Big Bingo News And Interviews

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

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Big News From Mecca And Gala

The end of May was marked by a couple of big news stories. The first of these big stories was Gala Bingo's decision to withdraw from the National Bingo Game in favour of its own big money High 5 game. The implications of this are still yet to be decided, it could spell the beginning of the end of the National Bingo Game should another big partner decide to pull out as a result. It's worth checking out the comments after my post for some further opinion and speculation on exactly what this move means to the National Game.

Gala Bingo haven't had the news headlines to itself though, Mecca Bingo have also made a big splash in the press with their impressive judgment from the VAT Tribunal that could see them claim back £36 million of VAT paid out on their electronic interval Bingo. Provided the HMRC's appeal doesn't turn this decision around, the extra revenues will come in handy to shore up the company's finances in troublesome times. But it doesn't stop there, the £36 million is only for one year of operation, so they could also claim the same for other years. Mecca's success should see a number of other Bingo operators step in to claim their own payments back. Whilst the chancellor has said no to the abolition of VAT on Bingo, operators could at least get some cold comfort and financial reward from these refunds.

Online Bingo Summit Interview With Ravi Virpal

I'm all excited, we're only two weeks away now from the 3rd Annual Online Bingo Summit and I can't wait! It'll be an intensive couple of days, the highlight of the calendar for the UK's online Bingo industry. I'll be there with a pen and paper to report on what I see as the important issues and themes that emerge from the summit. Ahead of the event, I caught up with its organiser Ravi Virpal, and took the opportunity to hold a short interview with him about the event, its planning and what delegates can expect. You can find out more about the event at the Bullet Business site. There are still a few places available if you're think about attending, but don't delay, last year's event sold out.

Online Bingo Awards

Whilst I'm talking about the Online Bingo Summit, also of note is the introduction of the first Online Bingo Awards. Decided upon by a panel of seven industry specialists, the awards will celebrate the best the online Bingo industry has to offer. To my knowledge, this is the first dedicated awards of its kind for online Bingo, and as such will be a merit of note to those that win it. Find out more about the awards and see who's nominated here.

More Bingo News Headlines

A quick round up of some of the other news stories about the game since the last newsletter.

• ITV's Bingo Night Live Starts On The 4th June
• Government Say No To Removing VAT On Bingo
• Rank Sees Improved Revenues And No More Closures
• William Hill Bingo TV Advert Banned By ASA

Online Bingo Offers And Bonuses

If you fancy taking advantage of some online Bingo sign-up offers for new players, here's my selection of recent ones posted at the forum.

• £15 Free At Wink Bingo
• £2 Free At Teletext Bingo
• £2 Free At Paparazzi Bingo

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
June 2nd 2008

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