According to state laws, you can only hold bingo two nights a week and we have started bingo one night a week on Saturday night, but we are thinking of starting another night as we grow."
    CASA's daily operations include recruiting and training volunteers within the community and providing daily assistance to each volunteer.

Best of luck if you're buying a lottery ticket this week. Just be prepared for the litigation that could follow if you win

The old story goes that a husband returns home to his wife in a particularly jolly mood. "I've won the lottery!" he says. "Pack your bags".

"Oh, lovely," says his wife. "Are we going somewhere nice and warm?"

"We're not going anywhere", comes the reply.

There is nothing like a sudden windfall to bring out the worst in people. This is what three friends discovered recently when one of them had a huge win at bingo. The case managed to find itself not only into the law reports but into the national press.

Tania Burnett faced a claim by two friends that they had agreed to share any winnings over £10. In the event, Miss Burnett won £101,211 at a Gala Bingo club in Plymouth, but her friends were unable to convince the court that there was been any binding agreement between them to share the winnings.

Such cases are fairly common. In 1998, Emile Choucair claimed that he was the brains behind a number-picking scheme that won the National Lottery. But his partner, Oi Wa Hui, bought the ticket. Mr Choucair was unable to prove that there was any agreement between the two to share the spoils.

Mark East's case was slightly more unusual. He was a member of a syndicate of market traders in South London who bought the same number of lottery tickets containing the same numbers from the same newsagent every week. In 1997, Mr East won a £7.2 million jackpot. The other members of the syndicate took him to court to claim their share, claiming he had purchased the ticket on their behalf. Not so, said Mr East. He did indeed have a big win, but claimed the winning ticket had been bought by his father, who was not a member of the syndicate. The court believed him. His case was helped by the fact that the syndicate members could not prove that the winning numbers had been their chosen ones.

Big wins can have a knock-on effect that often ends in litigation. Despina Papamichael had a record breaking win on the Greek lottery. The proceeds were paid into the joint bank account of her and her husband. But her husband had the money paid into a NatWest account and used it for his own benefit. A court later ruled that NatWest had acted in bad faith and should have known that the money belonged to the wife. It was ordered to compensate her to the tune of $6.5 million.

Even as I write this, the courts are considering an unusual consequence from a lottery win. In 2004, Iorworth Hoare won £7 million on the lottery. He had bought his ticket while on day release from prison, where he was serving a life sentence for what was described as a "violent and disgusting" sexual attack on a woman in 1988.

On hearing of his lottery win, the victim sued Hoare for compensation. Her claim was rejected by the High Court and the Court of Appeal but the latter court gave her permission to appeal to the highest court in the land, the House of Lords. The law lords are now considering whether the six-year limitation period can be extended to enable an unexpected piece of good fortune to be utilised for the benefit of someone less fortunate.

If you're buying a lottery ticket this week or taking a trip to the bingo hall -- best of luck. But be prepared for the unforeseen consequences of success.

Stephen Gerlis

Britain's new anti-smoking and gambling regulations blamed
 
More UK bingo fans could find their way online as land bingo sites feel the pressure of new anti-smoking and gambling regulations.
 
This week the major London-listed bingo company Top Ten Bingo posted a slump in pre-tax profits of GBP 465 000, from GBP 846 000 in the same period last year to GBP 381 000 for the six months to September 30. The land bingo operator is the third largest in the UK with 38 bingo clubs and cited the smoking ban and the UK's new gambling legislation tax regime as factors, warning that 'difficult' market conditions would persist through the second half.
 
Commenting on the results chairman  Sir Aubrey Brocklebank said: "Despite our considerable preparation for the smoking ban and introduction of the Gambling Act our business has still felt the impact that the combination of this unprecedented change has caused."
 
Top Ten also operates online through Globalcom-managed Top Ten Bingo.com, a website powered by software from Brigend Limited, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Limited. 
 
In the same week, Riva Gaming's chief executive Simon Hannah warned in the Financial Times that as many as a hundred UK land bingo clubs could close within the next six months if taxation on the industry is not changed. He warned that the 'double taxation' imposed by the combined VAT and gross profit tax is putting the industry at a significant commercial disadvantage.
 
"Where betting shops and casinos only pay 15 percent gross profit tax, we must also pay 17.5 percent VAT on our bingo income, putting us at a significant commercial disadvantage," the bingo company executive said.
 
Riva is one of the most technologically progressive of the bingo operators in the UK, introducing electronic bingo innovations earlier this year (see previous Online-Casinos.com/InfoPowa report.)
 
The industry is meeting with government to discuss the matter this week.

The effects of the recent UK smoking ban and changes to the UK's gambling regulations are the factors being cited by land-based bingo company Top Ten for their slump in profits, according to a report on ATE Online.

Top Ten reported a drop in "pre-tax profits of £465,000, to £381,000, on sales down £1 million to £13.7 million for the six months to September 30," according to the report.

The company added that it expects market conditions will continue to remain difficult over the next six months.

In an ominous note, Top Ten indicated that its poorly performing clubs will probably face closure.  How many of the company's current 38 clubs will be facing closure was not specified in the report.

The fortunes of land-based bingo has contrasted sharply with online bingo and