January 2008 Archives

MASARYKTOWN - No one wants to take the credit for raking in more than $86,000 for the local hospice center.

Organizers insist it has been a collective effort and any kudos should be shared by everyone, including the paying players.

Several heads came together more than 10 years ago and decided they would raise money for local charities by hosting a Bingo at the Masaryktown Community Center.

Other nonprofit groups have received donations, but Hernando-Pasco Hospice has relied on at least $1,000 from the Bingo each month. It is by far the charity that has received the most money from the community center.

"There is no single credit in this," said president Gene Richards. "It's a community effort. It's a member effort."

Membership with the Masaryktown Bingo stretches across the Nature Coast. Richards said people travel from Hudson, Dade City and Tampa to participate every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon.

The $86,000 sum has been collected during a seven-year span, according to director Shiela Hart.

"A lot of our players lose a lot of people who go to the hospice center," she said. "It's where you can go out a little easier. Die with dignity."

Some of the other nonprofits that have received donations from the Bingo are Toys for Tots, HEART and various cancer charities. Bingo members also have given to the local high schools and have helped fund scholarships.

"Hospice is the best group around," said volunteer Carol Notto.

Her husband's health deteriorated to the point she could not assist him on her own. Hernando-Pasco Hospice made sure the last week of his life was as peaceful as possible.

"Hospice came in during the last week to help out," Notto said. "They are such beautiful people over there. I can't say enough about hospice."

Representatives with the hospice center recently donated a plaque to the community center as a show of appreciation.

Janet Ware, who serves as the center's director of development, said the organization "feels blessed" to have the Masaryktown Bingo as one of its supporters.

"Folks who have benefited from our services are very grateful for our assistance and they become more involved," Ware said. "They are an amazing group of people and we really do appreciate their efforts ... It means a great deal."

Richards wanted to describe how much Hernando-Pasco Hospice assisted him and his family with a recently deceased family member, but he stopped before he began.

"I can't go there," he said as he turned his head away. He was not ready to talk about it.

Written by TONY HOLT, Hernando Today

www2.hernandotoday.com

Program Council is looking to jazz up the game of Bingo with a night filled with prizes and hit music.
Starting on Friday PC will offer "Bingo Boogie Night" at 7 p.m. in LSC 320.
"Our bingo nights are actually a new event that we'll be having this semester," PC Advisor Chuck Collins said." It's actually something that we'll be having a few times each month."
PC plans to hold "Bingo Boogie Night" every other Friday throughout the semester, excluding Spring Break and the Easter holiday. On most nights, it will be held in LSC 320, except on Feb. 27, when it will be held in the LSC ballroom.
"It's a night of Bingo and we do offer prizes throughout the night," Collins said. "One of our top prizes is an iPod Nano."
Other prizes include a Bingo champ t-shirt, DVDs, board games and CDs. There will be six to 10 games per night.
"Each game will be different," said Onaome Mukoro, who is the social chair for PC and the MC for the bingo games. "There are different patterns like Four Corners. It won't be just straight lines."
The name comes from the music that will be played before the start of the games and at intermission as an atmosphere boost.
"It should be a good time to hang out and make friends," Collins said.
The next Bingo Boogie Night will be Feb. 15. PC is planning to hang a sign in the LSC atrium with future Bingo dates.

Written by Dorothy Shoemate
http://media.www.houstonianonline.com

January 29, 2008 (London, UK) - BingoProgram.com received the CAP Award for "Best Bingo Affiliate Program" at the black-tie awards ceremony in London last week during the CAP Euro affiliates conference. The award was received by Frank Tornatore - the dynamic personality behind Bingo Program (www.BingoProgram.com) for the ongoing support and expert advice that he gives to the webmasters in his program.

"Affiliates trust Frank's advice," said CAP Awards organizer Alex Pratt. "He's got the inside scoop on the best bingo and gaming sites, and he's happy to share his knowledge."

A veteran in the business and a successful affiliate operator himself for many years, Tornatore guides affiliates to the best gaming and bingo sites through one-on-one consultation and through his widely read blog, franktornatore.com.

"The secret in this business is knowing who to partner with," said Tornatore. "The bingo sites we represent are the best in the business - best games software, best stats and reporting, best conversion rates. I don't know that I deserve an award just for introducing affiliates to someone they can trust but I certainly appreciate the recognitionon behalf of BingoProgram!"

One of the market leaders in converting visitors to players, Bingo Program is the Affiliate Program for Bingos.co.uk, BingoFriends.com, CasinoJoker.com, EuroBingo.com, ElBingo.com. Tornatore has partnered with thousands of webmasters from all around the world, providing unparalleled management systems, marketing tools and advanced affiliate programs. The Bingo Program team is integrated by several qualified work groups including designers, programmers, marketing and affiliate managers, and customer service agents, all working to help webmasters get the most from their traffic.

Winners of the first annual CAP Awards were nominated and voted on by fellow affiliates. Awards were also presented to the Best Poker, Casino, Sportsbetting and Skill Gaming Affiliates and Affiliate Programs as well as the Best Payment System and Best Overall Affiliate and Best Overall Affiliate Program.

Written by www.igamingbusiness.com

In the news recently as a takeover target for Sportingbet and for its recently signed deal with NetPlayTV, Parlay Entertainment stole the show at the latest International Casino Exhibition (ICE) in London with the imminent launch of its Parlay 5 online bingo software.

Complete with the interesting tagline 'Bingo Without Borders', Parlay 5 makes it possible for bingo online players of diverse languages and currencies to play together.

The system's flexibility was one of the hits of ICE and it is expected to be launched during the second quarter of 2008.  The launch will come at a time when a major online bingo games surge is being reported by many of the industry's providers.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

GSN Premieres 'BINGO AMERICA' on March 31 TV Icon Patrick Duffy Hosts Innovative New Game Show, Weeknights at 7PM/6C SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 30 -- GSN announced today the premiere of BINGO AMERICA, an original, 40-episode series, beginning Monday, March 31 at 7PM/6C. Developed by executive producer Andrew Glassman, the fast-paced, "free-to-play-along-and-win" new series blends all the classic elements of trivia-based game shows with traditional bingo game-play. BINGO AMERICA and host Patrick Duffy will be awarding cash and prizes to both on-air contestants and at-home viewers in every episode. "Andrew and his team have created something unique that truly works for all kinds of GSN viewers -- traditional game show fans and engaged viewers who want to sit forward and play along for real prizes," said Jamie Roberts, Senior Vice President of Programming, GSN, upon making the announcement. "And we couldn't have found a better fit than Patrick; we know our audience is really going to embrace him." Said Glassman: "I'm looking forward to bringing this new series to GSN's audience. They're one of the industry's most enthusiastic fan-bases and with free, downloadable bingo cards, they'll be able to play along and try to win every time they tune in." BINGO AMERICA begins production in Los Angeles today with Duffy making his game show hosting debut. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Bobby Ewing in the Golden Globe-winning series "Dallas," Duffy also starred as Frank Lambert in the ABC hit, "Step By Step." "The truth is, I love game shows. Especially the classics. They're exciting to watch and fun to play along with because they're real -- these people aren't characters," said Duffy. "I'm thrilled to be working with GSN on a show like BINGO AMERICA that's based on such a widely recognized and easy to play game." Putting a unique spin on the traditional game show format with free, downloadable bingo cards available at GSN.com, BINGO AMERICA invites every viewer to play along while the on-air contestants compete for their own "Bingo." In addition to "Bingo," viewers have another chance to cash-in during the show's final round, the Bonus Game. In the Bonus Game, any viewer whose "bonus numbers" (located at the bottom of every downloaded bingo card) match the numbers selected on-air becomes an instant winner. And in keeping with GSN's commitment to multi-platform interactive endeavors, fans of the show can also receive "bonus numbers" via text messaging by simply texting BINGO to 94949 on their mobile phones. Andrew Glassman produces the series for GSN via his production company, Glassman Media. Glassman's production credits include "National Bingo Night," the "Average Joe" and "The Ex-Wives" franchises, and the Amy Grant-hosted network series, "Three Wishes." NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The Bingo America Home Viewer Sweepstakes is open only to legal U.S. residents, 18 and older with Internet access and a valid email address. Void where prohibited. Game cards available at GSN.com/Bingo on or about March 28, 2008. The Home Viewer Sweepstakes is a seeded instant win game; it is not a state-sanctioned bingo game. Standard text message rates apply to any text message sent or received; entrants requesting additional "bingo bonus numbers" should check their wireless service plan for the exact rate. See Official Rules at http://www.GSN.com/bingo for complete details, including additional eligibility requirements, card availability times, prize claim deadlines, odds of winning, and prize descriptions/restrictions. GSN is an industry-leading, game content provider distributing competition programming through its 66-million subscriber cable television network and its casual and skill-based online games site, GSN.com. As the premier television network for games, GSN produces some of the most popular original casino and game show series on TV today. GSN.com features all types of game play: flash games for fun, skill cash game tournaments and free downloadable games. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. The company is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com. SOURCE GSN www.gsn.com

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - GSN is launching "Bingo America," a new 40-episode half-hour interactive game show series to be hosted by Patrick Duffy.

"Bingo America" combines elements of a quiz show with the game of bingo. Contestants are asked to answer trivia questions to "earn" letters.

The show will award cash prizes to the on-air players as well as to viewers.

Viewers will be able to download up to 10 bingo cards a day on GSN.com and then play along with the broadcast. Additionally, viewers will have another chance to cash in during the show's final round, the Bonus Game, when anyone whose "bonus numbers" on their downloaded cards match the numbers selected on-air becomes an instant winner. Fans also will be able to receive bonus numbers via text messaging.

""Bingo America," which hails from Andrew Glassman, the creator/executive producer of ABC's "National Bingo Night," will debut March 31 and air weeknights at 7 p.m., with repeats on weekends at 4:30 p.m.

Glassman said "Bingo America" will be very different from "National Bingo Night," which also allowed viewers to download cards and play along.

"It is based around the same premise of interactivity," he said, "but it is completely different and custom designed for a nightly half-hour strip.

Written by Nellie Andreeva

www.reuters.com

Daub Ltd is to a new 889.com-backed online bingo enterprise early February as part of its bingo network aimed at the Western European market.  888.com is set to provide the backroom operations with Daub operating the site which will be known as WinkBingo.com.

Daub already comes with considerable experience in the free online bingo world and includes casino and online poker amongst its operations.

888.com is already a mainstay in the online bingo industry with a network of forty-five online bingo halls including bingoballroom.com, bingofabulous.com and Bingo Street favourite Twofatladies.co.uk.

888.com is also involved in supplying online bingo games solutions to operators with their own networks including such UK online bingo favourites as Thinkbingo.com, Thinkbingoplus.com and Bingoscotland.com.

888.com's CEO Gigi Levy said that the agreement with Daub "..., is a further progression in 888's diversified strategy to grow our customer reach and appeal and to broaden our potential audience significantly through innovative partnerships. The combination of 888's global gaming experience and Daub's expert knowledge will help the partnership achieve significant market share."

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

Players on Bingo Scotland might be familiar with the blue theme of the UK bingo site.

The colours match those on the Scottish flag, highlighting the fact that the website caters particularly for players north of the border.

But for one member the blue connection has proved especially lucky this week, the site reveals.

Vsblue is the fluky punter, having claimed the single largest earnings on Monday to get the week off to a start.

The lucky bingoer scooped £689.96 of the total £24,588.65 given away over the 24-hour period.

Meanwhile, south of the border, fellow UK bingo site Think Bingo gave a sum of £39,624.12 to its players over the course of the day.

Among these, owlface took the top spot on the virtual podium with the greatest individual success.

Some £468.67 was added to the member's account during Monday's online bingo games, the site says.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

www.onlinebingo.co.uk

Ladies looking for a "fun, safe and friendly" UK bingo website might like to try recently launched 888ladies.

The site is promising £10 of free gaming credit on sign-up, with no deposit required, to allow its new members to sample the experience.

With chat accompanying each game, a community feel is on the cards as, 888 ladies says, "bingo is much more fun when you play it with friends".

Daily contests on the site include the coverall game which sees the money up for grabs reduced if nobody reaches a full house in 40 balls.

But on Tuesdays in the 22:00 game, filling a card in between 25 and 40 calls could see one player claim £888,888.

In the hour between 21:00 and 22:00 each night, anyone reaching bingo on the specified 'money ball' will also see their winnings doubled, 888ladies advises.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

www.onlinebingo.co.uk

As President Bush finishes his final State of the Union address tonight, some youngsters across the country may be yelling, "Bingo."

That's because a lesson plan and bingo game, developed by the National Constitution Center, aims to entice young people to watch the speech, learn about issues facing the country and listen to how the president plans to resolve them.

The NCC, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that educates the public about the Constitution, has developed a State of the Union lesson for students in grades six through 12. Under the plan, students were asked to read Article II, Section 3, of the Constitution in class before tonight's address. Then, as a homework assignment, they were given a "State of the Union Bingo" card to use as they watch the speech. Cards will have key phrases and words such as "health care," "global war on terror," "climate change" and "tax credit." In the days after the speech, students will be asked to share the results of their cards and discuss the speech.

Officials at the NCC hope that this lesson plan will help engage young people in the political process.

"While 'State of the Union Bingo' may not yet be the Super Bowl or Academy Awards, the impact it will have in classrooms and households across the country will be immense," the NCC said in a press release. "This unique learning tool will help students understand the constitutional requirements for the State of the Union address, examine the choices the President makes, describe the events and topics addressed, analyze the President's legislative plan and learn how competitive they can really be."

NCC officials said there is no way to know how many teachers have downloaded the plan and game from its Web site. This is the second year it has been made available. Bingo cards are updated to reflect current issues and phrases the president is likely to use.

Some educators worry that today's youths lack a basic knowledge of U.S. history, government and presidents.

A survey released last year polled 14,000 college freshmen and seniors at 50 schools and found that the average score for seniors on questions related to U.S. presidents was a failing grade of 57.6 percent. The poll, commissioned by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, found that even some of the most educated American students had trouble answering basic questions about U.S. presidents, including dates and the major events of their presidencies.

Written by Amy Fagan

www.washingtontimes.com

A grandmother has become a millionaire after scooping what is claimed to be the world's biggest bingo win.

Christine Bradfield, from Bargoed in Caerphilly county, won more than £1.1m at The Castle Club in Merthyr Tydfil.

The 53-year-old won the National Bingo Game's platinum prize at the Sunday night session at the club.

The jackpot played in 470 clubs across the UK is the biggest in Britain and it is thought to be the biggest anywhere in the world say its organisers.

"At this time we certainly believe Christine's win is the biggest win a legitimate game of bingo in the world," said Steve Baldwin, communications manager for the National Bingo Game.

The Castle Club in Merthyr went "absolutely crazy" when Mrs Bradfield's win was announced on Sunday night.

I won't be giving up work. I couldn't be at home or I'd be out shopping all the time Christine Bradfield

The club's general manager Mike Wiltshire was calling the game that made her a millionaire.

"The place erupted, everyone went wild," he said.

"It was amazing. And word spread quickly so that most people in Merthyr knew before the end of the evening."

Mrs Bradfield herself said she was "in shock" and so was her crane driver husband Ray when she phoned him with news of her win.

She said: "We won't sleep tonight but he has to go to work in the morning."

But she plans to share her £1.1m prize with her sister-in-law Lorraine Williams, who is from Aberbargoed, and her giant win on the bingo does not signal a life of leisure, she said.

Shopping

"I work three days a week in a garage and luckily I don't have to be in until Wednesday, but I'll be there then," she said.

"I won't be giving up work. I couldn't be at home or I'd be out shopping all the time."

And she said she will not be giving up bingo either.

"I just love the game," she said. "I have been playing since I was old enough at 18 and I won't stop now."

She said she could not repeat what her son and daughter said when she phoned them with the news and said she will use the money to spoil her three grandchildren.

Christine joined the Castle Club when it opened 11 years ago and plays there twice a week.

Her prize-money, totalling £1,101,686 was made up of the Platinum Jackpot prize of £1,018,233; the Sunday night National Game prize of £80,000, the Zone prize of £3,121 and the Club prize of £335.

Written by www.news.bbc.co.uk

HUNDREDS of bingo players in Bournemouth will be left without a local club in less than a fortnight.

Just a week after Gala Coral admitted it was reviewing the future of its Winton bingo club, staff have been told it will close on February 10.

The club in Wimborne Road has a very local customer base and many residents will be unable to travel to alternative Gala clubs at the Lansdowne or Tower Park.

A spokesperson for Gala Coral was unable to confirm how many staff were employed at the club but said negotiations with workers were currently underway.

"We are probably going to transfer our staff to other positions in the group but that is all under consultation at the moment," she said. "I do not know what is happening to the building but the club will be closed."

Rumours that the closure was imminent prompted council officers to try and get the historic Art Deco building listed.

There is nothing to stop Gala Coral selling the site to a developer but the council hopes they can be convinced to consider alternative uses for the building.

Moordown ward councillor Beverley Dunlop said: "We will be sending the relevant materials to English Heritage to seek their opinion and over the coming weeks will be in discussion with Gala Coral on future uses of the building."

The building used to be the home of the 1,500-capacity Moderne cinema, which featured striking and innovative interior design when it opened to the public in 1936.

Written by Melanie Vass

www.thisisdorset.net

BingoKnights.com, one of the leading online bingo gaming websites, is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new 90-ball room offering. For all you bingo lovers, new 90 ball "Blue Saphire" room is now open. Register to get $21 free trial exclusively for 90-ball bingo game.

Costa Rica -- BingoKnights.com, one of the leading online bingo gaming websites, is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new 90-ball room offering. For all you bingo lovers, new 90 ball "Blue Saphire" room is now open. Register to get $21 free trial exclusively for 90-ball bingo game.

Over the past few years, Bingoknights.com has become the most preferred website among the bingo lovers all over United States and Canada and now with the onset of UK style 90-ball bingo "Blue Saphire" room, it is becoming the leading choice for bingo community across the UK. With the increased and diversified player base in the 90-ball room now players are assured of getting huge pots.

The ticket format of the 90-ball game slightly differs from that of 75-ball game. Each ticket has 3 rows of numbers and each game has 3 winners: the first to complete one row, the first to complete 2 rows and the first to complete 3 rows (the entire ticket). Top three players of the session will also get $30, $20, $10 bb's every day. Players can play exciting chat games with great number of bb's to be won, which only means Double the fun. For full details of what is on offer simply register at Bingoknights.com to join in the fun.

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Amongst the most generous online bingo bonus giving websites on the net, Bingoknights.com offers a distinctive live chat service that gives players an opportunity to form friendships with other players all around the world.

About the site
Bingoknights.com is a leading online bingo gaming website that provides best online bingo games, tips, promotions, tournaments, community chat rooms and multilingual support for bingo players.

Written by www.prweb.com

The money you can now win from just playing bingo, whether it be bingo online or at a land based club is just amazing, and the National Bingo game that is played at most land based clubs every day just keeps on producing those big bingo winners.

A father of four from Kettering was elated to say the least when he won £50,000 playing bingo at his local Gala Bingo club on Saturday night. He has been playing bingo with his wife for the last 16 years and lady luck was certainly shinning on them that night. The National Bingo Prize was £100,000 but he had to share it with another member as they both called house on 41 numbers, but I am sure that the father of four is not going to worry about that, and 2008 sure looks a lot brighter now for him and his family, thanks to the National Bingo game and Gala Bingo.

I have often heard the saying "Beginners Luck" and I have seen it with my own eyes when players who I know had never played bingo before have gone to a bingo club for the first time, or even played bingo online and Won! Well a social care worker from Bristol definitely had beginners luck when he went to bingo for the very first time with his work colleagues and won £45,000! The man and his five male colleagues went to the Mecca Bingo Club 'for a bit of a giggle', after deciding before Christmas that they should do more social activities together. They will all certainly be able to socialize even more now thanks to this huge win as the lucky bingo player will also be sharing his winnings with his friends.

As from Sunday the 20th of January you will now be able to play for 5 big prizes on every National game. So it looks like there is going to be even more big National Game Winners in the weeks and months to come! Gala Bingo have also just launched a fantastic Mega Jackpot Monopoly game at their online bingo site that has a Jackpot attached to it that starts at a whopping £1.5 million, who will be the first to win this, we will all just have to wait and see!

Written by Hollie

www.unluckyforsome.co.uk

The retired 61-year-old, from Castletown, who doesn't want to be named, thought he had only won the £120 house prize at the Majestic Club, South Shields.

But after a 20-minute wait for results from clubs around the country, it was announced he had won the National Bingo Game top prize by completing a full house in 45 calls.

"My wife and I were already walking out of the club when it was announced how much I'd won and I was stunned," he said.

"When we realised, we were both so pleased we started jumping about."

The man - who has four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren - intends to use the money to take a holiday abroad for the first time with his wife.

He is also considering re-decorating his home and buying new furniture.

"The Majestic has been very good to us as we win quite regularly there. It is a great club," he added.

The National Bingo Game is the second largest computer-controlled game in the UK - behind the National Lottery - and about 470 clubs link together to play.

"The win has caused quite a bit of excitement here," said the Majestic Club's relief manager Lisa Wilson.

"When people realize that you can win these kind of amounts, it does create a lot of interest.

"In my own experience, I have only known it happen a few times.

"But it's always great to see someone win the top prize. Everyone was really pleased for him."

Written by James Johnston
www.sunderlandecho.com

The European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) said it is "delighted" by a decision by a French judicial court verifying the government's commitment to respecting European Union (EU) law.

According to the EGBA the Court of Appeal of Versailles' statement calls into question French gaming legislation and its compatibility with EU law. It now places the French government in the position of having to justify its current online gaming regulations that restrict non-French gambling companies, including online bingo halls and online bingo operators, from accessing the French market.

The European Court of Justice has previously ruled that gambling businesses operating in one EU country can offer its products and services throughout the EU and that restrictions are only applicable for reasons of public interest.

Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of the EGBA said: "We are delighted with this decision. It is an important one and comes in the general context of the commitment taken by the French authorities to propose a controlled opening of the French gaming market by March 2008."

EU members still running state gambling monopolies are being placed under pressure by the European Commission to uphold free trade of goods and services between member nations. UK-based online bingo games operators are currently restricted from a number of EU countries due to state-run gaming monopolies.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

A 61-year-old retiree was satisfied with taking the house prize at the Majestic Club in South Shields recently, reports National Bingo.

But 20 minutes after his numbers came up the other venues in the country finally completed the link game.

Not a moment too soon, it was revealed that nobody else in the country had reached a full house in fewer balls.

As a result, the plucky punter had scooped the £40,000 UK bingo jackpot - just as he was heading for the door.

"My wife and I were already walking out of the club when it was announced how much I had won and I was stunned," he tells National Bingo.

"When we realised we were both so pleased we started jumping about," he informs the operating body of UK bingo.

In April 2007 the Majestic Club had reason to celebrate as one of its players claimed a £100,000 national jackpot.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

www.onlinebingo.co.uk

The Caribbean island nation of Antigua says it is disappointed by a UK government decision to not include it on its 'whitelist' of jurisdictions allowed to advertise online gaming products in the UK.

The decision comes at a time when Antigua is still embroiled in a World Trade Organisation dispute with US over the US decision to implement restrictive legislation in 2006 effectively banning non-US companies from operating online gaming businesses to the US market.

Antigua's omission from the whitelist will affect any online bingo halls and online bingo games operators working through Antiguan jurisdiction and licenses.  A number of UK-based online bingo operators have ties to Antigua which may need to be changed for them to continue operations.

Antigua's Finance Minister Dr. Errol Cort made it known to reporters his country was surprised and disappointed by the UK government's decision not to grant advertising whitelist status to Antigua.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

Long-running dispute takes new twist as bingo operators lobby Treasury to make a U-turn on the way the industry is currently taxed.

Bingo companies have put more pressure on the government to ease the tax burden they carry.

In a letter delivered alongside the industry's submission to the Treasury ahead of the 2008 Budget, bingo operators warned that the alleged double-tax regime for bingo may cause club closures and a consequent decline in tax take for the Treasury,The Daily Telegraph reported.

Industry bosses claimed in the letter that Bingo was 'the only mainstream gambling product to be subject to double taxation in the form of gross profits tax and VAT.'

Eight bingo chiefs including Rank boss Ian Burke and Gala head Neil Goulden said, 'Based on current projections, the net cost of removing VAT at this point is likely to be revenue positive to the government when compared with the cost of clubs closing.'

Written by David Jetuah

www.accountancyage.com

Grand Rapids, Michigan is the bingo capital of the United States due to the number of bingo games and players in the city. The study was conducted by online bingo news portal, BingoLingo.

Panama City, Panama -- BingoLingo, a site devoted to bingo, both online and land based, is pleased to announce that Grand Rapids, Michigan has been named "Bingo Capital of the United States."

It was determined that Grand Rapids has more bingo games and bingo players per capita than any other metropolitan area in the United Sates. "We used several criteria and Grand Rapids not only met these criteria, but exceeded every other major metropolitan areas in the number of bingo games and players," said Susan Strafford, marketing director of BingoLingo (http://www.bingolingo.com).

Grand Rapids, located in western Michigan, has an ethnically diverse population of 1,320,487, including a large population of Roman Catholics which may, in part, account for the popularity of bingo. Careful research revealed that Grand Rapids has more bingo games per capita than any other major metropolitan area in the United States including all major cities.

It was also found that Grand Rapids has a large number of online bingo players. The new smoking ban recently imposed on bingo halls is thought to have contributed to the increase in the number of players who choose to play bingo on the internet. Other factors cited were the wider variety of games, larger prizes, and the convenience of playing at home.

"Colder climates in the north tend to have the largest percentage of online bingo players," said Anthony Wayne, editor of the Internet Bingo Blog (http://www.internetbingoblog.com). "So, it's not surprising that a city in the north was the winner. They love their bingo in Michigan."

With the largest number of bingo players per capita, BingoLingo is pleased to award Grand Rapids, Michigan the title of "Bingo Capital of the United States.

BingoLingo is a website devoted to bingo, both online bingo and traditional bingo halls. BingoLingo strives to be the best source for bingo news and articles about current issues related to Bingo.

Written by www.emediawire.com

The 61-year-old and his wife started jumping about after landing the prize on the National Bingo Game at the Majestic Club in the town's Denmark Centre.

The lucky winner only thought he had landed the house prize of £120 after completing a full house in 45 numbers.

And he and his wife were about to leave the club during a 20-minute wait for the national results to come through.

But then it was announced his was the lowest call from 470 clubs playing nationwide on Monday, January 14.

He said: "We were already walking out the club when it was announced how much I had won. I was stunned. When we realised, we were both so pleased we started jumping about."

The retired winner, who does not wish to be named, said he had been playing bingo "every night for many years", but this was his first big win.

The father-of-four from Castletown, who has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, now intends to take his wife on their first holiday abroad together.

He is also considering re-decorating his home and buying new furniture.

"The Majestic has been very good to us as we win quite regularly. It is a great club," he added.

Written by www.shieldsgazette.com

888 Holdings plc has entered into a licensing agreement with Daub Ltd., through which 888 will provide its bingo software, instant games and support services to winkbingo.com. The site is expected to go live later this month targeting Western Europe. 

According to 888, Daub is owned and operated by a group with substantial experience in the online gaming world, including knowledge of online bingo, casino and poker.

 

In addition to operating its own brands, 888's bingo business includes a network of 45 online bingo sites. The company provides bingo solutions to business partners operating their own networks and other third party sites, including some of the most prominent sites in the UK such as mirrorbingo.com and foxybingo.com, operated and owned respectively by Cashcade Ltd.

 

Gigi Levy, CEO of 888, said: "The agreement with Daub, is a further progression in 888's diversified strategy to grow our customer reach and appeal and to broaden our potential audience significantly through innovative partnerships. The combination of 888's global gaming experience and Daub's expert knowledge will help the partnership achieve significant market share."

Written by www.gamingintelligencegroup.com

Scotland, Glasgow -- Scot Bingo, Scotland's leading online bingo site, is celebrating Burns Night with some very special offers.

Any player who manages to hit a full house in under 43 balls on Friday (25 January) will not only receive £1,000 but will also receive a year's supply of haggis.

And the Scot Bingo player who gains a full house in the fewest calls between 6pm and midnight on Burns Night will win a bottle of 10 years old single malt Talisker whisky from the Isle of Skye.

Scot Bingo are the only bingo site recognising Burns Night this Friday and have put to shame other competitors who have ignored the Scottish Festival.

Scot Bingo marketing director George Oborne said: "We have 150kg of haggis ready to send to anyone who gets a full house in under 43 balls on Burns Night. The winner can either have it shipped all at once or could wait until next year and have a real Burns Night feast with their friends and family."

He continued, "Burns night is a really important event in the Scottish calendar. Robert Burns, our favourite son, is of course the centre of attention but what is also is important is the bringing together of friends and family. This is what we want to focus on at Scot Bingo -- to bring all our friends together, have a really good time and maybe even win a whole lot of haggis."

Scot Bingo has continued to be heralded as the best place to play bingo online in Scotland due to its good awareness of Scottish traditions and the friendly Scottish community present in Scot Bingo's chat rooms.

Scot Bingo regular Andrew Weir said of Burns night, "I can't wait for Friday night, I reckon that there will be a great atmosphere in the chat rooms and although I'm not sure what I'd do with all the haggis, I'm certainly not shy about having the occasional dram."

Written by www.emediawire.com

Scotland, Glasgow -- Scot Bingo, Scotland's leading online bingo site, is celebrating Burns Night with some very special offers.

Any player who manages to hit a full house in under 43 balls on Friday (25 January) will not only receive £1,000 but will also receive a year's supply of haggis.

And the Scot Bingo player who gains a full house in the fewest calls between 6pm and midnight on Burns Night will win a bottle of 10 years old single malt Talisker whisky from the Isle of Skye.

Scot Bingo are the only bingo site recognising Burns Night this Friday and have put to shame other competitors who have ignored the Scottish Festival.

Scot Bingo marketing director George Oborne said: "We have 150kg of haggis ready to send to anyone who gets a full house in under 43 balls on Burns Night. The winner can either have it shipped all at once or could wait until next year and have a real Burns Night feast with their friends and family."

He continued, "Burns night is a really important event in the Scottish calendar. Robert Burns, our favourite son, is of course the centre of attention but what is also is important is the bringing together of friends and family. This is what we want to focus on at Scot Bingo -- to bring all our friends together, have a really good time and maybe even win a whole lot of haggis."

Scot Bingo has continued to be heralded as the best place to play bingo online in Scotland due to its good awareness of Scottish traditions and the friendly Scottish community present in Scot Bingo's chat rooms.

Scot Bingo regular Andrew Weir said of Burns night, "I can't wait for Friday night, I reckon that there will be a great atmosphere in the chat rooms and although I'm not sure what I'd do with all the haggis, I'm certainly not shy about having the occasional dram."

Two Swedish journalists have published an open letter to European Union (EU) compliance chief Charlie McCreevy calling for active enforcement of the EU's requirements of its member states to engage in the movement of free trade and services, including online gaming.

Sweden, a growing market for online bingo games, operates a state-run gambling monopoly and this has exasperated the authors of the letter, Anders Gerdin and Jan Helin, who believe non-Swedish EU-based online gambling competitors are being unfairly restricted.

The letter calls for "strong and decisive" measures from the European Commission aimed at Swedish non-compliance.  At this time non-Swedish online bingo halls are excluded from operating in the Swedish bingo online market due to the state's monopoly.

The authors urge European Commission to "proceed as soon as possible", saying: "It is high time to put an end to the Swedish government's lack of respect for the EU Treaty."

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

The popularity of online gambling in the Nordic region, including a growing love of online bingo games, has got the Finnish government taking a closer look at the issues of underage gambling and problem gambling.

A working group centered around Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is subsequently proposing that the country's Lotteries Act be strengthened to combat underage gambling and that online games come with identification devices. Evocative gambling advertisements are also targeted for restriction.

On a per capita basis, Finns come in at fourth place in the world for gambling expenditure.  An estimated forty thousand Finns suffer some level of problem gambling.

At this time there is little restriction on Finns engaging in online games with online bingo halls and operators of free online bingo able to offer their services without needing authorization.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

A hybrid game combining a lottery and bingo is due to launch next month on Virgin Media-owned TV channels that its creators claim could generate up to £16 million for good causes in its first year.

The game, BingoLotto, originates from Sweden and will see 10,000 British retailers selling its £2 game cards which will allow players to take part in 3 interactive games that will be shown on the Virgin 1 channel.

The shows will be presented by the squeaky-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale and Suzanne Shaw, former member of Hear'Say.

"We are very excited to be bringing BingoLotto to the UK," said game creator Gert Eklund.

At least 20 per cent from sales of the tickets will go to good causes and charities in the UK.

Written by www.jackpot.co.uk

UK bingo players are being invited to sign up for the newly-launched Love It! bingo site.

And as a reward for doing so, they can expect a bonus of £10 credit when they open a new account, the website advises.

Editor of the weekly publication Karen Pasquali Jones adds that there's no need to know bingo parlance.

Terms such as "two fat ladies" and "two little ducks" are no obstacle thanks to the website, she explains.

"Luckily, you don't have to go out to play bingo or understand what all those funny phrases mean," she asserts.

"Now you can play at home with LoveItBingo."

With a number of other games also on offer, UK bingo players might like to try their hand at something else once in a while - or stick with a good old favourite like Think Bingo.

Emira B, a 27-year-old beauty salon worker from Dewsbury, did just that - and claimed £965,728 on the site's Deal or No Deal game.

 

Written by Bob Bardsley.

www.onlinebingo.co.uk

The Canadian Mohawk nation's Mohawk Council of the Kahnawake has reacted strongly to its exclusion from the UK's Department of Culture Media and Sport Whitelist. The Whitelist designates those online gaming operators, including online bingo games operators and online bingo halls, able to advertise in the UK.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is deeply disappointed saying in a statement that Kahnawake enjoys a "...long-standing reputation as the world leader in Internet regulatory compliance and enforcement".  The organization has contrasted their status with the recently whitelisted Tasmania, "....which has no such history."

A popular choice with many online bingo operators, Kahnawake will be acutely aware some operators will probably choose a more UK-friendly commission to go with.

"Despite having been the first jurisdiction to accept and implement the world-recognized eCOGRA standard, the implementation of a mandatory continuous compliance policy, and our consistent enforcement of what may very well be the world's most stringent due diligence program, our name has not been added to the U.K.'s exclusive white list," the Kahnawake statement continued.

"Kahnawake has concerns regarding the process undertaken by the U.K. authority and has initiated inquiries to ascertain whether the application was afforded fair and objective consideration, which at this point, we do not believe was the case."

Despite the setback, Kahnawake says it remains committed to the principle of a regulatory approach to the enforcement of the Internet gaming industry.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

A Swedish game combining a lottery and bingo is being launched on three UK digital TV channels.

The backers of BingoLotto claim some 10,000 British retailers will sell its £2 game cards, which entitle players to take part in three live, 'interactive' bingo games being shown on the Virgin 1 platform and broadcast on three digital platforms.

The shows will be presented by comedian Joe Pasquale and Suzanne Shaw, one time member of manufactured pop band Hear'Say and a contestant in the Dancing On Ice television series.

The show has a mascot called Mr Bing. A variety of prizes, including cars, will be offered.

"We are very excited to be bringing BingoLotto to the UK," said game divisor Gert Eklund.

Written by www.talkingretail.com

Don't miss your chance to win a share of £25,000 with Dream Ticket Bingo. Every Wednesday from January 2 to February 20, a Dream Ticket Bingo card will be in the Evening Telegraph. Each game will have a play period from the Wednesday the card is inserted, until the following Tuesday. If you successfully complete a full house, you've won £1,000!

With eight games in total and £25,000 up for grabs, don't miss your chance to be a Dream Ticket winner! Good luck!

HOW TO PLAY

• A Dream Ticket Bingo card will be in the Evening Telegraph every Wednesday from January 2 until February 20, 2008.
• There are eight weekly games and £25,000 of cash prizes up for grabs.
• Each game begins on the Wednesday the card is inserted into the Evening Telegraph, and ends on the following Tuesday.
• Every day during the duration of the card (play period) we will publish a selection of Dream Ticket Bingo numbers.
• If the numbers published are on your card, cross them off.
• Play all six grids on each card.
• If you cross off all 15 numbers on any one of the 6 grids you can make a claim.
• A £1,000 full house prize will be awarded to each reader who correctly completes a full house.
• If you don't receive a game card, don't worry, just call 0800 028 5598 and we'll post one out to you.

HOW TO CLAIM

• If you manage to cross off all 15 numbers on your card for the game in play, you can make a claim.
• To make a winning claim, call the Dream Ticket Bingo claims hotline between 10am and 12 noon on 01332 253014 the day after your winning numbers are published.
• Claims for Friday and Saturday should be made the following Monday.
• Claims made outside these times will be invalid.
• Please have your card with you when you telephone.

Terms and conditions:
Our usual competition rules apply as published daily in the Classified section of the Evening Telegraph. Under 18s are not eligible to play. How to play and claim form part of the rules. The total prize fund for eight weeks is £25,000.

Brian Maw	Sarah Bishop with Daniel & Thomas

Written by www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk

Wagerworks has signed a contract with Two Way Gaming for the interactive television company to gain access to Wagerworks' online gaming products.

Wagerworks, a major online gambling software developer, includes Monopoly, Cluedo and The Price is Right amongst its products for Two Way Gaming as well as offering online bingo games and products for online bingo halls.

Two Way Gaming's managing director Guy Templer commented on the deal saying: "The WagerWorks system is very flexible and offers huge potential. In the coming months this deal will see us putting together some exciting new properties for TV."

Two Way Gaming is a UK-based company operating gaming channels for SkyTV and cable TV customers.  It provides bingo amongst its interactive TV offerings.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

A man who headbutted another at an Exeter bingo hall causing him to fall down a flight of stairs "saw red mist and lost control", a court heard.Malcolm Stone was spared jail by city magistrates yesterday despite being warned at a previous hearing that he may be sent to prison.

The 39-year-old, of Bishop Westall Road, Exeter, admitted assaulting Martin Bingham by beating at the Mecca bingo hall, in North Street, on October 5.

The court was told that Stone was with friends when he and Mr Bingham's ex-partner started to argue.

Mr Bingham told Stone to leave her alone and Stone then turned and headbutted Mr Bingham, causing him to lose his balance and fall down a flight of stairs.

When Mr Bingham got to his feet at the bottom of the stairs, he was punched by Stone and fell back on the ground, where he was kicked.

A friend of Stone pulled him off Mr Bingham and he left Mecca Bingo. He was later arrested.

Mr Bingham was taken to hospital with severe bruising and swelling to an eye and his nose. He also suffered a cut to the head.

Prosecutor Ben Winzer asked magistrates to exclude Stone, who works as a DJ to earn extra money, from a list of licensed premises in the city.

The court heard in Stone's defence that he had referred himself to the Victory Centre through his GP on an eight-week course for anger and emotional management therapy to address his problems.

The court heard he had attended his first appointment earlier this week. Stone's solicitor said it was a nasty incident and that her client "saw a red mist and lost control of himself."

She continued: "He is a man who can control his temper but is on a very short trigger."

She showed magistrates a number of references, including one from the duty manager at Mecca Bingo who said Stone had taken gifts and apologised to staff there after the incident.

Magistrates sentenced Stone to four months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to be supervised by the probation service for two years, attend an aggression replacement therapy course and carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

Stone also has to pay £225 compensation to the victim and £70 costs.

Written by www.thisisexeter.co.uk

Being the only online bingo software developer Worldwide to receive a remote gambling software licence by the UK Gambling Commission, is even more of a feather in the cap (for Parlay Entertainment) than being one of just thirty companies worldwide to receive a remote gambling software licence.

This licence allows the company to deploy its online bingo software to its clients who are headquartered anywhere in the UK, or to those clients who may be headquartered elsewhere but who target the UK market.

To its credit Parlay also holds a Class 4 Remote Gaming Licence in Malta and is a certified gaming software provider in the Isle of Man, but of course Parlay is most thrilled to have been granted the UK licence, the company's European Managing Director, Steve Cook, announced very recently.

The licence means that not only can Parlay continue to service its existing UK online bingo licensees but can sign up new ones as well - a big plus for its market.

To say that Parlay are proud that they are currently the only online bingo developer, worldwide, to receive such a licence for the UK, would be an under-statement.

Naturally Parlay, as a licensed gambling software supplier, are required to abide by the 2005 Gambling Act and its three main objectives - (i) keeping crime out of gambling, (ii) ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and opening, and (iii) protecting children and vulnerable people from being exploited by gambling.  All very good objectives indeed which are both actively and proactively adhered to by the company.

As a matter of fact, Parlay, have integrated their online bingo software with that of over 50 operators and will be exhibiting very soon (January 22 to 24) at the ICEi exhibition at London's Earls Court. This being the seventh consecutive year that the company has shown their support for the ICE show and we are sure they are looking forward to promoting their latest software package, Parlay 5 to the many excited customers who are sure to be in attendance.

Parlay were actually the very first company in the world to develop and deploy commercial internet bingo products and is available in both the 75 and 90 numbers versions.  And their technology powers more online bingo sites than any other software provider in the whole world.

So, anyone can see it would be unwise actually to deal with anyone than the world leaders in the field!

Written by Denise

www.unluckyforsome.co.uk

Bingo Scotland (http://www.bingoscotland.com) has enjoyed huge success in both the Which Bingo Site of the Year and Which Bingo CM Team of the Year awards.

The site was the highest placed Scottish bingo site in the prestigious Which Bingo Site of the Year awards (voted for by bingo players nationwide), with their team of Chat Moderators running out clear winners in the equally esteemed UK CM Team of the Year vote, beating a myriad of site from across the UK.

Not only did Bingo Scotland finish as the highest placed Scottish bingo site, they finished above national operators such as Gala Bingo and Sun Bingo. The Site of the Year Award was won by Think Bingo.

Bingo Scotland's Ben Starr welcomed the results: "We're particularly delighted with our results as they showcase Bingo Scotland's popularity amongst those best qualified to judge the best from the rest - online bingo (http://www.onlinebingo.co.uk) players themselves. To be the highest placed Scottish bingo site is testament to Bingo Scotland's position as the most well established and largest Scottish Bingo site out there, and we're pleased that our fabulous team of CMs have been justly recognised and rewarded as the best in the business anywhere in the UK. We'd like to thank our players for their continued loyalty and for making Bingo Scotland such a fun and inviting place to be."

'Roomie' Liz Grimley, from Inverness, said: "Well done CMs and all at Bingo Scotland. Very well deserved and you are SIMPLY THE BEST!!!", and Pamela Stewart from Midlothian made it clear why she feels Bingo Scotland stands out from the crowd, adding "there's a real feeling of warmth from people in the rooms - a real sense of community".

Bingo Scotland launched in October 2005 as the only dedicated Scottish online bingo offering, and has since cemented its position as the biggest Scottish Bingo Site. Tens of thousands of Scots have sampled the 24/7 bingo games and chat on offer. Over Ј20,000 is won every day by Bingo Scotland's tight knit community of bingo fans, and there are numerous opportunities to win big jackpots every week on their progressive jackpot games and special big money coveralls.

The site welcomes new players to their friendly community every day, each receiving Ј5 free when they deposit Ј5 to their bingo account. One such newbie, Margaret Spearey, said: "Although a fairly newish member i felt i had to say how brilliant all the roomies are, making ya feel welcome and including you in chat. I've been to lots of other places, but it's the friendly chat that makes Bingo Scotland so great. Thank you from all new members for being so flippin fantastic!!!"

Written by www.pr-usa.net

Online payments processor and e-wallet Neteller, the company that had a much publicized run-in with US authorities over its links to online gambling payments, is scheduled to make its final punitive payment this month.

A popular online banking choice amongst online bingo players and free bingo operators alike, Neteller will pay US$ 38.25 million on 16 January as the last installment of its deferred prosecution agreement with US authorities.  The total amount paid by Neteller to get US authorities off their backs will have been US$ 136 million.

Like many in the bingo online industry, Neteller has had to diversify its business strategies away from the US market in order to rebound from the losses incurred by the implementation of the US' Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act which sought to disrupt financial transactions between players and non-US online gaming operators.

The company has also successfully paid back nearly US$81 million of the US$94 million in frozen funds to its former US customers.

Neteller has been considered a bit of a success story by observers of the online bingo industry for the way it was able to bounce back from the crippling run-in with US authorities last year.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

Parlay Entertainment, the Canadian online bingo software provider which recently secured a UK license, is to be acquired by PEIC Acquisition Corp.

PEIC Acquisition Corp. is a subsidiary of Letton Investments which operates out of the Caribbean island of Barbados.  The company sets up investments in firms involved to the online gambling industry.

The acquisition still has to meet with the approval of Parlay's board of directors and shareholders.

Parlay Entertainment is a popular bingo software provider with a number of UK online bingo halls and online bingo games operators.  It provides multi-player online bingo software to UK operators such as Virgin and Littlewoods Gaming.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

Foxy Bingo, the online operator, has dropped glamour model Jordan from its advertising. It is understood Foxy Bingo was unwilling to meet her huge pay demands.

The decision to drop Jordan, whose real name is Katie Price, will mean a renewed focus on the "Foxy" character - a man with fox's head - which will now appear by itself on all promotional material for the brand, both off and online.

Foxy parent company Cashcade said last year it was going to divert its budget from direct marketing into television advertising, and was planning to quadruple its spend in 2008 (MW 6 September, 2007).

The company said it was responding to the likely increase in competition from online betting companies, able to advertise on TV, following the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 on September 1 last year.

It is not known whether the decision to drop Jordan will affect these plans. A TV ad, fronted by the model, was due to go into production last September, but the failed negotiations over her fee mean this will no longer happen.

Cashcade says that celebrities will still form a part of Foxy Bingo's marketing mix on radio and in magazine interviews. In September last year, the brand signed up astrologer Russell Grant as the face of a new game - Russell's Lucky Stars. Grant also reads a monthly horoscope linked to a "lucky number" and gives regular interviews on Foxy Bingo's online radio station.

Publisher: Marketing Week

www.marketingweek.co.uk

Bingo players can light up during fund-raisers for Lexington high school booster clubs, a judge ruled Thursday.

Fayette Circuit Judge James Ishmael affirmed a 2005 district court ruling that found that booster clubs qualify as private organizations under the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's indoor smoking ban. Private organizations are exempt from enforcement.

The rulings mean health department citations against six Lexington booster clubs will be thrown out. And it is sure to spark a debate at the Urban County Council over whether to revise the ban, which was enacted in 2003.

A lawyer representing the booster clubs said the ruling is a big win for students who play sports, march in their high school bands or participate in other extra-curricular activities. The clubs raise money for uniforms, equipment, facilities, trips to competitions and other expenses.

"We're losing sight of the importance of these kids," lawyer Jerry Wright said. "Who wants to tell these kids in the band that you can't go walk in the Macy's parade?"

But Councilman David Stevens says we can't lose sight of the health hazard of tobacco smoke. He thinks the city should amend the smoking ban so booster clubs are not exempt. Stevens said it should also consider appealing the ruling, though he leans toward revising the ordinance instead to avoid legal fees.

The thick fog of smoke at bingo games is "about as bad as you can get," said Stevens, a doctor.

Through his spokeswoman, Mayor Jim Newberry declined to say where he stands on amending the smoking ban.

More than a dozen citations will be dismissed against the Lafayette Football Boosters, Tates Creek Varsity Cheerleading, Bluegrass Gymnastics and boosters for baseball teams at Henry Clay, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Tates Creek high schools.

The smoking ban prohibits smoking in most public places, including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. Ishmael's ruling will not affect such establishments.

The ordinance's definition of a private club says the group: must be an establishment; must maintain selective members; must be operated by the membership; must not provide food or lodging for pay to anyone who is not a member or a member's guest; and must not be profit-oriented.

Bingo proceeds are a large source of booster club revenues. Allowing bingo patrons to smoke draws bigger crowds and helps them raise more money, club members say.

The funds support things that schools, and some parents, can't afford, Wright said. Unless the public suddenly gets an appetite for more taxes, boosters will have to raise money from somewhere, he said.

Wright told the council at a meeting once that he'd shut down the bingo games himself if the council ponies up the money for the students. He didn't have any takers.

"How many bags of fruit can you sell?" Wright said. "How many candy bars can you sell?"

The booster clubs have continued to allow smoking at bingo games while the case was on appeal, Wright said. They believed they were in compliance with the law and are relieved the issue is settled, he said.

Nobody wanted "to be in violation of an ordinance by continuing to smoke at these bingo sessions," Wright said. "These are nice people that run these charities, and they're not the type of people who violate the law."

The county health department will consult with its legal advisers about what do next.

The smoking cases have been to every layer of Kentucky's court system except the Supreme Court.

They began in February 2005, when the health department cited the clubs for allowing smoking during bingo. A month later, a district court judge threw out the citations, ruling that the clubs are exempt from the ordinance.

Ishmael overturned that ruling in April 2006, saying it is irrelevant whether booster clubs are private organizations. The public is allowed -- encouraged, in fact -- to attend the fund-raisers, and it was the clear intent of the ordinance to ban all indoor smoking in public, he ruled.

But Ishamel was overruled in August by the Kentucky Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Ishmael effectively wrote words into the ordinance. They sent the case back to his court and ordered him to determine whether the clubs are private organizations.

On Thursday, Ishmael affirmed the 2005 district court ruling. He hinted that he disagreed with the district court ruling in a footnote. But he said there is substantial evidence to support the district court's findings so he has no choice but to affirm the ruling.

Wright said he doesn't think the county can file an appeal. Regardless, it should accept the ruling, he said.

"The government has had many days in court," he said. "Not just one. All these courts have spoken. When is it enough?"

In spite of the ruling, the council can still rewrite the ordinance so it applies to booster clubs. Ishmael noted as much in his ruling.

Some council members, anti-smoking advocates and prosecutors from the county attorney's office met earlier this month in anticipation of Ishmael's ruling. Stevens said he will work with the city law department and health department lawyers on a proposal that addresses the ruling.

Stevens said he wants to persuade the council to amend the ban before he retires from the council at the end of the year.

Wright said the council shouldn't change an ordinance just to affect a particular group of people. If one private organization is exempt from the ban, then all private organizations should be exempt, Wright said.

"I would hope the council would just leave it alone," he said.

Written by Brandon Ortiz

www.kentucky.com

NEWS that a Bournemouth bingo hall is being considered for closure has prompted efforts to get the historic building listed.

The Gala club in Wimborne Road, Winton, is one of five in the country currently being reviewed, owners Gala Coral have confirmed.

A definite decision on the club's future will be made at the end of the month but Bournemouth council has already been called on to try and protect the Art Deco building from being bulldozed and replaced with flats.

The building is not presently listed but planning officers at Bournemouth council are considering asking English Heritage to assess the site and see whether it is deemed worthy of protection.

The building used to be the home of the Moderne cinema, which opened to the public in 1936.

According to the Winton Forum's website, the cinema featured cutting-edge and innovative interior design, with furniture made of tubular stainless steel, with fake leopardskin upholstery.

It could accommodate an audience of 1,500 and even had provision for a theatre organ, though none was ever installed.

It also staged local talent contests and helped launch several famous names, including the Dowland Brothers.

But cinemas and talent contests were no match for the popularity of television and the building was converted into a bingo hall in 1963.

A spokesperson for Gala Coral confirmed the Winton club was being considered for closure and said they could not comment any further until a decision was made at the end of this month.

Written by Melanie Vass

www.thisisdorset.net

Canadian online bingo software developer and provider Parlay Entertainment Inc has announced that it is in the early stages of being acquired by PEIC Acquisition Corporation, a company run by the founder of Sportingbet, Mark Blandford.

The two companies signed a non-binding letter of intent late last week proposing that PEIC acquire Parlay's outstanding common shares by way of a statutory plan of arrangement. The proposed transaction is subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence by PEIC, the execution of a definitive agreement, court approval, regulatory approval and the approval of both the board of directors and the shareholders of Parlay.

The letter states that Parlay will not solicit or initiate competing acquisition proposals or participate in other negotiations or discussions, however, this would not impact on Parlay's ability to respond to any superior proposal from another party.

PEIC is registered in Ontario, Canada, with Blandford serving as President. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Letton Investments Ltd of Barbados established to invest in companies operating in the online gaming industry.

According to the agreement, Parlay is to pay all out of pocket legal, tax and accounting costs and expenses up to $491,000 except where the transaction is terminated by PEIC in certain limited circumstances.

Written by www.igamingbusiness.com

The Financial Times is reporting that an extensive campaign by land-based bingo operators Rank and Gala Coral is putting UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling under increasing pressure to cut the current taxes causing so much trouble to the land-based bingo industry.

The campaign by Rank and Gala currently enjoys the support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).  DCMS is expected to make tax reform proposals relating to the bingo industry in its budget submission.  

ATE Online is reporting, however, that the UK government believes that the land-based bingo sector's problems are of a more endemic nature and that a simple change to the tax structure will not solve the industry's current problems.

Neil Goulden, CEO at Gala Coral was quoted in the Financial Times as saying: "The message we are giving the chancellor and the prime minister is 'if you give us the same tax treatment as other gambling industries, it will be an investment that will drive up admissions'."

Land-based bingo has faced the twin threats of a 'double tax' on its earnings and the loss of customers due to a UK-wide smoking ban in public places.  As a result, a number of bingo halls are facing closure around the UK with some operators already ceasing operations.  Online bingo games and online bingo halls are little affected by the smoking ban and taxation structure.

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

Which Bingo's 'Online Bingo Site of the Year 2007' has been awarded to Think Bingo.  The award is decided by player votes which have doubled since 2006, according to a report on ATE Online.

"We are amazed each year that we run these awards as to how dedicated players are to their favourite online bingo sites," said Which Bingo owner Phil Fraser. "Their enthusiasm for their preferred bingo game knows no bounds. I'd like to congratulate all our 2007 winners on their success and look forward to another great year for online bingo in 2008."

Think Bingo responded by saying: "We are delighted to receive this prestigious award on behalf of our Think Bingo members and chat moderators. It is them that set Think Bingo apart and demonstrate that you don't have to be the biggest to be the best."

Written by John Witherspoon
www.bingostreet.com

The widespread hysteria over casino gaming is reaching a fever pitch as the issue will be studied closely by politicians in Frankfort.

Yet a different form of legalized gambling has been in place in Kentucky for years... Bingo.

Now, with slot machines and Blackjack tables possibly in the state's future... we surveyed local bingo players on the matter.

It's a weekly ritual for these Bingo players.

But instead of discussing Bingo strategies, the conversation's now are about legalized gaming.

Long-time Bingo player Minnie Holland is all for casinos.

"If we're going to have gambling in our state it's better because we don't need to go to Indiana and give them all of our money," says Holland.

But only as long as the money benefits the state.

"As long as it's put toward the things that we need here for the state," continues Holland.

Fellow Bingo player, Steven Waters says that's exactly why betting on casinos is bad business.

"Casinos are going to be for themselves and that's taking something away from charitable activities like this," he warns.

"The only thing with casino gaming is that the money's not going back into the community to help all of these programs that we help," says American Legion- Post 23 Bingo Chairman, Jim Manley.

Manley says in the past ten years, their revenues from Bingo have topped a million dollars... which is used to provide assistance to the community.

But he believes casinos will drain them of loyal Bingo customers.

"We feel like casino gaming is really going to kill us," he says seriously.

But Bingo patron... Beverly Roark feels that type of exodus isn't likely.

"I don't think it will, because there'll be a lot of people that don't like to go gamble on the boats and they'll continue to come on to Bingo," says Roark.

The opinions about legalized gaming are mixed, but everyone we talked to agree... voters should have the final say.

"You just can't send your representative out there and make a good judgment call on everybody's behalf, when he's not hearing from everybody," says Waters/

Manley feels Governor Steve Beshear is using the bleak o