Bingo Connect - October 2023 - Issue 8

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The Magazine for the Bingo Industry

October 2023 Issue 8 - £6

Lingo for your life!

IN THIS ISSUE

up r e h c u vo s! for grabr u Enter oarch wordse

Martyn’s Law and bingo venues HR in the world of AI EAG2024: It’s almost showtime!

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Foreword Miles Baron, Chief Executive, The Bingo Association

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ear BA member and reader, welcome to the latest edition of Bingo Connect.

It was with a sense of relief that on 4th October the BA submitted its response to the DCMS on ‘ Measures relating to the land based gambling sector consultation’. The response considered three key areas , 80/20 rule, cashless and Local Authority License fees.

But there was only really one area of debate and contention.

Which option of the three given regarding amendments to the 80/20 allocation of B3 Gaming machines would be the best for the licensed bingo Industry?

The BA position is to seek the removal entirely of the rule. This is based on the fact that it is now an outdated and restrictive rule that denies operators the ability to apply local market forces to their product offering. The lifting of this restriction will future proof gaming machine allocations into the future. After all we don’t know when the next opportunity to change legislation will come again. Inflationary pressures on stake and prizes will continue to erode the attractiveness of Category C machines over time particularly with no review of gaming machines stakes and prizes in sight!

Cashless by comparison was a relatively straightforward response. We want removal of the prohibition for direct debit payments on gaming machines and we want it as soon as possible, even if industry might not take advantage of this decision immediately. We all know use of cash is reducing every year. Again we may never have this opportunity again.

On raising local authority license fees the licensed bingo rejects any increase to the existing fees cap, as in effect operators will be paying even more for a service that it doesn’t receive in the first place.

The next area of focus will be the Gambling Commission consultation on changes to the LCCP July 2023 which concludes on the 18th October. This consultation on amendments to the LCCP has sneaked up somewhat under the radar, in particular the proposed requirement relating to ‘consumer choice and direct marketing’. For land based operators with databases ( all of us!) it effectively means a re-register of club members. In itself this is not too challenging if it was not for the auto opt-out GC are proposing bingoconnect.co.uk

for customers not updating their marketing preferences within a period of grace. This has the potential to be very serious for Bingo Clubs who would no longer able to market to a significant section of their membership database. As we all know our membership data is our life blood. The ‘ period of grace ‘ element of this proposal needs removing if Bingo clubs are to have a chance to update the marketing preferences of up to 3 million Bingo club members.

And there are many more consultations to come, not least the introduction of a mandatory levy and the establishment of an Industry Ombudsman.

Conflating the issue is the fact that the time window between now and a general election narrows. A change of government may have implications for the implementation of the White Paper. In recent months we have seen a change in Shadow Gambling Minister from Alex Davies Jones MP with whom the BA had a good relationship, to Stephanie Peacock MP, with whom we are confident we can build a similar positive engagement.

Having spent a couple of days in Manchester with the conservatives, the Bingo Association moved to Liverpool to the Labour Party conference where I was able to host Conference Charity Bingo on Sunday evening, 8th October for conference delegates, MPs and local councillors. We were joined on the night by our star caller Alex Norris MP who also chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bingo.

This is always a great event, especially more pertinent with an election looming and Labour in a seemingly strong position in the polls.

I hope you find the latest edition of Bingo Connect interesting and a good advert for this amazing and resilient industry. Forty years on In the Industry and I feel as much love for the business as I did in October 1983 when I walked through the doors of my first bingo club in Sheffield!

Enjoy the read

Miles Baron Chief Executive October 2023 /

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Contents October 2023

Welcome to Bingo Connect, the magazine for the bingo industry in the UK, and the official magazine of The Bingo Association.

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7

Foreword 3

Miles Baron, Chief Executive, The Bingo Association

In profile

Connolly and his 24 Sean homecoming to Blackpool Gibson tells us how 26 Shaun he was saved by Bingo

/ October 2023

News round up

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Features

Buzz Bingo raises funds for The Stroke Association

Law and the impact 22 Martyn’s on bingo venues

on the success of 12 Building National Bingo Day!

prepares for the Autumn 28 EY Statement

launches brand new 16 BA website

for your life and the 30 Lingo winner Amy Webber

2024: It’s almost 20 EAG showtime!

in the world of artificial 34 HR intelligence

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38 Published in hard copy and digital format (available on our website at www.bingoconnect.co.uk), Bingo Connect covers all things bingo, from news of regulatory development and new products, to industry profiles and charity support. Bingo is at the heart of the community and Bingo Connect is at the heart of the bingo industry.

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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

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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

34 bingoconnect.co.uk

October 2023 /

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News round up

Design, print and beyond Congratulations on crafting your captivating monthly promotional planner featuring thrilling bingo sessions, enticing prizes, and engaging events.

With targeted promotion via SMS and Direct Mail, complemented by wellplaced point-of-sale materials within your club, you’ve set the stage for success. But how can you further amplify your message to draw in footfall and make this your best month yet?

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hipley Creative have some amazing answers to that enduring question. Familiar with their flair in designing Direct Mail and Point of Sale materials, you may not be so familiar with their ability and expertise in transforming these designs into dynamic digital assets. Assets that can seamlessly spotlight bingo sessions across email, Willow screens, websites, mobile apps, and various social media platforms.

Imagine approving a single artwork, and watching as these newly minted digital assets seamlessly populate your website, app, Willow screens, and weekly customer emails while also adapting to be shared across an array of social media channels.

A common enquiry Shipley Creative receive from bingo clients revolves around bingo prices and prize money.

Does your club’s phone seem to ring incessantly? Are you finding it challenging to keep up with the influx of social media messages? Shipley / October 2023

Creative’s digital marketing service can substantially trim incoming calls by a staggering 90% and social media messages by 96%, empowering club teams to dedicate more attention to serving valued customers present within the club.

With SMS and Direct Mail strategies in place, the time may be ripe to bridge any remaining gaps by establishing a connection with your customers through email, Willow screens, your website, app, and social media platforms. Remember, the groundwork has already been laid with your diligently crafted monthly plan and already approved artwork for your Direct Mail and Point of Sale endeavours.

Are you poised to unleash the potential of your website, app, Willow screens, and email database?

Find out how from the Shipley

➜ Creative team: shipleycreative.com

News round up

Buzz Bingo supporting the Stroke Association Buzz Bingo have pledged their support of the Stroke Association through a dedicated three year partnership, to help tackle the social isolation and loneliness felt by stroke survivors and help people to rebuild their lives after stroke.

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hroughout the partnership, Buzz Bingo will raise vital funds for the Stroke Association via special events and fundraising initiatives.

This includes donating over £57,000 to fund a Support Line Officer over the next two years.

During the pandemic, stroke survivors were discharged from hospital

bingoconnect.co.uk

much earlier than normal and returned home to varied levels of communitybased support, sometimes none. NHSEI (NHS England and NHS Improvement) and the Stroke Association worked in partnership to co-design and deliver SA Connect, a telephone follow-up service for newly diagnosed stroke survivors, providing support in the immediate aftermath of stroke.

NHS clinical teams refer all new eligible stroke patients to SA Connect when they leave hospital, receiving a call from one of the Stroke Association’s trained Support Line Officers within two to three working days of being discharged.

“SA Connect has been useful for both patients and family for providing ongoing support when they leave hospital. It reassures hospital staff that patients won’t be alone and will be followed up.”

NHS staff.

SA Connect provides reassurance for newly diagnosed stroke survivors and their loved ones, as well as essential information about the support available to help rebuild lives after stroke. Currently, due to local commissioning variations, only around 40% of the 100,000 newly diagnosed stroke survivors each year currently have access to essential Stroke Recovery Service support from the Stroke Association.

SA Connect aims to ensure that all stroke survivors have access to followup and long-term stroke support once they have left hospital.

Mark Fletcher, Head of Brand Communications at Buzz Bingo, said “We’re delighted to support this vital partnership between the Stroke Association and the NHS. We played a number of charity bingo games in recent years including “Lucky Stars” and “Go Go Bingo” and to see those games of bingo have such a positive impact is a testament to the generosity of our community of players and colleagues.”

➜

www.buzzbingo.com

October 2023 /

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News round up

Full steam ahead for Club 3000 Bingo It’s full steam ahead for Club 3000 Bingo’s new venue at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Edinburgh.

A new 20-year lease was secured by specialist leisure agency C J White Associates.

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ituated at ground floor level, the 27,500 sq ft space will house the brand new purposebuilt state of the art bingo club, at an estimated cost of £5 million.

Patrons at the venue will be well served with free car parking and tram and bus stops located opposite the entrance.

Ocean Terminal offers a mix of retail, leisure and dining options as well as coffee shops, 24-hour Pure Gym, 12 screen Vue Cinema and Scotland’s leading tourist attraction, The Royal Yacht Britannia. The bingo club, when it opens next year, is set to substantially enhance the leisure offering at Ocean Terminal.

Brian Fraser founder of Club 3000 Bingo said, “We are excited to be involved in this new project and look

/ October 2023

forward to opening this club next year to add to the growing portfolio of our existing 23 clubs. It promises to be one of the best clubs ever developed in the UK.” Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investments Ltd, the Scottish owner of Ocean Terminal, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Club 3000 Bingo to Ocean Terminal. Its modern approach to creating an environment for a great night out fits seamlessly with our wider leisure offering and we look forward to the club opening its doors next year. We have ambitious plans for the centre and Club 3000’s long-term commitment to Ocean Terminal is a tremendous seal of approval for what lies ahead.”

Donald Syme who acted for the landlord in the lease negotiation added: “Leith is undergoing a huge regeneration, with more housing, transport links and businesses opening up. In its new location at Ocean Terminal, Club 3000 Bingo will enjoy a growing and thriving community. We’re looking forward to working with Brian and his team to make this one of the best bingo clubs in Scotland.”

➜ club3000bingo.com

News round up

Forget lucky number 7

Mecca Bingo reveals 49 as number that wins most 49 has been officially crowned the luckiest number by Mecca Bingo, after winning call data from its clubs and online games revealed it to be the number that most frequently triggers a big prize win.

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espite this, it seems old superstitions still reign, as number 7 has been revealed as Brits’ luckiest number with a quarter (25%) saying this is their number of choice. It’s followed by a controversial 13 in second, 3 third, then 6 and 8. A quarter (25%) base their choice of lucky number on a significant memory, whilst 22% just like the way it sounds.

Interestingly, younger generations are more likely to base their fortuitous figure on cosmic meanings, compared to older generations (12% vs 2%). When it comes to playing bingo, just under half of Brits (45%) said that they’d make a winning jackpot number their new favourite.

But how, when and where do lucky numbers come into play?

An overwhelming 87% of Brits would use their lucky number as a pin or password, whilst half the nation (52%) admitted they’d go as far as buying a house just because their lucky digits were on the door. This increased to two thirds (67%) of those aged between 26-35; typically the age of first time home buyers. A fifth (20%) of Brits even said they’d name a pet after their lucky number.

Women are more superstitious than men (55% vs 37%), whilst millennials (those aged 26-35) are overwhelmingly more so than those aged 66 and over (61% vs 28%).

Over half (59%) of Brits will do things to either bring them good luck, or avoid bad luck, but a third (30%) say they have no idea where their habits come from.

“Why do we believe in luck? Lee Chambers, expert psychologist said, “As humans, we like to create links between two unrelated things and decide they are impacting each other, such as winning a game like bingo and wearing lucky items. Once we’ve decided something is lucky, we’ll notice and remember anything that confirms this, making belief about luck strong and tied to who we are. There’s also what we call “attribution bias”, where we’re more likely to attribute positive outcomes to our own effort and skills, but negative outcomes to external factors such as “bad luck”.

“Lucky numbers in particular can shape the decisions and attitudes of those who believe in them. We are wired to see patterns, and numbers give us the perfect system to do this within, prompting us to find meaning with numbers beyond the numerical value itself. We have emotional attachments to numbers, and these can be personal or sentimental, tied to things such as birthdays, big life events or culture. Using lucky numbers can make us feel more in control, that we are taking less risks, and even boost our confidence in facing challenges.” bingoconnect.co.uk

When it comes to the superstitions Brits have to bring good luck, the top 10 are: 1. Having a lucky number (32%) 2. Finding a penny and picking it up (32%) 3. Crossing fingers (27%) 4. Seeing a shooting star (24%) 5. Having a good luck charm (24%) 6. Finding a white feather (20%) 7. Seeing a rainbow (19%) 8. Getting pooed on by a bird (17%) 9. Wishing on a wishbone (17%) 10. Certain times, such as 11:11 (16%)

Whilst the top 10 to avoid for bad luck include: 1. Smashing a mirror (43%) 2. Walking under a ladder (37%) 3. Opening an umbrella indoors (32%) 4. Putting new shoes on a table (24%) 5. Forgetting to knock on wood (21%) 6. Not saluting a magpie (19%) 7. Passing on the stairs (17%) 8. Not throwing spilt salt over the shoulder (17%) 9. Spotting a black cat crossing a path (13%) 10. Walking over three drains (13%)

October 2023 /

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News round up

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Royal flush: Mecca players enjoy iconic London trip in the sunshine

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t was a right royal knees up for eleven lucky Mecca Bingo players and their partners, who enjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to London in the September sunshine.

The Royal Weekend competition was held across eleven Mecca Clubs on Saturday 6th May to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. The clubs ran a special royal-themed bingo game, with a full house prize of an all-inclusive London staycation for two, including a night at the luxury Thistle Hyde Park Kensington Gardens hotel, a guided tour of the state rooms and garden at Buckingham Palace and a three-course meal at Grosvenor Casino, The Victoria on Edgware Road. The lucky winners also received a private lesson in casino favourites, blackjack and roulette and were then each given money to spend in the venue.

The event was hosted by Mecca’s Eastern region manager Gavin Williams, Chesterfield general manager Martin Webster and Hull Clough Road general manager Paul Webb. The winners were from Mecca clubs in Beeston, Bolton, Chesterfield, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Oldham, Scarborough, Sheffield and Wakefield.

Mecca regional manager, Gavin Williams, commented, “After weeks of cloudy skies the sun came out for our winners. It really was the perfect way to celebrate the new King’s ‘reign’.”

The winners described the trip as an amazing experience and a fantastic opportunity to meet other bingo fans and make new friends, while one commented; “It was great being treated like royalty for the two days.”

➜ Lucky winners Stewart Matheson, Yvonne Pattison and Lesley Taylor pose with Paul Webb general manager, Mecca Hull Clough Road (second left), outside Buckingham Palace Garden entrance

➜

meccabingo.com

Promote your products and services from as little as £165 per issue Email advertising@bingoconnect.co.uk / October 2023

Presenting bingo in a whole new light ECM Systems are exhibiting at

EAG

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16 - 18 January 2024 Stand F76, ExCeL, London We look forward to showing you what Nucleus and Fusion can do

The No.1 association for bingo The association for all things bingo - working with senior management and operators for more than two decades - successfully promoting and developing the interests of all bingo operators.

For industry news, comment and information on the benefits of membership, visit www.bingo-association.co.uk Call 01582 860921 or email info@bingo-association.co.uk

Shaping policy. Developing business. Driving the industry agenda.

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National Bingo Game

Bingo’s biggest party National Bingo Day

Following the launch of National Bingo Day in 2021, the official awareness day for bingo, year three saw consolidation of activity, and customer and media awareness. The branding for the day has even crossed the Atlantic, with a number of US based organisations picking up on the design and helping to further secure visibility for bingo.

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n 2022 the National Bingo Game, who sponsor the event in the UK, undertook trial digital and broadcast PR activity to support the campaign. Broadcast radio activity worked well and was repeated for 2023 which saw good pick-up across the UK, especially with BBC radio stations who had not previously expressed interest in National Bingo Day. This may have been due to the release of research results, which generally tap into a ‘news’ agenda for media.

The research, undertaken to mark this year’s NBD, used National Bingo Game jackpot win data for the twelve months prior to identify the UK’s luckiest towns, both nationally and regionally, assessing both frequency of jackpot win and total prize money won.

/ October 2023

Lucky Towns research found: • Cardiff to be the luckiest town/city for total jackpot prize winnings, beating Glasgow and London with bingo jackpot winnings of £218,000: North London claimed second place with £171,000 in winnings Medway third, with £162,000: just £9,000 behind North London.

• London to be the luckiest town/city for most jackpot wins, with 598 wins. These were claimed across three clubs, with over 76% (459 wins) being at Merkur Bingo in Cricklewood, netting lucky winners £143,500.

• Merkur Bingo in Cricklewood had the most jackpot wins of any individual bingo club in the country!

• Buzz Bingo Medway claimed the most jackpot prize money of any single club in the county, with £162,000 • Cardiff’s £218,000 bingo bonanza was made up of 323 individual jackpot wins: on average 26 jackpot wins a month.

• Cardiff has three bingo clubs of which Club 3000 Bingo paid out over 61% of the city’s bingo jackpot winnings, (£134,700), but accounted for less than 44% of all jackpot wins in the city (142 wins).

• Liverpool came in second place for frequency with 429 wins, closely followed by Manchester third with 409 and Birmingham fourth 406.

• For those seeking maximum average jackpot prize value, Scotland is the place to be, at Premier Bingo in Perth, where the average jackpot win was £5,844 (9 wins, £52,600 winnings).

• Warrington’s Buzz Bingo was second with an average jackpot prize value of £2,728 (39 wins, £106,400 winnings).

• The National Bingo Game is played twice a day, 364 days a year and offers three levels of jackpot prize; £100, £1,000 and £50,000, in addition to a club prize, which is won on every game, in each participating club.

• The unluckiest town in the country? One without a bingo club!

National Bingo Game

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“ Building on the success of the previous two years, the campaign is becoming a key date in the bingo calendar, engaging players, club staff, operators and MPs – all important audiences for the sector.”

The National Bingo Game ran two promotions to mark bingo’s special day, value and prize led, which delivered well for clubs: • Value Day - increased afternoon sales of 10% • Value Day - increased evening sales of 6% • NBD - increased afternoon sales of 50% • NBD - increased evening sales of 68% • Overall weekly sales increased by 11%

The call to action to action highlighted National Bingo Day and encouraged people to join in the fun and celebrate the great game of bingo.

Radio engagement, focusing on National Bingo Day, highlighting fun and community facts about bingo, in addition to the survey results was led by Miles Baron, CEO of The Bingo Association and Benji Maycock, reigning National Bingo Game Caller of the Year from Mecca Wednesbury.

In total radio interviews reached an audience of over 29 million listeners. bingoconnect.co.uk

Media releases on Lucky Towns research results were also circulated to print and online titles, trade and consumer titles, for which regional and national versions were used.

The Bingo Association also celebrated the day, and encouraged all its member clubs to play a special game of bingo on Friday 23rd, raising funds for Variety, the children’s charity. MPs with bingo clubs in their constituencies were also invited to get involved, by attending clubs to call the game: a number of which did, talking to players and sharing pictures on their social media.

In total the games raised over £25,500.

The combined promotional messaging from land and online operators about National Bingo Day and further support from the National Bingo Game through paid for media and PR activity, has led to the event’s profile rising further, creating a strong starting point for National Bingo Day 2024. The increase in awareness is not only amongst operators and players,

but also the broader media, who are starting to recognise the event as an important date in the consumer calendar.

Miles Baron, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association said “National Bingo Day has once again proved to be a valuable and important event for operators and an important date in the calendar for players.

“Building on the success of the previous two years, the campaign is becoming a key date in the bingo calendar, engaging players, club staff, operators and MPs – all important audiences for the sector.”

Online operators also ran a wide range of activity, both in regard to supporting communities and charities, and running special promotions: Jackpotjoy raised over £7,000 for Variety – The Children’s Charity.

➜ Details of next year’s National

Bingo Day, on Thursday 27th June 2024 will be announced early in the new year. You can register for updates at www.nationalbingoday.co.uk

October 2023 /

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News round up

Bingo Plus The innovative game-changer for UK bingo

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n the evolving world of bingo, one name is surging ahead with remarkable growth rates: Bingo Plus. The company has delivered year-on-year growth, and record numbers in August and September this year, firmly establishing itself as the UK’s fastest-growing bingo network. The numbers are up a staggering 30% on last year!

What’s behind this success? The Hull-based team at Wexel Gaming, who have skilfully captured the essence of what players and operators are looking for.

Renowned businesses such as Parkdean Resorts, Merkur, Admiral, LOL Bingo, Coral Island and many more are capitalising on Bingo Plus, finding it an invaluable complement to sit alongside their existing products.

➜ Right: Charlie at Admiral Chapel Street

What sets Bingo Plus apart?

If you’re new to Bingo Plus, here’s what you’re missing: a consistently available bingo service offering an array of games from 10am to 11pm every single day. The experience is enriched by live-streamed games hosted by engaging Presenters, who create an atmosphere akin to a traditional “main stage bingo” environment.

But the experience doesn’t stop there. Players interact in real-time with the Presenters during the game, a feature that gives Bingo Plus a distinct advantage over typical online bingo platforms.

The Team behind the innovation Bingo Plus is broadcast from two cutting-edge digital TV studios based in Hull. A team of dedicated professionals keeps the gaming experience fresh and exciting. And to further enhance customer experience and engagement, a newly launched website is now live at www.playbingoplus.com The Presenters, all of whom are media and drama-trained, are fast-becoming the familiar faces of Bingo Plus. Their interactive approach sets the platform apart, and their growing celebrity status is fostering a vibrant community around the brand. In fact, they often take to the road to meet customers face-to-face – giving out merch, taking selfies and signing autographs – the customers love it!

Credible alternative to ‘main stage’ bingo All of these ingredients combine to create a bingo offering that has scale, atmosphere and excitement – something that other digital bingo formats find tough to replicate. / October 2023

So it’s no surprise that two more major UK bingo operators are now taking a serious look at Bingo Plus, and exploring how they can seamlessly integrate it alongside their existing products.

For some operators, Bingo Plus enhances their usual offer, neatly running alongside their core product – either providing an alternative standalone bingo solution - or a secondary offering to help prop up weaker sessions and deliver longer days. It can alleviate unnecessary APM on lower admission sessions, or even run side-by-side with their normal bingo - working in parallel and improving their margin. This means that weak, unprofitable, and operationally challenging sessions can quickly move into profit through the introduction of the Bingo Plus system.

(No more sessions with 30 customers and 8 staff!)

For some, Bingo Plus is their standalone bingo product.

News round up

➜ Left: Gary, a Bingo Plus Presenter, on a recent visit to Coral Island in Blackpool ➜ Below: Bingo Plus is delivered from state-of-the-art studios in Hull

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in an array of modular configurations, they’re all beautifully designed, manufactured and installed for each customer.

There’s the popular 6-player ‘circular’ table, a 3-player unit that looks fantastic at the end of a run of slots machines, a 4-player community unit with a large flat-screen that delivers the wow factor and exciting gaming, and the GTAB – Wexel’s new self-service tablet.

All units deliver exciting Cat C and Cat D slots and bingo variant games, and even roulette straight to customers’ hands – broadening the appeal to customers and providing operators with more revenue opportunities.

Accompanying this are a range of commercial solutions, that enable operators to get up and running as quickly as possible. From equipment purchase to profit-share agreements, there’s something to suit all business models.

There are even some lower-cost options for operators on a tight budget.

Come and see it for yourself As they say, the proof is in the pudding. So that’s why the Wexel Gaming team are happy to welcome any operator to come and see Bingo Plus for themselves in Hull. Here you will meet the team, have a tour of the studios to see the game going out live, and see the bingo magic coming to life!

➜ Get in touch with the team by calling

01482 620919, and to find out more about Bingo Plus, visit www.playbingoplus.com

Businesses like LOL Bingo and Coral Island entrust their entire bingo offer to the system, and every single day, they deliver fantastic value and great prize money – all with a personal touch.

Success is driven through strength in numbers. With more and more businesses joining the network, operators and customers quickly start to benefit from pooled liquidity.

Games start at just 25p, and there’s soon to be three ‘main stage’ games every 30 minutes, with up to £500 jackpots.

The National Bingo Game with up to £50,000 jackpots is also played twice a day – something that similar systems on the market don’t offer.

Operationally, Bingo Plus takes the strain and saves money. All the games are planned and scheduled by the team, and any promotional activity is taken care of.

On the floor itself, the number of staff needed to service the customers is massively reduced, and there’s no need for book sales. In fact, some operators are using just a single member of staff to facilitate and serve their customers.

But whatever their reasons for joining Bingo Plus, all operators are unanimous in that it brings an added dimension and valuable revenue stream to their businesses.

Hardware and commercials that pack a punch Every operator is different, and that’s why Wexel Gaming have a fantastic range of state-of-the-art hardware. Available bingoconnect.co.uk

➜ Coral Island, Blackpool

October 2023 /

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News round up

BA launches brand new website The Bingo Association is thrilled to announce the launch of their brand-new website!

After months of hard work and dedication, the team are excited to unveil a fresh online experience that will greatly benefit members and their customers.

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he new website has been designed to be more userfriendly, informative, and a visually appealing platform for members and the general public to use. It is fully responsive, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Some of the key features and improvements users can explore are: • Improved Navigation - finding information, products, and services is now simpler and more intuitive with improved navigation structure.

• New Members Search Directory accessed via the Home Page, Members Directory and Self-Exclusion pages, visitors can now find their nearest bingo venue(s) and its contact details quickly and more efficiently, via an interactive map.

• Events Calendar - keep up-to-date on all the latest industry events being held throughout the year.

• Enhanced Members Area - forming part of the benefits of membership, members can log into an exclusive members only area containing a host of industry specific information, guidance and resources, and the option to sign up for email updates.

• Operators Handbook (online) - previously released in hard copy and pdf formats, this invaluable and reliable resource for bingo operators is now available online and contains

/ October 2023

essential information, practical guidance and advice on how to remain compliant with licensing objectives and regulatory obligations.

• Bingo Industry Training courses - access to the latest sector specific training courses for land-based bingo operators.

The address for the new website remains unchanged, at www.bingoassociation.co.uk, and all existing logins will continue to work on the new website. Individuals with an

existing login will receive a ‘Password Reset’ email to their registered email address.

For any new login requests, please email: membership@bingoassociation.co.uk Visit the new website at www.bingo-association.co.uk and explore all the exciting changes and developments. The Association team welcome your feedback, thoughts and suggestions as they continue to refine and enhance The Bingo Association’s online presence and members’ user experience.

News round up

Save the date: BA Annual Roadshow 2023 The Bingo Association is delighted to announce that it will once again be holding its ‘roadshow’ for members on Thursday 30th November 2023 in the Park Suite of the Mercure Manchester Hotel from 2.00pm – 4.30pm. As well as updating Association members on the current issues facing the industry and the work of the Association, the agenda for the day will include an update on all things Meeron and the NBGA. In addition to this guest speakers will also provide updates on: Martyn’s Law Energy management

In Profile If you would like to feature in our ‘In Profile’ section, or know someone who you think would make a great profile

Contact us at info@bingoconnect.co.uk bingoconnect.co.uk

New bank notes Lunch will be served from 12.45pm with the meeting starting promptly at 2pm. All are welcome from all levels and specialist areas within member companies, including General Managers, Head Office functions and field-based support.

Members of the Association wishing to attend on the 30th November are asked to confirm, including any dietary requirements, by email, to Sharon Salmon at the Association. A ‘save the date’ will be sent to members, who must still confirm attendance.

Got a job vacancy you need to fill?

Reach the whole of the bingo industry Email advertising@ bingoconnect.co.uk October 2023 /

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News round up

The annual cross-industry initiative to promote safer gambling in the United Kingdom and Ireland takes place this year from 13th – 19th November.

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he 2023 campaign builds on the growing success of the previous five years, in which support and awareness have continued to increase.

Key successes and milestones from the 2022 campaign include: • Safer Gambling Week 2022 smashed previous social media records, generating nearly 30 million impressions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 21% up on the previous year.

• Polling found that awareness of all the safer gambling tools was greater post the Week. For example, awareness of a timeout or cool off period increased from 30% preSG Week to 34% post.

• A large number of cross-party senior MPs and peers including former gambling minister Damian Collins MP and several shadow ministers including the Shadow Gambling Minister Alex Davies Jones MP – all gave their backing to the campaign.

• EGR hosted a Safer Gambling Forum which provided an opportunity for the industry to share knowledge and best practice on safer gambling, alongside hearing updates from safer gambling charities.

• Among the well-known sporting figures to support Safer Gambling Week 2022 were former football manager Harry Redknapp and former Celtic striker John Hartson, who both recorded videos promoting safer gambling.

Safer Gambling Week continues to have unprecedented support from across the industry; arcades, bingo clubs, bookmakers, casinos and online, both from operators affiliated to sector trade associations and those who are not, creating a genuinely pan-industry campaign.

The Week aims to reach the widest possible audience and stimulate conversations about safer gambling: engaging with customers, operators (land and online), associations, media owners, support agencies, influencer and training organisations, government agencies and, more broadly, the general public. / October 2023

Safer gambling Let’s talk material, including about Safer key safer gambling messages and Gambling... information, are set to be displayed Always remember... both in venues and Only spend what you can afford online, with coverage of the campaign Set your limits for time and money anticipated in the news, on social To find out more: media and partner Speak to a member of websites. In addition staff at the place you gam ble to this training Visit and events are safergamblinguk.org being organised Call the FREE, confide ntial National Gambling Help by gambling line 0808 8020 133 Open: 24 hours a day businesses and , every day leading charities Visit Gamcare.org.uk and chat online with an adv iser such as GamCare and YGAM. The key objectives of SG @SGWeek #SGWeek23 Week remain consistent with previous campaigns and are to raise awareness of: • How to gamble more safely • The tools that are available to help customers gamble more safely all year round • Sources of further advice and support for those who need it.

Briefing documents and access to resources have been circulated by trade associations and remain available through the Safer Gambling Week website: safergamblinguk.org

News round up

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Putting the ‘I’ in emotional intelligence Have you ever found yourself in a heated discussion at home or perhaps with a colleague? Do you find it frustrating or disappointing when others don’t see your point of view? What triggers you to react the way you do? Daniel Goleman is the author and psychologist who popularised the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI), and he argues that EI can be more important than IQ .

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aking time to understand what makes you tick, and what makes those around you tick, is a powerful tool that will help you both personally and professionally. High emotional intelligence supports effective and empathetic-driven interactions, which as you know, are needed in a customer-facing environment such as bingo.

At GamCare, we work with both land-based and online gambling operators, and understand that in the bingo environment, knowing your customer is integral to the work that you do. It’s what makes bingo so unique; many customers see you as part of their extended family.

With the gambling white paper proposing to increase the proportion of Category B gaming machines from 20 to 50 percent in bingo venues, there comes an added risk that more customers could experience harm from gambling. The proposed change makes it even more critical for operators to ensure their staff are well trained to support customers, and our continued work alongside The Bingo Association aims to support you and your teams in doing so.

Our one-day accredited safer gambling training will give your staff a chance to further develop communication skills to interact more effectively with customers. We’ll hear from people with lived experience to better understand harmful gambling behaviours, explore communication models to support your interactions, have a look at Emotional Intelligence along the way, and of course share the most up to date information on the services that GamCare offer.

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“ Very engaging and the course was easy to follow.”

Delegate

We’ve also been working with The Bingo Association to develop customised customer interaction eLearning.

Our case studies, both for the eLearning and face-to-face sessions, have been developed specifically for the bingo environment, so it’s no surprise that bingo colleagues have agreed that the training has been both engaging and relevant to them.

Don’t delay – email sharon@nationalbingo.co.uk to book or enquire about our one-day training and eLearning. We can’t wait to meet you!

➜ Watch our Safer Gambling Training video

➜ Follow our Safer Gambling Team on LinkedIn

October 2023 /

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News round up

It’s almost showtime: EAG 2024 Bingo Connect talks to Nicola Lazenby It’s has been a year since you became show director of EAG – has the challenge lived up to your expectations and what’s surprised you?

I think the first thing to say is that the year has absolutely flown by! I joined at a pivotal time as the industry was beginning to recover from the impact of Covid, a seismic occurrence which also forced the cancellation of live events. The big question for the exhibition’s sector was how quickly would businesses get back into face-toface events or would digital commerce become the norm? This coincided with bacta, the trade association which owns EAG deciding to bring organisation of the show in-house.

The strategy was to make 2023 an edition of consolidation and create a platform for growth. In the event EAG 2023 enjoyed a 36% uplift in attendance which was way ahead of what we forecast. Although I’m

/ October 2023

no stranger to the amusements, bingo and low-stake gaming sectors having previously worked on the marketing of EAG predecessor ATEI, I’d forgotten quite how different this sector is. It’s full of energy, full of fun, and populated by people with a genuine passion for the business. The people-centric spirit of EAG is unique and integral to its success.

‘The Year Starts Here’ is your creative theme for 2024. Can you explain the thinking and the background to its adoption?

As the world’s only business-tobusiness exhibition which brings together low-stake land-based gaming, bingo and out of home pay-to-play amusements, EAG sets the tone for the year ahead attracting thousands of buyers drawn from all sectors of the industry including bingo clubs, family entertainment centres, adult gaming centres, piers, visitor attractions, bars, clubs and bowling centres – amongst many others.

Speaking with both EAG exhibitors and EAG visitors in the lead-up to, during and after the 2023 show it became clear that both groups see EAG as being central to the year ahead. The conversations which take place in January at ExCeL, London to a large extent will sign-post the industry’s direction of travel for the remainder of 2024. There are more than 100 brands and companies represented on stands at EAG and all of them timetable their R&D programmes ➜ Nicola Lazenby

so that products can be unveiled at show - which explains why EAG represents such a trusted resource for buyers and why for them the year starts when the doors open on EAG. What changes have you made to the show and the way it’s delivered?

I’m a great believer in delivering the simple things perfectly. It’s the touchpoints that visitors and exhibitors have with a show that really matter. Behind the scenes, I like to think that we’ve tightened up the processes in place for exhibitors and their contractors, and made all the laborious stuff easier – nobody wants to spend too much time thinking about build-up and break-down, and neither should they: instead their focus should be on the days when the show is open, engaging with new customers and spending quality time with clients in a professional environment. For visitors we are making it easier to register for the event, easier to navigate the show, network with colleagues and do business all in a pleasant and sociable environment. I want to make EAG visitors feel that they are at the heart of the industry and the community during their time at EAG. One of my objectives is to encourage more people to attend on multiple days.

That means making the show floor

News round up

busy with business centric events, networking opportunities, the very best exhibitors and of course the EAG Seminar programme. With that in mind we will be building on the success of the 2023 programme and are in the process of finalising content to meet the needs of the industry and incorporating the feedback we received.

You’re not new to the industry having previously worked on ATEI – what’s changed?

Exhibitions can only reflect the various sectors that they serve. As the business has changed so has the show. I think a key constant is the personality and the characters. Their passion for the industry and the sense of community and camaraderie shine through. One of the stand-out features of EAG is that it is a show with an unbelievable history but also one which serves an industry driven by technology and with a mission to deliver compelling out of home pay to play entertainment. It’s a great mix and one which runs through the various sectors that EAG serves. bingoconnect.co.uk

Can you explain the thinking behind the launch of The Bingo Hub which was introduced last year?

Delivering a compelling show floor which reflects the dynamism of the industry has been a central objective and bingo is a really important part of the EAG experience. Rather than have bingo suppliers located throughout the exhibition, by working with our customers and with the help of the Bingo Association we have created a central point where visitors with a special interest in bingo can meet and do business. Some of the best known suppliers to the bingo industry participated in 2023 and that will be the case in January. 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 the feature will continue to go from strength to strength.

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products. The opportunities provided will be transformative for both venue and game style augmenting the customer experience and delivering an enhanced cash box. Given that bacta is in advanced discussions with DCMS over potential increases in the maximum permitted stakes and prizes for the low stakes/low prize gaming machine sector, 2024 promises to be one of the most significant instalments of EAG in recent memory.

Finally, what’s your advice to readers who may be in two minds about attending. How would you convince them to make the trip to ExCeL London?

I think EAG is all about starting the business year with a bang. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to see the very latest ground-breaking products across both gaming and amusements and feed off the energy that you can only experience at a market-leading live event. Add to this an opportunity to meet with colleagues and peers, a free seminar programme packed with business relevant content and a hub dedicated to the bingo sector and it’s clear that there’s nothing to lose and so much for operators to gain from participating in the show.

➜ The Bingo Hub makes its

return to EAG 2024, with show registration live in October 2023. For the latest show information visit: www.eagexpo.com

Has publication of the White Paper impacted EAG and if so in what ways?

One of the many advantages of being owned by bacta is that I have direct and immediate access to industry experts. I share an office with bacta CEO John White, my Chairman Martin Burlin is a former bacta National President and the EAG Board comprises leading executives active in the industry. As a result the show will absolutely meet the needs and demands of the industry – of that there is no doubt. The bacta analysis is that the very real prospect of significant change in the gambling landscape by Summer 2024 means that EAG will be the launchpad for manufacturers and suppliers looking to showcase the next generation of October 2023 /

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Feature: Martyn’s Law

A duty to protect The United Kingdom is no stranger to terror attacks in public spaces and has suffered a number of recent low-sophistication attacks.

This is in addition to the devastation of larger-scale atrocities, such as the Manchester Arena bombing.

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artyn Hett aged 29 was one of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

His mother, Figen Murray, has campaigned for changes in the law which would tighten security at venues and require authorities to have proactive plans against terror attacks. This has given rise to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, which is currently being scrutinised by a Home Affairs Select Committee and if passed will create a duty to protect.

Martyn’s Law is pending UK wide legislation that will place a requirement on those responsible for certain public premises and events to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures. This is likely to include venues providing bingo.

The Bingo Association has been considering the potential implications and exploring what bingo operators can do to better protect themselves and those that visit their premises.

The Association spoke with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) to discuss this and explore their free, publically available protective security guidance and how it can support the safety and security of businesses, employees and customer Why are bingo operators being asked to consider and adopt protective security and emergency preparedness considerations into their operating processes and practices?

In recent years, the UK has suffered a number of lowsophistication terror attacks at public places, in addition to the devastation of larger scale atrocities such as that at the Manchester Arena in 2017. We have also seen a notable change in the terrorist threat, with a much broader focus towards any person, in any way, at any place and without notice, making the opportunity for detection more difficult.

Whilst we are still focussing on high profile sites we are also looking at ways in which we can ensure that all venues and public spaces are suitably educated and supported, to help strengthen their protection and be better prepared to respond to such an atrocity in the unlikely event of it occurring, whilst knowing what to do should such an incident take place.

Current and emerging Home Office Policy is driving the core mission to keep people safe and aims to better protect our public places from terrorism. A whole system approach / October 2023

“ Martyn’s Law will enhance public safety by ensuring there is better preparedness for, and protection from, terrorist attacks through the protection of public venues and events.” is being adopted to include incorporating protection and preparedness opportunities and outcomes to support all business sectors where there could be an impact on local venues and public spaces. This presents us with the opportunity to support wider industry and business on better protecting everyone from terrorism.

In addition the Home Office have recently published a draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law. Martyn’s Law will enhance public safety by ensuring there is better preparedness for, and protection from, terrorist attacks through the protection of public venues and events. The Bill imposes certain proportionate requirements on premises/events which will lead to better, and more, consistent, protective security across the UK. We at the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) have produced public guidance which covers a number of protective security and preparedness themes including physical, personnel, cyber and personal security that supports and helps give guidance on how different sectors can act to help make their businesses, institutions,

Feature: Martyn’s Law

organisations and settings, safer. This guidance is free and primarily aimed at those who own or run businesses, organisations, amenities or utilities.

It is as important now as it has ever been to embed good protective security and preparedness principles into business and industry, especially where we can directly impact on the safety and security of venues, public spaces and public events including bingo venues.

What is the ultimate aim?

To provide organisations and businesses with free protective security and preparedness opportunities for them to support the safety and security of their business, employees and customers.

NaCTSO are delivering a number of 1 hour, Workshop Wednesday Webinars highlighting the free protective security advice and guidance offerings provided by NaCTSO. The sessions cover the entire ProtectUK ecosystem of our free information platform, App and award winning e-Learning course, drawing upon speakers from industry and NaCTSO to explore the case for each. The sessions also provide ways in which you can deploy these digital offerings, which are all free for your organisation.

The next session is on Wednesday 18th October and can be booked at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/673690003937

To find out more and for free practical advice: Visit ProtectUK at WWW.ProtectUK.police.uk and sign up to receive the latest news, guidance and upcoming events. The ProtectUK website and App is the online resource for free training, advice and guidance aimed at helping organisations and the public.

Do the award winning online ACT Awareness E-Learning, it takes 45 minutes and once completed you will have a better understanding of the current terrorist threat and learn about the best practices to help counter terrorism and increase your security awareness which could help in other areas such as loss prevention.

Get the ProtectUK App, which provides potentially life-saving advice and the steps to take in the event of a terrorist attack. It details what is required to help protect your staff, customers and members of the public, making sure organisations are adequately prepared for any eventuality.

Want to keep completely up to date with everything that’s happening in the World of Bingo?

Then pop over to our online companion website Read the very latest news and views on your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. It’s a ‘full house’ of information!

Visit bingoconnect.co.uk

bingoconnect.co.uk

October 2023 /

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In profile: Sean Connolly

Coming home Having worked in 25 clubs over 35 years, Sean Connolly could not be happier with club number 25, the brand new Club 3000 Bingo in Blackpool. This is the second ‘new’ club opening of Sean’s career, the first having been Hunts Cross Liverpool 25 years ago, and marks a homecoming for the Fleetwood boy, who was born at Glenroyd Maternity Hospital, just a few minutes away from the Blackpool club.

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rowing up in Fleetwood, just along the coast from Blackpool, Sean’s family had no direct connection with bingo, other then relatives in Ireland who liked a game or two. Neither his father, a marine engineer for P&O, nor his mother, a book keeper, had ever played.

Sean’s first foray into the world of work was with Fine Fare Supermarkets in 1981, while attending 6th form college in Blackpool. With good grades he decided to study Geography at Staffordshire Polytechnic, now Staffordshire University, which also saw him work for Smiths Crisps, Pork Farms and a stint trying to sell double glazing.

With the end of his course approaching Sean decided to apply for a role with the Civil Service, specifically the now defunct Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS). “I was bored rigid” Sean commented. “I knew I needed to find something else, but the question was what?” / October 2023

“I saw an advert in the Blackpool Evening Gazette for Trainee Managers for Coral Social Clubs, but realised I knew little if anything about bingo. I applied anyway and decided before my interview that I needed find out more. So, I paid a visit to the bingo club, which was located in the Coral Island Complex in Blackpool, on New Bonny Street. I was amazed how busy and exciting the atmosphere was!

“I was interviewed by HR Director Richard Colin, who offered me a role as a Trainee Manager at the Coral Social Club in Preston. I knew straight away that I had found my vocation.”

Like many who find their way into a career in bingo, the introduction may be by chance, but once involved it’s an active choice to stay.

Sean continued, “That was back in 1988, since when I have worked in 25 clubs including stints with with Gala (now Buzz) and Buckingham, which have taken me as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Hove. I’ve worked in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford and Stoke-on-Trent too.”

Married to Sara, with whom he has

an 11 year old daughter Kitty, Sean also has two grown-up children Harry, who is studying at Newcastle University, and Louise, a midwife at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. A firm fan of not only bingo, but quizzes and pop music, Sean has appeared on Ken Bruce’s Popmaster eleven times, including two appearances on Champion’s League Popmaster.

For Sean bingo is not only a career and leisure activity, but since 2015 has also been a hobby, in the form of a Bingo Archive on Facebook, Bingo Photos Old & New. “Bingo has a great history, the buildings, the characters (both sides of the book sales desk) and all the events and parties, and people. I realised that there was no central record of our community, which has changed so much, even since I joined. So, I started collecting pictures and asking colleagues for their old prints and digital images. Once I had set up the Facebook group it started to grow and of course the regular feature in Bingo Connect has not only allowed me to share old pictures and memories, but also encourage people to send pictures to me, via Facebook.”

The preparation for and launch of the new club in Blackpool, which opened on Saturday 1st July, has not left Sean with much downtime, let alone spare time, so playing bingo and digitising photographs has had to take a back seat.

Having invested £5 million in the building, Club 3000’s latest venue presents an innovative design and layout, that is already a hit with customers. The opening party was a headline grabbing night to remember, where over 800 customers were treated to a variety of entertainment,

In profile: Sean Connolly

including magicians, entertainer Craig Harper and great bingo. Actors Joe Duttine and Sally Carman-Duttine, who play Tim Metcalfe and Abi Franklin in Coronation Street, performed the honours of cutting the ribbon.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the opening night. The key to it was all the preparation we did beforehand for it to run smoothly. My area Manager, Patrick Brignall, had produced some amazing graphics and we had rehearsed the ceremony at least 20 times in the run up to the opening. There was some amazing support from family and friends at the opening night and of course having some Coronation Street actors along made it more exciting for our customers.

One former colleague said I looked very relaxed which I took as a compliment!

Sean continues “There is always pressure on you when a new club opens, as you want it to be a success not just for yourself and the team but also for the whole company. I was confident with the substantial investment in recruitment, training and marketing, and the experience we have in opening new clubs that it was always going to be a success.”

With a career spanning over 35 years this is not the first club that Sean had opened. Having launched Hunts Cross, Liverpool 25 years ago he knew exactly how demanding the task can be and was surprised that at 57 years of age Club 3000 Bingo founder Brian Fraser was not offering the role to someone younger.

“At the age of 57, I thought I may be a bit too old to take on such a challenge, but the company has gave me a fabulous support team, and Brian Fraser persuaded Mike Travis out of retirement to be my House Manager. His experience has been invaluable.

Knowing exactly how demanding opening a club can be and the ensuing pressure to then build the business is a

bingoconnect.co.uk

role and task that many might shy away from.

Preparation for a launch and the launch event is just the beginning.

“I took the position because I knew the potential that opening in a town like Blackpool offered.

When I started in bingo there were nine bingo clubs on the Fylde Coast. When The Empire closed in 2020, this took the number of clubs in the area down to just two. From working all over the UK, I was aware just how many customers visit Blackpool and play bingo when they are here.

“There is a huge appetite for bingo and not just from those visiting.

Whilst we’ve had a lot of visits from visiting customers, the majority of the custom is local from the Fylde coast. What has surprised me has been the amount of younger people attending at night, lots of who are new to club bingo, having either played online or at a nightclub type event.

“We have been open for thirteen weeks and already have a loyal, local customer base, whose ages range from 18 to 80. We are also seeing coach parties attend and groups of friends and work teams book in for parties.

The last four years have proved to be an extremely challenging trading environment for bingo, with a number of clubs closing. In contrast, Club 3000 Bingo continues to expand, with plans for further venues in the coming months.

“Bingo has a real future. The beauty of the game is its simplicity, it is a fun, exciting game within a safe environment and part of the local community.

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➜ Sean with George Best

➜ Sean with Keith Lee

“I think the key to Club 3000’s success is being simple and completely transparent in what we offer” Sean said.

“We also want all our customers, regulars and new, to have a great night out and feel part of our community.

“We also invest heavily in our clubs and the facilities within them. In the last eight years over £15m has been invested in refurbishments alone, which excludes the investment in building and opening Blackpool. We are planning refurbs in our Mansfield and Old Trafford clubs in the next few months, alongside a £2M refurb in Cardiff starting next month and the refurbishment of our flagship club, in Coatbridge. And £5.5m on a brand new club in Edinburgh, opening next year.

“I love working for Club 3000. It’s bingo how it should be.”

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In profile: Shaun Gibson

Saved by Bingo Born in Ayr, a town immortalised in the Robert Burns poem ‘Tam o Shanter’, according to which it is the home of ‘honest men and bonnie lassies’, Shaun Gibson Operations Director for Carlton Bingo was initially set for a career in accountancy, when a very different numbers based business stepped in and saved him.

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rowing up in 1970s Ayr with his elder sister, Shaun’s first school, Forehill Primary, presented no opportunities to misbehave, thanks to the fact that his mother was a teacher at the school. Any bad behaviour or poor conduct was quickly reported back.

While many of his wider family were fishermen, Shaun’s father broke with tradition and became one of the very earliest computer consultants, when computing by modern day standards was in its infancy.

Shaun did not share his father’s interest in IT but he did share his love of the accordion, which he started to learn at the age of seven, initially playing the piano accordion before progressing to the much more complex button accordion.

This and a love of sport, both as a participant and spectator, have delivered a variety of overseas travel and memorable experiences.

“I used to be a keen sportsman playing football, volleyball, squash and rugby. I have always had a keen interest in sport right from my first school days. Although my playing days are behind me, I now watch on TV and occasionally swing a golf club, helping to support golf ball manufacturers in the process!”

Shaun said.

While the Irish football team have led him around West Coast America and the Scottish rugby team to Paris and Rome, his accordion playing abilities have seen him touring France, Germany and parts of Canada.

“I do enjoy watching sport and combining this with visiting places. I followed Ireland around the USA West Coast on a rare occasion Scotland did not qualify for a World cup. I have also been to Paris and Rome when Scotland have been playing rugby. I also used to play the accordion with a fiddle orchestra and toured France, Germany and parts of Canada which was a fantastic experience.”

Having made the decision to pursue a career in finance, Shaun attended Glasgow University to study accountancy, feeling that a life in audit, with balance sheets and profit and loss statements was his calling. Sport remained a passion while at uni and saw him become Captain of the University’s volleyball team, a sports connection that presented another / October 2023

international connection, this time with Russia.

As Captain of the volleyball team Shaun was involved in the hosting of the first ever visit of a volleyball team from Russia. Language was no barrier as the Russian team came equipped with their own ample supply of vodka, which they were only too happy to share with their hosts, the night prior to the match.

Now whether this act was one of selflessness and done in the ‘spirit’ of friendship, or a conscious premeditated act of sabotage no one is able to say for sure. Nor could any conclusions be reached about the abilities and sporting prowess of the teams. However, what this historic moment in East-West cultural exchanges did demonstrate, as evidenced by the results of the following day’s match, is that the Russian Team’s ability to handle large quantities of alcohol far surpassed that of the Scottish team, who were left to nurse hangovers and a humiliating defeat.

It was while at university that Shaun secured a part-time job as a supermarket shelf stacker. “I started stacking shelves at Safeway (now Morrisons) to help pay my way through university. I have always said that I could yet end up back there at some stage, when the Bingo career has run its course, but not just yet!”

As his accountancy course came to an end Shaun started to consider his next move. Safeway was not appealing and accountancy, after studying it for three years, had lost some of its glow.

“After my course had finished I had no burning sense of direction and I was not as sure of accountancy as I had been when leaving school. I saw a job advertised for the leisure industry, stating at 11am. To my uni conditioned body clock this seemed ideal!

“Turned out that the role was with Mecca Bingo. So, as many people have said before, I thought let’s give this a try for a bit.

The ‘bit’ has lasted thirty-one years and I’m still in it!”

Shaun’s first steps in the bingo industry started as a trainee manager at Mecca Bingo Rosyth, before moving on to Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, including a brief stint with Gala (now Buzz). In 1997 he joined Carlton Bingo as a

In profile: Shaun Gibson

general manger, initially in Whitley Bay (which was his first GM position), then Hartlepool, Livingston and Dunfermline.

2015 saw him move away from being club based into an operations role.

“I am currently Operations Director with Carlton Bingo, a role I took up in April 2022 after Carlton became the first bingo company to become an employee-owned business, which was an exciting process to be involved with.

“Bingo has afforded me the chance to meet and work with so many great people and characters, customers, staff and other operators. It is a unique business and has certainly changed over the years, but what has always remained constant is the community aspect. I did have the opportunity back in 2014 to be one of the hosts for the National Bingo Game’s VIP Cruise, which took 130 winners round the Med for a week, all expenses paid. It didn’t matter which club the winners came from, they all had a great time together.

“I believe this was highlighted during lockdown when you could see hundreds of comments on Facebook about how much bingo customers missed their local club and the social contact that bingo provided for them. Just ask the government how many of our customers emailed them when we asked for their help in our campaign for equal support for the bingo sector.

They responded in their thousands!

“Since lockdown putting fun back into bingo and building community has been a key activity and not just through games and events funded by the clubs. Many players view their involvement with their club as much, if not more, about social than the bingo. Carlton had been looking at activities, away from the club, paid for by customers but organised by club. Criag Oliver, GM at Dunfermline is taking players away for weekends. In May 2024 200 players are off to Blackpool, with a full schedule of activity, and will be taking over an entire hotel. Each place paid for by the player.

“More recently we have been extremely pleased to see the increasing numbers of younger customers joining our clubs. During a period of rising costs, I believe bingo is seen as a value for money leisure activity by all age groups.

You can play bingo, have a meal and enjoy a drink for £20.

“Appealing to a wide variety of age groups can be a challenge but people love the core product, and combining this with new fun late-night shows, along with more traditional events, makes it more appealing and accessible.

“We (bingo clubs) are seen as a safe, friendly and fun environment by customers and getting that message out to a wider audience is the next challenge we need to overcome.”

While a return to contact sports, at least as a participant, is not on the horizon, golf and accordion playing are.

Having had his button accordion tuned, partner Kerry, who he met at bingo over fifteen years ago, is hoping that golf remains the primary appeal! While not a pro at the stick and ball game, Shaun helps colleague Stephen Morrisson with Carlton’s Annual Charity Golf Day – a great day out and a good excuse for operators to get together and raise money.

As he contemplates whether or not a return to Safeway (Morrisons) will ever actually happen, Shaun is currently being distracted by the arrival of a new Springer Spaniel puppy called Snoopy. Despite this and the tuned accordion bingoconnect.co.uk

waiting in the corner he still finds time for the occasional game of bingo.

“I do enjoy a game of bingo and recently went back to the Edinburgh Cappy (my second ever club), which brought back some good memories and I won which, as we all know, is not essential to a good night out at bingo but always helps!”

October 2023 /

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Feature: Economic update from EY

Back to school Chris Sanger, Partner at Ernst & Young LLP prepares for the Autumn Statement.

1. Recent data suggests that the UK is at risk of tipping into a recession Survey data shows that business activity dropped into negative territory in August – consistent with an outright fall in GDP in the third quarter of 2023.

As the chart below shows, retail sales fell by 1.2% in July.

While bad weather can take some of the blame, the data still suggests weakening consumer demand in the face of higher interest rates – particularly for non-essential goods.

Chart 1: % Change in retail sales volumes in July vs June

Source: ONS

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s the Summer draws to a close (according to the calendar, not the weather report), it is time for us to set aside the diversions of the Silly Season and to take stock of where we are going to be in the coming months.

Having had a Budget in the Spring, we can prepare for the next big tax milestone of the Autumn Statement which will take place on 22nd November.

This year, the political calendar has the extra ingredient of an election heaving into view. Depending on how the strategists in Downing Street see things, we could have an election any time between now and late January 2025.

Whatever date they decide on, we can be pretty sure that the election build-up will start about now.

With all that in mind, it may be worth starting off the new season with a quick look at the basic economic facts of life as they currently stand, as these will dictate, to a large extent, what kind of tax changes the parties can pursue.

And, if you are not that fixated on the electoral side of things, they are also the facts of economic life that will set the operating environment for the next little while.

Here are the five things to know about the current state of the British economy: / October 2023

2. UK inflation has fallen again, but underlying price pressures still persist While there was a decline in food inflation, underlying ‘core’ inflation – which strips out energy and food – remains elevated.

Chart 2: UK Headline and Core Consumer prices (% year on year)

Source: Refinitiv

Feature: Economic update from EY

3. The number of job vacancies continues to fall, and the unemployment rate has increased again Differences between sectors are emerging with construction and manufacturing bearing the brunt of the slowdown, while wages are still growing rapidly in retail and leisure reflecting capacity constraints.

owever, higher debt servicing costs and weaker growth H in H2 2023 will likely offset this headroom – the potential for tax cuts or increased spending looks limited.

Chart 5: Central government debt servicing costs (£bn)

Chart 3: Change in UK Nominal Wages in June vs. May

Source: ONS 4. Interest rates will likely be raised again – and be kept higher for longer than in the US or Eurozone – even as the economy weakens I nvestors generally expect interest rates in the UK to be higher than those in the US and Eurozone over the next 18-24 months.

All things considered, the phrase “not out of the woods” springs to mind. Any positive action or help is likely to be targeted rather than widespread. That being the case, now is the time to keep bingo in the minds of the politicians, reminding them of all the benefits that it delivers.

➜ Chris Sanger is Tax Policy Leader at EY and Steven Effingham Tax Policy Director at EY. The EY tax policy network has advisers in more than 85 countries and advises clients on how to effect policy change directly and through strategically engaging policy makers. www.ey.com

I n a sign that higher rates are biting, data shows another contraction in credit growth, a decline in mortgage approvals and a fresh fall in house prices. We think that these trends have further to run.

Chart 4: Central Bank Policy Interest Rates (%)

Editorial Got a feel good story, opening or refurbishing a club, celebrating a milestone or something different?

Source: Bank of England, Refinitiv Eikon 5. There is limited prospect of the Government coming to the economy’s rescue July’s public finance figures were better than expected – after four months of the 2023/24 fiscal year, the government has borrowed £11.4bn (0.5% of annual GDP) less than the OBR forecast. bingoconnect.co.uk

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Contact us at info@bingoconnect.co.uk October 2023 /

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Featured article: Dabber’s Social Bingo

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Lingo for your life Drawing inspiration from Ru Paul’s legendary instruction to Drag Race contestants in the lip sync challenge, Dabber’s Social Bingo is asking all comers to ‘Lingo For Your Life’, as they start the hunt for 2023’s ‘Next Top Bingo Caller’.

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rag Dabbers Bingo, the East London bingo venue has truly brought showmanship and entertainment back centre stage at bingo, with regular nights hosted by top comics including Tony Law, Marcel Lucont, Olaf Falafel, Eleanor Conway, and Javier Jarquin, to name but a few.

Celebrating unique showmanship and searching for new talent, each year Dabbers’ Next Top Bingo Caller competition brings to the fore a diverse range of fresh and exciting entertainers. 2023 was no exception.

The road was long, but thoroughly entertaining, as were the final four contestants, who battled it out for crowd support, judges’ engagement and the crown: Amy Webber - Award-winning triple threat comedian as heard on BBC Radio 4. Singer, songwriter, and performer all rolled into one.

bingoconnect.co.uk

Equipped with her mini electric piano and an opera degree (that’s never been helpful!).

Mathew Ali - A stand-up comedian from Archway, North London, known for his sassy storytelling, over-sharing and killer dance moves (yes, even a split!).

Ric O’ Brac - Otherwise known as Richard Woolford, the funny mind behind BBC Radio 4’s Newsjack and BBC’s Have I Got News For You. His knack for comedy writing and talent for stand-up have won him awards including Chortles Best Sketch and Leicester Comedy Festival Best Sketch.

Siobhan - South East Londoner and musical force to be reckoned with, thanks to her childhood surrounded by art. She brings her character comedy act as a rapper with garage swag and a pop heart to the stage and bingo.

Hosted by BBC New Comedy Award finalist, Sikisa Bostwick, the Dabbers Next Top Bingo Caller 2023 finalist judging panel was made up of entertainment industry professionals including: Kate Daughton, Ex Head of Comedy at the BBC and Co-Founder of Boffola Pictures; Miles Baron, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, and a comedian who knows all about winning, Hannah Byczkowskim (winner of the reality TV competition ‘ The Traitors’).

Playing to ‘a full-house’ at Dabbers’ Houndsditch venue in London, it was Amy who stole the show and claimed the title of Dabbers Next Top Bingo Caller 2023. The musical comedian mixed comedic-opera singing into her act and bingo calling, creating a

performance that was both unique and entertaining.

“I am absolutely elated. I’m flattered that the audience voted me as the winner. All the finalists were unique and amazing performers, and I still can’t believe it was me who won. I’ll be putting the money towards performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. It’s my first time going up and taking my own show so I’m pretty nervous about it - having this financial help is a fantastic and unexpected windfall.” Amy said.

Amy walks away with the title Dabbers Next Top Bingo Caller 2023, £1,000 courtesy of sponsors, Malibu, a luxurious hotel stay and a 12-month contract to perform with Dabbers Social Bingo.

Amy studied opera at University, and it was there that she realised she could combine her love of this classic performance style with more modern pop music and with making people laugh.

So, at 27 she merged her two passions to create her musical comedy act.

When Amy Webber isn’t performing on stage she’s using her musical talents to teach children through her education songs, as a singing teacher. Making the most of her teaching skills, one of Amy’s favourite parts the world of bingo is the opportunity to “be in charge of organised chaos” that modern day bingo calling brings – a skill that may come in handy!

➜ You can follow the

competition online via @dabbersbingo #DabbersTopCaller

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Feature: Focus on Land-based gambling sector regulation

Cumulative consultation fatigue

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long with the rain and cold weather this summer, we’ve had gambling regulatory consultations, published by both the Gambling Commission (the Commission) and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) with the detailed proposals following on from the long-awaited White Paper: 1. DCMS: Land-based gambling sector regulation and possible changes to the sector 2. DCMS: Online maximum stake limit 3. Commission: Proposed changes to Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards

While there are more to come, here we will focus on the DCMS consultation on Land-based gambling sector regulation, published on 26th July, which included three significant considerations for land based bingo.

Machine allowance for arcades and bingo halls As we know, licensed bingo premises are permitted to provide category D, C, B3 and B4 gaming machines within their venues. 80% of all gaming machines must be category C or D gaming machines, with 20% category B. This is often referred to as the 80:20 rule. Premises licences granted before the 13th July 2011 do benefit from a variation to the standard 80:20 rule, known as legacy rights, but those rights are not subject to change under current proposals, with operators being able to choose between legacy permissions and any revised entitlements that may be introduced. The legacy permissions allow bingo up to 8 B4/B3 machines.

The Government’s White Paper considered increasing costs to the industry, developments in consumer demand, the declining relative value of stakes and prizes permitted on gaming machines and new player safety controls, which are now available in modern category B3 Gaming machines.

The White Paper determined to amend the 80:20 rule and replace it with a 50:50 machine ratio between category B machines and C and/or D. The current consultation proposes three implementation options: 1. Introduce the 50:50 rule whilst maintaining all current requirements provided by Gambling Commission in relation to when gaming machine is ‘available for use’.

2. Introduce the 50:50 with an additional requirement that any gaming machine device types offered in individual premises (whether cabinets, tablets (fixed or hand-held) / October 2023

in in-fill) comprise a minimum of 50 percent category C and D machines.

Also, Category C and D gaming machine devices made available for use must be of similar size and scale to Category B. 3. Remove the 80:20 rule entirely, applying no requirements on set gaming ratios.

The proposals are significant for the bingo industry which is suffering from the increased cost of energy and staffing.

Energy costs can be reduced particularly by reducing the number of older, less energy efficient C and D machines.

Cashless payments on gaming machines Current rules mean that the use of debit cards for direct payments to gaming machines and any use of a credit cards for gaming machines are prohibited. The consultation makes it clear that there will not be any change to the prohibition on the use of credit cards as use of money that is not in fact the players, increases the risk of harm.

We are however becoming an increasingly cashless society, which has been expedited by the effects of Covid, and there is a recognition that there is a rationale for change in respect of debit card payments. The changes being considered are against the backdrop of ensuring that the protections for players are robust and effective.

The consultation on cashless payments has a focus on: • account verification measures, such as chip and pin or face ID on mobile payment systems; • spend thresholds; • maximum transaction and deposit limits; • minimum transactions times to slow the speed of the transaction itself; • player centric controls such as setting of voluntary time and spend limits and cooling off periods once a threshold has been reached;

Feature: Focus on Land-based gambling sector regulation

• t he provision of additional safer gambling messaging for cashless play; and • a possible requirement for the display of session times and net player position.

It is suggested that should cashless payments become permitted by way of amendments to secondary legislation, there will be a number of safeguards attached to the payment method in order to facilitate player protection.

This is an essential change in future proofing industry with the continued fall in customers use of cash. TiTo is useful, but the next generation of machines will have debit card readers installed, greatly improving the customer experience.

Review of licensing authority fees The final chapter in the consultation relates to making changes to the fees local licensing authorities can charge operators who hold gambling premises licences, both on application and through annual fees. This will see costs increase for bingo operators.

The fees charged are designed to cover the cost of administration of their gambling duties and gambling enforcement. This activity may include inspecting gambling premises to ensure that they are complying with their licence or dealing with complaints from residents or neighbours. Figures suggest that not all licensing authorities are inspecting gambling premises.

Currently, there are maximum fees that licensing authorities can charge dependent on the type of premises, and these have not been updated since 2007.

DCMS is proposing to increase these fees to allow local authorities to cover the costs of enforcement and administration of their gambling duties. The three proposed options are: • A 10% increase in all maximum fees.

• A 20% increase in all maximum fees.

• A 30% increase in all maximum fees.

The proposed increase will not provide local authorities with an automatic right to increase their fees, as they must be able to demonstrate the increase is necessary to undertake their licensing and regulatory functions.

In our opinion this is change that will happen, no matter how the industry responds to the consultation. But operators will have the opportunity to make the point that some local authorities do not inspect our premises, and they are being charged fees for a service they do not currently receive. On the other hand, to justify increased fees I would expect more inspections by local authority officers!

Direct Marketing There is another open consultation of note relating to marketing, within the Commission consultation on proposed changes to Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

The Commission is aiming to provide customers greater control over any marketing communications they receive from operators. The background comes from both research and surveys undertaken by the Commission on free bets and bonuses scheme marketing practices. Note these are bingoconnect.co.uk

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less frequent in bingo premises than online or in betting shops. The Commission identified flaws and inconsistences in approach and states that proposals are ‘anchored on the principles of empowerment and choice’.

The biggest concern the Commission is trying to overcome is ‘cross selling’, where customers receive direct marketing about products or offers they have not opted-in to. Proposals aim to ensure consistency and clarity for both industry and consumers alike, by requiring licensees to make the following options available for opt-in marketing (where relevant): • Email • Text message / SMS • Notification (Push notification / browser notification) • Social media (direct messages) • Post • Phone call • Any other direct communication method (WhatsApp, etc.)

Licensees should also be clear on the type of products that marketing relates to including: • Betting • Casino • Bingo • Lottery For clarity, the Commission state that bingo includes only games offered in reliance on a bingo licence e.g., not casino products. Unfortunately, the consultation does not mention gaming machines at all. Gaming machines can be provided in reliance on a non-remote bingo operating licence.

The rationale behind these changes is to allow existing customers the same opportunity as new customers to manage their marketing preferences and ensure consistency across the industry. The proposals suggest that licensees must be directed to an area of the webpage/app, where they can decide whether to opt-in or opt-out of offers at the first opportunity after the implementation date, for example upon the next login. By default, the options should be set to opt-out and not pre selected. Marketing options must be updateable should customers’ change their preference.

This consultation is drafted in such a way as to appear to be directed at online but it is applied to all operating licences, both remote and non-remote, so includes non-remote bingo. For bingo this consultation could affect the ability of operators to mail to lapsed customers as it recommends an automatic or default opt-out of marketing after a period of implementation, to anyone not updating their marketing preferences in line with Commission proposals.

Much to ponder and there will be more to come on the statutory levy and ombudsman, to name but two.

➜ Nick Arron is the lead partner for the Betting and

Gaming Team at Poppleston Allen LLP . 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

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Feature: Employment update from Taylor Walton

HR in the world of AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) has dominated the news in recent months with some stories promoting the benefits of AI and others warning of extreme disaster scenarios such as the extinction of humanity!

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espite the potential dangers of AI and lack of regulatory framework (which is currently being considered at a parliamentary level), in practice the use of AI has arrived in our everyday lives and employers will need to consider the impact that it will have, and may already be having, in their workplace. In this article, I outline the possible uses and risks of AI in the workplace from a HR perspective, and practical steps that can be taken by employers to protect their business.

What is AI? AI refers to computers and machines that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence such as reasoning, learning, decisionmaking and visual perception. The

/ October 2023

technology available today allows machines to analyse data and use memory to learn and develop so the performance of tasks is as effective, if not more effective, than a human performing the same function.

Examples of AI use for HR So, how does this translate into the workplace?

AI is already being used by larger employers for laborious tasks such as screening candidates by sifting through CVs and application forms in recruitment. AI is also used to schedule and conduct interviews (by evaluating facial expressions and various cues) and filter candidates from online assessments.

AI can also be used to carry out procedural tasks usually allocated to HR functions such as maintaining databases of candidates or workers and managing employee information such as holidays, absences and performance.

The development of generative AI such as ChatGPT means that, in addition to the ‘categorising and identifying’ uses above, AI systems will now more readily lend themselves to ‘creation’ areas which previously required human intervention such as employee engagement and content creation.

There are already many examples of presentations, speeches, draft documents and conversation responses being created using AI.

Risks of using AI in an HR setting Whilst the benefits of using AI for some tasks sounds positive, there are risks associated with the use of AI which may leave employers in difficult situations, possibly resulting in expensive litigation.

A well-known example of this came from Amazon in 2014 where they used AI to review job candidates’ CVs to rate the candidates on their suitability for the job. However, AI is only as good as the information it has been trained on and in this case, the AI had been trained using CVs submitted over the previous 10 years, which had been predominantly submitted by men. This created a significant bias in the output of the AI which determined that male candidates were better.

The generative AI technology available for employers to use today may have a similar algorithm bias due to the bias of humans creating the algorithms or bias in the data the AI uses to create its content. For example, it is possible that AI used to write job descriptions may use language which is more likely to attract male rather than female candidates (or vice versa).

Further, AI is known to have previously been able to identify facial expressions more easily on humans with white skin than those from other ethnic backgrounds, which suggests bias could be present in AI used for video interviews.

It is therefore easy to see how the use of AI systems could lead to expensive discrimination claims.

Indeed, often humans using AI do not actually understand how the AI has

Featured: Employment update from Taylor Walton

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“ AI alone should not be used to make decisions or engage with employees. There should always be an element of human involvement.” come to the decision it has reached or what information the AI used to create its content (and in many cases, the AI cannot explain its actions either). This will make any discrimination claim based on the use of AI very difficult for employers to defend, because they will not be able to explain their reasoning, and employers may be held liable for an outcome over which it may have had no control. Further, employers using chat functions, such as ChatGPT, to liaise with its employees will have little control over what is actually being said which could lead to claims of harassment or constructive dismissal if there are inappropriate communications.

Practical tips for employers Employers looking to embrace the use of AI in the workplace should consider putting in place safeguards to mitigate the risks associated with AI: • Confidence in the technology – Before employers implement a new technology in their business they should be confident that the company or individuals who have created the technology can demonstrate that the risks of bias and discrimination have been minimised as far as possible; • Human intervention – AI alone should not be used to make decisions or engage with employees. There should always be an element of human involvement in the recruitment process and employment relationship and HR professionals should be trained to critique decisions made by AI for bingoconnect.co.uk

signs that they may fall foul of the Equality Act 2010 or other employment legislation.

• Evaluation of bias – Employers should continually monitor and audit the effect AI is having on their workplace, such as carrying out equality impact assessments and monitoring diversity and inclusion to identify signs of bias.

• Policies and procedures – Employers should implement and maintain policies and procedures around the use of AI in the workplace, ensuring that the purposes for which it is used are clearly set out and the individuals using the technology are adequately trained.

• Recognise special circumstances – Certain circumstances may make the use of AI inappropriate and separate systems should be put in place to accommodate this. For example, AI algorithms may be biased against individuals with a disability due to the activities on their CV being different to historic candidates or more time being needed to complete online tests. Even where an employer is confident it has safeguards in place to avoid discrimination against disabled persons, it would be sensible to remove AI from the picture to ensure that an employer’s decision making can be explained at each stage if the need to defend

a claim arose.

• D ata protection – Employers will also need to consider their data protection obligations and the rights of individuals where personal data is being processed using AI. This may include updating their privacy notice and conducting a data protection impact assessment.

Many employers are embracing the use of AI to help them effectively and efficiently recruit and manage their employment relationships. However, in such unchartered territory, employers should be mindful of the real risks to their businesses and employees and take steps to mitigate these.

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

October 2023 /

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Feature: Christopher Clavering

North East bingo legend: Christopher Clavering In August we heard the sad news of the passing of North East bingo legend Christopher Clavering, at the age of 74. For anyone who worked in the Newcastle area Christopher’s name was synonymous with the word BINGO!

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hristopher was born into a family business where entertaining the masses was the norm. His father and uncle had a very successful company running cinema and dance halls, including the famous Oxford Galleries in Newcastle and the Heaton Assembly Rooms in the east end of the city.

It was in the Assembly rooms in 1961 that the family business changed its policy from dancing and cinema to bingo, following Christopher’s involvement in the family business and persistant lobbying of his father to try out the new concept that was sweeping the nation.

The bingo business went from strength to strength and in 1968 following his father’s retirement Christopher took over.

Competition was fierce, but within a decade he had changed the old assembly rooms in Heaton Road into the North East’s largest bingo and entertainment venue that boasted four bars, including the famous Black and White Bar as well as the Harmony Inn, where Britain’s top cabaret acts performed into the early hours, entertaining customers well after bingo had finished.

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As well as the Heaton, Christopher went on to acquire further bingo clubs including the Raby and Welbeck, both in the East End of the city, and The Ritz Bingo in Forest Hall which he acquired in 1991. Other business interests followed and prospered, but bingo was always his main stay.

Christopher sold the Heaton in the early 2000s to the Mayfair Group but retained The Ritz Bingo in Forest Hall, which he recently sold to his Manager Anthony Cockburn.

“Christopher was a pioneer of the bingo Industry here in the North East and his knowledge was second to none, he always believed in giving the customer as much value for their money as possible, he was always very optimistic about the future of the Industry, and that bingo should be enjoyed by all generations” Anthony said.

Christopher leaves behind his beloved wife Esther and will be greatly missed by everyone at The Ritz, Forest Hall.

Wordsearch

Wordsearch

WIN a £25 Amazon voucher!

Solve our bumper edition word search puzzle by finding the 30 words hidden in the grid below. Note: The words may be written in any direction including backwards and diagonally.

There’s a decidedly spooky theme for this issue’s Wordsearch as we ask you to ‘ghoul out’ Halloween answers!

Banshee Bat Black Cat Bogeyman Cockroach Cyclops Demon Frankenstein Gargoyle Ghost Goblin Grim Reaper Kraken Medusa Monster Mummy Ogre Phantom Poltergeist Sasquatch Shadow Skeleton Snake Spider Troll Vampire Werewolf Witch Yeti Zombie bingoconnect.co.uk

C E X J D P H A N T O M G H D Z U F N A Q N O O G O Y T N O M E D Q K E U P I T Z O M B I E B A N S H E E L D R B R L S U R E T S N O M H V K B K S W G W B B O E P D T R O L L W S J M P T P O F T O H F R A N K E N S T E I N S G U O H Z G G F F Z I L Y X T S Z Z P A I G H L R M E J L Y P V U K Q V W J P S R R W O C J E A T S I E G R E T L O P Q D H N U A Y F Y W G K R A K E N Z K M U C S R P Y J C B C S L Z R G R I M R E A P E R U B V H G H H K N K T U J I D O T Z V B R E W L H S A S A N U A C Q R G C L C N L Z E N C X D K M O F R C K V B H I F Y C E R S T Y O E Y M S L C K V A T S O Y S U E N I E W L E U V O V D C T M G P S W K W A W T R E G M C B G Y X A R P L I U L O K M I O T O M Q D A H F A L L I U D D L E G U L O B Y J B W T G R P B E R N E F B W O X N X A E M E D U S A Y G Q E N R D All Bingo Connect Wordsearch competition entries must be received by 30th November 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 30th November 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.

October 2023 /

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Hot Picks!

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.

The keeper of bingo memories, Sean Connolly, features in this issues’ InProfile, so we felt it was fitting that he be given the opportunity to select some of his personal favourites, from his growing bingo archive.

➜ Little & Large on stage at Granada Peterborough 1982

➜ Gala Awards Dinner in 2002. The late Stan Kennedy on the left with his wife Christine and Rob Norman

➜ Coral Social Club Pancake Jamboree in 1986. Barry Lewis Cox who sadly died in January

➜ Opening time at Gala Hanley in 1996

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➜ Geoff Rowan at a 2002 Gala Awards Dinner demonstrate how to carry 2 drinks in one hand when the free bar was on! ➜ Chas and Dave at Granada Peterborough

➜ Star Show at Buckingham Hunts Cross in 1999. Me on the left

➜ Cast members from Coronation Street making an appearance at Gala Salford in 1993

➜ My first celebrity visit September 1989, when Prisoner Cell Block H was all the rage. Actress Val Lehman who played Bea Smith visited Coral Social Club, Aberdeen. George McNair is in the kilt

➜ If you have bingo images that you would like to donate to and/or share with Sean, please contact him via Facebook @old.bingo.photographs or email: seanconnolly431@hotmail.com bingoconnect.co.uk

➜ Alan Haycock, who died earlier this year, receiving an award from John Kelly in 2001

October 2023 /

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