We Get A Video Blog And The Industry Gets Woes

Hi [firstname,fallback=Bingo Fan], welcome to October's 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.

The Playing Bingo Video Channel And Blog

I have to admit this is something I've wanted to do for a while now, but not really had the bottle to try. Well, I finally worked up the courage and put face to video camera and produced my first ever video blog. Ok, so it's mainly an introduction to myself and the site, but it's a step in a direction I'd like to take the site.

To go with this new foray into video, I've also set up a video channel at You Tube. The Playing Bingo Video Channel features a number of bingo related videos I've found on You Tube - Your videos, adverts, Bingo in the news and other miscellaneous clips. There's a new page on the site with the playlists and video blog embedded, so you can view them all from this site. You'll find them on out Bingo Videos page.

Now, at the moment it's not jam packed, but what I'd like to do is to get more of you to post your videos to You Tube, and then we can get them added to the channel. I'd love to see videos of the places you play at and introduce us to the staff that work there or the fun you have. Anything Bingo related in fact. Drop us a line either via our contact form, or the contact features at You Tube and we'll get the videos added to the channel.

Industry Profit Woes

The effects of the smoking ban are starting to bite now for a number of operators. Despite a Summer that kept many away from the beaches and in the Bingo halls, things have not been good. The last month has seen a number of reports on profit warnings and share drops.

Clubs in South Wales were among the first to be complaining of a downturn in trade. Clubs were reporting losses of between 15 and 20% - a significant amount. The Winter is causing concern for everyone as they expect the smokers to stay home rather than stand out in the cold.

A couple of the big chains have also run into profit problems. Rank has also suffered a number of profit warnings the last week, which has had a knock-on effect on share prices. They've slid enough to cause the HSBC to downgrade their shares. The country's third largest chain is also warning that its profits will be below earlier forecasts.

2nd Annual Online Bingo Summit Round-up

I spent a couple of days at the end of September in London for the 2nd Annual Online Bingo Summit. I got a chance to learn a lot about the current state of the industry, and plans for the future. Online Bingo continues to grow and grow, and it doesn't look set to slow down yet. One indicator of the health of the market was the number of attendees at the summit, being three time as many as the first one last year.

Over the two days a number of speakers and panels looked at the various facets of the game. There were discussions on marketing, legal requirements, the growth of the game in Europe, innovations, affiliate marketing and more. I've put together a number of articles on the summit and my experiences and thoughts on some of the themes talked about at the event. You can read my full summit round up here. If it tickles your fancy, next year's event is set to take place on the 23rd and 24th September 2008. You can get more details at the Bullet Business site, register your interest now!

Bingo For Breakthrough

October sees a flush of pink break out in the UK's Bingo halls as many go pink for Bingo For Breakthrough, the charity event to earn money for breast cancer charity Breakthrough. There's a range of events going on from the sale of limited edition dabbers to an auction of artworks created by celebrities using Bingo dabbers. Find out more about the event here. Also, of interest and related to Breakthrough For Bingo is September's Brett's Corner, which this month features the time Brett called the numbers for a room full of celebrities at the TV Quick Soap awards - in aid of Bingo For Breakthrough. Read about Brett's adventure here.

Bingo Millionaires And Millionaires Rows

It's been an incredible 6 weeks for the Mecca Millionaire game. The first Mecca Million was won by Margaret Shearer after just 3 weeks - giving her the enviable title as the UK's first Bingo club million pound prize winner. Then, amazingly just 3 weeks later, the second Mecca Millionaire prize went to Jean McCullagh. Now, the amazing bit is, it was at the same club as the first winner - Mecca Glasgow Forge. Unfortunately this second win is making headlines for all the wrong reasons following a row over the prize and shares of it. This weekend saw the third prize go to a lady player from Stevenage. We can't keep up with it all!

Gamble Aware

If you're wondering why you've seen the url for Gamble Aware popping up on a number of online Bingo sites, it's the new site from the Government that's aimed to give advice about problem gambling. It's tied in to the advertising regulation changes that came in on the 1st of September as part of the 2005 Gambling Act. The site is well worth a visit if you have any concerns about your own gaming habits or those of people close to you. Read more here.

Jackpot Joy Win Online Bingo Site Of The Year Award

Congratulations to Jackpot Joy, who were awarded the prestigious title of Online Bingo Site of the year at the 2007 eGaming Awards. You can read more on their success and find out why I found this award a bit surprising here.

Charity Bingo At Big Heart Bingo - Get £5 Of Free Games And 100% Match Bonus

Big Heart Bingo will be a new name to many of you, but they've actually been around for a while. They're unique in the UK Bingo market as they share a portion of their profits with UK charities. When you first sign up with them, you can nominate the sort of charity you want to support with your account. From then on, a portion of the money you spend goes directly to the charities you choose.

They're a part of TGN - The Gaming Network and the Bingo runs on the Parlay Software - which is my favourite online Bingo software. The site has had a major redesign and upgrade. I don't know if you saw the old site, but it was pretty bland. The new look site is both a marked improvement and a pleasure to look at. I really like the fact that some of the money I spend there goes to a good cause as well as giving me a great Bingo experience. It's not as busy as some sites, but the community is great, and new players are joining all the time - it's a friendly place.

Currently they offer a 100% match bonus for all new players. But, with the following code, you can get yourself £5 of free games to play with, followed by the additional 100% match bonus when you first deposit.

To claim the free £5 - sign up at Big Heart Bingo. On the registration form is a box marked Promotion Code, enter the following code: 5BBHEART and submit your registration. When you log in to your new account, there will be £5 of free games waiting for you to spend. Then, when you go on and make your first deposit, the 100% match bonus is automatically awarded.

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

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. Make your voice heard!

And Finally

If you've got any Bingo news that you think will be of interest - or special stories about Bingo that you 'd like to see featured at Playing Bingo, then drop us a line. We'd also love to hear from you if you have any ideas about stuff you'd like to see at the site. In the meantime, may the Bingo luck smile on you...

All the best!

David 'Dio Bach' Lloyd
October 22nd 2007

Playing Bingo encourages responsible gaming, for further details go to gambleaware.co.uk