Slots, Calling Competitions And Online Bingo Summit Coverage

Hi [firstname,fallback=Bingo Fan], welcome to July'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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Clubs Get Extra Slot Machines

The industry finally had some good news in June, and what's likely to be the closest thing to a lifeline from the Government this side of the next budget. Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sport finally made his announcement about the number of class B3 machines that clubs were allowed following the reduction in machines as a result of the implementation of the 2005 Gambling Act in September last year.

The loss of the machines has been a big problem to the retail industry thanks to their effectiveness in creating interval gaming revenues. With his announcement he's effectively doubled the allocation for clubs who will shortly be able to have 8 machines instead of 4. It's a small help for beleaguered Bingo halls, but a welcome one none the less.

Bingo Caller Of The Year News

I'll start on a positive note by saying congratulations to Michael Edwards of the Stratford Gala Bingo following his win in Gala Bingo's own in house Bingo Caller Of The Year competition. Our very own Caller of the Year Brett Hyrjak was at the competition, and you can read his report on the event here. The less positive note comes with news of the cancellation of this year's NBGA Bingo Caller Of The Year competition. It has been cancelled due to what's been described as 'challenging' times in the industry.

Report From The Online Bingo Summit

During June I was at the 3rd Annual Online Bingo Summit, catching up with the news and projections about the game online. Once again it was good to catch up with people I know from the industry and say hello to a few new people as well. I've put down a few articles on the event for anyone interested in finding out what's going on in the online Bingo space. You can read my coverage here.

More Bingo News Headlines

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

• Big News Roundup - Closures, SkyBingo, Gala TV, Rank And Callers Competition
• 2008 Online Bingo Awards - The Results
• £600 Million Spent On Online Bingo In The UK?
• A Review Of ITV's Bingo Night Live

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
• £10 Free At 888 Ladies
• £12 Free At King Jackpot

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...

Also, please note the newsletter will be taking a break next month, as I've got some holiday things planned. It'll be back in September, but if you want your fix of Bingo news before then, why not subscribe to the feed for headlines to your chosen feed reader. All the best!

David 'Dio Bach' Lloyd
July 14th 2008

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