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Displaying the latest 10 blog posts.

  • IBN Loss Played Down By Parlay Entertainment

    By Lisa West on Thursday, 1st October 2009

    Parlay Entertainment boss, Scot Longley stated that the recent loss, of eighty St Minver websites, to GTECH G2, will not have any “material impact”, for Parlay Entertainment.  In short, that means, he doesn’t think that he’s going to see any falls in revenue, when GTECH 2 software takes over from Parlay, in February next year.  The St Minver sites are collectively known as the Independent Bingo Network - IBN.  GTECH also own that network.  G2 is a subsidiary of GTECH, and has already announced that they would be merging all the IBN sites onto its Boss Media Bingo software.  GTECH G2 made the announcement in Copenhagen, at the EiG. GTECH also announced the arrival of their new Bingo 2.2 software, which is the software that will replace Parlay Entertainment.  

    Now, while Longley may be adamant that this won’t affect their finances, if it does, this could create more than a few problems for Parlay Entertainment.  Profits are reportedly down, for the first half of this year. Word is, during the first 3 months of 2009, revenues were down by 70%.  Despite cutting back operating costs by more than half a million. Net losses this year, being more than half a million to date.  So, the company could probably do with some good news right now. Although they do not have any debts, and also have about two million dollars in the bank.

    Earlier this year, Parlay also lost Paddy Power and Virgin Bingo, to another rival bingo network, Virtue Fusion.  It seems that the boss at Parlay is in complete denial, as well as the company president, and CEO, Scott White.  As far as White’s concerned, the St Minver network only represents a marginal percent of their portfolio, stating they were presently, “one of Parlay’s smallest customers”.  While also stating, like the boss, the impact of this would have “no material impact” on the company.  White was not forthcoming with exactly what kind of percentages were are talking.  For some reason…

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on the Independent Bingo Network

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  • Posh Throws Down the Gauntlet To ASA

    By Lisa West on Tuesday, 29th September 2009

    The ASA, which is, the UK Advertising Standards Agency, have certainly been keeping busy of late.  Looking at the complaints, for Bingo advertising, a few of the operators do seem to be (somewhat alarmingly), shall we say, inaccurately portraying their promotions? But it’s not just misleading information, that the ASA keep an eye out for.  

    Only months ago, Tombola had to completely redesign their ‘look’, due to their advertising being way too appealing, and too inviting, to young people. According to the ASA. Even so, just lately, the ASA have been getting more publicity than most of the Online Bingo Operators put together!  So, who’s keeping an eye on them, eh?? Lol.

    Only a couple of months ago, the ASA made Bingo Hero change it’s promotional advertising, for their apparent, free cash welcome bonus… which, as it turned out, was not real cash at all!  However, the ASA have also responded to some suspiciously ‘nit picky’ complaints, which have ultimately, gotten much more attention than they were worth. And this does seem the case, with regards to a recent complaint, about Posh Bingo. The ASA recently turned the heat on, after a member of the general public said their TV adverts were misleading.

    However, after an investigation into the complaint, the ASA found that the Posh Bingo TV Advert neither mislead the public, nor were they in breach of any advertising standards, or TV advertising codes.  Therefore, the complaint has been dismissed, which has to be good news for Posh Bingo.  Because, all that revamping and making adverts costs a lorra money! And, it’s not like they would have been the first to have to do that.

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on Posh Bingo TV Adverts

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  • Power 50 Survey - Not Looking Good for Gala Bingo

    By Lisa West on Monday, 28th September 2009

    The Power 50 Survey is a highly respected report, within the gaming industry.  Thought to be, and looked upon, as one of the most accurate representations; of who is, and who is not, among the top 50 gaming operators.  Providers of poker, casino, sports betting and, of course, Bingo, are included in the research.  Looking at the results, plenty of the so called ‘Big Boys’, with be crying over the books.  For a while at least!

    Despite the closures, (at the minute!) the Gala Coral Group own 24.4% of all UK Bingo Halls, making them ‘technically’, the largest Bingo Operator in the UK. Gala also own Gala Casino, as well as the Coral Betting chain of bookmakers.  And of course, the Coral Betting website. Things haven’t been good for Gala lately, with closures, streamlining, and massive debts threatening to remove them from their top spot.  Permanently.  Despite the fact they could seriously do with some good news, looks like it’s more bad news.  The Power 50 Survey revealed that Gala have dropped from a more than respectable 11th place, right down to 36th.  One more drop like that one, and they will be out of the picture, altogether.

    Without doubt, the results reflect the company’s falls in revenue V mounting debts.  Like many UK Bingo Hall Operators, Gala Bingo have felt the consequences, of the introduction, of a public No Smoking ban.  This, coupled with a worldwide recession and the introduction of Online Bingo, was fair destined to cause some damage. Reduced revenue has led to mounting debts, and it has been alleged that Gala Coral are “in” for more than two Billion.  Repayments alone being more than £200million.  Unfortunately, things have gone bad to worse for Gala Coral.  The Power 50 Survey has gone a long way to revealing the true extent of the damage.  Overall, within the British gaming industry. And it’s not at all promising. 


    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on Gala Coral Power 50 Results

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  • Free Bingo - Free Lunch!

    By Lisa West on Sunday, 27th September 2009

    Lord knows, us ladies, we just love a bargain.  And Free Bingo has definitely added a whole new dimension to the word. Even so, just because it’s free, that doesn’t mean us players should start letting up on quality… and let’s face it, these days, it’s not like there aren’t enough choices around.  There’s a tonne of great Free Bingo websites online.  Long gone are the days of playing your heart out, only to be pipped to the post for that ‘major monthly prize’…which was, all too often, a fluorescent Bingo dabber, that you don’t even need, coz you play online!  Nowadays, it’s a whole new bag of Bingo balls!

    The Free Bingo websites have definitely come a long way on the prize, and entertainment stakes.  Players can join in at some ‘tried and trusted’, brand name, free play sites; win real cash, and never have to part with a penny. Even so, it might be free, but they can be lacking somewhat, when it comes to big prize jackpots.  Five hundred players, after a £1 pot, can take the ‘edge’ out of the game for some players. However, there is an alternative way to get your hands on some Free Bingo.  As well as get in line for a big cash prize.  Honest!

    Just signing up, and taking advantage of the some of the leading websites ‘welcome offers’, can be more than enough, to keep you going on Free Bingo.  For a while too!  Take 888 Ladies for example.  All new 888 Ladies (and blokes too!) get a free £10, just for signing up. Plus! From 11.30am until 11.30pm, there’s a Free Bingo Game every hour, with a prize pool of £10. But that’s not all!  Every evening at seven o’ clock, Monday to Friday, 888 Ladies players can win £300.  Absolutely FREE!  At the weekends, that goes up to a storming £500.  Now, that’s gonna buy a few Sunday roasts.. Who said, there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Better send them this, cos, they obviously haven’t heard about the 888 Ladies!

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo faces on 888 Ladies Free Bingo

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  • No More Closures Planned At Gala Bingo - lol!

    By Lisa West on Saturday, 26th September 2009

    Employees at Gala have been living on eggshells for a while now.  For months, Gala Bingo have been announcing cutbacks and closures.  Even so, ultimately, the company have denied there are any really big problems.  Despite the fact that one press release after another, has indicated to the contrary, as have their lenders. Plus, we have all been witnessing the closures of their land based Bingo Halls, along with some, seriously streamlining, staffing and advertising ‘restructuring’ strategies.  

    Now, Gala have announced that their Bingo Hall in Castle Hill, in the Midlands, is set for closure.  Despite the fact, only a couple of months ago, Neil Goulden, chairman of Gala Bingo, stated that “certainly, in the foreseeable future” the company had “no other Bingo Hall closures planned”. Looks like a definite U Turn (or a blatant ‘porky pie’), if ever there’s been one.  With such a sharp and fast backtrack, it looks like not all the cards are on the table, with regards to the true situation, within the Gala Bingo camp.  

    The Castle Hill, Gala Bingo, Hall is located near Dudley Zoo, and it was thought to be a popular venue.  Which is why, when Gala Bingo say they are closing it, purely as a “commercial decision”, it is a shock to discover; according to them, it isn’t actually that popular at all!  Who knows, maybe it will be reverted back to the theatre it once was.  After all, isn’t that what the government said?  The Bingo Halls are going out of style?  That people are simply changing their ‘entertainment preferences’.. ummm.. Wonder what Neil Goulden would have to say about that!

    The closure was announced in two UK, regional dailies, and is one of a recent flood of Gala Bingo Hall closures.  The fate of Castle Hill looked dubious in August.  Even so, when it didn’t close, staff and players thought it had gained a reprieve. A spokeswoman for Gala Bingo said they have already had an offer for the building, so the decision looks fairly final.  Just goes to show, you really can’t believe everything you read in the papers…


    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on Gala Bingo Halls

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  • Cashcade - Cutting Their Affiliates

    By Lisa West on Friday, 25th September 2009

    Since Parlay Entertainment took over Cashcade, they have continued their crusade to buy out the out the world of online gaming.  Or, at least, ensure they have a mighty substantial slice of the market.  When Parlay added Cashcade to their portfolio, they bagged the mighty Fox, along with some other, seriously popular online Bingo websites. Including, Think, and free play site Cheeky Bingo.

    Foxy has become, without doubt, Cashcade’s leading guy. They have been putting their all, into pushing his already well known name into pole position, in the online gaming ‘Hall of Fame’.  And, to date, they have been very successful, and not just with the Foxy Bingo brand.  Maybe all that success has gone to their heads.  Which is why they don’t feel the need to keep their affiliates happy these days.  Well, at least, not quite so happy, by introducing a pretty significant cut in affiliate commissions.

    While Foxy Bingo now enjoy huge popularity online, it seems they have been swift to dismiss their affiliates.  Even though, their hard work has always played a major role, with regards to that success.  Plus, they obviously had no intentions of explaining the cuts… the email circuited to their affiliates was pretty much delivering the message of ‘whether you like it or not, that’s the way it is. AKA TUFF!

    A lot of the operators have been cutting back on advertising and slim lining operations, in a bid to cut costs and beat the recession.  It does seem to have been since April, that many of them have really begun to make major changes. However, is cutting back commissions going to save them money in the long run?  Or cost the members?  Affiliates may well turn their efforts to other operators. With competition so fierce, for new custom (after all, players now have the choice of hundreds of online Bingo websites), this might be one of Parlay Entertainment / Cashcade’s best moves to date…

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

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  • Feel Like A Foxy Flutter??

    By Lisa West on Thursday, 24th September 2009

    Foxy Bingo has been a big favourite among online players for a long time.  When Parlay Entertainment bought out Cashcade, Foxy was among the biggest Online Bingo brand names, they acquired from the deal.  Many people, especially those working within the industry, wondered how the tables of power would ultimately settle.  And indeed, since that happened, the brand name of Foxy has been splashed about in all sorts of places! Namely, number one to hit the headlines, the new Foxy Zero free-play site; which, of course, has become a very big hit, in a very short space of time. Then, just recently, we have been introduced to Foxy’s new ecommerce efforts, Foxy Street.  

    As you can see, the Bingo boys down at Foxy have been busy sharpening their pencils, and not sparing the dabbers.  Even so, while we’re all still trying to work out which bright spark chose all those lush, embroidered housecoats, up for grabs at Foxy Street, they have come up with yet another website. Thankfully, this time, the guys have ‘stuck to what they do best’, and produced a fab new gaming website. Actually, to be more precise, a fab new casino website!  Foxy Flutter offers more than sixty great games.  Including all the favourites, slots, instants and traditional casino card classics, like Poker, Blackjack and Baccarat.  If you like the roulette wheel, then you’re definitely going to love Foxy Flutter, because they have seven different versions on the go.   

    Just deposit anywhere from £20 to £100 and Foxy Flutter will give you a very warm and welcoming 100% cash match slots bonus.  Foxy Flutter has plenty of 1p on offer too, with jackpots of up to £2500!  Just play from Friday afternoon, 1pm, and seven in the evening.  Foxy Flutter has some great weekday promotions too.  In fact, this site offers everything you have come to expect from Foxy Bingo.  Big prizes, plenty of fun, and of course, the fabulous Mr Foxy!

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on Foxy Flutter

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  • Wink Bingo Pays Out £25K On The Big O!

    By Lisa West on Wednesday, 23rd September 2009

    There has been some serious build up to Wink Bingo’s “Big O” prize draw.  It started in July, as part of their ‘Summer Lovin’ promotions. The £25K up for grabs, is the biggest jackpot, Wink have ever offered.  Literally thousands of tickets and hundreds of players entered into this £1 a ticket, mammoth prize draw.  Everyone has been eagerly waiting for the ‘grand finale’, and finally, the agonising wait is over.  Looks like the thirteenth really is lucky for some, because that’s the day the ‘Big O’ finally ended.  The luckiest player at Wink Bingo right now is “myracar79”.  And you can bet, don’t she just know it!  Now….

    When she first heard the news, myracar79 thought the site had been hacked! And rang security to tell them so…  Her first response, being one of utter disbelief, also made her convince herself that it was bonus points she had won, not ££££££’s.  Main problem??? Wink’s Big O promotion had been going on so long, she couldn’t even remember buying any tickets!  Oddly enough, that might actually be the case, because Wink were handing out plenty of freebies, during the promotion.  In which case, ‘myracar79’ has just done the double! Lucky her… ;)

    The ‘Big O’ has been the highlight of Wink’s summer promos. Obviously, a few short espresso’s and a tranquilising donut later, myracar79 is in fine form, and looking forward to a trip to Disney Land with the kids. Without doubt, with four of her own, and her sisters too, it won’t be a holiday any of them forget in a hurry!  She hasn’t worked out exactly what to do with the rest of the money yet, and probably won’t get too much time to think about it on her forthcoming holiday.  Obviously, I’d love to help…. So, myracar79, any space for a little one in your suitcase!!!!?????  Hey! Everyone loves a winner!

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

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  • Mum's The Word At Foxy!

    By Lisa West on Tuesday, 22nd September 2009

    Hey, I don’t know about you, but I just love to hear a good ‘Bingo’ story!  Back in June, Foxy Bingo invited all their players to come forward and make their nominations; for the award of “Foxy Bingo Mum|Dad Of The Year”.  Not that Foxy needs an excuse, to make a nice gesture to his very own Bingo community, he does it all the time.  However, it was considered apart of his 3rd birthday celebrations.

    Most of us have someone we would like to see get a little recognition.  Hundreds of friends and relatives, and of course, Foxy Bingo roomies, sent in some seriously heart warming and sincere nominations. Of which, Foxy’s little helpers spent hours going over, before choosing the final three.  After that, it was down to the votes of the community, to decide who would ultimately win.  

    The response to this innovative promotion has been incredible, which just goes to show, there are a lot of good roomies out there!  The nominations and the votes were entered in the Foxy Bingo Chat Rooms.  Promotions like this, bringing friends in the communities together, can only be a good thing for Online Bingo. Which is why, it would be great to see a whole lot more, in the very near future.

    Turns out, the award is for “Foxy Bingo Mum Of The Year”….. and that went to ‘Lisathur’, who is a hardworking, Bingo loving, foster parent. ‘Lisartur’ is among Foxy’s most loved roomies, and was voted by fellow friend and Bingo buddy, ‘foxyfarehamminx’.  She dedicates her time to looking after troubled and estranged children, helping them through some of their most vulnerable and difficult times. Now, she is off for a well deserved family holiday to Centre Parcs.  Foxy has promised to bring back this promotion next year, and it has certainly had a positive affect upon the community.  10/10 for innovation!

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

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  • Cashcade Gone & INM Still Struggling

    By Lisa West on Monday, 21st September 2009

    Independent News and Media, AKA INM, is a leading media and communications group, with international operations that span four continents.  Despite their world renowned reputation, and apparent success, they have been under serious financial pressure recently. They recently sold their stake in two companies, and by doing so, have managed to keep the wolf from the door, and live to fight another day.  One of those companies was Cashcade, in which, IBN had an eighteen percent stake.  When deals were being put on the table, it was no secret that IBN were greatly in need of a positive conclusion.

    PartyGaming paid out £94Million for Cashcade, which gave INM almost £15million, which was promptly given over to their lenders. Even so, it wasn’t enough. INM went on to sell its stake in an Indian newspaper, raising another £22Million in capitol. News was, they had bought themselves some more time.  Hopefully, enough to thrash out negotiations with their lenders, with whom, they had a £200Million bond. As well as the bank, who they needed to pay another £50Million, first. In which case, there probably won't be much left on the table for bond holders.  Shareholders aren’t too happy either, with INM shares plummeting by eighty percent.  

    The powers that be, within INM, say that the recession has been directly responsible for the company’s untamed debts.  They claim, people just aren’t spending their money on advertising.  This does seem somewhat incredulous. Plus, as opposed to being a positive move; it looks like a serious case of bad luck, when you sell off the one thing that actually seems to be making you money; and that was, online Bingo, which is a world wide, multi million dollar industry. Without doubt, Cashcade must have been a sweet money spinner for INM. But then I guess, paying their bond holders with Bingo tickets was never going to cut it.....

    This was an article by Lisa for Bingo Faces on Cashcade

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