Foreword
Miles Baron, Chief Executive, The Bingo Association
It feels deeply ironic and counter intuitive that having just celebrated the successful launch and opening of another £5m Bingo Club, this time in Leeds, our attention is diverted yet again by some dark clouds on the horizon. What happened in Leeds is called growth, what the government say they want, and what our Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross pledged to support.
But, the Autumn budget, still months away is already haunting the industry. Last year’s budget wiped away 25% of all Bingo Club profits in one foul swoop.
What on earth lies in store this time?
There is talk of tax increases everywhere, for example Machine Games Duty, which as we all know would cripple the sector. The Bingo Association has been poring over the data, and along with our advisors EY, have put forward a credible case to HMT that any more tax will force club closures, taking the current £150m tax footprint for bingo clubs backwards, not forwards.
We have appointments with HMT and DCMS, and we hope we can make our case. Incredibly the bingo club sector invests more than it receives in profits, in order to modernise and grow against the odds.
This would disappear with more increased taxation, yet both the Fabian Society and the Institute for Public Policy Research, left leaning think tanks, argue for increased taxes on gambling to fund welfare initiatives. If that argument takes hold and Government catches land-based bingo in its net, then we are all in big trouble.
Let’s just hope that this latest challenge passes landbased bingo clubs by, and that Leeds Hunslet remains the latest rather than the last bingo club to open.
We all await the budget on 26th November with great trepidation.
Miles Baron Chief Executive
Published in hard copy and digital format (available on our website at www.bingoconnect.co.uk), Bingo Connect covers all things bingo, from news of regulatory development and new products, to industry profiles and charity support. Bingo is at the heart of the community and Bingo Connect is at the heart of the bingo industry.
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The Bingo Association™ www.bingo-association.co.uk
Editorial
Managing Editor Rob Johnson rob@rjbranddesign.co.uk
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Steve Pearce
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The views and opinions expressed in Bingo Connect remain principally the views of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or publishers. The publishers wish to avoid inaccuracies and whilst every precaution has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is accurate, no liability is accepted by the editor or publishers for errors or omissions however caused. Unless otherwise stated, articles appearing in this publication remain the copyright of the publishers and may not be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s wri en consent.
ISSN 2752-6372
£2m milestone marked
and two more Sunshine Coaches on the road
The Bingo Association’s long-running partnership with Variety, the Children’s Charity, reached a landmark this summer with more than £2,000,000 raised — celebrated at a packed Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons.
Operators, suppliers, club colleagues, customers and MPs joined CEO Miles Baron to recognise a sector-wide effort that has now funded 38 Sunshine Coaches for schools across Great Britain. A cheque was presented by Alex BarrosCurtis MP to Variety CEO Laurence Guinness, with Baroness Twycross among the guests.
While the reception rightly applauded the total, the spotlight quickly turned to where the money goes: getting children out into their communities. In recent weeks, the
Association has helped deliver two more coaches:
• No. 37 — Woodlands School, Luton: Woodlands staff attended the Commons reception as recent recipients, underscoring how these adapted vehicles open up trips that build confidence, independence and social skills for students with additional needs.
• No. 38 — Applefields School, York: Presented on site by Miles Baron and attended by the Mayor of York and Clifton Bingo’s Daryl Boothroyd, Applefields’ new coach will support learning beyond the classroom— from local parks and museums to real-world life-skills visits.
Head Teacher Adam Booker summed up the mood: “It’s a bus that will allow us to get more of our pupils into the community and prepare for adult life… we cannot thank (Variety and the Bingo Association) enough.”
For Miles Baron, the achievement belongs to everyone in bingo: “This event is a celebration of what the bingo community stands for – generosity, compassion… I’m incredibly proud of the £2 million raised and the donation of 38 Sunshine Coaches.”
Variety’s Lyn Staunton echoed that: “This support transforms the lives of the children we work with every day… To see this impact recognised in Parliament is incredibly special.”
“Target 50”
Building on momentum, the Association used the Commons event to launch Target 50 — a pledge to raise at least £150,000 a year, and take the total from 38 to 50 Sunshine Coaches. It’s a clear statement that the industry’s fundraising is not a one-off campaign, but an ongoing commitment nationwide.
Why the coaches matter
Variety Sunshine Coaches are more than transport. For SEND schools like Applefields and Woodlands, they are the bridge to everyday experiences—work placements, leisure activities and cultural trips—that many families simply can’t access without adapted vehicles and trained staff.
As Miles put it at Applefields, “Seeing the direct impact on children’s lives makes every effort worthwhile.”
From club raffles and bucket collections to headline fundraisers, this has been a genuine, sector-wide effort— customers, teams and operators all pulling together. The House of Commons reception recognised that collective spirit; the two newest coaches show its real-world results.
Thank you to every club and customer who helped get us here.
On to 50!
➜ Above: Applefields School. Below: Woodlands School
Deluxe Bingo Hastings reopens after 2-year closure
Deluxe Bingo Hastings has enjoyed a successful return to the seafront since its grand reopening on 21 June 2025, pledging to raise £10,000 over a year for St Michael’s Hospice (Hastings & Rother). In its first three months, the club has already contributed more than £2,500, including a £1,000 donation on opening night to launch the campaign.
After a two-year closure, the refurbished venue welcomed more than 300 customers for its grand launch. The ribbon was cut by Helena Dollimore MP for Hastings & Rother, Mayor Becca Horn, and Managing Director Jeremy Godden, marking the club’s fresh commitment to community engagement and charitable support.
Jeremy Godden, who also serves as Vice-President of BACTA, said: “We chose St Michael’s Hospice because it’s a charity that touches so many lives here in Hastings and Rother.
“Supporting them allows us to make a meaningful difference in the local community, and I’m passionate about ensuring Deluxe Bingo plays an active role in giving back to the people who have supported us for so many years.”
Deluxe has hosted a series of events since reopening to drive fundraising and engage players, including its popular Mega Money Sundays and the August Winners’ Draw, which offered a £1,000 holiday voucher and a bundle of electrical prizes. A popular touch has been linking donations directly to gameplay: every full house on number 90 in-house contributes to the fundraising total, encouraging players to celebrate their wins while supporting the Hospice.
Stephen Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Since reopening in June, Deluxe Bingo Hastings has had an incredible response from our players and the wider community.
“The turnout for our events, from Mega Money Sundays to the August Winners’ Draw, shows just how much the club means to people.
“The local community has embraced us wholeheartedly, and it’s fantastic to see the venue full of life again.”
St Michael’s Hospice credited support like Deluxe’s for helping it deliver vital services. Kirsty Williams from
St Michael’s Hospice said, “St Michael’s Hospice are incredibly thankful to the team at Deluxe Bingo Hastings for their wonderful support in raising over £2,000 of their £10,000 target so far this year. This will help us continue to provide vital services to the local community of Hastings and Rother who need, free of charge, supporting them to live well with dying, death and loss. We must raise over £6.3 million every year to continue to provide our care and support. We’re thrilled to be chosen as the charity of the year by a much loved, local venue.”
General Manager Ileana Danescu said: “Our customers have been overjoyed to have bingo back in Hastings.
“The feedback since reopening has been overwhelmingly positive - people are excited not just to play, but to reconnect with friends and enjoy the friendly atmosphere they’ve missed.
“Seeing that happiness in the club every week has been incredibly rewarding.”
With its fundraising campaign underway and events calendar thriving, Deluxe Bingo Hastings has re-established itself as a vibrant social hub and a driving force for good in the local community.
➜ deluxehastings.co.uk
National Bingo Week 2025: It’s all about the generations!
National Bingo Week (as it’s now known) hit new heights this year. From 23 to 29 June, operators across the UK pulled together, clubs were busy, and bingo took centre stage on national TV in a way we’ve never seen before.
Prime-time moments money can’t buy
The week’s breakthrough was media. BBC Breakfast ran a 10-minute feature (Friday 4th July) from Mecca Luton, talking to players about why younger adults are coming back to clubs. It also featured former Caller of the Year Bingo Benj, who called numbers live on air.
And a week later, Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox (Friday 11th July) replayed and reacted to the piece for 3½ minutes. That’s rare, high-value reach for bingo - and it landed the message perfectly: bingo is social, modern and cross-generational.
Radio followed suit. CEO Miles Baron and the newly crowned Caller of the Year, Issy-Mae Hunt (Buzz Bingo), took to local stations to bang the drum for clubs, callers and customers.
The “generation game” theme landed New research from The Bingo Association showed nearly a quarter (24%) of 18–34s find it hard to connect with older generations. So, this year’s theme focused on bingo as a simple way to close that gap. Clubs leaned in with activity all week and attendance rose 16% on the previous week— despite record heat.
NATIONAL BINGO WEEK 2025
Value, wins and a big Sunday finish Mid-week value sessions brought fresh faces through the door. The week then closed with a headline moment: £100,000 won at Mecca Gateshead on Sunday night. Big, simple, newsworthy.
MPs in clubs – more than just a photo-op!
Seventeen MPs visited clubs during National Bingo Week—real conversations on the floor, not just handshakes. We were able to show them:
• Clubs combat loneliness and create safe, affordable social spaces
• Bingo supports local economies: thousands of jobs, steady weekly footfall.
• It’s low-stakes and membershipbased, with strong protections— don’t lump bingo in with high-risk gambling.
• The sector gives back: £2m+ raised for Variety and 38 Sunshine Coaches (and counting).
But why does this matter? MPs left with a clearer brief: bingo is community infrastructure with a light regulatory footprint. Keep reforms proportionate and timely.
➜ Carlton Bingo - Graham Leadbitter MP
➜ Buzz Basingstoke - Luke Murphy MP
➜ Mecca Bingo Paisley - Johanna Baxter MP ➜ Mecca Bingo Southend - Bayo Alaba MP
➜ Vanessa Feltz enjoying National Bingo Week!
➜ Charlie a Mecca customer and Graham Satchell on BBC Breakfast ➜ Miles Baron, BA with Graham Satchell on BBC Breakfast
➜ Mecca Bingo Eltham Hill - Clive Efford MP
➜ Clifton Bingo York - Rachael Maskell MP
National Bingo Week
More MPs visited in the months following National Bingo Week, and more are queuing up to visit.
Raising money, together Friday’s nationwide charity game raised over £40,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity. With this, bingo fans have helped pass £2 million raised since 2015. It’s a strong message about what this sector does for its communities.
Social that everyone could get behind To give every operator a simple way to join in, the Association ran the first National Bingo Week social competition on Instagram. Players posted a photo with their “bingo buddy”, tagged #NationalBingoWeek, and named their club. Four winners each received a £1,000 holiday voucher - from Buzz Bingo, Mecca Bingo, Castle Bingo and Opera Bingo - and each winning club received £500 towards a team night out. The format was easy to run in-club, easy to share online, and crucially, open to all operators, big and small.
Famous faces, real club moments
Presenter Vanessa Feltz asked on her Channel 5 show if bingo is “brilliant or boring”, then headed to a session in Luton to find out. Her verdict on Instagram: brilliant.
Blue’s Duncan James visited Buzz Feltham with his mum and shared it with followers: “It brings people together of all generations.”
And Jenny Powell surprised players in Manchester. More proof that club bingo photographs well, films well and speaks for itself.
“Connection, conversation and community”
“This year’s National Bingo Week went to new levels – shining a brilliant light on the contribution that bingo makes to our communities,” said Miles Baron, CEO, The Bingo Association. “It truly is a generational game… Bingo has always been more than numbers – it’s about connection, conversation and community. Whether you’re 28 or 88, it’s one of the few social activities that everyone can enjoy together.”
16% Attendance was up compared to the previous week
£40,000 raised for Variety on Friday
C4 Gogglebox
3½ minute segment
£100,000 Sunday Jackpot
16
MPs visited; more being lined up BBC Breakfast 10-minute feature
4 x £1,000
National Bingo Week showed what happens when the whole sector moves as one: busy clubs, great stories, and national coverage that put bingo in front of millions.
social winners; £500 team night out per winning club
Two incredible stories... one incredibly lucky couple!
Cheers rang out at BJ’s Bingo in Leigh as 55-year-old local Elizabeth Draper scooped a spectacular £50,000 jackpot prize in the National Bingo Game. The win came at approximately on Sunday 6th July when Elizabeth
dabbed her winning ticket in front of her daughter and close friends. A familiar face in Leigh, Elizabeth first visited BJ’s in 2003 – and two decades of loyalty have finally paid off!
“I never thought it could happen, but it did!” beamed Elizabeth. “My heart was racing and we all screamed at the top of our voices. The atmosphere in the new lounge was electric.”
Andrew Tattershall, General Manager at BJ’s Bingo Leigh, added: “We couldn’t be prouder to
National Bingo Game: lightning strikes twice!
It was déjà vu at BJ’s Bingo in Leigh on Thursday 25th September, as Stephen Draper celebrated a stunning National Bingo Game Jackpot win — just months after his wife Elizabeth (see the story above) bagged £50,000 at the very same club, resulting in the couple winning £100,000 between them over two months!
Stephen, a long-standing member who’s been playing bingo since the age of 18, called house in BJ’s brand-new bingo lounge, sparking scenes of sheer joy among players and staff.
“We heard the shout from the office and at first thought he’d won
£50 — then realised it was the jackpot!” said the team.
Stephen added: “I’m still trying to take it all in. When Elizabeth won in July, I thought that was our family’s once-in-a-lifetime moment. To have another jackpot so soon is unbelievable. She hasn’t even spent the last £50k yet!”
Asked what he loves about bingo, Stephen said: “It’s the social side — seeing friends, having a pint and a chat. My mum first introduced me to the game, and I’ve been playing ever since. My advice to anyone thinking of trying it? Try your luck — you could be the next winner!”
Andrew Tattershall, General
55 year old Leigh resident wins £50k National Bingo Game jackpot
see Elizabeth’s dedication rewarded. From her very first visit in 2003 to last night’s life-changing win, she embodies everything we love about our bingo community. Huge congratulations to her and her family!”
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the National Bingo Game, said: “We are thrilled for our lucky National Bingo Game £50,000 Jackpot winner at BJ’s Bingo Leigh. Clubs big and small can all win BIG on the National Bingo Game, and we love making winners every day.”
Manager at BJ’s Bingo Leigh, commented: “Lightning really has struck twice at BJ’s Bingo Leigh. To have both Elizabeth and Stephen win National Bingo Game jackpots within just a few months is extraordinary — a true piece of bingo history!”
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the National Bingo Game, said: “This is one of the most remarkable stories we’ve seen in bingo. Congratulations to Stephen, Elizabeth, and all at BJ’s Bingo Leigh — proof that you never know when the next jackpot moment will arrive.”
New customer interaction training launch
Practical, people-first safer gambling
The Bingo Association has launched a brand-new training programme with delivery partner Better Change - a hands-on, sector-specific course designed to strengthen safer gambling skills across the sector.
It’s the first in a refreshed series of workshops and a clear signal that support for teams is a priority for the BA.
Built around Better Change’s Positive Play approach, it gives teams the tools to spot behaviours early, start confident conversations, and record outcomes properly.
In this workshop we aim to empower you to make effective interactions by exploring models and frameworks that have been proven to be effective in encouraging people to make positive change.
The vast majority of bingo customers enjoy your products and gamble in a safe and recreational way. This workshop will support you in keeping compliant with regulation, promoting safe and positive play amongst your
The course at a glance
Advanced Safer Gambling Interactions for Land-Based Bingo
• Format: In-person workshop (remote option available on request)
• Duration: 4 hours
• Who should attend: Team Members, Team Leaders, Managers (mixed cohorts welcome)
• Group size: Up to 15 delegates (shared courses available across nearby operators)
• Price: £1,900 + VAT per workshop
• Location: Agreed at booking
• Booking: to take advantage of the BA Member discount, please email: sharon@nationalbingo.co.uk
What the Workshop covers:
• Identify, Interact & Evaluate
• The Gambling Behaviour Continuum
• Stereotypes & Assumptions
• Using Empathy
• Motivational Interviewing
• The Cycle of Change
• Tools and Support available
• Your own Self-Care and Wellbeing
customers, as well as providing you with the confidence to escalate issues and signpost to support when there are instances of gambling harm.
The format is compact (half-day), scenario-led, and easy to schedule around sessions. For operators sending smaller numbers, you could combine clubs locally or regionally to make up a full cohort - keeping costs efficient while still delivering a shared standard across wider teams.
Paul Swindon, Head of Governance & Compliance at the BA said, “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Better Change as the Bingo Association’s new training provider for Safer Gambling workshops.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to supporting land-based bingo operators with practical, tailored, and engaging training courses. Better Change brings a fresh perspective and proven expertise in player protection with their Positive Play® approach, and we’re confident this partnership will help foster safer, more sustainable environments for everyone who enjoys bingo.”
This is a positive step for the sector: training written for bingo, delivered by specialists, and backed by the BA. It’s the start of a broader programme, and more modules will follow.
Bingo gets the heart racing!
Feature: Mecca Bingo
Turning winning heart rates into the ultimate ‘full house’ track
This summer, Mecca Bingo - the OG of the full house - teamed up with viral DJ and social media sensation @Fish56Octagon, to drop the ultimate anthem: a hightempo house track engineered to recreate the excitement of hitting the jackpot, every time you hear it.
Now streaming on SoundCloud, “FULL HOUSE”, is designed to be a summer banger.
Following an experiment to measure physical reactions to bingo*, Fish56Octagon aka Fish, crafted the track using the heart rate of bingo player as they claim a full house** - 128 BPM. The result is a song that transforms the rush of a bingo victory into an electrifying summer hit.
The experiment was conducted in April 2025 using heart rate monitors with bingo players to track their exact heart rate as they claimed a ‘full house’.
Renowned for his viral house music mixes and signature at-home dressing gown DJ sessions, which have earned him over a million followers, Fish joined forces with Mecca Bingo to create the track which mirrors the iconic bingo experience. From pulsing bass lines that build anticipation, to the sound of rushing blood, and the celebratory clink of glasses reflecting bingo’s social vibe - the song crescendos into a euphoric cry of “HOUSE!”, followed by a classic music drop, with bingo calls woven throughout.
The track compliments the changing tempo of the nation’s soundtrack over the summer months. New research from Mecca Bingo reveals that over a quarter of all Brits (28%) switch up their music taste in summer - with 41% craving feel-good anthems and 25% drawn to highenergy beats, creating the perfect backdrop for a “FULL HOUSE’’ track to take centre stage.
House music is the go-to genre for nearly a quarter (23%) of adults under
35. With over three quarters (76%) of them saying it gives them a ‘winning feeling’ - a heartracing buzz as tension builds - the new track dials up that sensation. It doesn’t just feel like a win; it sounds like one.
No longer reserved for just the dancefloor, Mecca’s survey also shows that 34% of these younger house music fans crank it up when doing chores, nearly 2 in 5 (39%) also use it to smash gym sessions, 29% cook to it, and a 16% use it as the soundtrack to their workday. One in five (21%) even admit that a good house tune makes them feel completely unstoppable.
@Fish56Octagon comments: “Innovation is everything in musicyou’ve got to keep surprising people, and blending the tension of bingo with the classic build and drop of house felt like the perfect crossover. I wanted to capture that electrifying moment when the numbers are dabbed off and you know you’ve won - it’s a proper rush, and that’s what this track is all about.”
Sarah O’Neill, director of innovation at Mecca Bingo adds: “The biggest moment in bingo is undoubtedly when players shout “House!’’ to claim a big jackpot prize, so we wanted to capture that winning feeling in a dance track. By combining two classicsbingo and house music - we’ve created something that celebrates the thrill of the win in an entirely new way.”
Professor Dan Augustine, medical director at Sports Cardiology, who analysed the heart rate data used to design the track, explained: “We often associate a racing heart with physical exertion, but our experiment shows that the excitement, anticipation and tense nature of a bingo game can trigger the same response. A game of bingo can activate a ‘fight or flight’ mode - which releases adrenaline and raises heart rate, even in the absence of movement. As a result, in that ‘full house’, winning moment, our lucky player’s heart rate surged by a whopping 33% - reaching 128 BPM.’’
You can hear the track at: https://soundcloud. com/fish-octagon/ fish56octagon-full-house
A full house as Conference Bingo takes Labour Party Fringe by storm!
More than 80 guests packed the room for an evening of fun, fundraising and political engagement.
Seven MPs took a turn as bingo callers, including Mike Reader MP, Lola McEvoy MP, Mark Sewards MP, Amanda Hack MP, Amanda Martin MP, Rachel Taylor MP and Lorraine Beavers MP – making for a lively and memorable night.
Adding to the excitement, each game winner selected a good cause to benefit from their prize, with the Bingo Association donating a fantastic £2,850 to 19 different charities.
The event was the perfect showcase of bingo’s community spirit and its ability to bring people together in a relaxed, engaging setting – while keeping the sector firmly on the political radar.
New National Bingo Game website goes live
The National Bingo Game has a new home online, and it’s a big step up for the brand and for operators.
The refreshed site at nationalbingo.co.uk puts clear product pages, a club finder, winners’ stories and practical help in one place - with a new mobilefriendly look, that’s quick to navigate and simple to keep updated.
The redesigned club finder sits in the main navigation and is impossible to miss. It’s fast, clean and built to point players to participating venues.
Each game product is featured, with plain-English “how it works” copy, prize info and player pointers. This includes the flagship National Bingo Game, National Live, National Bullseye and National Cash.
The News & wins area pulls together wins, features and activity from around the country—ideal for social sharing and local PR hooks.
The site gives responsible-gambling content proper prominence, including self-exclusion, and the Contact Us is easy to find. The footer also carries the Gambling Commission licence details and signposts to GamCare and GambleAware.
This relaunch gives the National Bingo Game a cleaner
public face and a practical platform operators can use. It standardises how we present the products, helps newcomers understand the games, and gives every club a place to be found and a place to be proud of.
In short: a stronger digital home for the National Bingo Game - driving visits, telling our stories and supporting players.
➜ nationalbingo.co.uk
BA Roadshow returns in November – save the date!
The Bingo Association’s annual member roadshow is back on Thursday 20 November 2025, at the Hilton Leeds City (Neville Suite), Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4BX.
Doors open for a networking lunch at 12:45pm, with the meeting running 2:00–4:30pm
This year’s session will give BA and NBGA members a clear view of the issues shaping 2026. Alongside Association updates, we’ve invited key suppliers to share product roadmaps and what clubs can expect from new platforms and services in the year ahead.
Regulatory momentum will also be in focus. By November we expect to share the latest on the Gaming Machine Technical Standards consultation and the anticipated consultation on bingo licensing—which has the
potential to have a major impact on us all.
Who should attend?
Everyone across member companies: General Managers, head-office teams, and field support.
We look forward to seeing you in Leeds for an afternoon of critical updates, straight answers and quality networking.
➜ How to register:
Please email Sharon at sharon@nationalbingo.co.uk (and confirm if you’re joining for lunch plus any dietary requirements) so we can finalise catering and seating.
BingoPlus expands with four new sites
The BingoPlus Network is growing at record pace, with four brand-new additions to their Live Bingo Network in just the past few months.
This rapid expansion reflects the increasing demand from operators for a cost-effective, highperformance Bingo solution that goes beyond entertainment to deliver measurable business growth. It also speaks volumes about the trust operators place in BingoPlus to spark excitement, strengthen customer loyalty, and drive long-term success.
The first of these new installs was at Bingo Nation Ramsgate, where Operations Director Eric Howell described the rollout as “seamless” and highlighted just how quickly the system proved its value. “The system is so intuitive that our customers need only the briefest of orientation before they’re up and running,” he explained, meaning players were “enjoying the experience straight away.” We were also delighted to welcome a surprise guest appearance from Mark Labbett, better known as ‘The Beast’ from the hit TV Show ‘The Chase’. Mark took part in the Bingo sessions adding an extra layer of excitement for the players and operator alike.
The network also expanded into the brand-new Lings Skegness venue and has already seen players embrace the experience. Jonathan Ling commented that “BingoPlus is a wonderful asset to what we offer,” adding that it is “bringing something new to the town centre.” This installation not only strengthens the BingoPlus footprint in a high-traffic coastal location but also highlights how operators can quickly benefit from a costeffective, bespoke Bingo solution tailored to their venue.
A further addition to the network was made at Millers in Chapel St Leonards. Phil Ellis commented “This second installation compliments the BingoPlus we already have in BJ’s, Ingoldmells and that players are already responding positively to the new system”.
At the same time, LOL Bingo, operated by Mike Smith, has introduced BingoPlus at its brand-new Southport Arcade. The addition not only expands LOL Bingo’s footprint but also showcases how forward-thinking operators are leveraging BingoPlus to sharpen their competitive edge and bring fresh experiences to their players.
Mike Smith from LOL Bingo said, “Another excellent collaboration between us and Wexel. I find Sean, Chris and the installation team to be tremendously supportive, proactive and easy to deal with. Hopefully another installation will be on the cards soon.”
For operators, the impact is immediate. Each installation proves how BingoPlus can unlock new revenue streams, increase customer retention, and provide a tailored solution that fits seamlessly into any venue. At the same time, players benefit from a modern, community-driven Bingo experience that keeps them engaged and eager to return.
With every new venue, BingoPlus strengthens its position as the partner of choice for operators determined to stay ahead in a competitive market. By combining innovation with proven entertainment value, BingoPlus enables operators to do more than host Bingo; it helps them drive sustainable growth with a low-cost solution.
Come and meet the team at ACOS; they’ll be on Stand 39. It’s the perfect opportunity to see BingoPlus in action and discover how their solution can help venues stay ahead of the game.
Dots and Slots rises from the ashes!
Formerly known as Electric Avenue, Dots and Slots has risen from its ashes, after the business underwent a complete transformation following a devastating fire in 2022. It has emerged as a fresh, modern entertainment space with a clear focus on its new image as a bingo venue. They’ve introduced bingo by harnessing the Bingo Plus network, whilst retaining, not reducing their slots offer.
This technology has been instrumental in growing their customer base, offering a faster, more dynamic experience while gradually converting players who have been
loyal to traditional paper tickets. But for their paper fix, many do still attend the local social club’s weekly bingo night!
Dots and Slots have positioned themselves as the go-to leisure destination on Minehead’s busy High Street, by offering a cleaner, more modern environment, a fully stocked bar, and exceptional customer service
from a dedicated team — several of whom have been with them for over 20 years.
Since relaunching as Dots and Slots, their performance has grown significantly. What was once considered a “good week” in business is now below their average, reflecting the success of their new strategy and the strong demand for a proper sitdown, high-street bingo experience.
Four weekends. Four races. One cause
Buzz Bingo’s Digital Acquisition Manager, Matt Adlington, set himself a bold target for 2025: hit four goals across four classic distances - then do them on four consecutive weekends in October to raise money for the Stroke Association.
“I decided I wanted to run a 19-minute 5k, 40-minute 10k, a 1:30 half marathon and a 3:15 marathon this year,” Matt said. “These are big goals for me, so if I was training for one, I may as well train for all four together.”
He has lined up a tough schedule: Yorkshire Wildlife Park 5k
(5 Oct), Royal Parks Half Marathon in London (12 Oct), Yorkshire Marathon (19 Oct), and the Brigg Poppy 10k (26 Oct). Behind the scenes it’s been six days a week on the road, clocking 80–130 km to get race-ready.
Matt’s fundraising is personal. He’s running for the Stroke Association after seeing both grandparents live with the effects of stroke in later life.
Colleagues and customers are already cheering him on. If you’d like to back Matt’s effort, keep an eye on Buzz Bingo’s socials for his progress updates and donation details.
➜ To sponsor Matt, visit https://events.stroke.org.uk/ fundraisers/matthewadlington
The lucky winner scooped the jackpot playing the National Bingo Game. The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is known to be a regular customer at the venue on Dagenham Leisure Park.
Donna Thompson, from Mecca Bingo, who was calling the game, described what happened; “Around 300 people were playing and when the customer claimed the whole club fell silent. When I confirmed the win and prize amount, the crowd went wild! Customers were so excited they were cheering, clapping and screaming. The winner was so shocked, she just carried
Double bonus
Player hits the National Bingo Game £50K jackpot at Mecca Bingo, and then wins some more!
on playing – in fact she won more money later in the evening!”
While the winner’s reaction was reserved, Donna couldn’t be more excited for her; “I get goosebumps just thinking about it! I rang my Mum to tell her I’d given away the £50,000 jackpot. I was so happy for our winner I wanted to cry!”
Donna had been a customer at the club herself, visiting regularly since the venue opened in 1996. She had been working for an insurance broker when she decided to change careers and pick up the mic and start calling the numbers instead of dabbing them off. Three years on she’s now deputy manager at the Dagenham club and giving away the £50k has been a personal highlight.
“I love the people I meet through
bingo - you can tell if it’s going to be a fun night, full of banter, by the customers who come in. All the callers have their own catchphrases and it’s such a great team – we all help each other. Our customers come out to enjoy themselves and we always have a laugh and a joke – it’s a friendly atmosphere –and we’re definitely attracting a younger crowd. In fact nearly half of our new members are under 35*, which often surprises people.”
Lynsey Clark, general manager at Mecca Bingo Dagenham, commented on the win: “We’re always thrilled for our winners but the £50k National Bingo Game jackpot is a real cause for celebration!”
Long-time player wins big at Club 3000 Bingo Edinburgh on the National Bingo Game
It was an afternoon to remember at Club 3000 Bingo Edinburgh as one lucky player scooped a life-changing £50,000 jackpot.
Shaileen Manders, who is a regular was playing on her own when her numbers came up—securing the top prize. Shaileen has been playing bingo for 37 years after her aunt introduced her to bingo all those years ago. Overjoyed and still in shock, the Shaileen could not contain her excitement: “It was unbelievable when I realised I had called in less than 16 numbers resulting in me winning the big life changing prize of £50,000. Everyone was congratulating me and the entire club erupted. I’m absolutely thrilled
and can’t wait to start planning how I’ll spend the money. I am so excited and cannot wait to celebrate with my friends and family and help them and go on an amazing holiday”
Shaileen continued, “I love bingo it means so much to me it is my special time and it is like one big family here, somewhere you can come with friends and by yourself as it is so welcoming... My auntie who introduced me to bingo all these years ago will be looking down with a smile on her face!”.
This incredible win marks the
largest jackpot win at the Edinburgh club in Leith since it opened its doors in January this year.
Alistair McBride said: “We were all so excited to celebrate the win alongside Shaileen, she has been a regular here since we opened and we could not be more thrilled for her. The atmosphere in the club was electric—everyone was cheering! Nights like this are what make bingo truly special, bringing the whole community together to celebrate.”
Club 3000 Bingo are the cream of the crop!
The Bingo Association Charity Golf day was held at Oulton Hall in Leeds on 5th June with 66 players stepping on to the course to compete for this year’s prizes.
There were some truly incredible scores, with no less than 5 teams breaking the usual 100 points required to win the team event. The Cream of the Crop, rising to the top, and taking The Bingo Association Cup were from Club 3000 Bingo: Brian Fraser, Rob Lawson, David Boden and Simon Mercer. Their score of 112 points, was 2 ahead of last year’s winners, Boomerang Digital.
The individual winner, taking the Maygay Cup with a phenomenal round of 49 points was Mike Smith of LOL Bingo. It was surprising that 49 points didn’t win by a long way, but there were 2 other players on the same score – who only lost out on countback: David Boden & Dave Newman.
Poppleston Allen’s Alex Tomlinson clinched the Club 3000 Jug for the best Front 9, scoring 26 points, whilst Boomerang’s Mel Kassim took the Batup Bowl for the best Back 9 with 25 points.
The evening included a Charity raffle and game of bingo in aid of the Association’s nominated Charity, Variety, and this raised over £1,500 from those in attendance. Miles thanked everyone for their contribution to Variety over the years, a total which now exceeded £2 million!
Culture over everything!
Two years ago, Real Fun Group stepped into the spotlight and bought 10 retail bingo halls (eight out of administration) plus an online white-label brand, saving more than 200 jobs.
The new owners, led by self-styled ‘Funterpreneur’ Kevin McGinnigle, knew what many in the sector were thinking: no long track record in retail bingo, a tough market, and plenty of advice to “hire big” and run it with a hard edge. They went the other way.
From day one the plan was simple: people first. Trust. Training. Development from within. Give good teams the tools, space and backing to grow. It’s slower. It’s harder. It can misfire. But, if you stick at it, it builds a culture that lasts.
That stance wasn’t what the incoming teams were used to. But early conversations with then Head of Bingo Rob Walrond revealed a shared mindset - hands-on, sleeves rolled-up, and serious about making clubs fun again. (McGinnigle still remembers first meeting Rob dressed as a banana for a promo in Rhyl – full commitment to the bit matters!)
Fast-forward and Walrond has been promoted twice, most recently to Operations Director. Under his watch, eight internal promotions have landed across the estate, including three firsttime general managers—all long-serving team members with 15+ years in the business. On paper, some might call that risky. In practice, early results are strong: Donnington and Camborne are posting numbers the group hasn’t seen
before, led by Aaron and Jess respectively.
Will every call be perfect? No. But Real Fun Group is building the safety net - support, coaching, and clear accountability, so people can take ownership, learn fast, and get better. It’s culture as a system, not a slogan.
Commercially, the leadership is deepening too. Ben Pitts, who joined last year, has recently stepped up to Commercial & Slots Director, pairing with Walrond to drive the day-today while keeping the focus on what matters to players: a warm welcome, value, and a reason to come back next week with a friend.
None of this is flashy. It’s club-by-club, shift-by-shift work. But it’s also a clear statement: Real Fun Group believes the best way to turn around venues is to back the people already in them. Keep the energy high. Make the room feel alive. Celebrate wins – both commercially and on the club floors.
‘Culture over everything’ can sound airy. In these clubs it looks like promoting from within, busy sessions, and teams who feel trusted to lead. For a business born in a rescue and now into year three, that’s a foundation they can build on.
➜ Jess Curnow receives her Continuous Service Award from Ben Pitts, Commercial & Slots Director
Jackpot Jess
Move over, Lady Luck - there’s a new charm in town, and her name is Jess.
Jess Heron, bingo caller at Mecca Bingo Stockton is affectionately known as the Bingo’s luckiest charm thanks to her unmistakable voice, a grin that lights up the room and giving away an average of £66,000 a week in prize money!
The 31-year-old started working as a bingo caller at Mecca Bingo Stockton just 18 months ago and has already given away over £4.8 million in prize money. She has even handed out five jackpots in a single day, each with huge cash prizes.
This remarkable streak of wins in the historic market town has seen Jess earn the nickname ‘Jackpot Jess’. And she’s not just making waves with regulars - Jess is one of a new generation of bingo callers who have become key players in bingo’s popularity amongst under 35s too. More than 40% of Mecca Bingo’s new customers are now under 35*, attracted by an affordable night out
including food, drinks, entertainment, themed events and the chance to win.
Jess Heron, show host and caller at Mecca Stockton, explains; “Non-bingo players are often surprised to hear how many younger people play. The game is definitely having a moment. I see groups of mates coming in on a Friday night, cocktails in hand, ready to have a great time (and hopefully win!). It’s not just a game - it’s a community. It’s amazing to watch a new generation embrace the game, and they’re loving everything about it. From the affordable drinks to the electric atmosphere, it’s a refreshing alternative to the typical night out.
“This vibe is something I have loved since I started bingo calling when I was 18. However, after moving back home, I took on a ‘normal job’ for a while. It wasn’t quite the thrill I was used to! When I saw the job opening at Mecca, I knew I had to jump back in. It’s like one big happy family here, and it’s such an incredible feeling telling people they’ve won. I’ve made calls that mean people can go on their first-ever holiday or put a deposit down on their first house - it’s
pretty cool.”
And as for her nickname, Jess commented; “People say I have the magic touch! I don’t know about that –but I do know I’ve called more jackpot wins than I can count. Being the one to tell someone they’ve just hit the jackpot and reveal how much they’ve won… there’s just nothing like it.
“One of my favourite moments was a £50K National Bingo Game jackpot win on a Tuesday night. The whole room lit up - it turned an ordinary evening into something unforgettable, and we all celebrated together.
“Whether it’s my lucky charm status or just the fact that I’m around the same age, I notice that we have a lot of under 35s show up when I’m on shift - and I’m not complaining!”
➜ Jess Heron, Mecca Bingo Stockton, has been named the UK’s luckiest charm
Buzz Bingo at Nottingham Pride 2025
Buzz Bingo showed up in style for Nottingham Pride 2025 - sponsoring the event and turning the day into a true team effort.
Their LGBTQ+ inclusion group, led by Lauren Noble, Craig Dawson and Steve Edward, pulled the plans together: securing the sponsorship, mobilising colleagues from clubs and head office, and running a busy stall at Sneinton Market before joining the march through the city centre.
The message was simple: everyone’s welcome. Pride is about belonging, and that’s the same spirit you find in a good bingo club - familiar faces, new friends, and space to be yourself.
Palace Bingo Bedworth continues its National Bingo Game lucky streak!
Aregular bingo player at Palace Bingo in Bedworth could not believe her luck when they called house on a life changing £50,000 Jackpot on the National Bingo Game.
The local lady aged 67 was playing with her “bingo buddy” at the club on the afternoon of 30TH April when all her numbers came up on the National Bingo Game and she scooped the top prize of a whopping £50,000! This is the 2nd big £50,000 jackpot win
at the club in the last three years and fifth time the operator has won the jackpot in the last 5 years!
The lucky local winner said “I could not believe it when all my numbers came up, I was so shocked, but also excited.
She added: “I am not sure how I will spend all the money yet but will be having a few drinks and will plan to go on holiday. Everyone in the club started clapping I was overcome with emotion. I love coming to the club and playing bingo, it is such a friendly and social
environment, if you haven’t played before go for it, you’ve got to be in it to win it!”
This is the 2nd £50,000 win in Bedworh in the last 3 years. The company had won this big jackpot 5 times in the last 5 years.
Eddie Richards was the manager on site at the time. “It is brilliant to see one of our most regular customers scoop the £50,000 jackpot. She is a lovely customer, and we hope she enjoys spending it… and we could not be more delighted.”
➜ Ali Brice, winner of Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller 2025
Ali Brice wins Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller 2025
On Wednesday 16th July, in a wild, hilarious and high energy Grand Final, alternative comedian Ali Brice (performing as his happy-go-lucky, gameshow enthusiast alter-ego Eric Meat) wowed a packed audience of bingo-lovers and industry judges to be named Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller 2025.
Ali Brice said “I’m absolutely chuffed to have been crowned Dabbers Comedy Caller 2025. I really didn’t expect to get past the first round, let alone win. There have been incredible acts at each stage who I thought would have gone through ahead of me. I’m also really happy for Eric Meat. He deserves some good luck. Strikes me as quite a lonely fellow, and the wonderful crowds at Dabbers have shown him such much-needed love. Thanks to everyone involved.”
Dabbers Bingo MD Jonny Unknown added “What a night! Possibly my favourite final we’ve ever had at the Comedy Caller Contest. The competition was super tight and the steaks were high (pun absolutely intended). But Eric Meat absolutely brought his A-game and upped the ante! His comedy timing, bingo lingo, and masterful mix of meaty puns and songs kept the audience laughing, dancing, and fully engaged all night long. A well-deserved win!”
This incredible Grand Final of the Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller Contest (sponsored by Malibu) was hosted by Sikisa (Live at the Apollo). Ali Brice, who takes away a £1,000 cash prize and guaranteed work at Dabbers Social Bingo over the next 12 months is an experienced alternative comedian who has previously appeared on The Times Best Jokes list and returns to the Edinburgh Fringe
this summer in Ali Brice Presents Eric Meat Gets the Chop.
Absurdist clown Esther Cross was named Judges Choice for her high energy interactive Bingo game packed with cheese puns. The other fantastic finalists were recent drama-school graduate and groovy chick Kirsty Lucas, outrageously dazzling Fabio Lezonli and smart, sassy stand-up Shruti Sharma.
The industry panel was made up of Miles Baron (CEO Bingo Association), Kitty Chrisp (Metro), Noel Cornford (Inside Out Talent) and Roland Saunders (Awardwinning cabaret comic). Metro’s Entertainment Reporter Kitty Chrisp commented “Eric Meat was the one to watch from last night’s Dabbers Comedy Caller Contest. He did gloriously tragic normalman-in-suit like no other, and didn’t break character for a second, playing the audience in the palm of his hand.”
By merging comedy with bingo, Dabbers Social Bingo has established itself in the modern bingo revival, drawing a diverse crowd eager for a fun and unconventional night out.
➜ Top: The winner Ali Brice Middle: Host Sikisa at the final Bottom: Ali Brice on stage at the final
Double strike for caller Gordon on the National Bingo Game
Not one but two bingo players won an amazing £50,000 each at Mecca Bingo in Dundee, within five weeks of each other.
The lucky winners, who are both Dundonians and known to be regular players at Mecca’s club on the Eclipse Leisure Park, scooped the jackpots on 8th May and 10th June, playing on the National Bingo Game. And on both occasions, Mecca’s Gordon Betty was the Caller announcing the numbers and told the winners how much they’d won.
The first winner was dabbing off numbers on her paper ticket on the Thursday afternoon when she claimed.
Manager, Emma Foster, was working on the session and explained the reaction in club; “…as only 14 numbers had been called we thought there must have been a mistake. The atmosphere in club was electric while the ticket was being checked and whole place erupted with excitement when Gordon confirmed that the customer had correctly dabbed off a full house!
“Our winner was aware that she’d done it very quickly but
had no idea that she’d triggered the amazing £50,000 National Bingo Game jackpot, and when Gordon told her she was completely dumbstruck. She loves coming to bingo but she never thought she’d win the big prize. She was so shocked she needed some time to get her head round it.”
And less than five weeks later, Gordon did it again, making another winner £50k better off. This time the customer was with his friends and playing on a tablet.
“He was completely blown out the water! He called his wife, but she thought he was playing a prank, so all our regulars joined him on Facetime to convince her! After that he went outside on his own for 10 minutes just to take it all in,” laughed Emma.
“Telling people that they’ve won is the best part of the job, especially when it’s a big jackpot and both times our caller, Gordon, was over the moon. Now he wants to make it a hat trick!”
➜ www.meccabingo.com
Local man scoops
£50,000
National
Bingo Game jackpot at BJ’s Bingo in Reading!
Cheers rang out at BJ’s Bingo in Reading when 32-year-old Bracknell resident Will Evans scooped £50,000 prize in the National Bingo Game. Will has been a member since October 2023 and has visited only five times since, making this life-changing jackpot all the more extraordinary.
“I’m still in shock!” laughed Will. “I’ve only been playing a handful of times, and to walk away with £50,000… it’s unbelievable, I will certainly be coming more regularly now!”
Simon Lowry, Duty Manager at BJ’s Bingo in Reading, added: “It was fantastic to see Will’s surprise when the winning
numbers came up and the atmosphere in the club was electric! Moments like this are why we love hosting the National Bingo Game, anyone can be a winner!”
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the National Bingo Game, said: “We’re delighted for Will, our newest £50,000 jackpot winner at BJ’s Bingo Reading. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned player, the National Bingo Game offers everyone the chance to win big every day.”
And to mark this incredible win, BJ’s Bingo in Reading hosted a Celebration Party in August, where all guests enjoyed half-price food and drinks, and of course the chance to win £50,000 on the National Bingo Game!
Keeping bingo in Bristol!
After 12 years of operation at the Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Club 3000 received a fourmonth notice to vacate the premises due to ongoing issues related to the car park.
The operator is actively engaged in discussions with the management of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in the hope of extending their lease into next year. The top priority remains supporting their dedicated team of 45 staff and continuing to serve their valued community of over 34,000 members.
Club 3000 has proudly served South Bristol for more
than 25 years. The closure of this venue will mark the end of bingo in an area that once hosted four thriving clubs—a sad moment for the local community.
Looking ahead, Club 3000 is excited to announce that they have acquired land in South Bristol with plans to open a brand-new venue. Once planning permission is granted, they’ll be able to share a clearer timeline for the opening. In the meantime, Club 3000 are also exploring alternative options to ensure customers can continue enjoying bingo at nearby clubs and online.
➜ www.club3000bingo.com
Bingo reimagined
Buzz Bingo clubs get bold new look!
Buzz Bingo’s latest refurbishments celebrate the people, places, and personality behind every club.
Buzz Bingo is breathing new life into its venues, with stunning refurbishments already unveiled at Sheffield Parkway, Leeds, and Stockport. Featuring LED-lit exteriors, modern interiors, and extra-large digital screens, the refurbished clubs offer a fresh experience for bingo players. By incorporating local design details, brand-new tech, and a choice of social zones, the UK’s largest bingo operator is creating bright, welcoming clubs that put community and comfort front and centre.
Local personality shapes each club’s refurbishment. At Buzz Bingo Sheffield, a bespoke mural by local artist Willustration has become a real talking point. “Everyone sees themselves in it,” said Customer Host Sue. “People love spotting places they recognise.”
At Buzz Bingo Leeds, the Stonebridge Inn bar and ‘Leeds wall’ are proving instant hits. “It’s got a proper local feel,” said one colleague. “From the refreshed flooring to the stunning new bar, every corner tells a story.”
The refurbishments have renewed colleagues’ pride and excitement. “The reaction has been incredible,” said Steve, General Manager at Buzz Bingo Sheffield Parkway. “The team can’t stop smiling! It’s absolutely amazing,” Deputy Manager Pat added. “I’m so, so proud I work here.”
Buzz Bingo Stockport customers are especially enjoying the new Hatters Bar and zoned areas for different styles of play – from lively sessions with friends to quieter, more focused spaces. “Customers love the new layout,” said one team member, “It’s so easy to navigate.” An upgraded AV has added even more atmosphere: “We’ve got all sorts of sounds and fx now, and they’re really fun,” said one colleague. “It’s bringing bingo forward.”
These refurbishments form part of a wider £25 million transformation programme. With more refurbs to come, Buzz Bingo is creating modern, exciting spaces where communities can come together to play, relax, and feel right at home.
Birthday bonanza!
Crewe bingo player nets £20k
Bingo player, Tracey Evans, couldn’t have wished for a better 60th birthday, when she won the huge £20,000 full house prize at Mecca Bingo Crewe on a 10p ticket.
Tracey decided to mark her milestone birthday with a trip to her local Mecca Bingo club on Dunwoody Way with her dad and sister on Friday 5th September.
The evening got off to a lively start when Tracey’s sister landed a couple of early wins. But the real excitement came during Mecca’s exclusive cross channel Mega Money Live gamelaunched earlier this year, the game enables club and online players to unite for one giant game.
Tracey casually mentioned to her sister that she was just one number away from dabbing off all the numbers on her ticket and getting a ‘full house’, not realising that moments later the winning call would land her the £20,000 prize.
Playing on a tablet, when the winning number was called, Tracey was so stunned that her sister had to alert the Mecca team to her claim. With staff and players already aware
it was her 60th, the full house win sparked an extra round of celebrations across the club.
And Tracey believes she had more than luck on her side: “I couldn’t believe it - it was all such a blur. My mum passed away last year, and I looked up and thought, ‘Thank you for my birthday present, Mum’.”
For Tracey and her sister, bingo is a family tradition and a way to make memories with their dad. “We take him along now and then - it’s such a lovely way to spend time together. So we thought, why not go for my birthday? Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d walk out with the full house prize!”
She added: “My sister and I have always shared our winnings - though we’ve never won this big and she’s usually the lucky one! This time it was my turn! Of course, I’ll be splitting the prize money with her, and as for my share… I’ve just been spoiled and pampered for my 60th, so I’ve no idea how I’ll spend it yet!”
Louise Bailey, duty manager at
Mecca Bingo Crewe commented on the win: “The atmosphere in the club was electric. We’d already announced that it was Tracey’s birthday, so when her numbers came in and she landed the full house, there was a second wave of celebrations and the whole place erupted. She was in complete shock - I don’t think it sank in at first just how much she’d actually won! The Mega Money Live game was being called live from our Hull club, but the big win came home to Crewe - and we couldn’t have been more thrilled to celebrate it with her!”
Carlton Bingo takes bingo back into the community
Carlton Bingo has been taking the game beyond club walls, running prize bingo afternoons inside local care homes and community settings — a simple idea that’s landed brilliantly with residents, families and staff.
In Stirling, GM Gary Duncanson kicked things off after a run of local charity activity. Across five days in June, the club visited five care homes. Assistant managers Alison Williamson and Christopher Graham led teams to host full prize bingo sessions. The response in-room and on Facebook was instant. “It was great to give residents a fun afternoon and to see how strong Carlton’s presence is in the Stirling community,” said Alison and Christopher.
Meanwhile in the north, Chloë’s Carlton Care Home Tour has already reached four care homes, one retirement village and one day centre.
Homes were encouraged to invite family and friends; the biggest crowd so far hit 40 players. “Family have stopped us to thank us for giving them something different to do with their loved ones,” the team noted.
Feedback has been emphatic. Morgan at Moray Resource Centre wrote: “Both of you made the session really enjoyable… it was really lovely to see how everyone engaged.”
Caroline at Netherha Care Home added: “Thank you for a fantastic afternoon… residents and families have been amazing in their feedback. We’re organising a staff outing to the bingo to give something back.”
What started as community outreach has also been grounding for staff. “Truthfully, we thought it would be great for positive publicity,” the team admitted. “But we’ve found the whole experience very humbling. We’ve met a lot of characters and seen care staff go above and beyond. It’s been special taking bingo to people who can no longer join us in the clubs.”
Chloë put it simply: “As someone who had never stepped inside a care home before, it’s nice to see what they get up to — and to know we might be the reason someone enjoyed their day a bit more. Warm and fuzzy.”
Low-cost, high-impact, and hugely social — this is bingo doing what it does best: bringing people together.
Bingo proves a big winner for stroke survivors
Stroke survivors in Medway have been discovering the power of bingo to help reduce the loneliness and social isolation which often follows a stroke.
Members of Medway Stroke Club were VIP guests of Buzz Bingo in Rochester thanks to the company’s charity partnership with the Stroke Association.
Buzz Bingo staff welcomed 21 members to a “shushfree lounge” providing refreshments, goodie bags and guidance for first time players.
Denise Martin, the club’s lead volunteer, said: “The staff were amazing and so patient. Everyone loved their bingo session, and some are talking about returning on their own.”
The partnership between Buzz Bingo and the Stroke Association has so far raised more than £200,000 over three years but raising awareness of how hard life can become after a stroke is equally important.
Julia Simpson, corporate partnerships manager at the Stroke Association, said the physical, emotional and financial impacts of stroke can severely affect stroke survivors’ ability to enjoy their social lives.
Julia said: “Nearly three quarters of stroke survivors we recently surveyed told us they spend less or no time socialising with their families and friends since their stroke.
“More than a third of stroke survivors said they would like more chances to socialise and to go to clubs and societies. Playing bingo brings people together to have fun, which is why our partnership with Buzz bingo has been so successful.”
Nikki Ashby, club manager at Buzz Bingo Medway, said: “We are incredibly proud of the partnership between Buzz Bingo and the Stroke Association, and it was a genuine pleasure to welcome the members of the Medway Stroke Club to our club.
“Seeing the joy on everyone’s faces and knowing we could provide a safe, warm, and supportive environment for them to socialise and have fun is what our clubs are all about. We’re committed to doing our part to help combat the loneliness and isolation that many stroke survivors face and look forward to hosting more of these fantastic visits.”
➜ www.buzzbingo.com
Big National Bingo Game winner at Bingo Godz in Farnborough
It was an unforgettable evening at Bingo Godz in Farnborough when a 34-year-old local woman struck it lucky, winning an incredible £50,000 on the National Bingo Game Jackpot.
The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, was enjoying a night out with friends when all her numbers came up — securing her the top prize and changing her life in an instant.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw all my numbers,” she said. “I was completely shocked but so excited. With our second baby due in just two weeks, this win couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s truly a double celebration!”
She added: “Everyone in the club started clapping — I was overwhelmed with emotion. I absolutely love coming to Bingo
Godz; it’s such a friendly, welcoming place.”
The atmosphere in the club was electric as staff and fellow players celebrated the massive win. Simon Hannah of Bingo Godz commented: “We are over the moon for our lucky winner. As a small community-focused club, a win of this scale is incredibly special. The whole team and our regulars are buzzing — and who knows, maybe lightning will strike twice!”
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the National Bingo Game, added: “We’re thrilled for the £50,000 Jackpot winner at Bingo Godz. Whether you’re in a large venue or a local club, every player has a chance to win big on the National Bingo Game — and we love celebrating these moments.”
➜ www.farnboroughgodz.co.uk
Three peaks – two attempts – one big lesson!
When Coronet Bingo’s Laurie Carpenter set out to tackle the Three Peaks Challenge for Variety, the Children’s Charity, the plan was simple: scale three mountains in 24 hours, raise some cash, and head home tired but triumphant.
The team - Laurie, Alex and Lukedrove north on Saturday 3rd May, then hit Ben Nevis at 6am on the Sunday. Five hours up and down. Next stop, Scafell Pike. They reached the summit in under two hours and were still on pace.
Then real life intervened. On the descent, Alex’s knees gave way. Every step was slow, painful, and expensive on the clock. “At midnight at the bottom of Scafell Pike we made a collective decision that Snowdon was just out of our reach,” Laurie noted later. They were gutted. The 24-hour goal had gone.
They pressed pause, regrouped, and agreed to finish the challenge together, properly, when Alex had recovered. And on Saturday 7 June they returned to complete Snowdon, this time with reinforcements: Laurie’s partner Ambra, his seven-year-old daughter Mila, and Alex’s partner Wendy.
Mila became the day’s headline. She climbed Snowdon under her own steam and, when offered the train
down, refused—she wanted to walk it. “At the top Mila asked me, ‘why do people keep saying well done to me?!’” Laurie laughed. “I explained what an achievement this was for a 46-year-old, let alone a seven-year-old.”
If the first attempt felt like a failure, the second reframed everything. Two peaks inside 24 hours with an injured teammate is no small thing. Finishing Snowdon together, a month later, turned it into a story about teamwork, patience and doing the right thing by your mates. It also lit a spark: Alex is now training for the Oxford Half Marathon, and Luke has caught the fitness bug too.
Between climbs and collections, the effort raised over £1,500 for Variety. That money will help fund practical support for disabled and disadvantaged children—exactly the kind of outcome that makes sore legs worth it.
Laurie summed it up best the day after the first attempt: “We should not feel disappointed and dejected. We should feel immensely proud of each other. We scaled two of the highest peaks in the UK with bursting lungs and burning knees.” And then they went back and finished the third… together.
Bingo Charity Cricket Day
Hot sun, big hits, and bigger laughs
➜ Team Bingo
After last year’s debut, the bingo sector’s charity cricket match returned on Thursday 10 July at Walton Cricket Club, Walton-on-Trent—again superbly staged by Boomerang Digital. The format was simple: three teams, round-robin, 90 overs across the day:
• Team Bingo
• Team Bacta
• Team Boomerang
By stumps, Team Bacta lifted the trophy after a consistent, clear-headed display. But the scoreboard only tells part of it. The day was packed with sharp bowling, brave batting, and the sort of sideline chat you only get when the whole sector downs tools to do something together.
“Fun, laughter, a bit of friendly competition and, above all, people coming together for a brilliant cause,” said Freddie Shreeve (Boomerang Digital). “We’re all busy, but it matters to take a moment to connect.”
Heat, hustle… and a few howlers
It was a scorcher, which only added to the theatre. Holders Team Bingo opened against BACTA in a revised 15-over match. The tone was set by Bingo’s intimidating new-ball pair—Andy Crump (Mecca MD) and Tony Gibbons—before a tight supporting cast kept things honest: the ever-chirpy
Ben Harris, metronomic Dave Bradley, nagging-length Ralph Taylor, skipper Miles Baron, livewire Alex Wray (PLMR) and the wily Tony Lister. Slick out-fielding from Wray helped keep BACTA within reach.
Chasing around 125, Dave Robson—the tournament’s leading batter—and Bradley gave Bingo a flying start before both hit the retirement mark at the same time. Enter Peter Woolley (Palaces Bingo)—Coalville’s answer to Geoff Boycott—whose elegant stroke play came with a strict “no singles” policy. With Baron flashing briefly and Harris huffing and puffing, the rate slipped away and Bingo fell short.
Game two, Bingo v Boomerang, brought more needle. Crump and Gibbons charged in again; Buckley produced a tidy cameo; Wray was all energy; Baron struck twice; Harris steamed in like an old express to hold Boomerang under 120. The chase? Robson and Bradley lit it up, Robson retired again, and Baron clattered a rapid 25 before retiring himself. Two needed off two; Wray and Harris scraped one. Honours even.
Not everyone got long spells or long hits in 15-over cricket, but it was a proper squad day. Stevie Shaves (Buzz) completed a strong Bingo XII—and earned the thank-yous to prove it.
Results, thanks and the point of it all
• Winners: Team Bacta
• Joint second: Team Bingo & Team Boomerang
The day raised funds and profile for several charities: Variety, the Children’s Charity, Stroke Association, and the Bacta Charitable Trust.
Huge thanks to the event sponsors: Inspired Gaming Group, NW Automotive Group, Castle Bingo, Bacta, MERKUR GROUP, DG Creative Media, Mecca, Cowells Arrow UK, Legacy Media AV, The Godden Gaming Organisation, and City Gaming Limited.
Club 3000 Bingo opens in Leeds!
Club 3000 Bingo lit up Leeds on Saturday, 23rd August with the grand opening of its brand-new, state-of-the-art club in Hunslet – and
The dazzling launch marked a £5.5 million investment into a modern, stylish space designed to bring bingo into a whole new era. More than 850 guests packed out the venue for an evening of entertainment, live music, bubbly on arrival, and of course –plenty of thrilling bingo games.
The club also has many unique features including the first ice cream van in a bingo club!
The celebrations were made extra special with a star appearance from popular actor Jack P Shepherd – winner of Celebrity Big Brother and best known for his role in Coronation Street – who officially cut the ribbon to welcome Leeds to its brand-new club.
“Being born and raised in Leeds, I felt truly honoured to open Club 3000 Bingo in my hometown on Saturday,” said Jack P. Shepherd. “The new venue is incredible and was filled to the brim—it was a fantastic evening with an electric atmosphere, and I was given the warmest welcome. Some of
it was a night to remember!
my family joined me as well, and they absolutely loved both the entertainment and, of course, playing bingo!”
Brian Fraser, proud owner of Club 3000 Bingo, shared his excitement: “We are absolutely delighted to open our newest club here in Leeds. This stunning venue shows our commitment to bringing bingo into the modern age, and the incredible turnout tonight made it all the more unforgettable.”
General Manager Sam Cliffe added: “What an incredible night! The energy in the room was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see so many people celebrating with us. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and to my amazing team – we can’t wait to welcome even more guests in the coming weeks.”
This is the 25th venue for Club 3000 Bingo, the UK’s largest independent bingo operator. With its mix of tradition, fun, and modern design, the new Leeds club promises an unbeatable social experience for bingo lovers and first-timers alike.
Abingo fan has won an amazing £100,000 on a £2 bingo ticket Mecca Bingo in Gateshead.
The lucky winner hit the jackpot on the final night of National Bingo Week (23rd-29th June) playing on a very special edition of the National Bingo Game. The customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, is known to be a regular at the East Street venue, and had been dabbing the numbers off on a paper ticket when she beat players nationwide to win the jaw dropping cash prize.
General manager, Kris Maughan, explained what happened on the night; “To mark National Bingo Week, the Bingo Association held a special one-off game, where the person who matched all the numbers on their ticket and claimed ‘house’ in the lowest number of calls nationwide won an incredible
£100K National Bingo Game jackpot shock
£100,000 - twice the usual jackpot!
“The excitement in the room had been building and when our player shouted ‘House’ on just 19 calls, we knew she was in with a chance.”
Nail biting minutes passed while the club waited for other clubs to send in their results… until bingo! Gateshead hit the hundred!
Oli Hobbs was the caller on the night and took to the microphone to announce the jackpot win. “Everyone started cheering and whooping, and the winner, who thought she’d won £1,000, burst into tears when I told her she’d actually won £100k. She was absolutely dumbfounded at such a big win on a £2 ticket,” he said.
The stunned winner rang her husband to tell him the good news, but he refused to believe her! “She passed the phone to me, and I confirmed that she was £100,000 better off!”
“I’ve worked here for four years now
and I love seeing the joy that bingo can bring,” added Oli.
And Kris agrees, “I made the move from cinemas to bingo three years ago. We make a real connection with our customers. All of us get so wrapped up in the emotion – one of the team said it was her best night ever! We’re thrilled for our players when they win - and you just don’t get that in any other part of the hospitality sector.”
Miles Baron, chief executive at The Bingo Association says: “I’m delighted that the National Bingo Game jackpot of £100,000 was won by a customer from Gateshead; an area with a great tradition of playing bingo. National Bingo Week is all about celebrating the joy of the game and the amazing community around it and this win was certainly a fitting end to the celebrations. Huge congratulations to our winners and everyone who’s been part of the festivities.”
Carlton Bingo rallies for Variety during National Bingo Week
Carlton Bingo turned National Bingo Week into an estate-wide fundraiser, with teams and customers across Scotland pitching in for Variety, the Children’s Charity.
Every venue got involved, mixing classic table collections with head shaves, fancy-dress days, icebucket challenges and a charity-linked Main Stage/ Cash Card Plus game – all adding up across a busy week.
The highlight came on Saturday 28 June with a Central Belt “road trip” that stitched six clubs into one rolling fundraiser. Stirling GM Gary Duncanson and caller Cameron Craig set out to call a linked game in each venue—Partick> East Kilbride > Dalkeith > Dunfermline > Livingston > Stirling—collecting at tables and running a big MCB game at every stop.
By the time they reached Stirling, the day’s total was around £2,000, with donations boosted by constant online updates.
Cameron kept a live commentary going on Facebook, posting photos at each club and building momentum as regulars followed the route in real time. The social response was strong, with customers jumping in to share, tag friends and encourage extra donations.
Gary was quick to credit the teams on the ground: “It was great to see the response from the customers in each of the Carlton Clubs throughout the day plus witness the fantastic efforts of each of the Team’s during the week to raise considerable funds for Variety (Hair Shave in East Kilbride, Ice BUCKET Challenge in Dunfermline, Dress Down Day in Partick).”
Cameron summed up the spirit of the day: “It’s at times like these that we truly see that at Carlton …. We are Family!!!”
What worked here was simple: make it local, make it visible, and keep the energy moving. A linked game gives everyone a stake, the road trip creates a story, and short, regular social posts keep customers involved between sessions.
It’s the kind of grassroots fundraising that fits club culture… familiar, friendly, and effective.
National Bingo Week is about shining a light on what bingo brings to communities. Carlton’s programme did exactly that, turning a packed week of play into real support for a charity that helps children access the wider world.
Keeping Bingo front and centre in Westminster
Over the past few months, the bingo industry has stepped up its political engagement with a packed programme of MP visits across the country. In National Bingo Week alone, we saw 16 MPs visit their local clubs. These visits have given parliamentarians the chance to experience first-hand the vital role bingo clubs play in their communities: providing affordable entertainment, fostering social connection, and supporting local economies. They have also been a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring that bingo remains visible and understood in Westminster.
The political landscape itself has been evolving rapidly. Following a bumpy return from summer recess with a significant reshuffle, Sir Keir Starmer will look to steady the ship in the lead-up to the Budget and reaffirm his government’s priorities. For the bingo sector, the reshuffle means a new set of Ministers and advisers to engage with, some familiar with our industry, others less so. The reshuffle underlines why it is so important for us to continue building relationships across government and
opposition benches, ensuring bingo remains firmly on the political radar as decisions that could affect our future are taken.
As part of our continued outreach, we will be hosting our annual Labour Party Conference charity bingo for MPs, councillors, party staffers, and stakeholders from across the political landscape. This event has become a highlight of the Conference fringe, offering a light-hearted but meaningful way to engage decisionmakers with the value of bingo while raising money for good causes. It is another demonstration of how bingo can combine community spirit with constructive political dialogue.
At the same time, attention is inevitably turning to the forthcoming Budget. Rumours continue to circulate about the potential introduction of a new gambling levy, a move that could have unintended consequences for low-risk, socially positive activities like bingo. We are working hard to ensure that decisionmakers understand the unique characteristics of our sector: bingo is a safe, community-based activity that plays an important social role, particularly for older people. It is
essential that bingo is protected from disproportionate measures designed primarily with other parts of the gambling industry in mind.
The past few months have demonstrated the value of sustained, visible engagement with MPs and policymakers. With the political calendar full of opportunities and challenges for our sector, we remain focused on making sure that bingo continues to be recognised as a safe, enjoyable, and socially valuable part of Britain’s leisure landscape. By maintaining our presence in Westminster and beyond, we can help secure a supportive environment for clubs, employees, and customers alike.
Georgia Angela is a Public Affairs Specialist at PLMR and advises the Bingo Association on political and media engagement. She can be contacted via email at bingo@plmr.co.uk
Numbers game: How the autumn budget shapes up for bingo
If last year’s Autumn Budget build-up felt more like a trip to the dentist than a delightful afternoon at the Bingo club, this year brings an all-too-familiar mix of tight public finances and hard choices. The Government has signalled that growth is the long-term answer but, in the short term, the Exchequer still needs revenue. For Bingo, a sector that is a major community anchor across Great Britain, the question is fundamental: how does the macro picture affect both customers and operators?
Where the UK economy stands today
The EY ITEM Club Summer Forecast painted a picture of an economy that is surviving but not exactly thriving. After a surprisingly strong start to the year, things have cooled off. UK GDP growth for 2025 is pegged at about 1%, thanks in large part to a busy first quarter when businesses rushed to beat new tariffs and policy changes. Since then, the pace has slowed, and the outlook for 2026 is not projected to be much better at 0.9% growth, before things (hopefully) pick up to around 1.5% from 2027.
The slowdown is due to a mix of factors: exports to the US have taken a hit thanks to tariffs and manufacturing
remains fragile. Inflation is also proving stubborn and is forecast to hover around 3% for the rest of the year, only easing back to the Bank of England’s 2% target in late 2026. That means interest rates are expected to come down slowly, ending 2025 at about 3.75%. While this is positive for borrowers, a rapid decline in borrowing costs is unlikely.
The jobs market is softening too. Hiring has slowed, especially in hospitality and retail, where rises in National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage are biting. Unemployment is likely to creep up to 5% by year end, although this remains low by historic measures.
On the bright side, household finances look healthier.
People are saving more than they did in the 2010s, and real incomes have improved following the inflation shock of recent years. That should keep spending ticking over, even if confidence remains shaky.
The Chancellor’s next balancing act
Undoubtedly, the Chancellor has a very difficult task ahead. Public debt is high, interest costs are elevated, and UK growth has been underwhelming in recent years. The Government’s objective is for utilise growth to make taxes rise faster than spending in order to keep borrowing in check, but even that might not be enough to hit the “borrow only to invest” rule that we referred to in our previous update. What does that mean? More tax hikes could be on the cards in November.
The EY ITEM Club estimated back in the summer that the Government could need to raise an additional £20-£30 billion in revenue simply to keep the same “headroom” above the minimum needed to stay within its fiscal rules. The precise scale of the shortfall is yet to be seen and could be larger if, as expected, economic growth disappoints and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) revises its forecasts downward at the Budget.
The challenge is deciding where to raise revenue without impeding the fragile recovery. Hit consumers too hard and you risk dampening spending; squeeze businesses and you might stall investment just when confidence needs a boost. And with trade uncertainty still swirling, predicting the economy’s performance is harder than ever.
The Chancellor also has to protect investment in infrastructure and productivity. Cutting too deep, too soon, may lock in slow growth, which would make fixing the public finances even more challenging. It is a delicate dance: keep markets calm, support growth, and stick to the rules, all while inflation refuses to play ball.
What the macro situation means for Bingo?
With pay packets stretching a little further, people will still be looking for affordable, sociable nights out, and Bingo fits that bill perfectly. But with hiring slowing and confidence in the wider economy still fragile, players are likely to keep a close eye on what they spend. Those on fixed incomes will be especially sensitive to the all-in cost of a visit, including travel.
On the operations side, general costs are easing back from their peak, but not as quickly as many would hope. Prices for energy and supplies remain high, and the increases in the National Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions hit labour-intensive sectors like Bingo hard, wiping out around a quarter of profits across the industry.
As with last year, the key risk for Bingo is being caught in the crossfire of wider tax increases, not because the sector is a target per se, but because broad-based rises can squeeze both sides at once: patrons’ disposable income and Bingo clubs’ day-to-day costs. Any further cost pressures, whether from inflation or tax changes, will be keenly felt. The good news? Demand for Bingo has proved resilient, supported by its role as an affordable, community-centred night out. Bingo’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to bring people together, offering a sense of community and continuity even as economic conditions fluctuate.
Conclusion
This year’s Budget build-up feels like another careful game of numbers with the Chancellor trying to keep the books balanced. For the Bingo sector, the outlook is steady but cautious: the economy is moving, but slowly; costs are easing, but not fast; and tax decisions made this autumn will help define the environment for Bingo well into 2026.
Chris Sanger is Tax Policy Leader, and Patricia Gomez Robles is Senior Manager Tax Policy at EY. The EY tax policy network has advisers in more than 85 countries and advises clients on how to effect policy change directly and through strategically engaging policy makers. www.ey.com
Expert insights: Employment update from Taylor Walton
An employer’s guide to handling grievances
There was a recently an article in a leading national newspaper which postulated as to whether AI was to blame for increasing the number of disputes in the workplace and employment tribunal claims.
From my recent experience advising employers on workplace grievances and employment tribunal claims, employees are increasingly turning to AI to seek guidance on their employment rights and bring claims in the employment tribunal. Therefore, it is probably more important than it ever has been for employers to be aware of how they should properly deal with workplace complaints/ grievances and take legal advice at the outset of a potential dispute rather than wait for the claim form from the tribunal to drop in their post box. Incidentally, employment tribunal claims are still delivered by post.
How to deal with a workplace dispute?
Where an employee has a complaint, it may not be labelled as a grievance, therefore it is important to establish how that complaint will be handled and which procedure will be followed. It may be possible to resolve a complaint informally by meeting with the employee and discussing the matter with them. However, if it is a serious complaint, it should be handled as a grievance in accordance with the employer’s grievance procedure.
A grievance is essentially a formal method through which an employee can complain about an issue affecting their work. Common issues raised in grievances include changes to employment terms or working practices, workplace relations and allegations of unfair/discriminatory treatment. Some employer may have separate procedures for dealing with complaints of bullying and harassment, but the principles are generally the same.
By law, all employers must have a written grievance procedure. This should, at least, mirror the ACAS Code as set out in the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures. If the employer fails to follow the Code an employment tribunal can uplift an employee’s compensation by up to 25% where they bring a successful claim.
From an employer’s perspective, it is important to address grievances promptly, considerately and confidentially in order to minimise the risk of escalation. In particular, failing to address a grievance promptly or following an unreasonable procedure may entitle an employee to resign and claim constructive unfair dismissal. In addition, shortcomings in the grievance process can also prompt discrimination claims, especially where discrimination forms the basis of the grievance.
Grievance hearing
Upon receiving a grievance, an employer should acknowledge receipt and invite the employee to a hearing to discuss their concerns. The ACAS guidance suggests that the hearing is held within five days of receiving the grievance.
The hearing should be conducted by a senior person, usually a manager, who has authority to make the necessary decisions. It is important that they are impartial and not implicated in the complaints. It is also advisable for the employer to take legal advice at early stage to ensure that a fair and correct process is being followed.
All employees have a statutory right to be accompanied to a grievance hearing by a work colleague or trade union representative. This should be
drawn to their attention within the invitation letter.
At the hearing, the employee should be encouraged to explain their concerns and indicate their preferred resolution. The manager hearing the grievance should use this information to identify whether any further investigation is required and consider possible solutions.
If the employee is accompanied at the hearing, the companion should be allowed to address the hearing to put and sum up the employee’s case, respond on behalf of the worker to any views expressed at the meeting and confer with the employee during the hearing. The companion does not, however, have the right to answer questions on the employee’s behalf, address the hearing if the employee does not wish it or prevent the employer from explaining their case.
Investigation
In some cases, such as those involving allegations of misconduct of other
employees, it may be appropriate to conduct an investigation. If so, the grievance hearing should be adjourned whilst the investigation takes place.
The investigation can usually be carried out by the same person who is hearing the grievance. They should collate the available evidence – which may include emails, documents and taking witness statements – with a view to objectively determining what has (or has not) happened.
The manager investigating the grievance should produce a report which summarises their findings. At this point, the grievance hearing should be reconvened so that the employee can comment on the report and associated evidence before the matter is concluded.
Reaching a decision
Once the grievance hearing and any necessary investigation have concluded, the person hearing the grievance will need to reach their decision and, if appropriate, determine any further action. The appropriate action, if any, will depend on their findings, which may involve amending working practices or invoking the employer’s disciplinary procedures if
“It is important to address grievances promptly, considerately and confidentially in order to minimise the risk of escalation.”
misconduct has been found. Where there has been a breakdown in relations between employees mediation may be a way forward.
In any event the employee should be informed of the decision in writing without unreasonable delay, including their right of appeal.
Appeals
Any appeal should be heard by another impartial person who has not previously been involved in the matter and wherever possible, is more senior than the original decisionmaker. They should convene an appeal hearing to discuss the employee’s grounds of appeal before reaching their final decision. The employee has a statutory right to be accompanied at an appeal hearing by a work colleague or a trade union representative.
Grievance procedures
An ideal grievance procedure will outline how an employee can raise a grievance and the process that the employer will follow thereafter. A detailed procedure is particularly helpful as it ensures that those handling the grievance understand the correct process to follow. Nevertheless, the procedure should be non-contractual to avoid any argument that the employer has committed a breach of contract by failing to follow it to the letter.
Conclusion
Employees grievances can often be the prelude to an eventual employment
tribunal claim therefore it is important that the complaint is taken seriously and the grievance procedure is followed and fairly applied. The employee should be given the freedom to state their case and the employer should listen and consider the nature of the complaint. It may be that the manager hearing the compliant finds that there is no or little substance to the complaint, however it is important that the employer can demonstrate that they have properly considered the grievance in accordance with the procedure.
Grievances are time consuming and can cause considerable disruption for a business therefore, it is important that the process is properly managed from the outset. I always encourage employers take legal advice at the beginning of the process to set out a plan about how the grievance will be handled and who will be involved. Grievances have a habit of growing, often as a result of the way the grievance process has been followed therefore, it important that matters are not allowed to drift and complaints are dealt with.
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Alec Colson is a solicitor and Head of Employment Law at Taylor Walton LLP and advises the Bingo Association on employment matters. He can be contacted on 01582 390470 or via email –alec.colson@taylorwalton.co.uk
More Gambling Commission compliance assessments?
Some of you will be aware of recent Gambling Commission (‘the Commission’) compliance assessments of Bingo Operators. This article discusses recent experience with those assessments, the Commission approach, and what you might expect as a licensee from the Commission during an assessment.
Commission Compliance Assessments
All licensees should expect Commission compliance assessments. However, it feels like many of you in bingo have had assessments in recent years, and that we’ve seen them more often than we have historically.
In its youth the Commission focussed on the online industry, which at the time was previously unregulated. Then, the Commission focussed on the higher risk casino operations. A trawl through regulatory action in early years demonstrates the Commission activity in these areas. We then had betting shops coming on the radar, particularly with the focus on fixed odds betting terminals, and to a lesser extent because of the promotions and the marketing of betting. From a land based perspective you can understand the Commission focussing on the casino industry due to its higher risk form of gambling, and then betting shops, due to betting shops dominance on the high street and the high numbers of betting shops across the country.
More recently as I say, many of you in bingo have experienced compliance assessments. For the bigger operators it is a norm. Larger means riskier as far as the Commission are concerned and the bigger operators should always expect more attention from the Commission than the smaller operators.
But it does now feel like, after the hiatus of COVID when compliance assessments of land based venues practically came to a halt, the Commission have got into a routine cycle of undertaking compliance assessments of land based operations. We haven’t just seen it with bingo. We’ve also seen more assessments of Adult Gaming Centres, possibly partly because of the media attention.
Commission approach
The Commission can undertake compliance assessments of your venues at any time. They can do it unannounced or
announced. It does feel like there have been more unannounced visits of late. Generally, however the Commission will send you a formal notification that they are going to undertake a compliance assessment. When visits are announced it allows you to prepare your staff etc to ensure that you put your best foot forward. The outcome of those visits may then dictate whether they undertake a more detailed compliance assessment of the business.
When the Commission visit they will always identify themselves when they arrive, and they should show their Commission identification card.
When the assessment is announced the Commission will generally tell you a date and time, the venues, who will attend, how the assessment will be conducted and any information they require in advance. Often for the more full on compliance assessments they require copies of all your policies and procedures, training documents, and they may ask you for information regarding some of your top spending customers. Seeking information on top spending customers developed with online and then casino assessments, but we are now seeing this within the bingo industry when the Commission undertake assessments.
Part of a compliance assessment, as well as visiting venues and talking to staff, may include talking to PML holders, and the executives that run the business. Generally, in these circumstances I find the Commission are, within reason, open to be understanding of individuals availability holidays etc. on when these discussions take places (discussions, not interviews!)
There is detailed information on the Commission website regarding their approach to compliance assessments and
one line that stood out to me is the statement that their assessments are conducted on the basis ‘show me, don’t tell me’.
To this end I generally advise clients that if part of a compliance assessment involves the Commission talking to PML holders and the executive, that they prepare a presentation to show the Commission their compliance regime. This helps for a number of reasons. It helps get your thoughts in order and it helps fully prepare so that you can provide a complete and detailed explanation to the Commission of how you comply with the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice and uphold the licensing objectives. Presentations allow you to support your discussions with the Commission with evidence of how procedures work in practice, such as data, statistics and details demonstrating compliance in action.
The Commission do undertake different types of assessment, many are general, some are targeted or thematic, where they might focus on a specific area of your business (self-exclusion, marketing or interactions for example) and not cover all of the requirements of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice. Recently the Commission undertook a targeted assessment of self exclusion in venues in Portsmouth in a response to the BBC File on 4 investigation. They might also conduct a compliance assessment following complaints. It is not a norm for the Commission to visit venues following complaints, but it is an approach they have taken, for instance when there is more than one complaint from customers in respect of a specific venue.
Assessment outcomes
The Commission compliance assessment outcomes now come in a consistent form and there are three general outcomes from an assessment. Firstly no follow up required. Good news. All is well. Secondly, an improvement notice highlighting areas where the Commission found that the operation could better uphold the licensing objectives. Thirdly, and most concerningly, consideration by the Commission of regulatory action, for instance they might refer the licensee to their enforcement team.
Improvement notices
Improvement notices will identify the failings. Generally, these are those the Commission think do not result in risk of consumer harm or significant risk to the licensing objectives. Ordinarily the Commission will give licensees
a maximum of three months to rectify those issues raised in the improvement notice. Often, after the 3 months, they re-visit premises to check on the actions. For some more serious issues they may give you less than three months. If you receive an improvement notice, the advice is engage with the Commission, deal with those failings and adjust, and then communicate with Commission. This can then help see off any more serious regulatory action.
Further regulatory investigation
Where the Commission have identified more serious breaches of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice and they believe there is evidence of consumer harm or risk of serious consumer harm, then the Commission will consider a regulatory investigation. That can include all the more serious outcomes, such as review of the licence, financial settlements, or suspension. We have seen a couple of suspensions of land based businesses recently, to do with failures to participate in self exclusion multi operator schemes.
Special Measures and divestment
Another concept that you may have heard within the industry recently is the special measures scheme. The aim of this process is to raise standards immediately under strict supervision. This is generally where licensees are being considered for regulatory investigation. Instead, increasingly the Commission are using special measures rather than more formal action. This gives licensees an opportunity to achieve compliance before more serious regulatory action kicks in. Again, the message is engage with the Commission. There’s a requirement from the Commission that you accept the failings. You must demonstrate that you can move quickly towards compliance and take immediate action. As part of special measures you may also have recently heard a concept of divestment. This is an offer by the licensee to divest themselves of any profit made from non compliance. So, this might be to do with perceived deficiencies in the Anti Money Laundering policies and procedures, or a failure to comply with customer interaction requirements. If those failings demonstrably led to play by customers, that would otherwise have ceased due to the effect of compliant policies and procedures, then the Commission expect licensees to divest themselves any profit made from those customers. This might be achieved by donating to a gambling charity.
This article has been prepared by Tom Grant, working with Nick Arron. Tom was recently appointed as a Consultant at Poppleston Allen. With over 20 years’ experience in the gaming sector, Tom advises his clients on a wide range of contractual matters including Terms and Conditions, Game Development Agreements, Content Licensing, Sports Data Rights and Platform Agreements. Tom can be contacted on t.grant@popall.co.uk
Bingo on TV
From soapland to Saturday night telly, bingo keeps popping up on Britain’s screens — sometimes as the story (as it did during this year’s National Bingo Week), sometimes as the backdrop, and sometimes even the star. In this issue, we round up just a few favourites: from Coronation Street’s day out at the bingo, to Peter Kay’s cheeky take on club life.
Bingo has a long history in the UK where it has always been about people, community and fun. Since it became popular here in the 1950s and 60s, operators, the media and private individuals have been there to record events and occasions, capturing unique moments, people and places that have played their part in bingo’s rich history. Since 2015 Sean Connolly – known by many in the bingo sector – began sharing all his old bingo photos on Facebook ‘Bingo Photos Old and New’ and has posted over 7,000 images of people and clubs which has enabled a great many colleagues to reconnect.
Lights Camera BINGO!
If you have bingo images that you would like to donate to and/or share with Sean, please contact him via Facebook @old.bingo.photographs or email: seanconnolly431@hotmail.com
Bingo Callers took part in the TV game show, “Eggheads”. In each episode, a team of five quiz and game show champions (the Eggheads) is challenged by a team of five contestants for prize money. The callers who took part were: Brett Hyrjak from Gala Bingo, Mandy Gargan from Flutters Bingo, Peter Lewis from Castle Bingo, Stephen Barlow Linder from Buckingham Bingo, and Patrick Bowler from Gala Bingo.
This picture shows the filming of a scene for an episode of “Coronation Street”, at Mecca Bingo at the Ambassador on Langworthy Road. The scene was filmed in 1993 but not shown until 18 months later. The Ambassador was doubling for a Blackpool bingo hall where Vera Duckworth (actress Liz Dawn) was visiting her Grandson Tommy, where she met an old flame.
In 1999, Channel 4 commissioned Peter Kay to produce his own series called “That Peter Kay Thing”. Episode 2 was titled “Eyes Down”, which was filmed at The Apollo in Blackpool. Peter had previously worked at Top Rank Bolton, so had first-hand insight to life in a bingo club. In this photo, Peter is playing the “King of the Callers”, Tom Dale.
In 2003, Angela Clarke from Kirkby wrote a bingo sitcom called “Eyes Down”, set in The Reo in Liverpool, starring the late Paul O’Grady as Manager, Ray Temple. The supporting cast included Tony Maudsley, Sheridan Smith, Rosie Cavaliro and Neil Fitzmaurice. The show had great promise but only ran for one series.
In 2020, the BBC produced “Full House”, which focused on players and staff at Judges Bingo in Tonypandy, Wales.
In November 2024, Montell Douglas and Johannas Radabe from “Strictly Come Dancing” filmed a segment for the show’s Blackpool Week at Club 3000 Bingo Blackpool.
