Posts Tagged ‘Bingo’
Posted July 13, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
They can’t see sense at all it seems, when it comes to bingo! We’re referring here to Labour MPs, who voted Bingo down yet again, by choosing not to get behind SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie MP’s amendment to the Finance Bill, which would have ensured a much fairer taxation for the bingo industry – and even more importantly for many, an end to the double standard presently suffered by this sector of the gaming industry.
Why tax other sections of the gaming industry at 15% and bingo at 22%? Naturally, even if the claims of great strain (by the bingo industry because of this unfair taxation), are exaggerated there has been, without a doubt, greater damage (to the industry) than there ever needed to be. There is no doubt in any sensible person’s mind that this taxation has played quite some large part in the number of bingo club closures. Closures, naturally result in job losses but when you add that unseen cost to many people out there, when they have lost their only social contact their only link to others, the damage is untold and almost limitless.
Without wishing to involve ourselves in political hassles, Mr. Hosie’s subsequent comments about the Labour Government attitude were correct when he said; “Labour has hung the bingo industry out to dry. This amendment was a chance to do the right thing by the bingo industry and they have failed”. Failed miserably it seems Mr. Hosie.
Mr Hosie also commented; “This unfair taxation is incredibly damaging to this industry, forcing clubs to close and jobs to be lost across the country. These are difficult times for the sector and the UK Government should be supporting them rather than contributing to the hardship”.
Truer words never been said Mr Hosie but unfortunately, they have and will continue (we feel convinced) to fall on deaf ears.
Mr Hosie also voiced words which underline the opinion of many when he also commented; “Financial problems in the industry will not only mean job losses, but also the loss of important places to meet and socialize. Especially, in small towns, the closure of the local bingo club can rip the social hub (and heart) out of an area”
Unfortunately, the message for the Labour Government to the Bingo Industry (as a whole) seems to be a very loud vocal – “We don’t care – don’t tell us your problems”! This is almost unbelievable coming from a Labour Government – a government that is supposed to be especially for the people!
The fact that a large number of bingo operators, industry bosses and players have held demonstrations in London and elsewhere, calling on the government to review the increase has made no difference whatsoever to the Government’s attitude.
The point that bingo is dominated by female players may also have something to do with the situation – well while we realize many (usually men) are sick of people calling “sexist” the reality is that other parts of the gambling industry (such as poker, betting etc) are dominated by male players and they are only taxed at 15%!
Industries dominated by women form much softer targets – frankly this is a point that can not be realistically denied. Add to this the point that bingo is an industry which is easier to tax than most, we find an industry, Bingo, that has not only suffered unfair tax penalties so far but we have an industry that no doubt will certain suffer the same pressure again.
Posted July 10, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
It’s no wonder at all that Virtue Fusion won the Best Bingo Software Award for 2009 recently is it – it thoroughly deserved that honour, and more. Yet, they haven’t taken time out to just sit back and enjoy the glory, as they have now come up with a new concept that will brighten the field of bingo even more, its yet another concept that only goes to underline the recent successes they have had in bingo software development.
This new concept is the networking of progressive scratch cards, featuring different themes. Virtue Fusions avowed intention to remain one step ahead of the ‘perceived’ (the word used by their CEO, Bob McCulloch) competition seems to be steaming full ahead. Their use of the word ‘perceived’ only goes to illustrate their attitude to the other players in their field – one containing a relative amount of disdain.
The idea of progressive and networked jackpots on scratch cards is certainly unique in the market, as the norm for the cards is a very short product life cycle – hence the aim to increase the scratchcards longevity by having a progressive networked jackpot. That in turn naturally results in jackpots with greater potential, which subsequently creates more interest over much longer periods of time. All this obviously underlines and emphasizes Virtue Fusions software approach of building on and improving customer site preservation.
The thought of players being able to wager between 20p and £2 to win a possible jackpot of £5000 is extremely appealing, to say the least. With all three jackpots being connected the jackpot naturally will grow faster – with the match of three symbols resulting in the jackpot being won.
But, players will need to place the maximum bet to score the maximum prize, as the smallest bet will grab the player only a minute 10% of the jackpot. One can imagine the feelings of a player who scores, what they think is their dream win, and then find they have only ended up receiving a minute portion of what they might be expecting!
So, players are now eagerly asking when these cards will be out – well the first one graces our bingo stages on the 21 July – i.e. Beachside Bonanza, with Arabian Nights and Beat the Banker following a week later exactly, on 28 July.
There will no doubt be many players eagerly awaiting this latest unique development from the go-getters of bingo software – Virtue Fusion – so will they be available on every bingo site? Well, no, at least not to start with anyway. These unique cards at this stage are expected to be available on sites Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, Virgin Games and W Hill.
Posted July 9, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
Costing over £19 per page, (78 pages in length X £1,500) the Mintel report would have to be one of the highest priced reports in the UK, if not the World, and one naturally questions whether the value is there at that price?
It all depends who would be purchasing the report and the reasons for them to do so? What exactly would the report be used for? For someone who is considering entering one, or more, areas of the bingo industry in a business sense it could be a deal breaker – i.e. a document that could serve as the main body of research and advice that business people normally consult before proceeding with a venture or not?
The Mintel report is a highly detailed document, and is most certainly an excellent introduction to the UK bingo industry and for that reason the very hefty price of £1,500 could not be too considered too high a price to spend for what it appears to deliver. Appropriate market research is an invaluable tool in the business decision making process – or it should be.
The Mintel organization are market research specialists, and this, their latest report on the UK bingo market, covers such important factors as the effect the smoking ban has had on UK bingo halls and how much bingo has been affected by the economic downturn. Yet another crucial subject (covered by the report) for many possible purchasers is Mintel’s study of the affect online bingo has had on land-based bingo halls
‘Numbers’ (figures/revenue etc) in the right hands (such as Mintel) tell an invaluable story, such as:
Land-based bingo has seen both revenue and admissions drop since the year 2006, with revenue between 2006 and 2009, falling by an estimated 26% in current terms, whereas admissions have dropped by about 22%.
While only 6% of hall bingo players have played online, the percentage of players dabbling in online play is constantly growing. Mintel have observed that there is now a constant flow of bingo players from land-based to online play, and that can only increase as time goes on.
A fascinating factor that connects with this point is that it appears that although 16% of players have stopped visiting bingo clubs due to the economic situation, only 10% have correspondingly changed their spending habits because of the smoking ban. So, what has happened to that 6%? If appears fairly clear.
It is well known in the bingo industry that between them, Gala Bingo and Mecca Bingo, control approximately 80% of income in bingo halls in the UK. The much more interesting, and somewhat surprising fact, that has now been unearthed, is the point that Gala Bingo, and Mecca Bingo’s, online presence is far weaker – with their combined market share sitting at only around 23%.
The Mintel Report makes the obvious forecast that both online and mobile bingo look to have the best prospects in the bingo industry. Major reasons being the aging and communal alignments within the player base.
Another very important point raised by the report deals with threats to the National Bingo Game (and subsequent consequences to many smaller operators). And that is the potential withdrawal from the National Game of Gala – this could be devastating.
Posted July 8, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
Is today going to be the big day of reckoning for bingo in the UK? Or is it going to be just another one of those days where a government ignores the voice of thousands of people in favour of improving their financial bottom line.
Yes, today is supposedly one of the days when the government intends to ‘discuss’ the finance bill to put through the changes that were announced in the budget. We use the word ‘discuss’ loosely as the definition of that words means to either ‘talk about’, ‘converse’ or ‘thrash out’ something – but doesn’t the government give the impression that is has more or less already decided? Don’t people out there reading this think just that? The majority do we feel – they feel ignored by the majority on the whole with regard to the matter of bingo and its importance to them?
Well, if we are correct, and that is the case, their minds can still be changed but it just makes the task that little bit harder, as we all know when someone’s mind is ‘made up’ its always harder to get them to come to a certain point of view, than when dealing with people who have are wondering, who still have open minds.
So, if there is genuine discussion envisaged, obviously high up on that political agenda, if not on the top, would be the bingo duty rise to 22%, mentioned in the budget. Good to see that this increase has caused quite a lot of revolt even within MP ranks – as it certainly has within the bingo industry itself.
As we all know, the last days have seen protests outside the Houses of Parliament and bingo operators and leaders within the industry, as well as, ordinary bingo players, inundating Members of Parliament with letters of protest and displeasure at this particular government action.
Its great to see that there are a range of amendments to the finance bill being put forward, such as the one by a government back bencher, which are getting quite a lot of support from MPs. There no doubt will be even further amendments put forward, which will be back up passionately, due to the high emotions involved in this issue.
The stark fact is that if the tax rate is reduced, the bingo industry will steady and no doubt there will be further development and investment, but if the government ignore the passionate cries of so many, there will be little, if any, further investment in an industry which is being whacked so heavily by a government already. A government who have shown little regard or concern for the little people, the players whose whole life centres around this simple game. Well, they’ve shown scant regard up to this stage anyway.
Who knows which way things will go. There is an old saying that goes something like this; “There is none so blind as those who will not see” let us hope that the government takes off its blinkers and takes a long hard look at this stupid bingo tax!
Posted July 7, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
A story with a difference – it’s the opposite to the norm! As former theatres are known to turn wonderfully successfully into bingo halls, to see it being done almost the other way around is a fun surprise. Well, its not actually the reverse of the norm but almost!
What is actually happening is that a Theatre is being kitted out as a bingo hall to stage a play about just that – Bingo! The play has exactly the right name too, being titled “Everybody Loves a Winner”. The play has already opened at the theatre with the play in question forming part of the Manchester International Festival, running for a month.
The playwright, Neil Bartlett, found the inspiration to do the play after hearing about a bingo club in Brighton which was just about to close and he went to see the auditorium before the last bingo session. He was subsequently invited to become a member of the club, sat down to play and thereby got the inspiration for his play.
We have heard a number of people make comments along the lines of ‘”who on earth would want to see a whole play about the subject of bingo”. They’ve missed the point completely haven’t they when they make such statements. Why? Because they obviously have not considered the in-depth reasons of what drives various people to play the game, the psychological reasons for doing so included. And the affects bingo has on a community, not only the loss of a bingo hall (and therefore the subsequent only social contact some people have) but the loss of inter-community connections.
That is what really interested Mr Bartlett. And that is why he and his crew spent whole weekends away in a number of bingo halls across the UK, where he and his crew experienced the warm nature of the bingo community – which is second to none. He also spent twelve whole months researching the subject before putting the finishing touches to the play in readiness for the Manchester Festival and the plays grand opening.
What a great idea too to transform the whole auditorium of the theatre into a real bingo club, with audiences being given bingo tickets to take part in real live games of bingo. The theatre even had to apply for a bingo license just for the play so that invaluable audience participation could be involved.
It’s a brave playwright and director that stage a play in this way as with the audience taking part and with a real winner to come out of the games, and actors ad-libbing the parts they play as they interact with the audience – there is quite a level of unpredictability involved.
They have the winners of the games taking home real prizes as well.
Neil Bartlett said the play is a demonstration of hope, loneliness, women and also a lot about fun and laughter. What a fascinating concept, a concept which explores the psychological connections within bingo and what drives people to play the game.
Is the game of bingo mainly about winning or is it just being involved with the game and the community itself?
Depending on the success of the play, maybe it will go some way to showing the government what an important asset to the community bingo is and how very stupid their action with the tax increase has been. We can only hope so.
Posted July 3, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
It is a matter of great interest to many as to whether, or not, the rumours abounding that online bingo and betting sites are now seriously considering moving outside of UK operation and going abroad true or not.
If the rumours are correct, a large part of the blame must be thrown on the foolishness of the UK government for increasing the tax from 15 to 22%. Although they are actually stating that they have actually reduced the tax on bingo!
While the tax increases have been the talk of the country for weeks on end, upsetting hundreds of thousands of people, players and operators alike, the Government has taken the stance that they have reduced the tax not increased it! 15 to 22% is actually a reduction in tax? Well not quite, according to the government, Treasury are saying that the government’s position is that the bingo duty increase to 22% should be considered alongside the removal of VAT announced in April. “Bingo’s effective tax rate is now 22%, down from an estimated rate of approximately 25% prior to the budget this year, and down from as much as 35% in 2003!
Well, as correct as that may be, anyone with any experience knows governments can dress figures up to say just about anything, rearranging statistics to say anything they like. As Treasury restated, the recently announced tax measure in the budget actually represented a lower tax rate than ever before but people just don’t see it that way, and its people who vote, the government needs to remember.
For instance though some people may be sorry to read that the great chef, Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant empire has seen a profit drop of around 90%, do people care anywhere near as much about that as the loss of their community involvement and social contact they get through with Bingo. Of course not!
Possibly, the big problem with the government’s attitude to bingo is that it sees it as just another form of gambling possibly? Or, more cynically, is it the fact that bingo is such an easy cash cow to milk?
Or is it mainly competitive pressures that may be forcing some bingo organizations to look to overseas operations? There are certainly a fair number of competitors popping up everywhere within the online bingo business and many established companies are feeling the pressure. Well, that type of pressure is almost definitely involved but certainly, in most experts views, is not the only reason why some (or many) companies may make a move overseas.
Mr. Ralph Topping, CEO of William Hill, has hinted to an online gaming magazine, that they are possibly considering moving operations to another country – moving both internet and phone operations that is.
Are the rumours correct or not – that is the big question? If they are it could very well be only the beginning of a very big bingo landslide.
Posted July 2, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
Its extremely heartening indeed that a number of politicians now are going out of there way to stand up for the game of bingo and against the latest 22% tax levy making comments along the lines of “…and the UK government needs to support the sector rather than contributing to its hardship.”
Truer words never been said of course and the latest comments have been made by none other than SNP (Scottish National Party) spokesman Stewart Hosie MP, who is calling loudly for fairer taxation for the bingo industry and also an end to the double standard used against the bingo industry.
Mr Hosie has even gone as far as attending a bingo rally in the House of Commons – an active illustration for the industry.
I suppose Mr Hosie is wondering like so many others why other gambling products are taxed at 15% while licensed bingo has 22% whacked onto it? Why oh why? Especially so, as bingo (both land-based and online) fills a community need that no other gambling operation does. In a lot of ways bingo shouldn’t be even termed gambling as it fills such an important socialization/community role.
Good for the SNP that they are working so hard to redress this imbalance on behalf of bingo players. One of the ways in which they are doing so is to table amendments to the Finance Bill in about a weeks time.
Its extremely gratifying to note the large numbers of people within the House of Commons who are standing up for this magnificent industry of bingo, especially the valuable role that bingo halls play in the community. We must forget though that the role that online bingo plays in the community has now grown (and will continue to do so) to have the same impact as land based – especially with regard to house bound people. It really does provide these people with an invaluable socialization point – safe, warm and fun – that they cant get in any other way.
Why is it that the Government just hasn’t been able to see that plain fact (up until now anyway) – because its staring them right in the face and is very obvious for everyone else to see. One cant help but say that it must be because the Government simply regards the bingo industry as a convenient and easy cash cow to milk?
But lovers and supporters (like the SNP) of this terrific game of bingo certainly wont give up yet – at least until this tax is repealed!
Posted June 25, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
Its great to see a number of politicians lining up to lobby the government to change its rather one-eyed new rules on bingo tax after a number of concerns have been raised by a diverse and wide ranging group of people.
For example, the new House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is only one MP backing calls for the Government to rethink its tax on Britain’s bingo industry. But Mr Bercow is only one of about 100 MPs urging the House to show support and help, rather than hinder, bingo halls. Action has begun with an early motion urging the Chancellor to ‘consider the future impact of April’s rise in bingo duty from 15 up to 22%’.
While it is truly satisfying to observe this increasing political support for the great community game of bingo, one cant help but wonder why it has taken so long for politicians and other people to realize that bingo fulfils such a crucial role for so many in the community and for the community as a whole? Bingo has played such a crucial role in providing social interaction for people for so many years now that one would have assumed the importance of its role in our communities was common knowledge – apparently not.
The CEO of Rank (Mecca Bingo) recently commented, “The support received currently from MPs from all sides of politics, from all parties, shows the strength of feeling there is about what the Government is doing to bingo” We think its much more a case of what the Government has already done to bingo and now urgently needs to put right.
But, as Ian Burke, CEO of Rank added to his earlier comments, “It’s good to see that our new Speaker believes in fair play too”. It was most tactful of Mr Burke to express himself in that way. A lot of people would say (not so tactfully) that the politicians are starting to realize what (voting) power so many people (that is little people who play bingo) have, with an election not so far off.
It is more than interesting to see how many people, not only players of the game, are now banding together to fight for bingo. Recently, a meeting of representatives from North Shields based bingo club, Beach Bingo, met with Tynemouth MP, Alan Campbell, seeking his assistance to fight for their beloved game. Mr Campbell has agreed to lobby the government to change its rules on bingo tax after hearing the concerns expressed by this group and others.
Its heartening to realize that people power once again is still alive and well in the community particularly when people feel there is something fighting for. They should never think they as individuals, or small groups, wont make a difference – because even as individuals alone they can. For instance it was a single individual who started the idea of a petition, which 300 people signed the petition, and was put out by the North Shields based bingo club, Beach Bingo. All those involved with the petition should be congratulated by getting the effort together and into the hands of their MP, Mr Campbell.
PLAY MECCA BINGO HERE
Posted June 24, 2009 and tagged as Bingo.
Its official – according to one study anyway – and that is, that participating in the playing of bingo and other social activities can stave off a number of disabilities and conditions attached to old age – even goes so far as postponing death.
Researchers have just finalized the study which found that the playing of bingo, attending church regularly, and joining in a variety of social organizations in your elder years, can significantly reduce your chances and/or the downsides of disabilities and onset of disability by almost two-thirds.
Dr Aron Buchman, of Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, commented that social interaction can slow the decline of motor function and delay a variety of negative adverse health outcomes. The studies findings have highlighted the importance of staying active and involved as this significantly reduces the risk and subsequent development of various types of disabilities.
Bingo is seen as one of the best ways for elderly people and others to socially interact, to remain occupied and keep their minds and bodies nimble. Which is another reason why governments should take a long term view of the people power of bingo in communities rather than see it as just another tax well, that they, the governments can dip into.
While it is quite true that several organizations, including Gala Bingo, are currently reassessing their land based operations, due to large downturns in revenues, the truth of the matter is that online bingo continues to expand with Gala Bingo performing exceptionally well. Yet it should be borne in mind that the online bingo industry is extremely competitive – some would say the online supply may even be outstripping demand.
Speculation as to possible job loss does not serve anyone at all, apart from panicking people that may not need the stress and worry of something that may never happen – ie. job loss. Yes, both the smoking ban and recent global economic downturn have presented some big challenges but bingo and bingo operators have adapted before and will no doubt do so again in some form or another.
Possibly, the formation of an Online Bingo Association, as per recent discussions between bingo bosses, may assist in some way. Some members of the Bingo Association of Great Britain have actually suggested that there is a definite place for a separate online bingo association, particularly as UK bingo is so very popular across the board.
There is no doubt that online bingo operators would benefit from having an active, and common, voice in the world of bingo, which could very well lead the self-regulation of the online bingo industry. But just as importantly, possibly more so, an online bingo association would fill the role of contact point for governments to discuss and raise concerns, an association would be a rallying point.
If any proof is needed to underline the popularity of such a move one need only look at the bingo summit over the last few years where a number of operators have expressed a strong desire to come together and form an association – a type of regulatory and lobby group if you like.
