Bingo Connect - January 2023 - Issue 6

A new King is crowned

THIS ISSUE

Miles Baron, Chief Executive, The Bingo Association

Dear all, I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday season. The end of 2022 was a period of contrasts, as a busy calendar saw roadshows, GC announcements, the Autumn budget statement, meetings with DCMS and leadership changes at our biggest member Buzz Bingo.

In November the BA along with its sister companies, NBGA, Meeron and ISD hosted its annual roadshow in Leeds, updating 60 BA members and attendees on the latest developments and news ranging from regulatory and compliance developments to the performance of the three commercial operations based in Dunstable. Once again, there was a great atmosphere and collaborative feel to the meeting, in an industry feeling the pressure from rising costs, particularly energy.

The following day, it was then off to South Bank Centre London to hear Andrew Rhodes, Interim Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, address the majority of the gambling sector and set out what we can expect from the Commission in the next few years: encouragingly there appears to be a genuine attempt to establish better relationships and channels of communication, and an acknowledgement that being distant and elusive is not always helpful in moving forward.

However, this new vision was accompanied by a reminder that the role of the commission is not an economic one. Whether a business grows or reduces is not their concern. Their concern is protecting the 22m customers who gamble and who may, or may not have a problem. And they will seek to pursue any operator who does not offer those protections and put the necessary processes in place.

The 2022 Autumn Statement from the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, confirmed that the rate relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors would be extended whilst the business rate multiplier would remain frozen in 2023-4. Whilst this is helpful, businesses will also need to absorb the impact of a rise in national living wage to £10.42, and await the government’s review of the EBRS, which offers support to non–domestic energy customers up to March 2023, to see what level of support they might receive beyond March.

The release of the Gambling Act 2005 Review White Paper, by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), was at the time of writing, still confirmed as being due to be published in the ‘coming weeks’. The most recent meeting with DCMS Minister Michelle Donelan and Gambling Minister Paul Scully revealed little except to confirm their determination to produce it as quickly as possible. As to the contents it is hard to speculate, but BA evidence regarding

political events swirling around the sector, the Bingo Industry

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.

Publisher

The Bingo Association™ www.bingo-association.co.uk

Editorial Editor

Miles Baron miles@bingo-association.co.uk

Managing Editor Steve Baldwin steven@bingo-association.co.uk

Production and Advertising Sales

Steve Pearce

Tel: +44 (0) 117 957 5400 advertising@bingoconnect.co.uk

The Editorial Policy

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 written consent.

ISSN 2752-6372

It’s time to get creative

EAG at London’s EXCEL exhibition centre is the event that now kickstarts the annual calendar of events for the gaming industry. Anthony Halliwell, General Manager at Shipley Creative said, “Our last outing at London’s EXCEL was pre-pandemic in 2019 so we‘re super excited to be returning for EAG this month.” Anthony continues, “As a leading supplier of marketing materials, direct mail and print to the gaming industry, EAG is the perfect opportunity to meet new and existing clients.”

Shipley Creative will be sporting a brand-new look and highlighting a range of innovative new products and services including enhanced digital animation, CRM website integration and loads of fresh ideas for how to promote your brand to customers. “We deeply understand the bingo and gaming products available across the market. This allows our studio to hit the ground running with their designs, providing super-fast turnaround of clients’ creative briefs and promotional messaging.”

You can visit the Shipley Creative team within the Bingo Hub at stand number 260. The team will also be hosting a draw for your chance to win an Apple iPad Pro with all funds raised going to The Bingo Association’s national charity, Variety the Children’s Charity. Lee Rich, Operations Manager explains, “draw tickets will be available from our stand with a suggested donation of £5 for 5 or £10 for 15 tickets with the winner drawn at the social event on Wednesday evening. The Bingo Association have raised over £1.6M which has funded 60 Sunshine Coaches. These coaches are specially adapted and accessible for disabled or disadvantaged children and young people.”

The team at Shipley Creative look forward to meeting and collaborating with you in 2023.

In partnership with Cowells Arrow (supplier of bingo tickets, dabbers, and scratch cards), Shipley Creative will again be hosting their usual social event, which has become a regular feature for bingo and gaming operators. Dave Robson, Operations Director, confirms “we will be taking over The Cow at London’s Westfield on Wednesday 11th January 2023. In previous years it’s been great to see so many of our clients in one place, allowing them to network in a relaxed and informal environment.”

Women in Gaming Leader of the Year

Launched in 2010, the Women in Gaming Diversity Awards are strongly established as the global gaming industry’s most prestigious and widely respected diversity event.

The Diversity in Gaming Industry Awards

recognises individuals and organisations for outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion and includes categories like Diverse and Inclusive Team and Positive Role Models in different categories including LGBT.

Last year’s Awards saw Annie Garnham, Head of Retention at Buzz Bingo nominated in the category for ‘Leader of the Year (Operator)’. The ceremony was held at The Savoy Hotel in London, with a gala dinner, so as many Oscar Winners and now Annie have said, it really is an honour to be

nominated and attend.

When Annie’s category was being announced and she heard her name called as the category winner the shock was real!

Reflecting on her unexpected Award win Annie said, “I am proud of what I have achieved over the last 18 months, but those achievements were not mine alone: the team of talented, creative and enthusiastic people who always strive to do their best for our players and the leadership team at Buzz Bingo, who are generous with their expertise, patience and trust have been key – not just for the continued support and guidance, but also for allowing me to “fail fabulously” at times and bounce back better.”

Annie attended the Awards ceremony with colleagues Laura Craddock, Head Of Product Management, Sophie Ottewell, Senior CRM Manager and Scarlett Howarth, Senior Digital Designer.

The club ‘knitting’ the community together

Those that knit together stay together. That was definitely Buzz Club Operations Manager Jean Meighan view in 2017 when she and fellow knitters decided to get together to knit one, purl one and chat. Then Covid came along and put a stop to that, but you can’t keep a good knitter down and as soon as restrictions permitted club activities resumed, every Wednesday morning before bingo.

The initial band of knitters has grown over time, with members knitting at home as well as at their formal Wednesday meet, where members also bring in things they have made to the delight of everyone.

The club welcomes both beginners and experienced knitters, with support from Jean and other members, who share their skills and experience (some of the knitting club members don’t play bingo, but love the club and sense of community).

The group has a core membership, which has been steadily growing post Covid, and regularly sees about twenty people meeting each Wednesday, though total group membership is much higher, as there are those unable to make the Wednesday meets. The group’s hobby has seen them knit for and support a range of good causes, including: NHS

Items for premature babies, blankets and cannula mitts. Care homes Dementia Mitts.

Homeless support Blankets and clothing donations.

Local Food bank

Donations are also part of the groups work Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)

To date the club has raised over £28,000

The result of this work has led to a massive increase in donations from non-knitters, providing wool, and unwanted knitted items that can be recycled. All items that are knitted are donated to local causes within the community.

As well as knitting items for donation, the group also undertakes specific projects/initiatives and before Christmas completed a project knitting stockings that were then filled with sweets, which were donated by bingo customers, that were then distributed to disadvantaged children by the local food bank.

One of this year’s projects is already underway and will see the group knit woollen poppies for Remembrance Day 2023, that will be used to create a memorial.

The success of the group really does show that not only do those who knit together stay together, but that they make things happen too.

Some of the group, sporting some Easter hats they made as part of a competition.

It’s back to the 80s!

The night was full of nostalgia with many event attendees arriving in full 80s regalia including several tee shirt clad individuals bearing the infamous slogans ‘Frankie Says Relax’ and ‘Choose Life’. Clubingo events have been going from strength to strength and this night was a venture into a new audience demographic, with the move away from the Clubland style nights that have proved popular.

Managing Director Mark Jepp said “We were delighted that so many people wanted to come to the show. It’s amazing to think that we had 400 people in playing our traditional bingo session before we turned the venue into a concert hall and reopened the club to a capacity crowd of over 850 people who enjoy some crazy No Limits Bingo followed by Martin Kemp. It’s a feat that takes much planning but the results are worth all the hard work.”

As bingo continues to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic Majestic Bingo have dipped their toes deep into the word of Social Bingo and people’s desire for bigger and better experiences. Bingo Clubs are big, often untapped spaces and finding ways to utilise them outside the normal

bingo times is something that Mark Jepp is leading the way forward on.

Majestic Bingo Head of Events, Stuart Booth, who brought the vision to life for Majestic Bingo, also managed to secure a first for Majestic on Saturday 17th December, when Howard Donald of Take That fame did his first ever social bingo event, Stuart commented,“It was one of the best kept secrets in bingo but after months of negotiation Howard agreed to appearing at the Mansfield club to deliver a House DJ Set, another side of Howard’s talents that he’s well known for in some of the biggest dance clubs around the world.

“We’re delighted to be the first bingo company to secure a gig with Howard and saw over 50% of tickets sold in the first couple of weeks of announcing the event.”

Stuart continued, “It’s a great feeling to see your ideas come to life and witness the fun experience your customers are having. The fact that we are attracting some big names to appear at our events is testimony to the high quality shows we are putting on.”

Clubingo continues to attract new customers to the clubs with hundreds of new members signing up since the concept first started in October 2021. While it’s still too early to fully understand the long term benefits to the business, what can be seen in towns like Mansfield and Rhyl is that Majestic Bingo is now a multientertainment venue offering some of the best bingo along with some of the finest entertainment in the area. It’s now part of a much more diverse group of people’s social calendars and is helping to change the face of bingo.

Apollo Bingo Mansfield has hosted yet another sell-out Clubingo night, with their first ever 80s themed event. Welcoming 80s Icon, Spandau Ballet member and Goggle Box regular, Martin Kemp to deliver his Back to the 80s DJ Set.

The Year Ahead:

NRM’s Andrew Ludlow talks EAG and 2023

Network Resource Management – more readily known by the moniker NRM and led by Managing Director Andrew Ludow, have been leaders in network and software design and implementation services to the retail gaming and leisure markets since 1994. With nearly thirty years’ of market experience to draw upon, we put some key questions to Andrew.

You announced the link-up with Air Dice in October 2021 – what’s happened in the last 12-months and what has Air Dice brought to the table?

The first point to make is quite how quickly that 12-months has flown by! I would say that the backdrop to the last year or so has been one of genuine optimism thanks in no small part to the exceptional team that’s in place at NRM which has delivered new products, services and opportunities to a growing customer base.

We have completed a relocation of our trading premises, grown our headcount by more than 40% and established a firm foundation for growth as we enter 2023. It might be a bit of a cliché but the relationship with Air Dice really is ‘Hand in Glove.’ Whilst the business and people fit is fantastic, so is that balance between support and empowering the business to get on with and do what it does best. Having a partner that is really successful in its own right, particularly in the arena of on-line content development and distribution also brings a different perspective.

In your opinion has the industry recovered from the brutality of Covid – what stage of the rehabilitation process do you think we are at?

On the whole I think the industry has recovered as well as could have been expected. That said, I believe some sectors are demonstrating slightly stronger recovery headwinds than others. What never ceases to amaze me is the absolute resilience of this industry, that dogged determination to deal with the challenges (and also opportunities) that world events such as Covid have created. In terms of rehabilitation, if I look at NRM I believe we have recovered well and pushing forward very positively. From our customers’ perspective, I think that’s sector dependent. From a

“There’s still plenty of headroom for us to grow, we have great customers who we view as partners and fabulous products, with further enhancements being delivered in 2023.”

consumer perspective I think there’s still some Covid lag manifest in a tangible shift in consumer habits and a Covid sensitive legacy.

NRM enjoyed an upbeat ACOS – what are your hopes and aspirations for January’s EAG?

ACOS was very good for us and I really get a buzz from seeing our team busy with customers old and new. The NRM stand is always busy and I’d like to think this is driven by the relevant products and services that we offer, coupled with the strength of relationships built over many, many, years. We always endeavour to be innovative, relevant, upbeat, transparent and supportive in our approach and EAG will be no different.

2022/23 will see NRM attend more exhibitions and roadshows than at any time in its entire history! Coming off the back of ACOS and EAG, which are predominantly UK and land based, ICE will see us adopt a different approach.

Air Dice will be at ICE on a fabulous stand and NRM will be joining them for the entirety of the show. We have full access to the stand facilities and will be showing a small range of NRM product. It will be the first time that representatives of both organisations have come together at a trade exhibition and we are rather looking forward to it!

With the financial pressures facing all businesses, as a technology driven company have you ring-fenced your investment in R&D?

Like most businesses in the land-based retail gaming sector we faced some robust challenges through lockdown resulting in a significant reduction in business revenues. This inevitably had an impact on the short-term investments we made as a business.

Since we have emerged from the lockdown(s) we have not only ring-fenced our R&D investment but we have invested further. The increase in headcount encompasses additional hires in our development team. We are also investing in new software platforms that we will be looking to launch and commercialise later in 2023, so watch this space!

For some people NRM is synonymous with Bingo but what other sectors is the business active in?

I think that’s a fair point, but it’s also a position that is changing. Whilst Bingo is still - and will continue to be - a cornerstone of our trading activity, NRM is more than a bingo technology and content provider. From a sector perspective we cover most land-based gaming venues, from AGC’s, Bingo Halls, Clubs, Holiday Parks, LBOs and Pubs all of which have NRM products, content and services. An important point to note here is the cross-market learnings that we benefit from and how they can enhance what we supply.

Where do you see growth occurring in 2023?

I believe the growth will still come from our core markets and products. There’s still plenty of headroom for us to grow, we have great customers who we view as partners and fabulous products, with further enhancements being delivered in 2023. Innovation is in our DNA and we have some really exciting projects in development, some sector specific and some not. Diversification into complimentary sectors, building on and enhancing our existing product portfolio will also deliver additional growth

2023 - confident or cautious mood?

Confident, absolutely. We have worked really hard to position the business for growth post-Covid: this has been a big team effort, supported by the wonderful people at NRM, by Air Dice as well as by our loyal and supportive customers. Having weathered the Covid storm including lockdowns, it’s an absolute breath of fresh air to be pushing forward in such a positive way.

NRM are exhibiting at EAG and can be found on Stand 250, in The Bing Hub. www.nrmgroup.com

Bingo is anything but a drag!

The acclaimed belles of the bingo ball, The Dabber Dolls, kicked off their first ever UK tour late last year in sunny Glas Vegas, a.k.a Glasgow. Teaming up with Mecca Bingo, the Dolls took their evening of lip-sync extravaganzas, perfectly choreographed routines, comedy and, of course, bingo and prizes, to eight further Mecca clubs including Hartlepool, Hull, Liverpool (Knotty Ash), Leicester, Wednesbury Cross, Luton, Thanet and Dagenham

The build up to their first show in Glasgow started with a photoshoot, fresh off the train at Glasgow Central Station, where they sashayed across the concourse, before they posed up a storm in front of the iconic Duke of Wellington statue.

Eitan Boyd, Chief Innovation Officer, Mecca Bingo said, “The Dabber Dolls landed in Glasgow in true showbiz style and no doubt dazzled Scotland with their West End-worthy show before heading off around the rest of the UK. The Dolls may ooze glamour but they know how to get an audience laughing – their show is a crowd-pleasing combination that we have no doubt people will love.”

Just as the Dabber Dolls tour was drawing to a close, the Innovation Team at Mecca had already lined up another dose of drag-tastic fun.

The Boots Down Bingo Tour, led by Drag icon and multi-award-winning artist Baga Chipz got under way last November. The eight date tour saw stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race present the ultimate drag bingo party and took in Camden, Stevenage, Norwich, Sheffield, Leeds, Sale, Sunderland and Glasgow Quay.

Hosted by Ophelia Balls, Boots Down Bingo brought a whole host of mayhem and laughter to Mecca clubs, delivered by a line-up that included Baga Chipz, who performed at every event, plus Scotland’s own Lawrence Chaney – Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2, Divina DeCampo, Choriza May, Bailey J Mills, Dosa Cat and the Cheeky Girls!

There were catwalks, dance-offs and jaw-dropping performances from the Drag Race icons, as they called the

numbers, Baga Chipz said: “I adore playing bingo, so to perform at Mecca clubs across the UK is a dream come true! It’s an unforgettable night out.

www.meccabingo.com

Mecca Bingo have been making sure that bingo is anything but a drag, bringing charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent not just to the runway but to bingo too!

Baga Chipz, looking over the shoulder of a bingo fan

Bingo Plus

Impressive new hardware is driving Bingo Plus forward

The success of Bingo Plus is down to many things… exciting games… energetic and talented presenters… and great prize money. But without industry-leading technology, none of this can be brought to life.

And so Wexel Gaming has launched some exciting new units to strengthen their range, following the rapid rise of the UK’s fastest growing bingo link system.

Businesses such as Parkdean Resorts, Merkur, Admiral, LOL Bingo, Premier Bingo, Coral Island and Apollo Bingo have been using the 6-player table for some time now.

But it was becoming apparent that some Operators needed alternative configurations, in response to businesses needing something a little different to work for them.

Party time for larger groups Wexel’s 6-player table is the original Bingo Plus gaming unit, and has been successfully installed in many businesses, fast becoming a firm favourite.

Groups of players are neatly seated in a ‘circular’ space, which heightens the atmosphere and the experience. Featuring 19” large-format touchscreens, electronic coin mechs, secure cashbox, an enhanced sound system and attractive LED lighting, they brighten up any area, and have a deceptively small footprint – ideal for getting the maximum return from a tight or restrictive space.

Three… that’s the magic number! Tringo is Wexel’s brand new 3-player gaming unit. It’s perfect for ‘hiding’ a gap. It works great at the end of a run of back-to-back slots machines –covering an untidy end, and delivering bingo in a small space.

Put some WOW into your business

Featuring 4 comfortably-spaced touchscreens, and an incredible 75inch widescreen with enhanced sound system, this unit packs a punch and will definitely deliver the wow factor into any gaming area.

In fact, should an operator want

this style of unit with more positions, it’s modular design means that within reason, any number of positions can be accommodated.

GTAB for bingo on the go!

Wexel’s GTAB is the self-service product that delivers bingo, slots

The new Wexel 3-player gaming unit. Looking good and filling a gap!

and roulette games to be played on handheld tablets.

Players simply collect a tablet from the charging rack, place it in the top slot to credit, and off they go! The built-in screen provides a permanent feed to Bingo Plus, allowing players to keep up with the action, and maybe even join in the live chat.

And to cash out, all the player has to do is return the tablet to the unit, press the Cashout button, and collect their TiTo ticket. It really couldn’t be any easier!

All Bingo Plus hardware packs a punch!

Bingo Plus enhances any operator’s usual offer – running alongside their core product. It either provides an alternative standalone bingo solution, or a secondary bingo stream to help prop-up weaker sessions. Both solutions solve the problem of low admissions, providing something to work in parallel with an existing offer, and improve margins.

Weak, unprofitable, and operationally challenging sessions quickly move into profit through the introduction of the Bingo Plus system.

Wexel are confident they’ve got hardware solutions to suit all operators. But if they haven’t, they’ll easily develop something to suit even the most awkward space, thanks to its modular approach.

But regardless of which hardware unit is installed, Bingo Plus delivers the same benefits across its entire range, including:

• Beautifully designed hardware and software with Operator needs in mind

• Modular configurations to accommodate all table sizes and shapes, even in the tightest spaces

• Equipment purchase or profit share options

• Newly available lower cost options for Operators on a tight budget

• Remote crediting facility for initial and subsequent credits

• On screen sign in and text ‘Chat’ with studio presenters

• TiTo enabled pay out (if applicable)

• Ability to buy-in to more cards, gaining more chances to win

• Current number and win verification

• Exciting Cat C & Cat D slot games and bingo variant games to broaden the appeal to customers

Main stage bingo without the main stage

Bingo Plus is the always-on bingo system, offering a range of games from 10am-10pm, every single day across a cash bingo link of over 150 locations. The schedule includes live-streamed games; called by the Presenter, giving customers a realistic “main stage bingo” experience.

In fact, the experience goes much further, because players can chat directly with the Presenter during the session! It’s these features, and more, that gives Bingo Plus the edge over similar systems in the market.

The Presenters are the face of Bingo Plus, and help differentiate it from other offerings in the marketplace. All done from two high-tech green screen studios based in Hull, they deliver live, best-in-class gaming, and also interact with their audience through Tik-Tok, Instagram, and daily Facebook Live events.

The Presenters are all media and drama trained, and some learned their trade in the bingo clubs.

Gary, their longest-serving presenter and Senior Studio Manager made it to this year’s grand final of Bingo Caller of the Year. This prestigious annual event saw him

competing alongside callers from across the UK’s bingo club network. This is high praise indeed, and real industry-recognition for Bingo Plus, who deliver their product from a TV Studio, and not a traditional mainstream bingo club.

But whatever their reasons for joining Bingo Plus, all operators agree that Bingo Plus has added a valuable new dimension to their businesses, whilst delivering extra and valuable revenue streams they previously didn’t have.

Take Bingo Plus for a spin!

The team at Wexel are so confident about their system that they are offering operators the chance to take Bingo Plus on an 8-week trial.

So, if you’re a business looking to try something different, coupled with an appetite to make it work, then subject to a site survey, you could be realising all the benefits of being part of the Bingo Plus network.

If you’d like to learn more, then the team will happily have a chat. You can even arrange a tour of the Bingo Plus Studios, meet the Presenters, and discover the magic behind the game, and the camera!

The fabulous Bingo Plus presenters. ➜

Mecca Bingo seized the festive season as an opportunity to take their - some say - iconic carpet design to the catwalk.

Taking the Christmas jumper theme to another level, the breathtakingly bold designs harnessed the glorious swirls and stars of Mecca Bingo’s carpets, to creating jumpers featuring well known phrases from holiday songs, that had each been given a bingo twist.

‘Deck The Halls’, a Welsh Melody with lyrics by Scotsman Thomas Oliphant dating from 1862, became Dab the Halls. While 1970 bi-lingual hit ‘Feliz Navidad’, written by Jose Feliciano, became Feliz Navidab

The jumpers retailed at £31.99 with all proceeds going to Mecca Bingo’s charity partner, Carers Trust: as only a limited number were available exclusively online, fashionistas are expecting the knitwear sensations to become collectable seasonal icons!

www.meccabingo.com ➜

Blueprint at the EAG

Blueprint prepare for high profile presence at pivotal edition of EAG

Blueprint Operations (BPO) will be going to January’s EAG driven by its ongoing commitment to deliver best in class product innovation across all retail sectors of the land-based industry. David Purvis, managing director of Blueprint Operations confirmed: “We will be using EAG as a platform to launch important new products including a digital version of a hugely popular iconic analogue game, plus our latest Alpha Trio cabinet with two Community Variant features. Blueprint’s EAG line-up will include our latest new Colossus Menu on Wave+ and Auroramax+ cabinets.

“EAG also represents an opportunity to build further the relationships we enjoy with our entire customer base, to get honest feedback on our products and an understanding of what customers would like to see from us. Additional

talking points will be the enhancements that we are making to the customer journey as well as the recent service support related developments including product training that’s available via our Service App.”

“EAG gives us a great opportunity to reflect the brand through our stand, through our products and through our people. The discussions that we have with customers either on the stand or off the show floor are usually centred around our new products, and the feedback we receive is invaluable. Sometimes we will complete deals at industry exhibitions but in the main they are about exploring future sales opportunities.”

➜ Blueprint can found on Stand 280 at EAG 2023

Harlow Printing are listening!

Following their purchase of Edward Thompson in March 2022, Harlow Printing have been listening, hard. Having listened and talked and then listened some more, the team at Harlow, which includes some familiar names and faces, evaluated the market and discussed with clients where they felt there were gaps in the bingo offering.

Enter, Bingo Lingo, the new name in bingo tickets, with bigger numbers and larger typeface making them easier to read. Available from February, the complete range offers flyers through to 12 game books, with the most popular colours of flyer, (red, blue, and yellow) held in stock ready

for quick call off, as will the most popular book sizes of 3, 6 and 10 game making for reduced lead times and quick supply to operators. Custom colours are also available.

To complement their new ticket offering, their range of pen colours are also being expanded: red, blue, green, purple and black, will be joined by bold new shades of orange, pink, lime, yellow and bright blue. A choice of 10 attractive colours to choose from.

Diddi Dabs, the lipstick sized, go anywhere dabber, (complemented by Diddi Dab Fun Games), remain available.

➜ This new product range is available from February 2023, with FREE samples on request. Visit www.harlowprinting.co.uk or email bingo@harlowprinting.co.uk

“Are these tickets bigger, or have I just been squinting too long?”

Buzz Bingo partners with Stroke Association

Buzz Bingo announced their new three-year charity partnership with the Stroke Association at their club in Stratford, London, late last year. Charity supporter and television legend Chris Tarrant co-hosted the event with Buzz Bingo colleagues and his son, Radio X DJ Toby Tarrant.

As a stroke survivor himself, Chris is a fantastic ambassador to show the importance of getting back into your local community following a stroke. He’s also no stranger to bingo, having once worked for bingo legend Jimmy Thomas and been a guest caller on special National Bingo Games.

The ‘Loaded’ event took place on Tuesday 6th December and brought together stroke survivors and members of the public for an unforgettable evening of traditional bingo,

music bingo, quizzes and prizes, with Chris Tarrant calling the numbers and son Toby mixing the music.

The Stroke Association provides specialist support, funds critical research, and campaigns to make sure that everyone affected by stroke gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

A new survey by the Stroke Association and Buzz Bingo has highlighted the devastating social impact of stroke:

• Almost three quarters of stroke survivors spend less or no time socialising with their families and friends since their stroke

• Four out of five of stroke survivors spend less or no time on their hobbies or have given up a hobby altogether

• Around one in four struggle with negative mental health and/or feel lonely/isolated

• Before their stroke around a third engaged in a hobby daily or 3-4 times a week

• Spending less time or giving up a hobby has left around one in four stroke survivors feeling a loss of confidence a lost sense of purpose and identity and impacts their well-being

• Over a third of stroke survivors would like the chance to socialise more since their stroke and to go to clubs and societies

Feature: Buzz Bingo partners with Stroke Association

Saul Heselden, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Stroke Association said, “Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and changes lives in an instant. Stroke has many impacts, some are visible whilst others are hidden, but the effects are equally devastating and can become obstacles to recovery. Many stroke survivors stop seeing family and friends or are forced to give up their hobbies, this may be as a result of struggling with their confidence or mental health or due to fatigue. Socialising and enjoying previously loved hobbies are really important to mental health after a stroke. Without this stroke survivors can lose their confidence, hampering their well-being and potentially leaving them without a sense of purpose and identity.”

“We are excited to announce our new partnership with

Buzz Bingo which will help to raise vital funds for much-needed specialist support, research and campaigning and will go a long way in supporting more stroke survivors to live the best possible life after a stroke.”

Stroke Association supporter and stroke survivor Chris Tarrant said, “Eight years ago, completely out of the blue I had a life-changing stroke. It was incredibly frightening and it made me realise how fragile life is. I know how scary and tough life after a stroke can be, so I was shocked to learn that so many stroke survivors spend less time with their loved ones and many have given up their hobbies. Having the support of my family and friends was crucial to my recovery and spending more time on the things I love really helped my well-being. I‘m so grateful to have had such fantastic love and support from those close to me but I know this isn‘t always the case for everyone, which is why I would encourage you all if you can, to find your passion again or enjoy a new hobby.”

Over the next three years Buzz Bingo aims to raise £200,000 for the Stroke Association, through special events and fundraising initiatives like our the specially hosted event with Chris and Toby Tarrant. The partnership will also see Buzz Bingo working closely with the charity to provide volunteering opportunities for colleagues and training to better understand stroke and its impact.

Key stroke awareness events are: Stroke Prevention Day (January), Stroke Awareness month (May) and World Stroke Day (October).

Events will take place at all Buzz clubs to mark these events, alongside colleague and customer fundraising throughout the year.

Mark Fletcher, Head of Brand Communications at Buzz Bingo said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the Stroke Association and to help raise awareness of the isolation and loneliness many stroke survivors experience. Socialising with family and friends or in the community can be daunting following a stroke so we’re pleased that Buzz Bingo clubs can offer a welcoming, friendly and accessible environment for stroke survivors to take that first step to feeling part of a community, regaining confidence and helping rebuild their lives.”

Feature: Buzz Bingo partners with Stroke Association

Chris Tarrant with son Toby ➜

Industry prepares to start the year with purpose at EAG

Industry luminaries to open EAG 2023

EAG will honour some of the most respected names to have served the industry when the premier show for the amusements and low-stake gaming sectors opens at ExCeL London on 10th January.

EAG 2023 will be declared officially open at a ribboncutting ceremony attended by industry servants including Frank Manzi, Charles Henry, Roger Withers, Simon Thomas, John Bollom, Martin Burlin, Chris Haley, Jason Frost, Greg Wood, Tim Batstone, James Miller and Gabi Stergides.

EAG Chairman Martin Burlin, who has served the industry as both an ATEI and an EAG Director explained, “EAG is a celebration of everything that is unique about our industry including the key personalities such as Frank Manzi who have helped to guide it over many, many decades.

“Our aim is to use January’s event to mark the longevity of our industry and to do this we have invited all remaining ATEI Directors and the current EAG Directors to collectively open the Show on Tuesday 10th January at 10.00 a.m. and to join me afterwards for some refreshments.

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the invitation which reflects the huge importance of an event that dates back to the 1930’s – longevity that’s shared by only a small number of UK-based exhibitions.”

EAG to showcase the best of Bingo

Some of the best-known suppliers to the bingo industry will be featured in the EAG Bingo Hub which has been organised in partnership with The Bingo Association. The central hub located on stand 254 of the EAG show floor will feature specialist bingo suppliers comprising Shipley Creative, ECM Systems Ltd, Cowells Arrow, Wexel Gaming, NRM, Willow Communication and ISD Computer Services.

EAG Chairman, Martin Burlin, welcomed the new feature which he believes will serve as a focal point for the sector, “There has always been a cross-over between bingo on the one hand and the amusements/low stake gaming sectors on the other. It makes infinite sense to harness that synergy and create a dedicated area where the bingo industry can meet and access the key suppliers. I am delighted that we have been able to collaborate with our colleagues at The Bingo Association in such a positive way and I look forward to seeing this feature go from strength to strength.”

Miles Baron, Chief Executive of the Association commented, “It is great to have a Bingo industry presence at EAG and I am looking forward to formally welcoming members of the Bingo Association to the Excel in January. There has always been a degree of shared interest and mutual respect between Licensed Bingo and BACTA operators, who

often benefit from access to the same supply chain. So coming together makes a lot of sense”.

Registration up a massive 58 percent on 2020 like-for-like figures

EAG 2023 is on-course to be one of the biggest of recent times with like-for-like visitor registrations close to 60 percent ahead of the figure for 2020 – the last edition of the industry’s leading amusements and low stake gaming exhibition prior to the pandemic.

EAG Show Director Nicola Lazenby said: “Our campaign message to the market is ‘Be part of the action’ and the invitation appears to be resonating with thousands of operators who will have access to a show floor packed with innovation, a business centric seminar programme and the first ever safer gambling hub dedicated to the low stake low prize sector and featuring the industry’s leading safer gambling experts.”

Outlining the make-up of the EAG show floor she stated: “Visitors will be coming to EAG for a variety of reasons but the key motivation has to be the access the show provides to the industry’s pre-eminent innovators and games creators.

“I’m delighted to confirm that our list of contracted exhibitors includes brands such as Astrosystems, Bandai Namco Amusement Europe, Blueprint Operations, Crown Leisure, Electrocoin, Eurocoin, Game Payment Technology, Inspired Entertainment, Novomatic Gaming, NSM Music, PMS International Group, Reflex Gaming, SB Machines, Sega Amusements International Ltd, UDC and Whitehouse Leisure –amongst many others.”

First Safer Gambling Hub for low stake land-based sector EAG organisers have confirmed details of the first LandBased Low Stake Safer Gambling Hub which will be launched at EAG 2023.

The Hub, will feature leading not for profit organisations including BetKnowmore, Breakeven, ESG Gaming, GamStop, GamCare and YGAM.

Nicola Lazenby, who became EAG Director in September and has two decades of experience working in exhibitions and events including two-years spent on ATEI, said: “The Safer Gambling Hub will represent a ‘go-to’ at-show feature for everyone wanting to learn more about the latest thinking in safer gambling and meet with some of the leading authorities in the space. I am confident the Hub will be a focus for learning and debate which represent corner stones of what a sectorleading exhibition such as EAG should deliver.”

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To be part of the action and register for EAG 2023 visit: www.eagexpo.com

Featured article: EAG Expo

“It makes infinite sense to harness that synergy and create a dedicated area where the bingo industry can meet and access the key suppliers and I am delighted that we have been able to collaborate with our colleagues at The Bingo Association.”

A new King is crowned

Benj Maycock wins Caller of The Year 2022

Donna Kunyo, Benj Maycock and Alastair Stewart ➜

This new year will see more than just one person with a new crown and title: while Charles Windsor’s is hereditary, Benj Maycock had to fight off stiff competition to claim his, as National Bingo Game Caller of the Year 2022.

The mainstage caller at Mecca Wednesbury Cross and recording artist, Benj beat seven other finalists to claim the title, in a hotly contested Grand Final, held at Club 3000 Bingo in Wigan on Sunday 13th November. Benj joins the illustrious bingo caller hall of fame, alongside previous title holders, including Donna Kunyo, who was one of the judging panel for this year’s Grand Final.

The competition, which got underway in April this year, saw over 200 entrants whittled down to just eight finalists, through qualifying events held across Britain. Each finalist was then invited to attend the Grand Final, held this time at Club 3000 Bingo’s newly opened Wigan club; a great backdrop to the competition, showing bingo’s best in one of the sector’s newest venues.

The National Bingo Game welcomed over 500 people to the Final, with each finalist bringing coaches packed with supporters from

their respective clubs. Supporters and customers were greeted at Club 3000 with a glass of bubbly and then offered a traditional ‘Sunday Roast’ meal, as they spent the day cheering on the finalists and enjoying both the first class entertainment and bingo. Always a generous audience, bingo players took the opportunity to play a special charity game of bingo, raising over £300 for Variety the Children’s Charity.

The judging panel, comprising Miles Baron Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, Donna Kunyo Caller of The Year 2019 and Lyn Staunton from Variety the children’s charity, saw all eight finalists entertain the audience and engage with them, before each then went on to call and manage a game of bingo. Entertainment ranged from singing, to comedy and drag, with each finalist putting their own personal stamp on their performance. Finalists were also each asked for comment about bingo, that would tell the judges a little about their personal thoughts on and involvement with game:

Michael Farley – Apple Bingo, Sydenham

“My first ever job was as a bingo caller and that was well over 40 years ago. I still love my job to this day, calling and

entertaining the crowd. I am 63 and I’ll keep going with the same enthusiasm as my very first day. I’m looking forward to a momentous day, cheered on with a coachful rooting for me.”

Richard Leyshon – Castle Bingo, Cardiff (Newport Road)

“I became a caller because I wanted to gain confidence with an audience and six years on, I still love entertaining people. It brings me happiness to see people enjoying themselves. Creating a fun bingo session and making a great atmosphere for bingo players of all ages, old and new, drives me on each day.”

Christopher Graham – Carlton Bingo, Stirling

“I love working with the public, whether it be the familiar regular players, or new and occasional players. We all have a lot in common and bingo is a social environment for adults of all ages. For some, it is the only place they visit, to mix with friends and family. Being with like-minded people. Bingo is a place of happiness!”

Andrew Skene – Buzz Bingo, Sheffield Parkway

“I’ve been working in bingo for over 19 years, and I love the thrill and excitement that bingo creates. I try to always put

Finalists and Winner Benj Maycock ➜

on “the best game in town” and make people smile, whether they have a win or not. I see my future with Buzz and in bingo for many years to come!”

Anton Fletcher – Castle Bingo, Bootle

“On and off I’ve been a bingo caller for 24 years, originally as a Butlins Redcoat in Margate. I’ve enjoyed every second of calling bingo in every club I’ve worked in. I love my job and get paid for having a great time! You meet so many people of varying ages and all walks of life in the bingo community.”

Gary Wilson – Bingo Plus

“I’ve been a bingo caller for 17 years and being on stage, putting a smile on people’s faces still inspires me. With Bingo Plus, I’m on camera calling bingo and chatting with players in 100 venues at any one time. Entertaining live players from a studio is very exciting. So much fun in so many communities!”

Stephen Bogdan – Club 3000 Bingo, Old Trafford

“I’ve worked in bingo for 7 years, starting as a book seller but, with my performing background, always wanted to be on the stage! I love the engagement and fun I have with colleagues and players

and love seeing people smile, which is my goal. I see a bright future for bingo, and I want to be part of that!”

Benji Maycock – Mecca Bingo, Wednesbury Cross

“I love the genuine social aspect players get from their local club. It’s great to see groups of friends enjoying themselves and the good impact on people’s lives bingo has. I’m so excited to be in the Grand Final and wish all contestants the very best of luck! I’m really excited about the day”.

All contestants were judged on their knowledge of the game, showmanship ability and skills as a caller. The standard of performance and calling skills was exceptionally high and the judges faced a difficult task, but there could only be one winner. After careful deliberation the judges decided that Benj Maycock from Mecca Bingo Wednesbury Cross was the winner and next Caller of The Year, with the announcement made on stage in front of all the finalists and an excited audience. His energy and performance of his self-penned bingo rap, B!ngo!, was a crowd and judge pleaser.

As well as receiving a trophy and £1,000 in prize money, Benj will also act as an ambassador for the National Bingo Game and bingo over the next two years.

Donna Kunyo said: “I was honoured and thrilled to be asked as a judge. All the finalists were fantastic but there had to be one winner. Winning this competition three years ago was a dream come true and I have loved every minute since representing the National Bingo Game. It has been an honour to be an ambassador for this great game and the wider bingo industry. The finalists had to show they had something special about them. They certainly did that, but Benj had the X-factor on the day”

After winning the crown, Benj commented “I still cannot believe I have won the National Bingo Game Caller of The Year! It was such a great honour to be a part of the day and to be up against incredibly talented finalists was great fun, if not a bit nerve wracking. I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful game and to be an ambassador for the bingo industry over the next couple of

years. This competition truly shows people coming together which is what bingo is all about.”

Benj, the 30-year-old rapper is better known to his bingo fans as caller Benj Maycock, from Mecca Bingo Wednesbury Cross. Prior to working in bingo Benj was a refuse collector for Birmingham City Council, when he saw a job advertisement for a ‘show host’ at Mecca and leapt at the chance to flex his performance skills. A former student of Access Creative College, where he studied the same course as singer songwriter, Ed Sheeran, Benj has toured with top artists including James Arthur and has performed in iconic venues such as the O2 in London and the Royal Albert Hall.

His winning track ‘B!ngo!’ is inspired by bingo halls and people’s love of playing bingo. The song proved an instant hit with Mecca customers after he started performing it in the very club where it was penned. On hearing his talent in club, colleagues encouraged him to enter Mecca’s search for a star to represent the company at the industry-wide National Bingo Game Caller of the Year.

CEO of The Bingo Association, Miles Baron said, “This year’s finalists did not disappoint, they all showed professionalism and a profound knowledge of the game. They were so talented and had clearly been very well practised in their acts which made picking the winner a tough decision, however we all agreed Benj was the worthy winner and we look forward to working with him in the coming months as Bingo’s new ambassador.”

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If you weren’t able to be there on the day, or want to relive the excitement, a video of is available to view on the National Bingo Game’s You Tube chanel: @NationalBingoGame

The song B!ngo! is available to download on Spotify, Apple Music and all streaming services, with the music video available to view YouTube, Instagram and Twitter accounts for BingooBenj AKA Benj Maycock

The No.1 association for bingo

In profile: Oliver Fraser

Keith Lee the musical!

For a man more or less married to bingo and rooted in Manchester, Keith Lee is a wellknown figure in the bingo industry who has been leading Cosmo Bingo for nearly forty years, narrowly escaping a life of tedium in accounts, through cycle speedway and a near miss with musical immortality, confirming what he has always known. That he has been precisely where he was always meant and wanted to be: at bingo.

Born in Audenshaw, Manchester, Keith went to school and was in the same year as none other than Mick Hucknall, of Simply Red. Despite this early brush with musical superstardom this was not to be his connection to possible musical immortality, only to the News Of The World some years later who contacted him wanting the scoop and any dirt on Mr Hucknall. Ever the gent, Keith declined to comment.

In his formative years Keith lived only four miles away from what would become a key part of his life, Cosmo Bingo Stalybridge. A keen Cycle Speedway fan from his late teens to early twenties, riding took him around the country, visiting a different track almost every week, from Edinburgh and Poole. His hobby was highly social and was a great way to meet people and build friendships, a number of which

have continued to be part of his busy social life to this day.

Upon leaving school Keith thought that a steady job, with regular hours, in the accountancy department of one of the largest engineering companies, Mather and Platt, would be just the ticket. Over the course of the next ten years he picked up a wide range of accounting experience, while still keeping up with Speedway.

“I remember being bored when the cycle speedway season finished one year and looked for an additional part time job. I saw an advert for a pay desk person at a very small Mecca Bingo in Droylsden – they wouldn’t make a club that small these days! I knew nothing about bingo and none of my family or friends played. Unfortunately for me the job had been taken, but across the road a pub had a sign for bar staff.

“The manager had me working there before I blinked and no wonder, it was one of the roughest pubs in Manchester and he needed staff! Nonetheless over the next four years I got an insight into work in entertainment and leisure, which started making the 9 to 5 routine and office environment seem less and less appealing” Keith commented.

In 1983 Keith decided to take the plunge and applied for the post of Manager’s Assistant at Cosmo Bingo Club in Stalybridge. “I heard nothing for weeks after I had put my application in, but then was invited down to an interview with the then owners Mr and Mrs John Downs. I remember being invited upstairs and was told to wait in the bar and have a drink…..so I ordered a pint of bitter. Well, I would wouldn’t I. No wonder the staff rolled their eyes!

“Despite this tiny faux pas I was offered the job and made my move to bingo on 1st December 1983. I took the bingo job part time while still at M&P. However, some things in bingo don’t change and I was soon working nearly full time hours at both jobs!

“I threw the tile in at Mather & Platt in 1987 so my role at Cosmo Leisure expanded to cover the Downs’ two cinemas and five or so amusement arcades - I even helped out at their building company!”

While playing a management role at the Stalybridge club, Keith also took over the newly acquired Eccles club in 1987/8. It was around this time that Keith started attending regional Bingo Association meetings and discovered a much wider level of interest in the industry.

In the mid-nineties Cosmo Leisure were exploring opening clubs in South Africa, which created an unexpected

In profile: Keith Lee

opportunity for Keith to travel and in the UK a new link rack was making headlines. It wasn’t long before John Downs and Keith were on a plane again, but this time only as far as Dundee to see what it was all about.

The new wave of racks saw Cosmo Bingo link games go from three clubs to as many as twenty-five. This evolution in tech and equipment bought in a new era of co-operation, changing the way that independent operators interacted. Keith was asked to help chair and manage these meetings, as the group explored not only new games, but also promotions.

Having worked for Cosmo Bingo’s previous owners, the Downs’ family, for over thirty six years, a change of ownership was another challenge that Keith has had to face.

“It was inevitable that John Downs would one day decide to retire. It was always a pleasure working for Cosmo Leisure and as you may expect, there was intrigue about working for the new owners, especially given my age! However, three and a half years on, I can say it is a pleasure working for Boylesports who have a fantastic vision for the future of the clubs, that has already seen investment and modernisation, setting us up nicely to compete in the challenging times ahead.”

Since joining the bingo sector in 1983 Keith has never looked back nor had any desire to return to ‘9to5’, “We see lots of people initially take a job in bingo, because it’s a job” he said. “After a little while many them hanker for more regular hours and go back to the ‘9to5’, but by then it’s too late. Bingo is in their system and we see many come back, as they miss the sense community, fun and customers.”

Despite being, by his own admission, married to the job, this has not prevented the ever sociable Keith from having a life away from work. Quite the reverse, gym, swimming, skiing, travel, cruises (particularly those to areas where there is no mobile signal) and real ale all fill any free time, with travel leading to his near miss with musical immortality.

As with so much in life, timing and location can be as important as talent in securing a place in history. On 11th September 2001 the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York were attacked and destroyed by two hi-jacked commercial airliners, resulting in the loss of over 2,700 lives.

On that morning Keith had left the UK on a flight bound for New York, one of many flights heading towards the east coast of America. At the time of the attack Keith’s flight was out over the Atlantic, by the time the decision to close US air space had been made there was not enough fuel to return to the UK and arrangements were made by international air traffic control to get all USA in-bound flights diverted and landed as soon as possible.

Suddenly Keith and thousands of other airline passengers bound for the USA found themselves International Refugees. In all 238 civilian flights were diverted to Canada, 75 of those to Newfoundland, with approximately 14,000 passengers, of which Mr Keith Lee was one.

Travelling in a light t-shirt, bound for New York in late summer, en route for Florida, landing in about three degrees was a bit of a shock and taught Keith an important lesson about what to pack in carry-on luggage! Following 15 hours sat in the plane, parked on the runway, Keith and fellow passengers were disembarked and

helped by the Red Cross. They stayed there for three days, during which time the skies were closed and all civilian planes grounded.

The situation, and Newfoundlanders’ response to it, was incredible, so much so that the story has been turned into the award winning musical, Come From Away. The musical has been well received by audiences and critics as a reminder of the capacity for human kindness in even the darkest of times: the triumph of humanity over hate, with characters based on (and in most cases named for) actual residents and stranded travellers they housed and fed.

For those of you who have seen the musical in the UK, USA or Canada, you may be asking why there is no stoic, sociable character called Keith, or at least a character who worked in bingo (and we feel the show is much the poorer for it)?

The simple answer is, that while Keith was one of the airline passengers stranded in Newfoundland, his flight landed at Stephenville, 272 miles from the town of Gander, the focus of Come From Away.

When the skies were finally re-opened three days after 9/11, stranded passengers were given a choice of returning to their point of departure, or carrying on to their originally intended destination: they had 10 minutes in which to make up their mind.

“I remember thinking, well, we’re here now and so close…..so I decided to carry on. Well, I would wouldn’t I.”

With bingo in his blood and no thought or sign of ending his ‘bingo session’ anytime soon, Keith will be co-ordinating those link games and welcoming staff and players at Cosmo Bingo for quite some time to come - Well, he would, wouldn’t he.

In profile: Keith Lee

In profile: Simon Reynolds

Back To Bingo

The welcome return of Simon Reynolds to purely bingo

Bingo is where it all started for Simon and where he has happily returned to. Born and schooled in Kent, his very first taste of the world of work was behind a till at Selfridges, in customer services. Like so many, this was just a Saturday job while he completed his degree, which then briefly became part-time after graduation, while looking for a permanent career role.

Having competed his degree in 1991 at University of Greenwich Simon was open to what the world might have to offer, “My partner at the time was working for Gala Bingo and through her I found out about the management training scheme and decided to apply” Simon said.

That was it, bingo had snagged him starting in 1991 as a trainee assistant manager at Gala Bingo Woolwich, in London, he spent the next eight or so years working for Gala Bingo in London and the East Midlands, moving on to become a general manager. Working in a range of clubs including Clapham, Leyton and East Ham amongst others.

A key change in Simon’s career came in 2000, when after nearly nine years working in bingo clubs, which gave him an excellent understanding of the mechanics of the business, he stepped out of day to day club management and moved to a head office function.

Joining the Gala Support Office, he worked in the Licensing Department, processing applications for the range of licenses required to run bingo clubs, including premises, performance and alcohol. With over 120 venues at that time, and each venue needing a set of licenses, it was not a small task and one which was mission critical for the business, which is dependent upon possession and validity of such licenses to be legally compliant.

The attention to detail and accuracy required in such a role struck a chord with Simon, who remained in the team for two years, before moving on to a work solely in Bingo Compliance.

“I then stayed with the Group until 2021 taking on more responsibility, eventually heading up the Compliance function during the ongoing merger, acquisition, and re-structuring that the Group went through, moving from Gala Bingo, to Gala

Coral, to Ladbrokes Coral, then GVC and finally Entain. During this period, I covered compliance in most sectors, Bingo, Casino, LBO’s and Digital.” Simon said.

In July 2015 Ladbrokes acquired Gala Coral, with the bingo clubs being sold in the December to Caledonia Investment, in effect removing club based bingo from the group. This was something Simon missed having started in bingo clubs, with their operational and customer cultures, that sees people at the core.

In 2021 Simon jumped back to bingo, as Chief Compliance Officer, almost coming full-circle, as the organisation he joined would have been Gala, had it not rebranded to Buzz a few years before he re-joined.

With over thirty years experience in gambling compliance, and a significant proportion of that in bingo, Simon has worked through some of the most significant changes in compliance since the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005. From that vantage point we asked him some key questions about bingo and compliance:

What are the biggest changes that you have seen since you started in bingo – in terms of players and the business, with a focus on compliance?

“Bingo colleagues have always looked after their customers and have supported them when needed. More recently that support now includes being proactive about their financial health and

Supporting the business and protecting customers are the two priorities for Simon Reynolds, Head of Compliance at Buzz Bingo, a compliance professional with over thirty years experience to draw upon.

Simon Reynolds ➜

level of affordability in addition to making sure they continue gambling in a safe way.

“Operators and senior management teams are increasingly realising that while this is not without its issues, that this is not just something that we have to do, but it is also the right thing to do, particularly if we want a sustainable business for the long term.”

What are the main compliance risks facing the sector – is there a need a lighter or more informed touch?

“The biggest risk to the sector is generic or poor decisions by policy makers and the best way to prevent this is for them to be more informed about the unique position of bingo. Regulators (both local and national), politicians and commentators should be encouraged to visit clubs and speak to our colleagues and customers to find out for themselves how bingo operates and how we look after our customers and communities.”

Financial uncertainty is a challenge facing all operators and the current climate has added to the list of causes. Covid, energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis, all played out against a regulatory backdrop that is uncertain, with the continuing delay in the review of the Gambling Act.

If you could remove a single aspect of the current compliance regime, what would it be?

“Uncertainty. Affordability, source of funds, and evaluation of interactions are not new concepts. However, we are all learning how to achieve implementation and how this can be effective and consistent particularly in a retail environment. Practical guidance and a level playing field would allow us to focus on delivery.”

“Having worked in the gambling sector for over 30 years ensuring that we have a long term, sustainable and safe environment must be the goal that benefits both customers and businesses alike. What is key is to make sure that the pace of change to meet these goals is achievable and understood by everyone.”

What is the future of bingo – does it lie online or will clubs return to favour through innovation?

“I believe there will always be a place for a retail bingo club and many clubs will evolve over time. Looking back at my club management days we played paper bingo only, no electronic bingo, whilst prize money and par fees were all worked out on large yellow sheets with a calculator always close by! Now almost all mainstage and interval games and the majority of machines are delivered digitally and this is only going to increase over time. In this way retail has already embraced technology that enhances bingo.”

And what of omni-channel? Has becoming an omni-channel brand been a great challenge?

“While at the moment ‘omni-channel’ is a phrase much bandied about, it predominately provides customers with an improved service for their accounts. Putting the IT infrastructure in place to

In profile: Simon Reynolds

achieve this has been challenging, but it has not fundamentally changed the game of bingo. We hope that with omni-channel in place it becomes a building block in which we can bring games, features, and liquidity together in a way that the customer can experience the best of both worlds when playing with us, or another operator who offers similar scale.

More of a live music and game of pool fan (he is a big fan of Billy Bragg) – not that he has done much of either lately in a post covid world, Simon always enjoys visiting bingo clubs. Why? “Simple. The people and the community spirit, it’s what has kept so many in the business for so long and why so many return.”

As bingo clubs increasingly move closer to becoming hospitality and experience venues, with acts and events enticing new and lapsed players to return to clubs and the game, it seems they are on to something. If Billy Bragg is booking a bingo club tour we know one player who will certainly be increasing their frequency and spend.

“The people and the community spirit, it’s what has kept so many in the business for so long and why so many return.”

Autumn statement and winter chill

By Chris Sanger, Partner, Tax Policy Global Government and Risk Tax Leader, Ernst & Young LLP,

We have often said in these articles that “fiscal events” such as Budgets and Autumn or Spring Statements can be nervewracking for the Bingo Industry because they raise the prospect of increased costs coming from higher taxes. This time round – Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement on 17 November 2022 – was a case in point. All the warming-up and pre-briefing focused on the message that everyone was going to see increased taxes, and, basically, that no one was going to be happy. In the event, this was true, but with the saving grace that Bingo was not singled out for individual pain, and the key Bingo Duty and Machine Game Duty rates were not increased.

As well as announcing a wide range of long-term tax increases, the new Chancellor also signalled likely changes to the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which may be of particular interest to the Bingo industry, and an important challenge now will be to ensure that the Government fully appreciates the need for continued support to hard pressed bingo operators.

Higher taxes, but on a slow burn

The defining characteristic of this Autumn Statement was that it managed to raise taxes for most people without raising tax rates (unless you are an energy company). This was done by focusing on thresholds within the tax system. In the normal run of things (if you can remember that), thresholds

are raised in line with inflation. By freezing these thresholds, particularly in a context where inflation is high, the Chancellor is able to collect more tax without actually raising the tax rate. The impact of this approach will spread across both business taxes and personal taxes. For example, the Chancellor will be able to raise an additional £5bn a year by freezing the secondary threshold for employers’ national insurance contributions at its current level from April 2023 until April 2028. Similarly, on the personal tax front, the Chancellor was able to raise additional revenue by extending the freeze on income tax personal allowance and higher rate threshold and lowering the point where the 45% additional rate kicks in.

Feature:

Importantly, though, the Chancellor’s tax raising zeal did not extend to a direct raid on the Bingo industry. The headline rates of Bingo Duty and Machine Games Duty were not increased. While that might be cold comfort, given the increased taxes that operators and customers will face over the coming years, it is a promising sign that even a cash-strapped Chancellor like Jeremy Hunt did not have Bingo on his hit-list.

Lower energy support, a chill setting in Speaking of cold comfort, the Autumn Statement also provided further detail on the Government’s thinking on the future of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. When the scheme was originally announced in September 2022 it was planned to run until March 2023, at which point it would be reviewed. The Chancellor used the Autumn Statement to publish the Terms of Reference of that review.

The Terms of Reference make clear that the Government plans to scaledown the scheme after 31 March 2023, stating that it is not sustainable for government to continue supporting large numbers of businesses. The first objective of the review is given as significantly reducing the cost of the scheme. The key question for Bingo, then, is whether it will be one of the areas of business that the Government feels it will be sustainable to support.

The Terms of Reference signal that support after March 2023 will be

targeted on those businesses which are least able to absorb the effects of increased energy costs. In other words, if businesses have the capacity to reduce their energy costs, whether through more efficient use or better insulation, they can’t expect the taxpayer to continue to support them on energy bills.

The challenge for Bingo will therefore be to ensure that Government, in the form of HM Treasury (which will be running the review), the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, fully understands and appreciates the extent to which Bingo businesses fall into this vulnerable category. As we have seen over the years, the Bingo Association’s strong relationships with Government are vital to making sure that the needs of the industry are well understood by decision-makers in Westminster and Whitehall.

On into 2023

The coming year has quite an act to follow. With four different Chancellors and a procession of fiscal events, 2022 was one of the most eventful tax years in living memory. The expectation now, following an Autumn Statement designed to restore stability and confidence, must be for a return to something more like normal. We’ll see…

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“The new Chancellor also signalled likely changes to the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which may be of particular interest to the Bingo industry.”

B3 Gaming Machines and the White Paper

At the time of writing, we continue to await the Government publication of the White Paper containing the proposals following the Call for Evidence and Review of the Gambling Act 2005.

The Call for Evidence and Review of the Gambling Act 2005 were published on 8 December 2020. The original expectation had been that the Government would publish further proposals for more detailed consultation and consideration in autumn 2021. One effect of the delay has been a noticeable slowdown in amendments to existing regulations, conditions and codes, as stakeholders await the wholesale changes expected to be proposed in the White Paper.

One feature of the expected white paper, which the industry has been discussing, is the number of B3 gaming machines permitted in our venues.

The holder of a bingo premises licence may make available for use a number of category B gaming machines not exceeding 20% of the total number of gaming machines on the premises. For example, a premises with a total of 25 gaming machines available for use can make five or fewer category B3 gaming machines available on that premises. Premises that were licensed before 13 July 2011

are entitled to make available eight category B gaming machines, or 20% of the total number of gaming machines, whichever is the greater. There are no restrictions on the number of category C or D machines that can be made available. We often call this the 80/20 rule.

The 80/20 rule followed consultation by the Government, as the bingo industry had come under increasing economic pressure during the period 2007 - 2011, at the time the Government reporting that 91 bingo clubs closed in the 4 years. The industry argued that a range of factors affecting trading conditions had been exacerbated by the regulatory framework introduced by the Gambling Act 2005. The Government was persuaded that the situation facing bingo was sufficiently grave to justify considering an increase in the stake limit for the Category B3 machines, and a recalibration of the B3 machine entitlements for bingo clubs. This eventually led to the increase in the stake on the B3 machines to £2, and then of course the 80/20 rule.

At the time, we had suffered the introduction of the ban on smoking in enclosed spaces, which had a disproportionate effect on gambling premises, there had been difficult trading conditions following the

economic downturn during the period and, of course, we have seen the increase in a number of B2 gaming machines, fixed odds betting terminals, within betting premises which had a negative impact on machines in bingo clubs.

The Government also alluded to changes in customer preferences, the development of wider leisure and media offerings and increasing competition across the gambling industry as a whole, particularly online.

The purpose at the time, of the introduction of the 80/20 rule, was to give bingo clubs more operational flexibility and freedom to take commercial decisions to prevent further closures and job losses, this would also have a knock on effect of boosting the gaming machine manufacturing and supply sectors through increases in their order book.

The economic situation is similar now. We have seen the massive impact of COVID-19 and the pandemic, with venues closed, we now have the War in Ukraine and the increase in the cost of energy and hyper-inflation, all creating a similar scenario to that

Nick Arron lead partner for the Betting and Gaming Team at Poppleston Allen LLP looks to the future and one aspect of the much anticipated White Paper.

we saw back in 2007 – 2011. So, here we are again, asking the Government for more operational flexibility and freedom to take commercial decisions to prevent further closures and job losses. We are asking the Government to reconsider the 80/20 rule.

Back then, the change to the 80/20 rule reduced the incentive on operators to split premises to offer more B3 machines, and reduce the cost of licensing as venues moved back to one licence having split our premises.

We now see a similar disproportionate impact of the regulatory regime, whereby some operators maintain high numbers of old Category C and event D gaming machines within their venues; these are of course now zapping power! We have also seen a significant increase in

the use of tablets as gaming machines, as well as for bingo. These, in many respects, are perverse consequences of the current limits on machine numbers which are not conducive to effective regulation, and lead to increased economic and administrative burdens for both operators and regulators. I have noticed that the use of tablets has confused particularly some Licensing Authorities when they visit premises to assess machine numbers.

The cost of power I am sure has led to many operators wishing they could turn off some of those machines, many of which are largely redundant and are there to allow more commercially attractive B3 machines. The Gambling Commission’s guidance on when a gaming machine is available for use requires us to have those machines

turned on and available for play without necessary for engagement or intervention with a member of staff.

Let’s hope that the Government appreciates the challenges which lay ahead for our industry, and make a similar change to the regulatory landscape as they did back in 2011 on the numbers of B3 gaming machines within our venues.

Nick Arron is a partner at niche licensing law firm Poppleston Allen. Poppleston Allen act for The Bingo Association and advises its members. Nick can be contacted via email n.arron@popall.co.uk or telephone 07968 805559. www.popall.co.uk

The changing face of gaming

There are certain jobs and sectors where historically one gender has been more prevalent than another. Gambling, gaming, computing and IT are perhaps sectors where historically woman have been under-represented, something that has been steadily changing.

Since the early noughties students and young people of all genders and orientations have been presented with an expanding range of career options based on interest and ability, rather than gender stereotypes.

This gradual move has opened up an expanded and expanding pool of talent, benefiting all sectors, particularly design, technology and media: skill sets and expertise that the leisure and gambling sectors have come to increasingly depend upon.

Willow Communications, one of the leading entertainment technology companies for the leisure and hospitality sectors, and a familiar name in bingo circles, has tapped right into that pool of talent and creative vein:

Bingo Connect caught up with Alice Keech, who at 23 is not the youngest member of their team.

Born just before the turn of the millennium in Northampton, Alice is part of a generation that grew up with the world wide web, mobile smart phones, touch screen technology and digital design.

A keen interest in art at school, which was she says was her favourite subject, coupled with wider interest in film and design, seemed to indicate that a career in the creative industries was beckoning. While still at school a project she had been working on led to a chance visit to the BBC. There she saw first-hand digital video and sound editing, which fired up her imagination and interest.

“Film has always been a big interest of mine, with 12 Angry Men being my all-time favourite and artistic directors like Wes Anderson (Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, etc) have always had a big influence on me and my design choices. I also love reading and painting, so art is naturally and always has been a big part of my life” Alice commented.

The keen interest in art, and after a visit to the BBC, digital production and video editing directly influenced her decision to study Digital Media at College in Kettering, “While at college I was able to do some work experience at BBC Radio One, working on the Scott Mills Show and with the Music Selection Team, which I think cemented my decision about career choice.”

After finishing college Alice secured her first full time job, as an IT and Media Assistant at Willow Communications. “Before starting work at Willow I had only ever held parttime roles, in local restaurants and shops, so this was a big move.

“As an IT and Media Assistant I looked after first line support for customers and got to design and create adverts and games. After around six months I became Digital Media Coordinator where I started to work closely with clients like Buzz and Mecca Bingo on games like Party Xtra and Winfall.

“After a year I became the Head of IT and Media looking after our team of programmers, help desk advisors, game developers and media assistants. Now as Product Manager I continue to manage the IT and office-based teams, but also get to work closely with clients, whether its designing new games and features, delivering training, or further developing our existing products.

“To date one of my biggest achievements has been working with Eric Howell at Majestic Bingo on the Don’t Find the Nine game and creating the on screen graphics: not only was it a great project to work on, but it won Game of the Year 2021 at the International Game Awards, which was certainly a proud day for me.”

Alice’s progression has been meteoric, which perhaps reflects on the fast paced nature of IT and digital design, but is also a reflection on Willow Communications’ stance on bringing on board young and dynamic talent and not being afraid to give the support and headroom to grow.

Having been in the business close to five years Alice has

noticed change and greater investment and an eagerness in some quarters to bring in new ideas and themes:

“I’ve definitely noticed the investment bingo clubs are making in rich media games and content, like Mecca’s Winfall and Club 3000’s Lightning Bingo. I think fun, creative content-based games, that can be used for main stage, MCB, Jackpots and optional games are becoming the way forward and a great way to encourage a new generation of players into venues. I think that the attitude towards bingo is changing, both from operators and players. Operators are becoming more open to changing up and adding in features and attractors outside of the usual sessions.

“My perception of bingo has really changed since joining Willow. Even now I am noticing continuing changes in the industry, from our work at Mecca Luton through to great nights out at Hijingo, Bongos Bingo and Majestic’s Big Night Out: you can see bingo is evolving and there is definitely a drive from our clients to use our technology to introduce more fun, winning and experiences to bingo.”

Prior to joining Willow, bingo was not part of Alice’s life, directly or through family and friends. The learning curve has been steep but what she has found is more than just a business, it’s communities. That is not just the community of players that each club creates, but the community of operators, which she says can be perhaps, at least initially, a little daunting as at least at senior level bingo is very much dominated by a single gender and a none too broad age group.

“There are more women coming into gaming and game design, which is great, but it can initially be a bit of a surprise. For bingo the customer base is over seventy per cent female, in terms of senior operators it is almost the complete reverse, if not more so.

“Most of the client facing meetings I have attended are with predominantly male colleagues who are much older. I think for young women entering the sector it is important to be confident, be prepared for meetings and have the support of your own senior team: it should after all be assessment on merit and performance.”

While age is no guarantee of experience, youth is no assurance of innovation, with activity and development generally needing a balance of both, at least if they are to be

“While at college I was able to do some work experience at BBC Radio One, working on the Scott Mills Show and with the Music Selection Team, which I think cemented my decision about career choice.”

successful. A culture of mutual respect can be key to bringing out the best results, regardless of age or gender.

Having spotted the social nature of bingo, both with players and operators, we asked Alice if bingo was now part of her menu of leisure activities and if so what type?

“I’m a big fan of social bingo and have enjoyed nights out at Bongos Bingo and Hijingo, both of which I think are having a positive influence on the game. Majestic’s Big Night Out/Clubingo, is a great example of how this new form of bingo is being brought into clubs, and it is working really well at bringing in a diverse range of players. Mark Jepp has done a great job at bringing the fun back to bingo.

“These types of bingo nights have definitely made an impact on my leisure choice and I often make the trip to Mansfield for the Big Night Out at Majestic Bingo – for me attending those events is as much about the experience as it is the game.”

Alice is not the only young woman bringing her skills to Willow Communications, as she was quick to raise. One of the newest members of Willow and Alice’s team is Bailei Bentley-Ward, who has already left her design mark in the industry. Bailei joined the company just three days after her nineteenth birthday and has been heavily involved in on screen design, working on a number of games and interfaces that are now out in the market, including most of the game content at Mecca Bingo Luton, Club 3000’s Party Pots and new games for our Holiday Park clients.

“I’m so fortunate that game and video design are such a large part of my role here at Willow and that my passion has turned into my career.” Alice said. “I can genuinely say I love my job, it doesn’t feel like work. I get to come into the office and to work

closely with some of the most talented people who share the same passion.”

It really is exciting times at Willow Communications, who will be exhibiting at EAG 2023, on stand 256, and will only be their second ever trade show in over thirty years – the first having been the Holiday Park Innovation Show in November last year.

www.willowcommunications.com

Wordsearch

WIN a £25 Amazon voucher!

Solve our word search puzzle by finding the 13 words hidden in the grid below. Note: The words may be written in any direction including backwards and diagonally.

As the world turns once again like a spinning ball you’ll need to be ‘cagey’ to solve our New Year Wordsearch.

Auld Lang Syne Celebration Champagne Countdown Resolution Toast

Out with the old In with the new Festivities Midnight Extravaganza Dancing

Big Ben

All Bingo Connect Wordsearch competition entries must be received by 28th February 2023. Please email a clear picture or scan of your completed Bingo Connect Wordsearch to info@bingo-association.co.uk along with your full name by the closing date. Alternatively please remove your completed Wordsearch from the magazine, write your name and either your email address or telephone number clearly at the bottom of the page, and send it by post in an envelope addressed to: WORDSEARCH, The Bingo Association, Lexham House, 75 High Street North, Dunstable, Beds LU6 1JF by the closing date.

Terms and Conditions:

All entrants must be aged 18 or over. The Prize is a single Amazon Gift Voucher to the value of £25.00 and no alternative prize is available. All entries, whether sent by email or post, must be received no later than 28th February 2023. Proof of postage or transmission is not proof of receipt. All correct Bingo Connect Wordsearch entries will be entered into a draw and a single Winner drawn at random by The Bingo Association Limited. The Winner will be notified, either by email or telephone, and the Prize sent within 30 days of the closing date and the Winner’s name published in the following issue of Bingo Connect. The competition is organised by The Bingo Association Limited and their decision is final in all matters relating to this.

F S W E N E H T H T I W N I Y E M I D N I G H T A F C B E A

S X B T A E C Y B D S E I D Z

T E G O I N H G A J N L A R N I F A H P G C T Z Y O E P F A V K B C D A R I S X W B S K G I Y T O Z P D G N S I R V T A

T D E U D M N H T G Z A H Y V I P B N F A L G B A X T Z D A E R A T L H M E F Y O I E W R S W M D E C N E Y D T O A S T Z J L O B N V A B S J N I P X O U T W I T H T H E O L D B E A G X N W R E S O L U T I O N B E Y D H A L I E T F B K Y G

What price a lie?

Where being dishonest on a CV can be a costly mistake for all concerned.

In 2017, a YouGov survey found that 10% of British people admitted to having lied on their CV, with 40% of those individuals having falsified their education and qualifications. Other subsequent surveys have found that the number of people falsifying or embellishing the truth on their CV could be substantially more than this. As these surveys demonstrate, the issue is perhaps more commonplace than most employers expect. In this article, we explore the legalities of an employee falsifying their CV and what employers can do to mitigate the risk of employing such an individual and what they should do if they find an employee has been dishonest on their CV.

What is the law?

From an employment law perspective, if an employee is found by an employer to have obtained their role through dishonest means by falsifying their CV or providing inaccurate information, depending on the severity of the dishonesty and the element of their experience the employee has falsified, this is likely to be a serious breach of the contract of employment entitling the employer to terminate the employment without notice on the grounds of gross misconduct.

Alternatively, if an employee has wrongly claimed about having the employer’s required qualifications to perform a specific role, it may also be open to an employer to terminate the employment on the grounds of capability. These are the usual routes we expect most employers would take.

However, the recent Supreme Court case of R v Andrewes (2022) acts as a stark reminder, to both employers

and employees, of the potential consequences under criminal law for an employee who falsifies information on their CV and highlights the importance of being honest in the job application process.

In this case, Mr Andrewes obtained employment as the Chief Executive Officer of a hospice, under the false impression that he had particular qualifications by falsifying his CV. In 2017, Mr Andrewes pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage, namely his earnings, by deception under the Theft Act 1968 and also pleaded guilty to fraud. As a result, at the time Mr Andrewes was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. In August this year, the Supreme Court held that it was also proportionate to confiscate a proportion of the wages that Mr Andrewes had earned through fraudulent means and upheld a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 for £96,737.24 of the £643,602.91 net earnings Mr Andrewes had earned during the course of his employment.

Potential Consequences for Employers

During his employment, Mr Andrewes had been complimented by his employer for his strong performance as CEO, which suggests that despite his deception, he had been able to perform the role competently. However, the consequences of hiring an under qualified individual could have a substantial impact on an employer’s business and carries a number of risks from a legal, financial and reputational perspective.

For example, if an employee is not suitably qualified to perform the role they are employed to do, depending

on the type of role, this could give rise to health and safety risks and/or negligence for which the employer will be vicariously liable. An employer is more likely to be held liable for the negligent acts of its employees where the employer failed to carry out proper due diligence on the employees it is engaging to perform certain functions.

Hiring under-qualified employees could mean that the services the employee provides to the employer’s clients and customers is defective which could, in turn, give rise to claims against the business resulting in the employer having to defend costly litigation and suffer substantial financial losses.

Furthermore, hiring candidates who do not have the requisite qualifications and experience may cause the employer to suffer reputational damage. In less serious cases, this could simply mean the job has not been performed to a standard usually expected of their business. In more serious cases, reputational damage could result from the under qualified individual putting other workers and members of the public in harm’s way.

How can employers mitigate this risk?

There are a number of ways in which an employer can demonstrate they have carried out the appropriate due diligence and fact-checking on their candidates to ensure that the job application submitted is truthful and they are appointing a suitably qualified candidate to the role. Practical

steps employers can take to screen candidates includes:

• Background checks

A candidate may be subject to background checks by virtue of the nature of the role they are applying to, such as DBS checks when working with vulnerable individuals. An employer may also consider conducting a credit check, however employers will need to ensure that this is proportionate to the role being applied for. It can also be beneficial to carry out a background check on the candidate by reviewing their publically available social media such as LinkedIn or Facebook. Some employers may wish to take this further, by instructing an investigator to validate/source further information about a candidate. However, before conducting any kind of background check, employers will need to consider whether they have a lawful basis for doing so under data protection laws (see below).

specialist companies who are able to perform background checks to obtain their information.

• Interviewing techniques

An interview is a useful resource to establish whether or not an employer believes a prospective employee to be genuine. Prior to the interview, the employer should carefully review the CV of the candidate to identify any potential gaps. Ask the candidate questions about their history, and try to obtain a detailed understanding of the important areas of their experience.

usually be that the employer has a legitimate interest to collect personal data to decide whether to appoint someone to a role beneficial to their business. However, additional bases will be required where the personal data the employer is proposing to collect is sensitive personal data, such as about criminal convictions.

2. Has the candidate been provided with a privacy notice explaining how their data will be processed?

•

References

It is helpful to ask the applicant for specific, and relevant, references, such as from previous employers, or from an academic institution, to ensure that their employment history or qualifications are correct. Employers may also wish to check the validity of the source by using the company’s/institution’s website to search for their contact details. It is imperative that employers ensure that any job offer is made subject to receiving satisfactory references to avoid having to pay their way out of a contact if the references are not satisfactory.

• Evidence of qualifications

Employers can request that candidates provide their original qualification certificates. It is more challenging for an individual to forge an original hard copy certificate, as opposed to a certificate online. This can give employers the confidence that the appropriate qualifications have been obtained although this may not be practical where the qualifications were obtained some time ago. If a candidate has difficulty providing evidence of their qualifications, there are

If you have any doubts about their answers, you can continue to ask further questions to identify any inconsistencies or use competencybased questions to test a candidate’s ability to perform the role.

If an employer finds that an employee has falsified their CV once they have already started employment, employers will need to be able to demonstrate that they have taken appropriate steps in relation to that employee to mitigate the risk of damage to their business. In most cases, this is likely to mean that the employer commences disciplinary proceedings against the employee which may result in dismissal.

Employers will also need to consider whether it is appropriate to report the employee to the police in the circumstances.

Data protection considerations

It is important that employers consider their obligations under the laws on data protection (namely the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR) before collecting any personal data regarding a candidate. The key considerations for a prospective employer are:

1. Is there a lawful basis for processing the data? This will

Employers should provide prospective employees with a privacy notice, outlining, among others matters, the data that the company intends to collect during the recruitment process, how this data will be used, how it will be stored and processed, and what decisions will be made using this data. The privacy notice should be provided before the data collection process is carried out to ensure that the employer’s obligations have been satisfied.

The consequences of an employee falsifying their CV, both for an employer and employee, are potentially farreaching and in some circumstances can be extremely serious resulting in a criminal conviction. Employers should undertake a review of their recruitment processes to ensure they have an appropriate balance between taking all reasonable steps, in the context of their industry, to verify the information provided by candidates on their suitability for a role and balance this against their data protection obligations.

Featured: Employment update from Taylor Walton

Alec Colson is a Solicitor and Head of Employment at Taylor Walton LLP. He can be contacted on 01582 390470 or via email alec.colson@taylorwalton.co.uk

“A YouGov survey found that 10% of British people admitted to having lied on their CV.”

A Fond Farewell!

Bingo has so many warm and wonderful people, on both sides of the ticket sales and diner counters. Here we remember just some of those whose numbers were called last year.

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.

Albert Green, back row, right, with colleagues at a party night ➜

Albert Green. Pictured at Gala Warrington with Sue Mockett and Margaret Glennon. ➜

Fred Barlow (far right) 4 years ago with Dave Hewitt, Les Franks and the late Albert Green. Fred was one of the most familiar managers in Liverpool, working for Mecca and latterly for Andrew Sail at Garston Empire, The Princess & Paradise Island.

Caroline Carter ➜

JimmyThomas ➜

Bob Jones ➜

Bob Lindley ➜