Bingo Interviews & Bingo On The Big And Little Screen

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Playing Bingo Interviews

During May we were able to chase up a couple of interesting events in the Bingo world and catch up with the people involved. Their are two new interviews in the interview section of the site that are well worth a read, but first some background on them.

First up was an interview with Scott Logan. Scott was the man behind the creation of what we believe was a stroke of genius. His creation is a web site that gives a snapshot of the prize money and players at the main UK online Bingo sites. Bingo Port allows online Bingo players to quickly see where the players and prize money are at a range of sites. It's a great idea, well implemented. The interview with Scott gives you an idea of what inspired him and the work involved in setting up the site. Read the full interview with Scott here.

At the end of the month we caught up with Dr. Carolyn Downs for an interview. She came to our attention when she appeared on The Money Programme on BBC 2 - where she gave an insight into the game's growth in the UK. Her PHD centred around a history of Bingo in Britain - and we were pleased to learn that the research will be made available as a book in the Autumn. Dr. Carolyn Downs agreed to do an interview with Playing Bingo and told us some more about the history of the game, her research and the book. You can read the full interview with Dr Carolyn Downs here.

Big Screen Bingo

We were contacted earlier this month about a new type of entertainment destined for the cinemas of the UK. There's a new interactive game currently being tested out in the Odeon at Huddersfield that features Bingo as one of its games. It's fitting given the connection of old cinema halls and their transformation into Bingo clubs.

The audience play a range of interactive games using hand held terminals with the quiz mastering and calling done by comedian Vic Reeves. There's some big prize money up for grabs - including the potential for one punter to win £10,000. The version of Bingo being played is the American version - using 75 balls and square cards - but it should be a good way of introducing the game to a whole new generation. You can find out more about Big Screen Games here - and there's some money off vouchers for any readers who might be in the Huddersfield area and want to give it a try.

National Bingo Night

Well, it's not very often we discuss events over in the USA, but this one had to get a mention. May saw the start of a new evening TV game show on the American ABC Network called National Bingo Night. The show is a televised version of the American game given a glamorous make-over and big production. If you remember the Gladiators TV show, it sort of looks larger than life like that, but with Bingo as its theme.

There are prizes to be won at home, viewers can print off personal bingo tickets and play from home. It looks like fun, but it's drawn a lot of criticism from TV commentators in the States who claim it's another sign of the lack of imagination and creativity at the heart of modern TV production. Whilst the presenter's British accent may be as over the top as the rest of the show, it's certainly one show I could see doing well this site of the pond given our love of the game. And why not? We've got Gala Bingo TV already!

Brett's Corner - Bingo Superstitions

In his latest column, Bingo Caller Of The Year Brett Hyrjak takes a look at some of the funny superstitions that people have in the Bingo world. Now, we'd love to hear more of your superstitions and about your lucky charms at Playing Bingo. If you'd like to share some stories or info, then you can either add it to the Bingo Superstitions thread in the forum, or you can email it to us and we'll compile a list to post there!

£15 Of Free Bingo

If you've never tried the great game online, but had always wanted to give it a go - now's your chance. Here's a couple of offers for online Bingo sites that will cost you nothing but your time. Get free games with these special sign-up offers without even needing to deposit a penny. If you like them and decide to go on and deposit, you'll get additional match bonuses. We've tried both of these sites out, and they're featured here as they are good enough to feature here!


Get £10 Free At Astro Bingo
Astro Bingo has been around for a long while, with it's unique brand of horoscopes and Bingo. They've got a big community and lots of great features. They might not have the most players, but the players that are there are warm and friendly and enjoy the community as much as they enjoy the Bingo. To claim the free £10 of games, simply sign-up and confirm your details and the money will be credited to your account.

Get £5 Free At We Luv Bingo
We Luv Bingo. Well, of course we do! The site's a new one powered on the Globalcom Network. However, unlike many sites in the network they've taken the time to make some improvements to the software and to stand out from the rest of crowd. They've got one of the best Globalcom free sign-up offers out there as well - £5 of free games and a further match bonus. To claim the free £5 of games, simply sign-up and confirm your details and the money will be credited to your account.

There are terms and conditions on any winnings you get from the free money - so please check the full terms and conditions at their sites.

Join Us At The Bingo Forums

If you'd like to discuss any of the things in this newsletter, add your own opinions or just hang out and chat with like-minded Bingo players and fans, drop into the free forum and grab yourself a free account. You won't regret it!

And Finally

If you're away on holidays and playing Bingo in new places, don't forget, we're still looking for reviews of Bingo clubs for the site. Make some notes and lets us know if you'd like to do a review. There could be a tenner in it for you!

All the best!

David 'Dio Bach' Lloyd
June 13th 2007