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Posts about “Cash Bingo”.

  • What's Bingo?

    By Lisa West on Friday, 26th June 2009

    Bingo Machines are officially exempt from the amount which can be licensed, for any one particular gaming establishment.  They are also exempt from prize and stake limits.  However, the Gambling Commission has become more and more aware of the twists and turns, the gaming machine manufacturers are doing, in order to get past the regulations in place, to control slot machine gambling.

    The biggest concern seems to be, some of the manufacturers are designing machines which are, supposedly, Bingo Machines, yet bare little difference to the more regulated slot and gaming machines. In an attempt to straighten things out, the Gambling Commission have come up with a list of ‘criteria’ for Bingo Machines.

    Now, if the new machines don’t match that criteria, the commission are stating that they should not be classed as Bingo Machines, and may well be taxed accordingly.  The new move, at present, is voluntary.  However, the Gambling Commission have warned, if it isn’t sorted out this way, they will take more formal steps to make the requirements regulatory.

    The Gambling commission did hold discussions, with both the UK Bingo Association, and British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA).  The Bingo association represents all UK  licensed Bingo Operators, and BACTA represent the manufacturers of the pay to play machine industry. The new criteria is applicable to all Bingo games, regardless of whether they are automated, live, or machine.

    There are certain criteria in place, which is specific to the manufacture of Bingo Machines.  These machines may not be placed in an area where under eighteens can enter.  The price per game may not be changed, nor may the prize on offer be dictated by the number of people playing.  The new ‘Code of Practice’ has already been issued to both BACTA and UK Bingo Association members.

    Although it has not been officially made regulatory (yet!), the Gambling Commission seem determined to get the issues dealt with. So, it seems in everyone’s interest to follow the guidelines, probably sooner, rather than later.

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on 26/06/2009

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  • 200% first Deposit Bonus at Golden Hat Bingo

    By Lisa West on Monday, 22nd June 2009

    Golden Hat Bingo haven’t been up and running that long.  However, if you take a look at this great Online Bingo site, you’ll see, they’ve soon got into to the swing of things!  Especially with regards to their Jackpot Bingo Games and Bingo Promotions.  Right now, they are offering new players a very warm and welcoming 200% First Deposit Bonus, from £10, up to an incredible £100!  Definitely a good way to make the most of your Bingo cash!!!

    Registering is quick and easy, and your bonus is credited to your account straight away.  So, you can start playing immediately. Golden Hat Bingo offers both the 90ball and 75 ball Bingo Games, and, as if that big First Deposit Bonus wasn’t enough, they also have a good helping of Free Bingo Games on offer. If you fancy a change, they also have some funky Slots, Instants and Scratch Card games, to keep you busy.

    Jackpots at Golden Hat Bingo offer players just about all the excitement they can handle.  Right now, they are running a Super Jackpot promotion for new players, and someone could win up to £20,000! Another good reason to sign up!  When you register, they will ask you for a ‘lucky number’.  If you win on your lucky number, in less than thirty three calls, you will bag the big Super Jackpot prize.

    If you refer a friend, and you will be doing them a favour with the 200% First deposit Bonus on offer right now, GoldenHatBingo will also give you a fiver.  You and your friend can then join the Online Bingo community chat rooms, where there are some exciting, fun and friendly, Bingo Games on offer.

    There is an awesome selection of hourly, weekly and monthly promotions available, making this site one of the best, all round, Online Bingo sites available.  Just check it out, and you’ll see what I mean!

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on 22/06/2009

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  • Online Bingo Operators Facing A New Problem?

    By Lisa West on Saturday, 29th August 2009

    This time it is the online Bingo Operators who are going to have to ride the wave of change.  I’m sure that will make a refreshing change for the land based Bingo Hall operators, to see the “others” getting some flack!  A new security move by Mastercard could have a significant backlash on the Online operators.  Mastercard are introducing a new state of the art online secure payment system, to be known as Secure 3D.  The new verification system is not just something that will be required for Bingo websites, it will be required to complete many online transactions, for various services and purchases.  

    The new Secure 3D is a “secure code verification” system, which cardholders will have to join up for the “Mastercard Secure Code Service”.  If they don’t, their transactions will be refused. The system is not complicated, similar to having a ’chip and pin’, just online.  Effectively, it is a password.  Now, that all seems innocent enough, and easy enough too.  However!!  Where the Mastercard plan becomes less than masterful, is that not all the banks have agreed to go along with the scheme.  This means, if your bank is one of them, you have two choices.  Abandon Online Bingo, or abandon your bank!  Lol!  Without doubt, this could cause a major ‘glitch in the program’ for online operators.  

    Of course, it’s not expected that people will abandon Online Bingo, most will go find a bank that has joined up.  However, that could take time, and so it looks like it, inevitably, revenue will be lost.  Akin to the land based Bingo Halls, smaller Online Bingo Operators will be sure to feel the blow the most.  As to what extent the damage will be, or even if there will be any long term affects, it is impossible to predict.  Although it is possible to hypothesize.  So far, the Online Bingo Operators have, pretty much, had it their own way.  This looks like the first glitch they have had to deal with, so far.  Even so, they say things come in threes… it did for the Bingo Halls.  Let’s just hope, the kill joys down at Westminster, are satisfied with their spoils so far. Lol


    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on Online Bingo

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  • Roll Up For The National Bingo Game!

    By Lisa West on Friday, 4th September 2009

    The National Bingo Game came into affect across the country, at Bingo Halls, in June 1986. It was a great  hit with many players, mainly because the jackpots were massive. Not only that but they were linked with other bingo clubs up and down the UK. Whichever player was the first to shout Bingo! With the least amount of numbers, was entitled to the National Bingo Game jackpot prize.

    Introduced in 1986, parliament brought in a new legislation called the Bingo Act.  The introduction of this legislation made it possible for players to take part in The National Bingo Game everyday of the year, twice a day.  Gala Bingo and Mecca Bingo were two of the biggest brand names to join up. Although, it was played at most land based, UK Bingo Halls. 

    2008 brought round some big changes in the Gala Bingo Halls. They dropped the National Bingo Game, so they could introduce a new membership style game, for their own regular players. Of course, this made the odds of winning the National Bingo Game much better.  All the more for everyone else!

    Plenty of independent Bingo Halls played the National Bingo Games everyday, but maybe the best known name for the National Bingo Game is Mecca Bingo.  The price of tickets varies, but it's only 25p for the afternoon game, and in the evening you can play for just £1.

    The National Bingo Game offers a range of different prizes, depending on whether it is the weekend or a weekday.  It also depends on whether the sessions are in the afternoon or the evening. The National Bingo Game has a National and Regional prize. Both of which, the winning player is the National Player to shout Bingo! first, with the lowest amount of numbers;  The same for the Regional Player prixe.  First to shout Bingo! With the fewest amount of numbers walks off with the goodies.  So, if you have always been an online player, why not get along to your local Bingo Hall?  and join in with the fun!  It’s the ONLY place you can play.

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on the National Bingo Game

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  • Odds On At Crown Bingo

    By Lisa West on Sunday, 25th October 2009

    When it comes to Jackpots boys and girls, Crown Bingo is definitely king.  Just sifting through the latest, I came across an interesting (and very informative) site that was ‘monitoring’ stats for the big brand sites.  Things like, how many players online, average pot, biggest jackpot available, that kind of thing! Now, while you might be thinking, “yeah, yeah”. More stats to fry my brain!  Looking at these, these are actually useful.  Now, while I am highly entertained by ‘who’s the Poshest’, and so on… Bingo is, after all, a gambling game.  And, when it comes to edging your bets, stats can be extremely useful.

    For instance?  When it comes to how many players are logged in, Crown Bingo was sitting in 10th place, with just under 600 players.  Tombola Bingo, on the other hand, sitting at the top of the tree, had more than 2000players logged in.  Now, compare the odds of winning there, with the fact that average pots at both sites, are around £45/£50.  You Don’t need to be a mathematician to work out, on which site the odds are more favourable.  Crown Bingo wins, hands down.

    Another, “For instance”?  Just take a look at the jackpots available.  In the Top 10, there are two operators who stand out from the crowd.  With regards to HUGE Jackpots.  Ladbrokes Bingo have a million up for grabs, and Mecca, just under £95,000.  However, when it comes to a balance of ratios, between how many players, and how big those jackpots are, Crown Bingo definitely turn up trumps.  At the moment, Crown has six major jackpot prizes on offer.  The Cash Cow is sitting at just under £20K: The Turbo Charger, at £16,482.16: The Crown Jewels, at £13,504.66: The Super Joker Jackpot, at £12,688.16: The Gold Rush, at £10,806.97.  And finally, the Big Apple at £7,646.41.  Do I need to say more?


    This is an article by LJ for Bingo faces on Crown Bingo

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  • Chief Executive At Costa Bingo Opens Up

    By Lisa West on Friday, 30th October 2009

    In a recent interview with egr magazine, Richard Skelhorn, CE for Costa Bingo talked about why the company had moved from affiliate, to operator. When asked if the company had created a free Bingo site, because they ‘moved in’ a little late in the game, Skelhorn indicated that “yes”, this had been a reason, “to some degree”.  As far as the company were concerned, it seemed the “best way to gain the registrations needed”.  And, without doubt, the strategy has been extremely effective.  As Skelhorn points out, when the “barriers of entry” are removed, a site is, in principle, fairly assured of attraction players.  If it costs nothing to sign up and play, as is the case at Costa Bingo, there are few reasons why, not to sign.

    The same people behind Costa Bingo, launched Casino Choice, eight years ago, in 2001.  It became extremely successful, sending a lot of traffic, towards a lot of Casino operators.  Casino Choice, becoming a very successful affiliate website. So, what made them change tact?  According to Skelhorn, it was due to their huge success, generating a awful lot of traffic, that they decided to make the change over.  It turns out, they began to shoot themselves in the foot. Or, at least, maybe, the operators they were sending traffic to, began to indicate they were actually feeling threatened!

    In consequence, the operators began lowering their rates, and ultimately, offering a revenue share.  Faced with the facts, the company decided to move onto the operational side of things.  Skelhorn stated that, “We looked at how many new depositors the established rooms were generating and knew we had a chance of competing”.   Well, Costa Bingo has certainly accomplished that, and some…. It’s highly possible, even more so than anyone first imagined.  And, that has to be a nice surprise for everyone at home base.



    This was an article by LJ for Bingo Faces on Costa Bingo

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