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PlayingBingo.Com and Historian Seek to Question American Claim to Bingo Name

19/11/08 19:50

Die-hard bingo fans should be extremely pleased to know that historian, Dr. Carolyn Down has heavily researched and published an article detailing the ins-and-outs of the beloved game’s past. Among the information uncovered by Dr. Down and her commissioner, PlayingBingo.Com has come the difficult question of whether the name ‘bingo’ itself actually stems from British or American roots.

Dr. Down traces bingo from its earliest forms to the success it currently enjoys in contemporary Great Britain and Ireland in her article titled, “A History of Bingo in the UK”. Her research begins as far back as 16th century lotteries and extends all the way to the present day success of online bingo. Most interesting is Down’s questioning of whether Brits should accept the supposed American heritage of the name “bingo”. Usually attributed to Edwin Lowe, a Beano player who accidentally shouted ‘bingo!’ the article instead finds evidence that the term was already in use within the UK during the same time and may actually have originated in Western Europe.

Whatever your stance on the etymology of the game’s name the writing promises to be very entertaining for enthusiastic players. “A History of Bingo in the UK” should come as a welcome addition for fans of the game interested in learning more about the roots of their favourite pastime. The article represents the most current and in-depth study regarding bingo ever written and hosts a great amount of information for the avid player.

Tags: bingo

UK Online Bingo Game Aims to Set World Record

14/11/08 14:22

ITV and British bingo fans are about to attempt a Guinness World Record by garnering support toward a try for the record of the world’s largest online bingo game. A mounting jackpot which has gone unclaimed for an unprecedented length of time is going to be up for grabs through the televised event, set for this Friday on ITV1.

The record-breaking attempt will be presented by celebrity hosts, Michael Underwood and Nichola Dixon through ITV1’s Bingo Night Live during the Golden Jackpot Friday events. Producers of the show are expecting a large number of UK bingo fans to tune in and try for their chance at the enormous prize while making history in the process. The unclaimed reward has reached the sum of $104,565, an amount larger than any which has ever been played for through an online venue. While having almost been won several times in the weeks leading up to the event, Underwood and Dixon expressed disbelief that the combined payout has continued to skyrocket to such an enormous amount.

The jackpot has lead to increased publicity for Bingo Night Live and the online gaming style itself to the obvious delight of the show’s executive producer, Michael Kelpie. Interested bingo players should tune in to Bingo Night Live this Friday at 11.45PM for their chance to participate (or even win at) this event.

Tags: bingo

Sun Bingo Give Away £250,000 Houses in New Promotion

10/11/08 18:34

Sun Bingo, one of the UK’s best known and heavily trafficked online bingo venues have decided to up the ante this fall with a series of promotions that want to give lucky winners a new home. The home giveaway prizes are part of a larger effort by Sun to breathe some new life into their site as the season changes and more bingo players start staying indoors and online.

The homes up for grabs at Sun Bingo are worth up to £250,000 with the company allowing winners to pick their spot and house (as long as it falls under the allocated 25K value) from any location within the UK. From August 27th to September 30th, bingo fans that log onto Sun and play select games will have their names entered into the draw. The prize itself should be enough to attract plenty of attention but Sun Bingo have also made a point of revamping old favourites and adding some new manners of play to further elevate the excitement.

Among the updated fare are Bingo 75, Bingo 80 and Bingo 90 games with these options now having the included potential for free tickets and two-for-one offers. Entirely new features such as Gold Digger, Whack-a-Moley and the WAGS Shopping Spree have been added as well. Chat rooms are also being given the treatment with improved designs and additional features for loyal users to try out. All of these changes are being implemented as you read so interested UK bingo fans should check out the new Sun Bingo for themselves.

Tags: bingo

Cricklewood Beacon Bingo Hall Burns Down

04/11/08 08:23

A Cricklewood bingo hall has been left in desecration after a fire raged on for over four hours, destroying the front area of the cherished playing venue. The Beacon Bingo hall is set to re-open in the next short while however, news that cheered gaming fans and management alike.

Firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames which started in the early morning last week (which luckily placed the accident at a time when the club wasn’t staffed or running any games). The accident was reportedly caused by an electrical fault which sparked out of control during the night. Fortunately, metal security shutters contained the majority of the fire so that, aside from the front-end of the hall, the bulk of the venue was left relatively unscathed. This news follows after the closure of a Mecca Bingo hall close by, making gaming options scarce for Cricklewood bingo fans until the damage can be repaired at the Beacon.

Simon Hannah, Chief Executive of Beacon Bingo’s parent company, Riva Gaming Group, expressed happiness that the damage was mostly superficial and that the hall was empty at the time of the fire. He told press that, aside from a bad visual appearance, work so far has lead management to believe that the fire was not as devastating as initially believed. The Cricklewood Beacon Bingo hall is planned for re-opening early this week pending the length of time needed for proper restoration.

Tags: bingo

UK Actress, Michelle Collins Backs Gala Bingo Charity Fundraiser

22/10/08 10:48

The annual fall charity fundraiser, spearheaded by Gala Bingo and supported by thousands of British gaming fans is just about to kick-off for 2008 and has now announced a surprise celebrity endorsement. Former “Eastenders” and “Two Thousand Acres of Sky” star, Michelle Collins was revealed as a supporter for the cause this week, a move that should bring even more publicity to the worthy events being undertaken.

Collins has already started to generate some buzz for Gala and the slew of supported charities by performing some outrageous publicity stunts designed with maximum attention as the goal. Last week Collins posed for photos in a ball gown dress composed entirely of bingo tickets and apparently has some other tricks up her sleeve to take out as the fundraising continues forward. She expressed her interest in the annual bingo charity in the press and urged supporters to come forward and donate in any capacity available to them. British bingo players have traditionally done a fantastic job of raising money for the proceedings and should be able to repeat their efforts this season as well.

Last year, Gala Bingo was able to rally enough attention to raise £2.75 million for the designated charities, an overwhelming amount which will go a long way toward helping out the community. The 2008 fundraising is set for a £3 million goal which may not be too far out of reach as time goes on. Anyone interested in donating to a charity should head over to Gala Bingo today for more details.

Tags: bingo

Bingos.com Offices Find New Home in London

19/10/08 17:27

Bingos.com owner and interactive gaming firm, NetPlay TV has spoken to press about a number of large decisions regarding the immediate fate of the popular platform, chief among them the future move of the company from Mallorca, Spain to corporate headquarters in London, England. The change is due to a number of different factors as management have recently dealt with redundancies and a need to consolidate all acquired businesses in one physical location.

Bingos.com was purchased by NetPlay TV in March of this year for $10.63 million and has continued to function as a key asset for the firm as the year has gone on. The decision to move from Spain to England shouldn’t worry industry observers or fans of the popular online bingo site but rather give them hope for the future of the corporation. Martin Higginson, NetPlay TV’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman has even stated that the company on a whole has experienced significant growth within the last year but has felt a need to have all important staff in one centralized location.

With the London consolidation, NetPlay has also announced a greater concentration on their technical team for upcoming months. This change may ultimately result in further improvements to their existing bingo software and site functionality so Bingos.com fans should be excited toward what the future holds for their gaming service.

Tags: bingo

Increased Online Bingo Ads Demonstrate a Healthy Industry

19/10/08 17:27

UK web users are no longer the only ones being bombarded by a massive amount of internet bingo advertisements as national televisions have now found themselves swept up in the booming industry. The increase in TV adverts is being seen by industry observers as a wider pattern reflecting the growth and continued profitability of online bingo within Britain.

Much like how the 1960s saw physical bingo halls consistently marketing the popular game through televised advertisements, the new wave of online bingo has taken advantage of the medium in efforts to bring players over to their companies. Prominent services such as, Mail Bingo, Bet365 Bingo, Sun Bingo and Tombola Bingo can all be seen within the typical hour or two of primetime British television, giving an example of just how immense these marketing efforts have become. This trend probably isn’t in any danger of disappearing in the near-future either as online bingo continues to replace or become the only option left for players in light of rapidly closing, physical bingo halls across the UK.

All of this advertising is, of course, good news for online bingo fanatics as the business competition which even the largest sites now have to face means better rewards and promotional offers for players. Even if the flashy efforts of major bingo corporations may wear thin over time, overall this is an excellent period in which to be a fan of the game.

Tags: bingo

Massive Ladbrokes Bingo Promotions in Liverpool during Ad Shoot

28/09/08 12:40

Ladbrokes, one of Great Britain’s best known online bingo providers have launched an enormous advertising campaign in the city streets of Liverpool. The filming of an over-the-top commercial spot has already attracted the attention of a large number of city dwellers even before its slated airing on UK TV beginning next month.

The company grabbed publicity by floating giant bingo balls down the Liverpool streets to the amazement of onlookers. Giant spheres, some thirteen feet in diameter, were sent past major city landmarks where pedestrians often pushed them along their path. Video crew were set up to capture the event for the upcoming Ladbrokes bingo commercial which will soon see the footage edited to display the balls passing Liverpool landmarks such as St George’s Hall, the Steblel Fountain, the Liver Building and the Museum Steps. Ladbrokes’ Marketing Manager, Charlie Goodenough reported that his company was excited to carry out such a large-scale advertisement shoot and provide Liverpool citizens with some entertainment in the process.

M&S Saatchi were partnered with Ladbrokes to conceive the larger-than-life publicity stunt and have promised the inclusion of further edits depicting real-life renditions of bingo slang (such as the ‘two fat ladies’, ‘two little ducks’, ‘legs eleven’ calls and more). The advertising spot is intended for television use and is expected to begin regular rotation from mid-September onward.

Tags: bingo

Foxy Bingo Radio Broadcast Provides for UK Bingo Fans

25/09/08 13:49

Foxy Bingo is one of the best known online bingo clients available in the UK and has shown no sign of slowing down progress as aggressive marketing campaigns and continued improvements are added to their business strategy. With the Foxy Bingo Radio program, the company has shown marked determination to breach their audience even further by providing an entertaining accompaniment to the site for fans of the gaming client.

With celebrity guests such as “Albert Square” star, Leslie Grantham appearing on air alongside ongoing competitions it has become obvious that Foxy is concentrating on keeping fans at the site for more than just playing games. Karaoke nights (where listeners/members upload their own versions of popular songs) and short games are also available and provide listeners with reward opportunities ranging from £100 vouchers to supermarkets to £250 raffle prizes. Foxy’s radio offering is meant to accentuate the interests and needs of existing bingo fans and is being continuously developed as something much more than just a tacked-on service.

The company managers promise a continuation of solid, bingo-centered fare for their users which means that there should be no shortage of entertaining listening anytime soon. Foxy Bingo’s radio show can be listened to on Tuesday and Thursday nights through the official website.

Tags: bingo

Recent Study Suggests Smoking Bans Don’t Negatively Effect Bingo Revenue

22/09/08 16:07

With the recent problems facing UK, brick and mortar bingo halls many industry observers have been quick to point their fingers at a variety of causes with smoking bans often being the most heavily blamed. The publication of an American study has been making waves with its suggestion that this may not be at all true however.

The research in question was carried out through the University of Kentucky in the United States and was commissioned by the UK’s College of Public Health. The study demonstrated that, contrary to general opinion, smoking bans have actually not proved to be the only reason for a lack of business. Evidence was drawn from comparing financial figures before and after the instatement of smoking legislature across thirteen different Kentucky counties. Through comparing the data, officials were able to take the blame off of the introduction of new laws and defend their continued existence at North American and British charitable or private bingo halls.

Bingo halls may have other, bigger, more difficult problems to worry about then just anti-smoking laws as the study shows. Industry observers speculate that the loss of traffic on both sides of the ocean may stem from the rising popularity of other games and increasingly viable online venues which adversely affect the profits of physical halls.

Tags: bingo

Nuneaton Gala Bingo Hall Up for Grabs on Real-Estate Market - www.galabingo.com

15/09/08 16:03

The former Gala Bingo Hall in Nuneaton has recently been put back onto the real-estate market at a reduced price. After formerly offering the Hall at £1.5 million, bad negotiations and a financially concerned seller have currently set it at a decreased, £1.2 million price tag.

The Nuneaton Hall became a Gala Bingo venue in 1982 after spending the former part of the century as the Ritz Cinema. Since then it has attracted a large number of gaming fans which have slowly tapered off in recent years. As British bingo clubs have been hit by decreased attendance (in no small part due to smoking bans and the reduction of popular instant-win machines by law) Gala has been forced to close a large number of their venues and the historical Nuneaton Hall is only one of them. Financial difficulties led to Gala Bingo rationalizing their properties and selling off many lots, including the long-standing club at Nuneaton.

In the near future bingo fans will have to get used to the Nuneaton Gala Bingo Hall as something other than what it once was. The location is rumoured to become a restaurant, town hall, hotel or set of offices instead of the bingo club it has been for the past quarter of a century.

Tags: bingo

Economic Observers Predict Financial Boom for Online Bingo

13/09/08 21:26

Although the online bingo industry hasn’t been hurting for business in the last few years a recent study suggests that the near future may see an even bigger jump in profits for industry vendors. The continuation of trends which have led to economic prosperity in the first place are set to become even further amplified as additional factors are coming into play with increased prominence.

The much-publicized UK land-based bingo hall crisis has occurred as a direct result of stricter government regulation and an influx of players heading to their computers instead of their favourite, local hall. Most importantly however is that rising gas prices within North America and the snowballing effect of website after website opening are only projected to add fuel to the fire. As the industry continues to grow and players provide a sufficient reason for expansion the entire virtual bingo community has been speculated to receive massive industry growth.

This is good news for those already on board with online bingo but for the demographic still dismayed by closing halls it will seem like a continuation of hard times. Despite parliamentary promises of legislature reform in Britain, land-based bingo rooms are still reeling from a dramatic loss of business and an even bigger internet boom than in the past may act as the final blow to their livelihood.

Tags: bingo

Billionairio.Com Lays Down a Challenge to the UK Based National Lotteries

13/09/08 21:26

The rising popularity of raffle-style number game at online casino Billionairio.Com is quickly overtaking national lotteries at what has long been their own exclusive practice. With competitive jackpots and better odds than mainstream physical lotteries the majority of betters are flocking to the site in question rather than traditional options.

The UK National Lottery, Powerball and Euro Millions are all examples of enormous lottery corporations which are quickly becoming dwarfed by the fierce competition offered at Billionairio.Com. With odds set at 1:1,000,000 for a €1 million prize compared to the National Lottery odds of 1:13,983,816 for the same reward it isn’t surprising that so many gamblers are heading to internet options instead of state-sponsored jackpots. Even at the lower stakes scale of purchase Billionairo players are able to enjoy far greater chances at a win than if they spent their money through the above companies.

Managing Director of Billionairio.Com, Joseph Crivici is happy that more betters are finding out about the superior odds system but maintains that national lotteries probably will not see a dramatic decrease in business due to their competition. The average lotto player thinks little of odds and shops for convenience but at least the die-hards and those who do a bit of research before buying a ticket now have many superior options available to them.

Tags: bingo

William Hill Bingo Advertisement Banned in UK

22/08/08 07:03

The British Advertising Standards Authority has marked a William Hill Bingo ad as breaching the 2005 Gambling Act’s regulations. By having their television spot labeled as socially irresponsible William Hill has put itself into a position of bad publicity. The legislature established in past years has defined a series of criteria which gaming companies must adhere to in their marketing campaigns and the company has been deemed to have broken them in their most recent media offering.

UK television has recently been running the commercial in question but probably won’t be for much longer given the ASA’s verdict. The advertisement in question shows a woman anxiously waiting for her husband to leave for work and setting the clock ahead so she can rush to the computer and play William Hill online bingo. The Advertising Standards Authority has determined that such a depiction represents addictive gambling patterns where internet bingo play has to be hidden within a relationship.

While William Hill countered by defending their work as nothing more than a funny play on a woman wanting to be left alone to enjoy herself the ASA doesn’t find the reply satisfactory. The legal body maintained that the advertisement was dangerous and could appeal in some way to addictive tendencies in many viewers.

Tags: bingo

Wink Bingo Offers Free Housecleaning for a Year through Contest

17/08/08 10:01

The latest reward in an ongoing series of promotions at Wink Bingo has seen the successful company offer free housecleaning services to lucky winners at their site. It’s an unusual but attractive incentive for regular visitors and may ultimately drum up some extra traffic for the company.

Wink Bingo’s Super Cleaner reward started on Monday, the 11th August and runs until Thursday, August 28th at midnight. The promotion will see two lucky winners receiving four hours of housecleaning services per week for the duration of an entire year. Wink will enter the five most eligible contestants into a draw at the end of the contest period wherein the pair of winners will be randomly selected. The Super Cleaner prize is based on collections of points acquired by playing frequently at Wink, with the top five being drawn from those with the largest amounts. Players can rack up fifty points by emailing Wink and describing what they would do with their free time, sending a picture of themselves multi-tasking at home (by playing on Wink and cleaning) or by just logging on to bingo games regularly.

Aside from standard bingo play, Wink is offering eligible points to users who join up with instant games or spot special promotional items (such as water, brooms or washing machines). The company has created an obviously targeted reward for their demographic of stay-at-home family members but anyone interested in the prize should be sure to start collecting points now.

Tags: bingo, Bingo offers

Platinum Play Bingo Offers $100,000 Prize through BingoBallForLife.Co.UK

30/07/08 16:55

Platinum Play Bingo is offering something completely new to the industry with unparalleled user interaction and the chance to win $100,000. Through the new website, BingoBallForLike.Co.UK bingo fans will be able to express their love for the game in an entirely new manner.

Players will be able to register at the site and create their own customizable bingo ball for gameplay. The service essentially seeks to spice up otherwise routine bingo fare with an innovative take on the lucky numbers that most fans have in mind during the game. After creating an account, BingoBallForLife allows new users to either pick their favourite digit straightaway or take a ‘bingology’ quiz which determines the best choice for them. The ball can be outfitted with various custom aspects such as facial features, hands, shoes, eyes, photos or other accessories to provide a unique and distinct look.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the platform is BingoBallForLife’s decision to promote the system with $2,000 to $100,000 jackpots. After creating their personalized ball it becomes the player’s own and if a full-house is completed with this lucky number in it a $100,000 grand prize is awarded. The lowest jackpots start at $2,000 and increase as the reward goes unclaimed so fans interested in the idea should check out the site today and start designing.

Tags: bingo

Ladbrokes Reveal Plans to Give Their Bingo Site an Overhaul

26/07/08 07:49

Ladbrokes Bingo is one of the largest and most successful online bingo sites in the industry and to prove that they’re not taking it for granted a veritable face-lift has been announced for the service. The updates are promised to be much more than a new coat of paint as well with press releases hinting at the inclusion of extra features and exciting new additions to the existing fare.

Although the current site looks and plays well as it is Ladbrokes have reported new content, improved bonuses and a graphical overhaul to come very soon. The aim of the overhaul is to create a fresh look and even better functionality. Updates are meant to make content easier to find and access along with hosting a new colour scheme that should give long-time users a nice change of pace. Among the changes, Ladbrokes have revealed that users will be able to bypass the lobby to get straight into games and sort upcoming events by different criteria including jackpot size, style of play and more.

Keep checking back for further news regarding the Ladbrokes Bingo re-launch or try out the existing service for a taste of what the client has to offer at their foundation. Changes are set to be fully instated by mid-August at which time it will go live for user access.

Tags: bingo, ladbrokes

UK Resident Wins First European Championship of Bingo

12/07/08 12:21

PaddyPower.Com’s first official European Championship of Bingo saw British contestant, Robert Robinson take home the title (and cash prize) and emerge triumphant among the enormous volume of players. Over six hundred Europeans vied for first place during the games which went above and beyond the participation which Paddy expected for their first try at such a large event.

Robinson hails from Nottinghamshire, England and told press that he spent a lot of time trying to qualify for entry into the European Championship. PaddyPower originally conceived the idea of a massive bingo tournament as a way to divert punter’s attention during English absence in the Euro 2008 football games.

While diehards may still have been watching feeds from the final games in Austria and Switzerland, Robinson was busier working toward the June 29th championship. He now views the Euro outcome as a blessing in disguise and is quite happy that his attention was diverted away from football matches to bingo.

The grand prize rewarded Robinson a Chevrolet Aero while other contestants received weekends in Paris, France, home makeovers, laptops, flat-screen televisions, or a year of free flights and bingo play. PaddyPower also announced that the European Championship of Bingo would be making a return next year due to wide-scale demand for the event.

Tags: bingo

Bingo Association Successfully Bans Camelot Advertisement

10/07/08 16:23

A recent advertisement for National Lottery operator, Camelot was banned after claims of denigration by the Bingo Association. Camelot attempted to assert the claim that they were merely trying to poke fun at their gaming competitors instead of attack the already injured bingo industry in a reputation damaging or insidious manner.

The advertisement depicts an elderly woman on a mobility scooter driving by a closed bingo hall during a dreary, grey day and shaking her head in dismay. A scratching (meant to mirror an instant card) transitions to her moving a fancy, flame-throwing scooter up a sunny beach and smiling while she wears fancy new jewelry and clothing. The Bingo Association claimed that the advertisement was taking advantage of the hard times that clubs are already facing and showed players that their new option was to switch to National Lottery cards. As mentioned above, Camelot tried to reverse the notion that they were unfairly damaging bingo’s reputation by promoting claims that their ad was merely showing an early morning hall which hadn’t opened yet.

The Advertising Standards Authority ultimately sided with the Bingo Association and concurred that the advertisement was an unfair indictment of bingo halls. With padlocked doors and the depressing atmosphere of the television spot they determined that the National Lottery was indeed trying to put forth the idea that bingo is a dying industry and banned the ad as misleading and unfair to businesses.

Tags: bingo

Bet365 Launches Online Bingo Service

08/07/08 16:52

Bet365 has been making waves with their impressive showing in the top 100 private UK businesses this summer and aren’t putting forward any signs of slowing down as the company now launches their bingo client. The premier sports betting company has been branching out into different aspects of the online industry since closing physical shops in recent years and with the embrace of Britain’s favourite game they hope to offer yet another service for fans to enjoy.

With the enormous rise of online bingo within the UK, Bet365 are almost behind on the trend in a certain sense but the current environment is still perfect for another large brand to enter the market. With the immense finances and adept business minds behind the company their entry into the field should emerge as one of the foremost for players and Bet365’s bingo client will no doubt establish itself as nothing short of fantastic. The company announced their partnership with Virtue Fusion in developing the interface for their bingo client and have promised a high level of quality which should see their site come out as a worthy competitor to other, existing large options.

Bet365 Managing Director, Steve Ibberson has spoken to press regarding the type of fare to be expected through the service as well. The client promises to host all of the typical bingo action that devotees of the game expect along with unique features and enormous jackpots to keep players logging on.

Tags: bingo

UK Holds Title of Biggest National Online Bingo Fans

07/07/08 19:05

It should come as no surprise that an examination of business trends have shown UK bingo players as the most devout fans of the game worldwide. The explosion of internet bingo even in light of physical bingo hall crises has maintained Britain’s title of the number one bingo playing nation.

A recent report shows that the UK hosts the greatest industry growth (going from some seventeen online halls in 2004 to the present day establishment of 234 options for bingo fans) and holds the largest interest in the game internationally. The same study suggests that British ties to the population frequenting bingo halls as a favored pastime during war and economic hardships have lingered through generations so that the game continues to maintain such popularity today. Modern day bingo fans are often made up of a female demographic (between the ages of twenty-five and fifty) as advertising makes clear and the study explains this aspect of the trend by examining online bingo as an excellent pastime for stay-at-home mothers and wives.

With online bingo being the most profitable area for online gambling in Britain now it seems that there is no real slowing to this trend in sight. The easy rules and relaxing style of play present in bingo aren’t going to change anytime soon and with internet options multiplying every day there are constant venues for UK fans to enjoy.

Tags: bingo

Good News Finally Arrives for UK Land-Based Bingo Industry

27/06/08 15:41

The troubles that have been plaguing British bingo halls may finally receive something of a reprieve in the near future due to a series of proposed changes to current legislature. After smoking bans, double-taxation laws and restrictions on the highly profitable jackpot machines combined to devastate the industry good news has been sparse for fledging bingo halls and the upcoming announcement at least holds some hope for the desperate.

Although full details of alleged alterations haven’t yet been revealed the UK parliament has responded to cries for help from the Bingo Trade Association with the announcement that some positive change is on the way. Rumors are swirling regarding the possible lift of the current restrictions placed on the immensely profitable £500 Jackpot machines wherein limits will be based on venue size rather than an arbitrary number. This alone may be enough to keep the doors open on many halls across the UK and keep the business alive long enough for further planning.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe is set to reveal the extent of upcoming changes and industry observers are sure to be waiting for any news with bated breath. British government has promised help for land-based bingo halls and established that the official attitude is nearly unanimous regarding the game as an essential communal institution. Considering the grim situation currently facing the entire business practice any repeals to current laws may have arrived just in the nick of time.

Tags: bingo

Bingo Night Live’ Proves Itself a Hit for ITV

27/06/08 15:38

ITV’s gamble on providing a free-to-play television bingo program has apparently paid off as rating surveys reveal a growing fan base. The large jackpots and no-risk game entry is a great opportunity for bingo devotees resulting in the overall success of “Bingo Night Live”.

Players have been flocking to their computers during the broadcast in hopes of getting lucky enough to take home one of the enormous prizes. Even without entry costs those who tune in to “Bingo Night Live” receive cards for 90-Ball games which carry a £2,500 prize for a full house (within thirty-three or less calls) along with £1,000 for complete cards during other nightly events. The Magic Number and Minute to Win It offerings fully round out ITV’s substantial and wholly complementary fare and keep British players excited for each new airing.

With the addition of new week-night hosts, Jayne Sharpe and Anthony Crank the show demonstrates no sign of losing steam. The high-tech system set up to keep the show running smoothly and easy play all come together to make “Bingo Night Live” a hit for ITV and game fans both. In a time when physical bingo halls are in great danger for continued survival the television program may be the winning ticket needed to keep the bingo industry alive.

Tags: bingo

Review of Gala Bingo

27/06/08 11:21

We have just completed and uploaded our review of Gala Bingo here at Findabet.co.uk.

Gala Bingo is just about the largest UK online Bingo Hall, with an equally large amlunt of Physical Bingo Halls.

Gala is a brand which is synonomous with Bingo in the UK. They have recently signed Sharon Osbourne as the face of Gala Bingo and carried out some prime time television advertising to promote the brand.

Please read our review of Gala Bingo or go straight ahead and play Gala Bingo today.

Tags: bingo

National Game Debt Forces ‘Caller of the Year’ Cancellation

26/06/08 08:04

Hard times for physical bingo halls continue to worsen with the news of the NBGA’s necessary cancellation of their annual ‘Caller of the Year’ event. Although some private companies are still going through with their smaller-scale iterations of the award (such as Gala Bingo’s similarly styled offering) this move dramatically illustrates the financial difficulties faced by the UK’s largest Bingo group.

The NBGA title is a longstanding competition that seeks to drum up big interest in the game of bingo and ultimately serves as a necessity for keeping the industry healthy and exciting. Without this opportunity many of Britain’s best bingo callers will be forced to continue enduring difficult times where hall closures and lack of exposure keep job opportunities slim and chances for decent salaries within the occupation scarce.

Although there will be a definite lack of excitement for bingo fans interested in the annual proceedings this fall, the NBGA has announced plans to come back for a future event which will attempt to funnel withheld finances into an even grander party. The debt that forced this year’s cancellation is hoped to be shortly resolved so the company can ensure that no such bad luck continues for players, fans and their business alike.

Tags: bingo

Review of the Foxy Bingo Online Bingo Hall

24/06/08 07:23

We have just uploaded our review of Foxy Bingo here at Findabet.co.uk.

Foxy Bingo has been around since June 2005 and is a great name in the UK Bingo arena. This has been helped by over two million pounds worth of commercial advertising on peak time television as well as sponsorship of various celebrities such as Katie Price (Jordan) and Jeremy Kyle.

Please read our review of Foxy Bingo or go direct to play at Foxy Bingo.

Tags: bingo

Crown Bingo Gives Back to the Community with Charity Play

24/06/08 07:09

During the month of May leading bingo company, Crown Bingo was able to hit the £1,000 mark in their fundraising efforts for charitable donations. Through extensive promotion of playtime set to provide financial aid for a variety of organizations bingo fans have been able to enjoy gaming while contributing to the community at the same time.

Crown Bingo raised money last month during a four-week campaign for BLISS, a UK-based charity which raises money for the treatment of premature babies. Half of the proceeds taken in by certain Crown bingo games were given to the organization along with gifts from the popular ‘Knit-a-Thon’ wherein members sent in hand-made items to further provide assistance. BLISS Chief Executive Andy Cole expressed the charity’s thankfulness for Crown’s work and the direction of attention toward their cause which needs as much support as possible.

In the past Crown Bingo have set-up fundraising initiatives for other charities such as St. Oswald’s Hospice, the Variety Club and various cancer research programs (including events scheduled for June’s upcoming Male Cancer Awareness Month). The continuation of Crown’s efforts is a great way for players to pump up the company’s business and enjoy some bingo while simultaneously donating money to worthy charities.

Tags: bingo

UK Woman Vies for Title of Best Bingo Caller

21/06/08 07:39

Tracey Claire, a forty-four year old woman from Birmingham is ready to take on any competition in her attempt at gaining the title of Gala Bingo’s “Caller of the Year”. The Sutton Coldfield resident has been a star at the Stockland Green Gala hall and is the only female coming up against seven men in the finals.

Claire has been playing bingo for over twenty years and calling for about seven. She was first introduced to the job when filling in for a sick co-worker. Still wearing her line-cook clothing, Claire took the stage and discovered her future career which she now does full-time to the enjoyment of players at the Stockland Green. Entry to the Gala Bingo Caller of the Year awards have all been made and now the participants are ready to be judged on criteria including presence on stage, interview technique and appearance.

The title will be decided by a panel of judges on June 29th at the Kingsbury Road Gala in Birmingham. Supporters of their local participants are set to attend the competition to cheer on the local callers they know so well. Winners will receive a cash prize along with eligibility to audition for appearance as a star bingo caller on Gala TV.

Tags: bingo

Mecca Bingo Owners Receive Support from Malaysian Investor

21/06/08 07:29

Rank PLC, the company which owns and operates industry giant, Mecca Bingo have sold further shares of the enterprise to the Guoco group of Malaysia. The recent business transaction has meant that Guoco now owns 12.67% of Rank’s overall holdings and has further spurned rumors that a full-scale takeover may be in the cards.

Although land-based bingo halls have been suffering in recent years, Mecca Bingo has still maintained a formidable presence as one of the premier online offerings, making the transition from traditional to virtual business seamlessly. The company’s ability to keep pace with the times along with the brand recognition which Rank enjoys in the UK means that their operations present an enticing option for foreign investors. Although for now this move only means an influx of funds for Rank’s business there have been members of the press who foresee larger implications for the future.

With Guoco’s transaction London-based observers have continued to speculate that a bid may soon be placed to buy out Rank PLC entirely. This theory is further supported by the purchase of an 11% holding in the business by the Genting group, a fellow Malaysian company with interests in the online gaming industry. Whatever the case, players themselves should be able to take heart that Rank and Mecca Bingo itself are in no danger of losing funding anytime soon.

Tags: bingo

Birmingham Gala Bingo Hall Closes Doors

19/06/08 08:07

Mounting troubles have seen the Gala bingo hall in Birmingham finally announcing plans to close up shop in yet another example of escalating trouble for land-based arenas. The Great Barr club will shut down on June 23rd leaving seventeen employees without their jobs and a community without the social impact provided by the venue.

The high number of bingo players who have chosen online services over physical halls due to smoking bans has meant a drastic decrease in financial viability. Coupled with continuing double taxation laws and the removal of big jackpot machines the Birmingham Gala has had no choice but to plan a complete shut down. Bingo has been hit most intensely of all the gambling options in the UK and the popular pastime is quickly becoming impossible to maintain through physical halls. Although the internet is presenting a great alternative for fans, the British Chancellor’s refusal to rectify issues surrounding heavy bingo taxation is being blamed by many as the primary factor making halls lose business.

Candover, Cinven and Permira, the private equity firm which owns Gala have expressed concern over the lost jobs and plan to attempt relocation (to neighboring Gala bingo halls) of those left disenfranchised. Last year alone thirty-seven bingo halls were forced to stop business and even more have closed as 2008 continues.

However, the online Gala Bingo is doing fantastically well, so why not give them a try?

Tags: bingo

Melinda Messenger and Michael Underwood to Host New UK Bingo Show

14/06/08 11:31

British television station ITV has recently announced the addition of Bingo Night Live to their network. The program will feature free play and is hosted by celebrity callers Melinda Messenger and Michael Underwood.

The former model, Messenger and TV personality, Underwood will present numbers and entertain viewers during the one hour show. Players can grab complimentary cards on the Internet prior to broadcast then play along as the two hosts announce winning numbers. The show will also feature innovative segments by statistics reporter Nichole Dixon who is able to report on winner patterns and other interesting facts or figures with her interactive map of the United Kingdom. Bingo Night Live is offering big jackpots and various other non-cash prizes which should keep players coming back to follow the events.

With the fate of Britain’s favourite game on the line during times of economic distress and closing bingo halls this program could be just what the nation needs in order to revive interest. The free play and entertainment focused nature of the show should be more than enough to attract participants and keep them tuned in five nights a week. Bingo Night Live will air between Tuesdays and Saturdays at midnight on ITV1.

Tags: bingo

Bingo for Breakthrough Week Continues With National Game and Bingo Association Support

13/06/08 07:42

British bingo conglomerate the National Game has been supporting charitable donations for breast cancer research since 2003 and now plan to launch a continued effort along with the Bingo Association via the ‘Bingo for Breakthrough’ week slated for October.

The events are set to raise a substantial amount for research contributions as over four hundred UK bingo halls participate in raising awareness and encouraging donations. Many of the biggest bingo companies have signed up in support including Gala, Mecca, Buckingham and Castle Bingo along with various others. As Britain’s favourite pastime rallies attention to their cause many celebrities have also pledged their assistance as well by offering donations such as autographed bingo cards. The National Game and Bingo Association’s partnership makes huge charitable action possible even in times of financial distress for the industry.

‘Bingo for Breakthrough’ will take place this October from the 19th through until the 25th and has the potential to raise a great deal of much needed money. Similar efforts resulting from the partnership of big bingo companies and breast cancer foundations have raised proceeds as large as £2.5 million with last year’s efforts alone amounting to an enormous £500,000 within the week.

Tags: bingo

Physical Bingo Halls in UK Suffer Financial Distraught

11/06/08 06:32

British gaming news has recently seen a drastically increased focus on the uncertain future of land-based bingo halls with every day bringing seemingly worse events. Several factors have contributed to this time of crisis and the combination of so many different drawbacks is quickly making the continuation of physical bingo halls a poor financial decision for many owners.

The withdrawal of Gala Bingo from the National Game and the continuation of strict smoking bans have meant that physical bingo halls may quickly find themselves becoming things of the past. Combined with this, business owners have reported that double-taxation laws and the requisite cutback of £500 jackpot machines have significantly hurt their profits.

As the Guardian reported hundreds of bingo clubs closing up over the past few years it also illustrated the social impact which have resulted from this. Over three million Brits frequent bingo halls but even with such a dedicated support base the lack of profits is becoming too much for club owners to compensate for.

As online bingo sites continue to fare well many players may find that the closure of physical halls is quickly coming to represent a potent sign of a dying time. The example set by Gala Bingo is only one which shows that the cost of maintaining a real contribution to the land-based community may be unwise for a company which could divert its funds into an equitable website offering.

Tags: bingo

Gala Bingo Announces Withdrawal from the National Game

08/06/08 06:56

Industry leaders, Gala Bingo have been making big news lately with their controversial decision to withdraw from Britain’s National Game, a mainstay of the bingo community that sees one third of its jackpots coming from the now removed company.

The National Game occurs twice a day all throughout the year (excluding only Christmas Day) and was conceived in 1986 as a means of drumming up business for all bingo halls across the nation. By retracting their participation Gala has understandably upset many of those who have counted on their support for more than twenty years and detractors have since accused the corporation of being overly selfish. With more than three million British citizens frequenting the National Game in the past this move may raise significant outcry. The remaining contributors are in doubt as to whether the historical promotion will still be able to function with such an enormous part of its funding now knocked out.

While Gala Bingo is probably more concerned about their own company interests than the National Game this may hold larger implications for the future of the industry. As smoking bans hold some fans of the game back from halls the end of physical bingo play may be approaching. Other companies may choose to tighten their online interests in lieu of supporting the National Game in the future as well which could very well mean the closure of a great deal of bingo halls and the end of an era in the games history.

Tags: bingo

58 Year Old Man Wins Big at National Bingo

11/05/08 08:14

A fifty-eight year old man has recently won a life-changing £410,000 from National Bingo while playing at Camberwall’s Gala Bingo. The winner is married with two-children and wished to remain anonymous after taking home the enormous payout last Saturday.

His plans for the money are practical as his press quote lists paying off his mortgage and providing for his two son’s university education as the first orders of business for the new funds in his bank account. The man stated that he usually played bingo at Gala Bingo in Crystal Palace and had made that hall his home since the 1970s but due to an extremely fortunate turn of events he went to the Camberwall venue after a day shopping in Brixton.

Through a combination of the National Bingo game prizes and the Camberwall Gala Bingo’s house reward the winner was able to cash out for such a large prize after only forty-one numbers were called. His decision to call house with the number 90 won the most substantial portion of the earnings, the National Bingo attached Platinum prize of £343, 39. The courier driver and his family are lucky to have easy minds now in light of the UK-wide financial crises with their story set to inspire many more hopefuls toward online bingo halls.

Tags: bingo

Review of Virgin Bingo

09/05/08 12:10

We have just completed our review of the Virgin Bingo site.

Virgin Bingo is operated by the Virgin Brand, which was founded by Richard Branson. Virgin Bingo brings with it the trusted Virgin Brand as well as the ability to win various Virgin goodies such as Air Miles which you can use with Virgin Atlantic.

Be sure to check out our review of Virgin Bingo as Virgin is a brand we love and trust here at Findabet.co.uk.

Also, if you missed our review of Virgin Casino and our review of Virgin Poker, be sure to check them both out as well.

Tags: bingo

Crown Bingo Theme Park Promotion

02/05/08 13:52

Crown Bingo are running a Bank Holiday Monday Promotion to win tickets to a UK based Theme Park.

The Theme parks you could win tickets for are:

- Alton Towers
- Drayton Manor
- Chessington World of Adventure
- Thorpe Park
- Legoland

All you have to do it to play in Bingo Room 2 on the 5th of May between 1800 and 2100. The winner will be the full house winner in the games nearest to each hour.

Good luck and enjoy playing online bingo at Crown Bingo!

Tags: bingo

Online Bingo to be the Focus of New Acquisitions

25/04/08 07:59

As online bingo continues to skyrocket in popularity gambling corporations have centered more attention toward profiting from the trend. Aldgate Capital was recently the focus of a study by Clarion Gaming who found that the UK centered company is rumored to be gearing up for a move that could see £150 million invested toward Internet bingo acquisitions.

Online casinos have continued to benefit from the explosion of virtual casinos and were shown to have a 19% rise in overall traffic by UK players from 2006 to the present. With the recent smoking-ban and the implementation of a double-taxation law within physical casinos reporters have witnessed no signs of online devotees slowing their new commitment to playing from the computer. In fact the comfort of home and furthering restrictions on land-based casinos could accelerate growth in all aspects of virtual gambling.

If Aldgate’s business venture is carried out successfully it will be no surprise to see online bingo continue to prosper as a major facet of Internet casinos, even emerging as a game to contend with the popularity of poker. The company is a strong force in the UK gaming economy and their rumored action could spark even further interest in the near future.

Tags: bingo

Online Bingo on the Rise in the UK

04/04/08 21:11

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Online bingo is increasing in popularity through the United Kingdom as a recent poll has recently shown. Bingoport.co.uk has released data collected by their server demonstrating that within the last six months online bingo has steadily been gaining players.

Although this trend should not come as much of a surprise to those who frequent online casinos or care to watch the growth and decline of certain Internet games the poll does offer optimism to virtual casinos offering bingo to their customers.

Online bingo has been a mainstay on many Internet gambling sites but is often overshadowed by the immense popularity of Internet poker which has increased significantly in recent y