Brett's Corner, Smoke Free Wales & We Want Your Reviews

Hi [firstname,fallback=Bingo Fan], welcome to the latest Playing Bingo newsletter. Just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you subscribed via our web site at playingbingo.co.uk. As promised, this issue includes news, updates and offers. But if you're no longer interested, click here to unsubscribe.

If you'd rather read this newsletter online - it's here.

Brett's Corner - Bingo Caller Of The Year At Playing Bingo

You may have spotted a mention of Brett Hyrjak around the site before now. If you haven't then Brett rose to fame towards the end of 2006 as the winner of the National Bingo Game's Bingo Caller Of The Year Competition and subsequently as a caller on Gala Bingo's TV channel - Gala TV.

Playing Bingo caught up with him during March 2007 for an in-depth interview about his experiences as the competition winner, how he got there and what's happened since. You can read the full interview with Brett here.

If the interview isn't enough for you, we've persuaded Brett to join us at Playing Bingo with a monthly column. Brett's Corner will be featuring Brett's opinions about Bingo, calling tips, fun stuff and anecdotes, all from his unique perspective as an ambassador for the game.

In his first column he runs us through how he got into Bingo, the problems he faced and how he overcame them and went on to win the big competition. There'll be more from Brett over the coming months so be sure to drop in.

Smoke Free Bingo Comes To Wales

From the 2nd of April it became illegal to light up in a Bingo hall in Wales, thanks to the long feared smoking ban. Bingo players in Scotland have been in the same boat for a year now, with detrimental effects to the Scottish Bingo industry and club closures following.

Wales suffered a ban related closure even before it came into effect, when Mecca closed one of its Swansea clubs as part of the pre-emptive strike that saw 9 Mecca clubs close around the UK. With all the press coverage, it was interesting to see the BBC reporting live from a Bingo club in Wrexham. For once the person being interviewed was upbeat, which was a nice change from the doom and gloom the industry has been absorbed in recently.

Here at Playing Bingo, we give the ban our full support, and hope this will help Bingo clubs become more appealing venues for a whole new generation of players - ensuring the continued success of the game we love. Bingo clubs in England will be smoke free from the 1st of July 2007.

Earn Money For Your Bingo Reviews

Our Bingo Hall Reviews section is looking a bit bare. We want your reviews for the section. If you play Bingo out in the real world - we want you to write a review of your local club. What's more, we'd like to pay you for your trouble.

That's right - we'll pay you to review your Bingo Hall - £10 a pop. But, before you all rush off to write your reviews - please note we only have a limited amount of tenners to hand out, so before you put fingers to keyboard email us to see if we have any left. Reply to this newsletter and change the subject to Bingo Review and we'll get in to contact with you to give you more info.

Globalcom Bought By 888

There's news of a massive sale in the online Bingo world. The massive Globalcom Limited network has been purchased by casino gaming company 888. Globalcom provide the back-end for around 45 of the UK's online Bingo sites, so it's a massive step into the online Bingo market by a company more used to poker and gaming. Hopefully they can improve on Globalcom's software - it could do with a lot of work to bring it inline with the software provided by the likes of Parlay or Virtue Fusion.

Lastminute.com Bingo - Get £2 Of Free Games

If you enjoy a game of Bingo online, then why not try out this great introductory offer for new players at Lastminute.com. They're a familiar brand to anyone who's looked for cheap flights, tickets and holidays online. Now they've expanded their entertainment portfolio with their own online Bingo. Lastminute.com Bingo is powered by St Minver - and offers great sign-up bonuses.

We're able to offer you an extra free £1 at sign-up. If you go on to deposit, you'll also get 100% match bonus on your first deposit. Currently, the network jackpot is up to over £53,000 - so now would be a good time to jump in and go for a last minute winner!

To claim the extra free £1 - sign up at Lastminute.com Bingo. On the registration form is a box marked Promotion Code, enter the following 4 letter code: LAPB and submit your registration. Check the full terms and conditions at their site.

Threads Of Note From The Bingo Forums

• Overturning the US Bingo Ban - tater03 points us in the direction of an article about a potential attempt to repeal the UIGEA.
• Bingo The Musical - News of a Bingo themed musical in the States.
• Would you do a nude calendar? - Gala staff did, but would you - the debate continues?

And Finally

May the Bingo Gods smile on you the next time you play, and until the next time, all the best.

David 'Dio Bach' Lloyd
April 3rd 2007

New players get up to £50 of free games at Mecca Bingo