Developing business
Driving the industry agenda
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Dear Bingo Association members and supporters, As I write this a quick glance out of the window tells me it is raining heavily! Yet it was only in July that we had to cancel our bi-annual Houses of Parliament reception due to 40 degree heat. At that time we were also expecting the draft publication of the long awaited Gambling Act Review White Paper. But now we have what is in effect a new government, with pressing concerns elsewhere, and what looks like a very different approach to business.
As we continue to recover from the longer term impact of Covid we know that attendance figures have to rise by around 25% or more in afternoon sessions and 15% in evening sessions to return to pre Covid levels. Just when we seem to have built up a bit of momentum another crisis appears on the horizon, this time energy prices: the biggest challenge for our customers and operators so far. And of course we wait for the draft review which may or may not contain some ‘wins‘ for the industry, depending on the mood of new government sentiment and overcoming the defensive attitude of the gambling commission to change.
Yet we continue to operate and provide great service for our customers. For many we are a steady constant in their lives. Since the last edition of Bingo Connect in June we have celebrated National Bingo Day, which saw the industry raise over £23,000 in a single day for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Ukraine. We held a successful rescheduled Parliamentary celebratory reception for Bingo on September 8th, overshadowed unfortunately by the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the day. We have used over £500,000 of National Bingo Game retained stake funds to promote various sessions since May, with more activity to come before the end of the year.
We have seen the opening of Club 3000’s latest bingo club in Kilmarnock, and Leo Leisure’s brand new club in Southampton and are looking forward to the final of National Bingo Game Caller of The Year in November.
Following on from last year’s successful BA roadshow in Leeds, attended by over 60 members, we look forward to
seeing you all again this year on November 23rd at the Leeds Hilton.
Looking forward to 2023, we have decided to take the Bingo Hub to EAG in January rather than ICE: exhibitors and BA members felt that they currently have more in common with EAG than ICE, which has prompted our decision to change shows, though not venues as EAG is also held at ExCel London Docklands. Again we look forward to seeing you there from 10th to 12th January.
Despite all the distractions and seemingly endless challenges, members continue to run their businesses and in doing so provide a safe and social environment for their customers.
As always I take my hat off to you all.
Miles Baron Chief Executive
Miles Baron, Chief Executive, The Bingo Association
“Looking forward to 2023, we have decided to take the Bingo Hub to EAG in January rather than ICE.”
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.
The Bingo Association™ www.bingo-association.co.uk
Miles Baron miles@bingo-association.co.uk
Steve Baldwin steven@bingo-association.co.uk
Steve Pearce
Tel: +44 (0) 117 957 5400 advertising@bingoconnect.co.uk
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.
The biannual National Bingo Game Caller of The Year competition for 2022 will shortly be entering its final stage, with contestants set for a final ‘show-down’ on the afternoon of Sunday 13th November, at Club 3000 Bingo Wigan.
Bingo Callers, Hosts and Presenters from across Great Britain were all invited to enter this year’s competition, which was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The last competition was held in 2019 which saw Donna Kunyo of Club 3000 Middleton crowned champion. Since then Donna has served as a valued and respected ambassador for bingo, with regular appearances on national TV and radio. In fact, for this year’s National Bingo Day Donna participated in no fewer than 17 radio interviews and was listened to by over 6.2 million people! Donna’s final task as reigning champion will be to join the judging panel at the Grand Final, sitting alongside Miles Baron, CEO of The Bingo Association to find the next champion caller: Miles also served as a member of the judging panel for Dabbers’ Bingo Next Top Bingo Caller earlier this year (see page 32).
Competition to win a place at this years’ Grand Final has been keenly contested, with Regional Finals being held for independent operating companies, coupled with both Mecca and Buzz holding competitions to find their respective company champions. In addition, for the first time entries were received from the High Street and Holiday Park sector of the bingo community.
“All Regional Finals have been events worthy of the Grand Final itself, such has been the talent, enthusiasm and personality of contestants and it is a credit to the bingo community that we have so many willing to put themselves in contention for this prestigious title. The Grand Final is going to be a brilliant showcase for bingo and will bring bingo communities from all over Great Britain together for a day of celebration and fun. Sincere gratitude and respect to all who entered, there have been so many worthy contestants, but sadly, there will be just one winner.”
Contestant in this year’s Grand Final are:
Representing Name & Club
Mecca Benji Bell
Mecca Wednesbury Cross
Buzz Andrew Skene
Buzz Sheffield Parkway
Wales Richard Leyshon Castle Cardiff (Newport Road)
Scotland Christopher Graham Carlton Stirling
Midlands & Northern England Anton Fletcher Castle Bootle
Midlands & Northern England Stephen Bogden Club 3000 Old Trafford
Southern England Michael Farley Apple Sydenham
Bingo Extra & Holiday Parks Gary Wilson Bingo Plus
Alastair Stewart, Head of Commercial Operations at the NBGA said, “I sensed 2022 was going to be a tremendous occasion for Caller of the Year as I received more than a dozen messages from Callers prior to the competition actually launching.
The Grand Final will be hosted by Club 3000 Bingo, as they are ‘home’ to the current reigning champion, at their Wigan club on the afternoon of 13th November. With contestants each bringing a coach of supporters, buoyed on by the local club crowd, the event will be a true celebration.
“There have been so many worthy contestants, but sadly, there will only be one winner.”
Donna Kunyo
Competition Not Held
Blake Robson
Brett Hyrjak
Karl Seth
Mandy Gargan
Mike Vyse
Peter Lewis
Alan Stockdale
Phil Groom
Steve Linder
Competition Not Held
Gary Kinzler
Steve Hale
Patrick Bowler
Shipley Creative celebrates the launch of its new look.
The Shipley Creative brand and offices have been refreshed for 2022, with clean, crisp lines and a contemporary style. Their logo is not the only thing to have changed, as their HQ now offers a modern design studios, fresh offices and meeting rooms, with ‘hot desk’ type facilities for visiting clients to use too.
Shipley Creative was founded in 2006, located in a small office at a bingo club in northwest England and existed solely to service the creative and production needs of other business units within the wider company. Gradually, their services were offered to other businesses in the bingo sector, before expanding their client base, and capacity, to its current level, which sees the team offering graphic design, direct mail, production, print, finishing, despatch, and Install to not only bingo clubs, but also high street arcades, casinos, online gaming, restaurants, sports stadia, schools and local councils.
Anthony Halliwell, General Manager, explains, “Having extended into a once derelict part of our current building we thought this would be a great opportunity to also showcase our design skills.
“The new Shipley Creative brandmark is designed to encompass the service that we provide at Shipley Creative.
The Print/ Production element of our service is represented by crop mark symbols (top left & bottom right). The crop marks sandwich a
slash symbol. The slash symbol represents the creative element of the Shipley Creative service.
It symbolises the work that we create that ends up placed between crop marks when handed over to production.” said Paul Lowcock, Graphic Designer. Upon arrival at Shipley Creative, you are now greeted by a series of ‘WOW Walls’, as you ascend, you learn more about the company, its history and how they have grown to where they are today. The ‘hotdesk’ facility for clients includes complimentary tea, coffee, and super-fast Wi-Fi.
“We found that many of our customers need to grab an hour here and there to catch up on emails and calls whilst on the road. So instead of squeezing them into a corner out of the way, we’ve given them their own space” said Anthony, “And our gallery showcases some of our design team’s best work, which is always changing due to the volume of ongoing design projects.”
The direct mail and design teams are now located in a bright open space with inspiration on hand via graphic design blog screens and journals. All wall graphics, window frostings, tray signs, wallpaper, and acrylic signs were produced and installed by the Shipley Creative in-house team and to add extra capacity a new Versant Zerox 1400 Print Engine has been installed, helping to make the speedy seven days a week service faster than ever.
Tonypandy’s Judge’s Bingo was the venue for a special pre-view screening of the first episode of BBC Cymru Wales series, Full House, which is set in Judge’s Bingo and features some of the players and staff. BBC Radio Wales Presenter Wynne Evans (AKA Mr Go-Compare) took on hosting duties and called a game to the delight of players and guests.
Back in August 2020 BBC One Wales broadcast a one-off, hour long programme, about the lives of a group of bingo players and staff, at Judge’s Bingo in Tonypandy called Full House and found themselves with an unexpected hit on their hands.
Full House was the third most popular program in August 2020 for BBC Wales, attracting an initial audience of 176,000: a fifth of the total available audience on the air date tuned in to watch, with nearly 11,000 requests on the BBC’s nationally available on demand service, iPlayer.
Reflecting the warmth and humour of bingo and the Welsh Valleys, the characters and situations were relatable not only in Wales, but UK wide: it’s the stuff of life, whether you play bingo or not.
With such excellent viewing figures
BBC Cymru Wales commissioned a full series of eight half-hour episodes. The programme was produced by independent production company Tuesday’s Child, with the co-operation and support of Majestic Bingo, but it was producer Jacci Parry, born in Liverpool and now living in South Wales, who was the driving force to get the pilot made. A firm fan of bingo Jacci grew up with the game and remembers her granny being a regular player.
In order to make the program happen and secure funding, Jacci knew
she needed the support of an operator who had a traditional club with a strong community and was willing to work with her. Having approached a number of operators Jacci connected with Majestic Bingo and took her proposal to MD Mark Jepp, who after some serious questions took a leap of faith and agreed to participate.
The first full series of Full House was shot earlier this year and episode one was broadcast on Friday, 23 September on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer, with each episode broadcast weekly thereafter.
Having been the stars of the show bingo players at Judge’s Hall, part of Majestic Bingo, were treated to special preview screening on Tuesday 20th September, with BBC Radio Wales presenter Wynne Evans hosting the event.
The evening saw guests, including contributors from the series as well as members of the local community, treated to entertainment from series contributor Donna Marie Trego, a multi award-winning Lady Gaga tribute and impersonator, bingo called by Wynne Evans and of course an exclusive screening of episode one.
Donna Marie said, “It was an exciting opportunity to be able to entertain everyone at such a special event and celebrate a brand-new series that shows off this great community. I’m really looking forward to watching the first episode again, and the rest of the series, over the coming weeks on the BBC.”
Buzz Bingo Irvine underwent a significant upgrade earlier this year. The club, a much-loved part of the Irvine community, was upgraded to include a new lounge, which has transformed the space into a multipurpose entertainment venue, with relaxed seating for quizzes, gigs, karaoke, comedy nights and bingo parties, a new Slots Room, filled with the latest games and machines, and a new outdoor Bingo Terrace.
To support this latest investment the club announced an enviable calendar of ‘appointment to view’ events over the months that followed.
The start of the exciting schedule was marked by a performance from 90’s boyband legends Five, who reunited for a night to perform their most popular songs including ‘Keep on Movin’ and ‘If Ya Gettin’ Down’.
Sticking with the musical theme a 00’s show with dance favourites Ultrabeat was then scheduled. The band performed their hits as part of a Bada Bingo noughties themed party bingo event.
Comedy Hypnotist Ian Dee also brought his skills to the club, performing his unique and unmissable show, which saw him delivering hilarious comedy whilst simultaneously unlocking the crowds’ subconscious!
The new lounge space hosts free ‘Big Night In’ events every Saturday, where players can enjoy interactive pub quizzes, music themed bingo nights and gameshow style challenges hosted by one of Irvine’s presenters. All the events are free to attend and with the chance to win cash prizes.
Irvine General Manager Gillian Baird said: “We’re so proud of the renovation and can’t wait to make the most of our fantastic new space. The entertainment we’ve lined up is designed to make people smile - from nostalgic pop moments,
the dance bangers of Ultrabeat. It’s set to be a really fun few couple of months and we’re excited for customers to enjoy all the fun of bingo and beyond.”
Birmingham resident, Mitchell Miller, 34, won the Grand Final of Mecca Bingo’s national search for a star, ‘Mecca Bingo’s Got Talent’ after wowing the judges with his rendition of ‘Never Enough’ from smash hit film, The Greatest Showman.
Mitchell was a shock entrant in the competition at the regional heat stage, taking his sister’s place after she was forced to drop out due to illness. Mitchell went on to win the quarter and semi-finals before going to the final showdown which took place at Mecca Bingo’s Love Bingo Celebrity Ball, at their new flagship club in Luton on Saturday 21 May.
The evening included a star-studded line up with crooner Ray Quinn, Strictly star Robin Windsor and Jaymi from Union J taking to the stage to entertain Mecca customers.
Mitchell, who studied performing arts at university, has loved singing since a young age, originally recording demos for his songwriter dad. After a stint in various London musicals, Mitchell stepped back from the stage to adopt three children with his husband and now manages the curriculum at Cadbury Sixth Form College. As well as a £5,000 prize Mitchell has also won tickets to the final of Britain’s Got Talent.
Mitchell commented on his win: “I never really understood the phrase ‘over the moon’ until now. I am so happy to have won Mecca Bingo’s Got Talent. All of the finalists were amazing, so I never would have thought I would win!
“I can’t wait to see what winning brings me and spend the prize money on investing in my career.”
Mecca’s Bingo’s Got Talent forms part of Mecca’s ongoing partnership with the UK’s favourite talent show, Britain’s Got Talent, which has also seen the booming voiceover legend from the show, Peter Dickson, surprising Mecca’s players when he pops up, as he did for the initial heat of Mecca’s own talent search, Mecca Bingo’s Got Talent. As the official bingo partner of the current series, Mecca is also offering exclusive BGT-themed bingo games with prizes.
Liverpool residents got a huge surprise earlier this year in June, as Mecca Bingo revealed a Beatlesinspired revamp.
In honour of Sir Paul McCartney’s 80th birthday on Saturday 18th June and his headline spot at Glastonbury, Mecca Bingo in Liverpool’s Knotty Ash became Macca Bingo!
Octogenarian ‘Macca’, who grew up on Forthlin Road, less than five miles from the Knotty Ash club on East Prescot Road, played a headline set on the iconic Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury days after the big day on Saturday 25th June.
With two landmark events a few days apart, Mecca just couldn’t Let It Be and it was a Hard Day’s Night to get the signage complete in time for Macca’s big day.
for one week only, Liverpudlians were able to witness the all-new logo before it had to Get Back
On Saturday 27th August, Club 3000 opened the doors of its brand-new venue at Portland Street, Kilmarnock. Following an investment of £3.5 million, the venue has been transformed, with an innovative design and layout, luxury lounge, state of the art arcade and latest electronic tables and boards.
The club team opened the membership shop back in February this year on King Street, Kilmarnock, giving local bingo players old and new the opportunity to sign up and get ready to bingo. Plans for the opening night were made well in advance to make sure that it would be a night to remember and it certainly was!
The venue was officially opened by actor Paul Riley, who played Winston in the popular sitcom Still Game, and saw over 800 customers welcomed with a glass of bubbly on arrival. Throughout the night guests and customers were treated to a variety of entertainment, including a magician, the three-piece band Scotland Rocks, as well as a variety of bingo games and prizes.
Brian Fraser the owner of Club 3000 Bingo said, “We were thrilled to launch our newest club here at Kilmarnock, the club demonstrates how we lead the way as a modern-day bingo operator. We welcome all our new customers to the Club 3000 family. It was fantastic so see so many customers celebrating with us on the night.”
Commenting on the opening night party, General Manager Oliver Fraser said, “The opening was a fabulous evening and the atmosphere was fantastic. I was delighted to see so many customers at the event and would like to thank them for their support and my team who made it all happen on the night! This is a great community and we can’t wait to welcome in all our lovely customers!”
The last 2 years has been a period of rapid growth for Bingo Plus. In fact, it’s currently the UK’s fastest growing link system, and favoured by operators from Penzance to Perth.
Businesses such as Parkdean Resorts, Merkur, Admiral, LOL Bingo, Premier Bingo and Apollo Bingo (part of Majestic Bingo) are already realising the benefits of being on the system. And Coral Island in Blackpool, one of the most recognised operators in the UK recently joined the Bingo Plus network.
Bingo Plus is the always-on bingo system, offering a range of games from 10am-10pm, every single day.
The schedule even includes live-streamed games; called by a Presenter, giving customers a realistic ‘main stage bingo’ experience.
In fact, the experience goes much further, because the players can chat directly with the Presenter during the game! It’s these features, and more, that gives Bingo Plus the X-Factor over similar systems in the market.
And Wexel Gaming, the parent company of Bingo Plus have further invested in a second, state-of the-art digital TV studio at their headquarters in Hull, and assembled a team of professionals to bring the experience to life. They’ve also developed and launched a brand-new website to support the system and enhance the customer experience at www.aboutbingoplus.com
The Presenters are the face of Bingo Plus, and help differentiate it from other offerings in the marketplace. And as well as delivering best-in-class gaming, they also interact with their audience on Tik-Tok, Instagram, and through Facebook Live events.
The Presenters are all media and drama trained, and some learned their trade in the bingo clubs. In fact
Charlie, one of the newest Presenters on the team made it all the way to the Judge’s
Houses on the X-Factor. So, anyone that catches the eye of Simon Cowell clearly has something special!
Strength in numbers
And it’s not just the customer experience that’s second-to-none. Operators across the industry also benefit from the strength of the Bingo Plus network.
For some, Bingo Plus enhances their usual bingo offer, neatly running alongside their core product – either providing an alternative standalone bingo solution - or a secondary offering to help prop up weaker sessions. Both these solutions will solve the problem of low admissions, providing something to work in parallel, and improve the margin.
This means that weak, unprofitable, and operationally challenging sessions can quickly move into profit through the introduction of the Bingo Plus system.
And yet for some, Bingo Plus is their standalone bingo product. 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 this is done through strength in numbers. With more and more
businesses joining the network, operators and customers quickly start to benefit from pooled liquidity. The games come thick and fast. Starting at just 25p, there’s two 90 number games every 30 minutes, and the National Bingo Game is 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 Bingo Plus players.
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.
Two of the newest operators to join Bingo Plus are Coral Island in
Blackpool, and Premier Bingo in Perth and Alloa. Both have different reasons for bringing the Bingo Plus system on-board, but they are united in the benefits it delivers them.
When Peter Connor took over at Premier Bingo, the business was facing a huge challenge. With three loss-making ‘traditional’ bingo clubs emerging from Covid, coupled with rising and unsustainable energy costs, the future was looking really tough. They needed to take a creative look at what they could do. Offering traditional bingo sessions across 7 days a week, coupled with decent prize money was looking virtually impossible. At best, they could only offer their customers 3 sessions a week. And this was a message they simply didn’t want to tell their customers, given the vital role the clubs play at the heart of their communities.
So, it was only when Peter heard the chatter and great feedback about Bingo Plus from around the industry, that he quickly realised that it could well be the answer to the challenges the company was facing.
In September, the Perth and Alloa clubs have both had Bingo Plus installations. Using existing space within the clubs, close to the Slots machine areas, they’ve been able to create Bingo Lounges.
This now means that outside of the traditional bingo sessions, they can close off their large
Main Halls, saving on energy and operational costs. The smaller, cosier lounges are much more energyefficient and easier to manage, and bingo can be delivered 7-days a week. On top of this, they can offer good prize money, thanks to the pooledliquidity that is a key part of the Bingo Plus offering.
Peter Connor, owner of Premier Bingo said, “Telling my customers that their clubs would be closed for large parts of the week was something I simply didn’t want to do. But once I started talking with the team at Wexel Gaming, I quickly realised that with a little bit of creative thinking, and some re-modelling of my clubs, I would be able to offer my customers somewhere cosy and welcoming to come and play their bingo - not only through the long winter months, but long into the future. We
“The Presenters are the face of Bingo Plus, and help differentiate it from other offerings in the marketplace.”
can’t wait to introduce our new Bingo Plus system to our customers.”
Seaside bingo gets an upgrade
Coral Island in Blackpool is probably one of the most well-known amusement arcades not only in Blackpool, but in all of the UK. Superbly located on the Promenade, it attracts a broad range of customers all year round.
Coral Island have had a longstanding relationship with Wexel Gaming, entrusting them over a number of years to supply their prize
bingo tech. So when they decided to modernise their bingo offer, they looked no further than Wexel. 24 Bingo Plus positions were ordered and installed, and have fast become a wellused and popular addition to their gaming offer in their existing Bingo/ AGC area. In fact, Coral Island already generates the best income by site, across the entire Bingo Plus network.
Operationally, it has required no extra staff, and has been easily absorbed into their day-today operations.
Much of Coral Island’s business is made up of transient, single-visit holiday trade – not made up of “regulars” as can be the case elsewhere. But this has posed no issue, as the customers, from holiday makers to hen-parties, just sit down and get on with it, thanks to how user-friendly the Bingo Plus system is.
Sean Morris, General Manager at Coral Island told us, “Having worked closely with Wexel Gaming for years, we know we can trust them to deliver the highest quality, with great service and support. Bingo Plus has slotted in beautifully into our AGC area. And because it’s so easy to use, it just looks after itself, allowing my team to get on with the job of hosting and making sure our customers are having a great time. I would highly recommend Bingo Plus to any operator who is looking
for a valuable new revenue stream, without any operational headaches”.
Find us at ACOS!
Bingo Plus doesn’t stand still, and at the upcoming Autumn Coin-Op Show (ACOS), the team will be showcasing their latest new developments.
This includes two fantastic new pieces of hardware, that offer new styles of cabinet and footprint. Along with the existing range of cabinets, there’s more options for operators, especially those with limited space available.
The team will also be able to show you Bingo Plus “live”. Watch the country’s biggest independent bingo link group of around 160 venues in action, and also discover a full range of Slots, Poker and Roulette games, giving customers a huge range of gaming options to choose from.
Find the team on Stand 25 at ACOS on 19th and 20th October.
➜
If you’d like to learn more about bringing the X-Factor to your business, then the team will happily arrange an informal chat. You can even arrange a Bingo Plus studio tour, meet the Presenters, and discover the magic behind the camera. Call 01482 620919 or visit www.aboutbingoplus.com
Mike Watret, of Carlton Bingo commented, “A er an absence of three years due to Covid restrictions, it was heartening to see so many familiar and new faces a ending the golf day.”
A cloudy and rainy day faced the initial groups heading out on the course, although this was a welcome reminder to many of those a ending from England what rain actually looked like a er the summer drought! The clouds cleared twenty minutes a er the first tee-off, which made way for warm and sunny conditions for the remainder of the day.
The day helped raise funds for The Bingo Association’s national charity Variety – the Children’s’ charity. A combination of an entry fee to the yellow ball competition together with many generous donations from players and supporters for a charity raffle, helping to raise £1,165. Top raffle prizes included a Scotland football shirt signed by the three goal scorers from the 1967 England 2 Scotland 3 home international, which was raffled in a blind auction. The winning bid was for £300 by Kevin Temple of Novomatic, who plans to display it prominently at home: once he has secured agreement from his wife.
The day itself went very smoothly thanks to generous sponsorship from Shipley Creative and the hard work and efforts in making preparations for the day by Shaun Gibson (Operations Director – Carlton Bingo) and Stephen Morrison, (Compliance Director – Carlton Bingo), the event organiser. With teams put together based on handicaps, it was a great chance to meet new people from across the sector and a great reminder why the sector work well together as an industry – both in terms of operators and support businesses.
Carlton Bingo had a number of entrants on the day and were joined by representatives from Cowells Arrow, Buzz Bingo, BJs Bingo, The Bingo Association, Borders Bingo, The Globe Bingo Johnstone, Club 3000 Bingo, ECM Systems, Leisure Electronics, Deith Leisure, Novomatic, 1314 Electricals & McGregors.
On a day of stiff competition, there was not much between the players finishing in the top 4 prize positions. Gary Duncanson (Club Manager – Carlton Stirling) held off the challenge of a number of those who played well to claim the 2022 Carlton Golf title and first prize.
Duncanson
McTier
Malley
Sinclair
Nearest
Stuart
Carlton Bingo staged its annual golf day for bingo operators, sector suppliers and contractors on 24th August, which saw 33 players gather at Deer Park, Livingston.
Harlow Printing are a print and print management company based in the North East of England, with a £12 million annual turnover, eighty percent of which is from public sector work. Despite having been established in 1947 many readers may not be familiar with the name. However, you will be familiar with many of the faces to be found there.
Edward Thompson is a name that was well known in bingo and promotional circles and they approached Harlow Printing in January with an opportunity which would allow Harlow to diversify into the gaming market. Given the reputation held by Edward Thompson within the industry, it didn’t take long or much deliberation for the Harlow team to accept the offer.
Following a period of integration Harlow Printers are now fully operational in the production of bingo tickets, scratch cards, dabbers and direct mail, adding to their extensive portfolio of general print, NCR sets, booklets, leaflets, banners, promotional products and many more specialist print items.
It was important to Harlow that they retained the specialist knowledge that Edward Thompson team had spent years acquiring and people who are well known in the bingo industry. Team members who moved across to Harlow include:
• Alan Morrison and Caroline Porterfield (Sales Management)
• Gary Wright (Field Sales)
• Nadine Craggs and Jackie Maggiore (Project Management)
• Dave Bate and Dave McFarlane (IT, Perms and Game Development)
• Brian Hobson (Production Management)
Many of the print production team also joined Harlow to ensure that products are manufactured to the same high standards. Harlow’s own field sales representatives will support and work with Gary in visiting and supporting bingo club, distributor, holiday park and leisure customers.
Harlow aims to maintain the supply of bingo tickets and associated products to existing customers, whilst attracting new customers by continuing to offer the first-class service Edward Thompson delivered, and in doing so, supporting the endeavours of the Industry to regain player numbers after a couple of extremely difficult years.
It may be a new name and a new site, but you can expect to find many familiar faces, an expanded range of services and products and a larger field sales team.
UK gaming industry pioneer, former Bingo Association Chairman and latterly President and Co-Founder of The Hippodrome Casino, London.
It is with much sadness that we share news of James (Jimmy) Thomas’ death on the morning of Saturday 30th July. Jimmy died in his sleep following a short illness. He was 88.
Directors of The Bingo Association and National Bingo Game Association took time out from their planned agenda at their Autumn Board Meeting to remember Jimmy and his contribution to the Bingo Industry. Chairman Chris Matthews spoke on behalf of all when he acknowledged Jimmy’s unwavering support for the industry.
Born in Loughborough in 1934, he was educated at Uppingham School in Leicestershire, part of a family that, for seven generations, has been immersed in the UK leisure and gaming industries.
In 1956 he opened his first casino in the Hurst Hotel, Quorn, Leicestershire, followed by others in Nottingham and Derby. In 1965 he launched the La Ronde Casino & Cabaret Club in Loughborough.
In the early 60s, Jimmy founded Thomas Automatics Co Ltd, which established itself as one of the world’s largest manufacturers, designers, suppliers and exporters (to 37 countries) of amusement and leisure equipment.
He also founded Showboat Holdings Limited which comprised a number of companies including Showboat Entertainment Centre Limited which grew to be the leading privately owned group of amusement centres in the country, and Beacon Entertainments Limited, acknowledged as the market leader in the operation, innovation and luxury design of bingo and social clubs. He was a key part of the industry team that successfully lobbied for The Bingo Act of 1986, making the National Bingo Game possible and changing the industry forever, as the Act allowed an individual bingo game to be played across multiple venues, delivering greater ticket sale volumes and resulting game prize.
A sale took place in 1987 to The Rank Organisation together with a demerger of some of the companies retained by the Thomas family and parent company, Thomas Holdings Limited. As Chief Executive and later, with his son Simon Thomas as Managing Director, the group companies - Thomas Estates Limited (Showboat Amusement Centres) & Beacon Entertainments Limited (Beacon Bingo & Social Clubs) – continued to operate venues until in August 2006, the group was sold to Mayfair Acquisitions Co Limited and operated under Riva Gaming Limited, subsequently purchased by Praesepe plc.
This sale led to the father and son team tackling the most ambitious project the UK casino sector has ever seen, the
acquisition of the London Hippodrome nightclub – once run by Peter Stringfellow – and transforming the 115 year-old grade II listed building into a state of the art casino. The Hippodrome originally opened in 1900 as a circus variety theatre. In the 1950s it became the famous Talk of the Town, hosting shows by performers that included Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Sammy Davis.
Opened in July 2012, the multi-award-winning Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, London, was recognised as a new breed of UK casino and entertainment venue that revolutionised the industry and was the venue for Jimmy’s 88th birthday party.
Jimmy Thomas was a member of many industry bodies including a life membership of BACTA (British Amusement & Catering Trades Association); Vice President and Chairman of the BACTA Charitable Trust; and Director of EAGE Ltd (European Amusement & Gaming Expo Ltd) since its formation in May 2009.
Simon Thomas, Jimmy’s son and Executive Chairman of the Hippodrome said: “My father achieved enough for several lifetimes and was respected the world over for his business leadership and pioneering vision. I had the privilege of his advice and guidance not only as a business partner but as a son. He was one of a kind, and will be greatly missed by his family, many friends and staff members.”
We offer our condolences to Jimmy’s family.
Following the successful launch of National Bingo Day in 2021, online and retail bingo operators came together again to celebrate bingo on Monday 27th June this year.
Sponsored by the National Bingo Game Association, bingo clubs and online platforms participated in even greater number this year, helping to firmly establish bingo’s special day as a genuine national event. In total over 93% of online bingo sites participated and 100% of all land based bingo clubs took part.
In reviewing 2021 activity, media and social listening data, and encouraged by support for the first National Bingo Day from both operators and players, the National Bingo Game undertook trial digital and broadcast PR activity to support the 2022 event. Reach plc, which many operators will be familiar with, offer integrated promotional activity that encompasses traditional print advertising, digital editorial, paid for digital search and social media (organic posts and advertising), while radio, an often under exploited medium, when targeted with the right content can provide access to volume audiences.
Trial activity with Reach was undertaken in two key metropolitan areas, Liverpool and Manchester. This saw primary content promoted through leading regional media brands, the Liverpool Echo and Manchester Evening News, with broader regional reach in both areas through social media and online advertising. The activity saw National Bingo Day messaging reach an audience of just under a million.
For radio engagement, focusing on National Bingo Day, highlighting fun and community facts about bingo, Miles Baron, CEO of The Bingo Association and Donna Kunyo, reigning Bingo Caller of the Year from Club 3000 Middleton, were offered as spokes people to regional and national radio stations: participating in seventeen radio interviews, Miles and Donna took National Bingo Day messaging to a radio audience of over 6.2m people!
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 2023. The increase in awareness is not only amongst operators and players, but also the broader media: something that will help drive and build further profile in the years to follow.
Miles Baron, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association said “National Bingo Day 2022 built on the success of 2021, with all bingo clubs taking part and a greater number of online sites joining in too. Many land and online operators achieved some tremendously positive trading on the day, coupled with
raising awareness of the positive social contribution made by bingo, both in the lead up to and on National Bingo Day itself.”
The build-up to National Bingo Day itself has proven to be a key launch pad period, allowing supporters to build excitement prior to the day and create multiple opportunities for engagement with various bingo and community audiences.
The Bingo Association asked all its supporting member clubs to play a special game of bingo on Friday 24th to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Local MP’s were also invited to attend their constituency club to meet with players, learn about bingo and its community role, and for the brave, to call a game! In total the games raised £22,600 and saw 21 MP’s attend clubs.
The National Bingo Game supported the industry wide event through offering all half price tickets on Friday 24th June and special community jackpot prizes on the actual day, at both afternoon and evening sessions, making lots of very happy winners.
Online operators also ran a wide range of activity, both in regard to supporting communities and charities, and running special promotions: Jackpotjoy raised over £80,000 for charities, Sky Bingo achieved over 100,000 views for their brilliant live pop-up event in Bristol’s main pedestrian shopping area, Cabot Circus. While social media posts from the likes of Rylan Clark and Carolyn Harris MP also add to the online buzz.
The increased ‘buzz’ across digital platforms, from both commercial and private accounts, saw a significant increase in conversations, tags, and posts about National Bingo Day, bingo, fun and friends: all key words for bingo, putting the annual awareness day at the centre of the bingo community on its special day.
Expectations for the next National Bingo Day on Tuesday 27th June 2023 are understandably on the ‘up’: as with many awareness days, the build is more a steady growth in the collective consciousness, than a big bang.
Details of next year’s National Bingo Day
2023:
130 bingo players and guests from across the country gathered in the Terrace Room at the Houses of Parliament on 8th September to celebrate bingo and its role in the community.
Every two years The Bingo Association hosts an event in Parliament that celebrates the work of bingo clubs: the people that play and work there, the communities they build, the charities they support and the organisations and individuals who benefit.
The last celebration should have taken place in 2020, but like so many events had to be deferred due to the pandemic. As the pandemic eased and life returned to something approaching normal the date was set for July 18th – after National Bingo Day, before MPs break for Summer recess and at a time when the weather should be kind. As things transpired this July, the weather was too kind and posed a risk to life, as thermometers touched and surpassed thirty eight degrees and some areas of the UK experienced record temperatures over forty degrees.
Thwarted by the heat and out of concern for guests’ wellbeing, while travelling and at the reception, the difficult decision was made to cancel and reschedule once the summer break was over and MPs returned to Parliament.
The Terrace Room at the Houses of Parliament was able to accommodate the re-scheduled event on the afternoon of 8th September – little did The Bingo Association know at the time precisely how memorable the date was set to become in British history, with the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. While the close of the reception had a slightly sombre air, it did not detract from the experience for guests, who felt privileged to be in such an exceptional location on such a momentous day.
Video presentations playing on monitors throughout the room reminded players and guests of the things that makes bingo clubs special: a quote from Mecca Swansea Manager and Mecca Charity Champion Kim Jones neatly summed it up – “We’re not just a safe space in which to play bingo, we’re a community, whether open or not. Bingo brings people together and together they make things happen, for themselves, for their friends and the wider community, supporting a causes, charities and people.”
Guests arrived in London throughout the morning of the day, travelling from across the country, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Hartlepool, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Worcester, Dudley, Birmingham, Cardiff and the South West, as well as guests from London, ready to attend the afternoon reception. Joining throughout the event were a number of MPs, including Carolyn Harris, Alex Davies-Jones, Chi Onwurah, Iain Duncan-Smith and Jo Gideon.
Guests were treated to high tea and two special games of charity bingo, with guest callers Alex Davies-Jones MP and Carolyn Harris MP. The games each raised further funds for The Bingo Associations’ national Charity, Variety, the Childrens’ charity.
The short formal part of the reception was presided over by Association CEO, Miles Baron who thanked guests for attending and spoke a little about what bingo means and the amazing things it achieves, before going on to present a cheque for over £20,000 to the Disaster Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The money was raised from bingo games held in bingo clubs across the country on Friday 24th June as part of celebrations leading
“We’re not just a safe space in which to play bingo, we’re a community, whether open or not.”Top: Chi Onwurah (MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central) and Miles Baron. Middle: Patricia Jones and Gillian Roberts from Castle Bingo Nantgarw with Alex Davies-Jones (MP for Pontypridd) . Below: Mark Jepp from Majestic Bingo
up to National Bingo Day on Monday 27th June.
Miles said, “I am delighted to welcome colleagues, partners, players, and parliamentary supporters in coming together to celebrate the fantastic difference the bingo industry has been making in local communities during very tough times. I am very proud that our National Bingo Day games have been able to raise such a significant sum in just one day to support those affected by events in Ukraine. I cannot emphasise enough how tirelessly our representatives have worked to support customers and communities through the challenges of recent years. I also thank those who have supported the game of bingo throughout this time to help ensure the majority of clubs were able to survive the pandemic, and can continue their great work in the years to come.”
The cheque was accepted by Sonja Ashbury, from the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), who spoke briefly, “We would like to thank The Bingo Association for the money raised during National Bingo Day to support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. We are proud to be one of the causes that the bingo industry has supported, and are delighted to have come together to celebrate the difference made by bingo. We know The Bingo Association and its members will keep up its fantastic work supporting important causes and thank them for the difference this donation will make to those we are supporting in Ukraine.”
Representatives from Variety, the Children’s Charity also attended the event alongside students and tutors from Newfriars College in Stoke-on-Trent, to whom Variety and members of The Bingo Association had donated the most recent Sunshine Coach in June.
After the reception Players and Charity Champions retired to the Curio Westminster Hotel, for drinks and dinner as guests of the Association.
At 22 Oliver Fraser is, he assures us, the youngest general manager of a bingo club, ever, beating the previous record of 23 set by none other than his father, Brian Fraser. It can’t be just the intergenerational challenge that has led Oliver to follow in his father’s footsteps and to be a challenger; it must be in the genes.
Oliver’s route into bingo was not immediate and perhaps highlights the power of nature and nurture when the two are aligned. Keen on sport and fitness, his first role was working in a gym, but having grown up with bingo and bingo talk around him ‘the force was strong in this one’.
Dad Brian’s career in bingo started over forty-one years ago when he joined Mecca Bingo as a management trainee. Since when he set up operator Riva in 1997, going on to sell the six club business in 2004, before then starting Club 3000 Bingo in 2006, with the first club in Coatbridge, Glasgow, which has grown into the largest independent operator, with twenty-two clubs.
“One of my earliest memories is from when I was about six, being at the Coatbridge club, before it opened to customers, and running around the place, it seemed so big.” Oliver commented. “It never crossed my mind that one day I might be working there.”
Born in Harlow, Essex, where he grew up and went to school, Oliver’s decision to join the family business was very much a sink or swim proposition, which would see him leave home, move to a new city and start a new job in Club 3000 Bingo in Knowle, Bristol.
“Having made the decision to work for Dad I was thrown in at the deep end, sink or swim. Not so much in respect of the job itself, where I learnt every role from the bottom up, but in relation to maturing, growing up I guess. The fist six months were quite tough , as I was not used to living on my own and despite having heard bingo talk all my life, seeing
what it really meant and putting it into practice was a new game altogether.”
Oliver stayed for two years at the Bristol club before moving to the Coatbridge club, “Being back at the club certainly brought back memories and there were even one or two staff who remembered me coming in as a young boy and running round the place. I did get ribbed a bit about that!”
“Having learnt so much from the team at the Bristol club I joined Coatbridge as an Assistant Manager and while at the club made it to Deputy Manager. I think it was tricky starting work as managing expectations was hard; some thought I would join the business fully formed, trained up and be stepping into more senior roles in the clubs right from the start. When it was clear that I was there to learn I think I actually got a harder time because I was Brian’s son rather than an easier one.
“Relocating from Bristol was a jolt, but I loved being back at that particular club. Such great and it seems lucky, customers there: Coatbridge was Dad’s first Club 3000 Bingo venue, so it holds a special place for us both now.”
Being based in Coatbridge there were business meetings with Dad but still plenty of trips home to see both Mum and Dad. Even though it was family time, as Oliver’s girlfriend usually travelled home with him, conversation would inevitably turn to shop talk.
It was on one such visit early this year that father and son were discussing the opening of the next club, Kilmarnock, and considering who might be a suitable General Manager, bringing in fresh energy and
experience to the new venue.
A few names were traded when Brian added Oliver to the mix and said “I think it should be you!”
Oliver was both surprised and flattered by his Dad’s faith in him and the offer of the job, but did not underestimate the task and challenges he needed to meet and master, in order to get the club and team ready for customers and to build the customer base.
Brian’s faith was well placed and Club 3000 Bingo in Kilmarnock opened in August this year (see page 14) with Oliver in his first GM role and loving bingo just a little bit more each day.
The past four years have been pretty full-on for Oliver, who has had little time to indulge in his love of golf, tennis and paintballing. However, as a self-confessed petrolhead, who still misses V12 engines, his passion for cars and driving has still been indulged by the miles driven for work.
“While I am not a bingo player, I really only play to see what the customer experience is like, I am a big fan of land based bingo. Nothing beats that feeling at the end of a great night and all those happy faces, whether they won a lot, won a little or nothing. Everyone is heading home feeling they have had a good time.”
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Oliver is the GM of Club 3000 Kilmarnark which opened this year. To read the full story see page 14.
There are many who feel inexplicably drawn to bingo, both players and those who work in the industry, but there are few who can make both the literal and spiritual claim. Peter Woolley is one such man: born into a bingo family, from the age of 13 he instinctively knew that it was where he wanted to be and where he felt he belonged.
One of three children it was Peter’s parents, Karen and Paul, who built the family’s bingo foundations, which today runs three clubs, Palace Bedworth, Palace Coalville and Flutters Rushden. Paul had been an accountant in the RAF and upon leaving and searching for a new role applied to Granada, to be part of their Leisure Management Programme. Upon discovering that it was a role in bingo he was not inclined to accept the role. However, after some encouragement and persuasion he decided to give it a go, only to discover that he very much enjoyed it and went on to run and open clubs for Granada in many places, including Derby and Wembley.
Three generations: Paul, Harry and Peter➜
During Paul’s time with Granada he met wife to be Karen. When Granada decided to sell its bingo business in 1991 to Bass Paul and Karen decided to take the plunge and become owners. Their very first club was the Rialto in Coventry, which operated until 2009 and has since found a new life as a live performance venue.
Anyone for ice cream? Asks a young Peter Woolley ➜
Over the following twenty years Paul and Karen owned and operated a number of leisure and retail businesses including restaurants, a cinema and a dress shop, but bingo always remained at the core of the business. Their clubs have included the Union in Dunstable, only a few doors down from The Bingo Association’s offices and the club at which Peter took his first manager role.
With both parents involved in the business Peter, brother Paul and sister Donna, all grew up with bingo a constant presence in their lives. It comes as no surprise to discover that all have taken roles in the business, though perhaps earnt might be a more accurate description. As there is no substitute for learning a business from the bottom up, particularly in leisure and retail, Peter’s very first taste of the business was at 13 as an ice cream vendor, working the club floor with a hanging tray of vanilla tubs and choc-ices. At 15 he was trying his hand at calling on weekends and school holidays.
“In those days there were not the same restrictions in place regarding under 18s being on the premises: as I was under the watchful eyes of both Mum and Dad it was little more than work experience. Like other friends had paper delivery rounds or helped out in supermarkets, I helped out in a bingo club.
“From my very first role selling ice cream I loved being there. I had always thought I would, but you never can be sure. As my experience of different roles and tasks in club grew my commitment to, and enjoyment of, the job just grew.” commented Peter.
“Thirty years later I feel no differently about work and can’t remember a day when I didn’t want to go in. Certainly, there are days that are shall we say, a bit more challenging than others,
but they have never left me feeling that I didn’t want to go back the next day.”
While the usual work based challenges of interviews and trial periods are not things that Peter has had to face, their absence has not meant that other expectations were not in place – spoken or unspoken. Entering a family business may open a door or secure an opportunity, but rarely guarantees a top spot without experience of the business and merit. The expectations and pressures on those born into a family business can be greater than those without a family connection, as they are expected or want to, demonstrate that they are ‘there’ in spite of the family connection not solely because of it.
Peter acknowledges that learning the ropes of the business has been key to his understanding and confidence, as well as having been excellent experience.
“Working with people was a natural move for me and people can teach you so much about yourself and human nature – that has certainly been the case for me. This, combined with the business, technical and compliance knowledge now required in bingo certainly provides a breadth of experience.”
At 43 Peter has certainly learnt the business from the bottom up, having been Ice cream seller, pot washer, floor checker, doorman, caller, book seller, assistant manager, manager, area manager, director and latterly managing director. With his Dad Paul now semi-retired, the next generation is showing distinct signs of interest in bingo. Peter’s eldest son Harry, who is now at university studying Business and Psychology, has already worked in the clubs, similar to the way in which Peter himself started, and is eager to start work formally: currently he is only part time.
Peter’s enthusiasm for bingo and family life leaves little free time: with partner Jen, an NHS nurse, they have seven children between them, aged 7-16. This has not prevented Peter form keeping up with his love of football. Very competitive when younger he was a regular player, these days it is mostly confined to supporting younger family players at their matches and Derby City.
“Being a father and trying to fill my father’s shoes takes up most of my time, but I do get time to watch football either Derby, Coventry or games at Wembley.”
With both Peter and Jen working in areas that are very much about people it would be understandable if other members of the next generation, in addition to Harry, also discovered the joys of bingo, helping Peter and siblings Paul and Donna take the business forward.
“There have been so many issues in the past two years –surviving has been a challenge – but we are hoping to grow the business in the next few years, underpinned by the great customer service that has helped us survive.
“For me being an operator and still remaining front of house, at the coal face if you like, is what makes it all worthwhile. It’s the people.”
“Thirty years later I feel no differently about work and can’t remember a day when I didn’t want to go in.”
If leaks are accurate, one concept we can expect in the White Paper is the proposed introduction of Cumulative Impact Policies in relation to gambling premises proposed by the local Government Authority. As bingo operators, which supply alcohol and put on entertainment, you may have experience of Cumulative Impact Policies, which have long been a tool to regulate premises under the Licensing Act 2003.
Under Cumulative Impact Policies, Licensing Authorities can adopt tougher restriction in areas where unacceptable levels of crime, disorder or public nuisance have been identified, and many Local Authorities have tackled these issues by adopting such policies. The principle being that the existing disorder and/or public nuisance is so bad that no new premises should be licensed, or additional capacity or later hours allowed. Government figures suggest that there have been over 200 Cumulative Impact Policies in place in England and Wales.
Since 2017, Licensing Authorities have been required by law to provide evidence to support any Cumulative Impact Policy, known as a Cumulative Impact Assessment. Such assessments must be reviewed at least every 3 years.
Applicants who have premises or are seeking to buy premises (and make changes to the licence) in these areas, will need to address the issues in their Operating Schedule in order to show that any application, if granted, would not add to the ‘Cumulative Impact’. Cumulative Impact Policies can be popular with the Police, but
commercially many see these zones as leading to a lack of choice for the consumer in relation to pubs and restaurants, and a reduction in standards in existing establishments. Of course, existing establishments can benefit from the introduction of Cumulative Impact Policies, as it prevents competitors opening nearby.
Since the pandemic, some Licensing Authorities have recognised, due to the hospitality sector being effectively shut down for many months, that there is not sufficient evidence to support Cumulative Impact and have consequently removed their Cumulative Impact Policy or reduced their extent. Examples of Local Authorities who have removed Cumulative Impact Policies include, Birmingham City Council; Nottingham City Council; Leicester City Council; Liverpool City Council; and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
Cumulative Impact Policies can exist under the Licensing Act 2003 as the Licensing Act does not dictate how Licensing Authorities exercise their functions, in the same way as the Gambling Act 2005. Under Section 153 (Principles to be Applied) the Gambling Act requires Local Authorities to aim to permit the use of premises for gambling in so far as they think it in accordance with the codes of practice and guidance issued by the Commission, in accordance with their own statement of principles, and as far as they think any decision is reasonably consistent with the Licensing Objectives.
Under the Licensing Act, Licensing Authorities can implement Cumulative Impact Policies and go as far as to state that they will refuse applications in certain circumstances. In my view the existence of the ‘aim to permit’ under the Gambling Act prevents Local Authorities from taking such a stance when it comes to determining gambling premises applications. Therefore, any introduction of Cumulative Impact Policies under the Gambling Act 2005, would require changes to primary legislation which would remove ‘aim to permit’ or in other ways amend or provide exemptions from the requirement to ‘aim to permit’.
In addition to the statutory position there are evidential challenges to justify such impact policies in relation to gambling premises. Areas with large numbers of alcohol licensed venues can suffer problems with crime and disorder, nuisance and disturbance to residents and businesses to justify Cumulative Impact Policies. This is primarily due to excessive alcohol consumption and circumstances where large numbers of drinkers
Nick Arron lead partner for the Betting and Gaming Team at Poppleston Allen LLP looks to the future and one aspect of the much anticipated White Paper.
concentrate in an area, for example after leaving premises at peak times or queuing at fast food outlets or for public transport. Bingo premises simply do not cause the same types of problems. Punters and players have not been drinking in gambling premises, they do not attend or leave together in big numbers, at similar times. The few numbers of Applications for Review of gambling premises licences under Section 197 of the Gambling Act 2005 supports this view. Gambling premises have not caused Responsible Authorities or residents the same issues to warrant Review.
According to the Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, Cumulative Impact Assessments must be justified by “good evidence” that crime and disorder or nuisance are occurring, and if there is evidence of such problems occurring, identify whether these problems are caused by the customers of licensed premises or that Cumulative Impact is imminent. Gambling premises simply do not have the numbers of people attending, do not cause the same problems as
alcohol licensed venues, and there is very little evidence that it is possible to identify particular groups of premises to create a Cumulative Impact in relation to the Licensing Objectives under the Gambling Act 2005. There will, of course, be exceptions to this, but generally there is not sufficient national evidence of such significant problems with gambling premises to justify the implementation of Cumulative Impact Policies under the Gambling Act 2005.
The Local Government Association are seeking greater powers to control gambling premises. They already have significant powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to effectively manage local gambling premises, including the power to Review and subsequently add or amend conditions, restrict hours and revoke licences. These are similar powers to those under the Licensing Act. But we see very few Reviews of gambling premises – because there is not the evidence that gambling premises cause the same issues.
That is not to state that problem gambling is not a significant
consideration for the industry and regulators, but rather that problem gambling is more complicated than too many people having too much to drink in a certain area of a town. Problem gamblers tend to access numerous types of gambling on multiple platforms and are more likely to be gambling online via websites and Smartphone applications, rather than a particular gambling premise or premises in an area. This is supported, for instance, by the Gambling Commission’s enforcement action against Licensees, which is predominantly in relation to failings by online remote operators rather than land-based businesses.
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Nick Arron is a partner at niche licensing law firm Poppleston Allen. Poppleston Allen act for The Bingo Association and advises its members. Nick can be contacted via email n.arron@popall.co.uk or telephone 07968 805559. www.popall.co.uk
Dabbers’ Bingo Crowns Crudi Dench their Next Top Bingo Caller 2022 in a parallel bingo universe where the game is the best show in town and nothing exceeds like excess.
Very much part of the mainstream bingo world from a compliance and regulation standpoint, they are even members of The Bingo Association, yet slightly set apart, seeming to exist in a parallel universe, where bingo is the biggest show in town and every player is mad for more, is Dabbers Bingo.
An intimate one-off venue and experience that takes bingo showmanship to infinity and beyond: here it almost seems nothing is ever ‘too much’, if it’s fun and entertains the players.
Callers at Dabbers Bingo get the opportunity to truly work the room, as they are encouraged to bring their talents to the stage and game. Regular nights have a plethora of comedy names and guest hosts have included Aurie Styla, Marcel Lucont, Olaf Falafel, Tony Law, Tom Houghton, Eleanor Conway, and many more. They pride themselves on having comedy and performance at the heart of everything they do and their ‘open to all’ Next Top Bingo Caller competition is part of their cunning plan to find new talent and exciting personalities. The lucky winner receives a twelve month contract to perform at Dabbers Bingo, a cash prize of £1,000, courtesy of Malibu, and a luxurious hotel stay.
The competition starts in March, with a call for entrants and semi-finals were held in May and June, ahead of July’s Grand Final. Sixteen contestants made it to the start line, a mix of comedians, cabaret performers, character acts, Drag and musical comedy, which were whittled down to a final four for the Grand Final: Kitty Cassis, Edgar7 and Jaynine, Ferrari Roche and Crudi Dench.
The afternoon of Sunday 3rd July saw a packed Dabbers Bingo, ready with guest Judging Panel, which included Miles Baron, CEO of The Bingo Association, ready to ‘crown a winner’ and find the Judge’s Favourite.
First up Kitty Cassis, with her 80s club singer get-up and confident demeanour, she kicked things off keeping to the traditional bingo style and very much channelling Phoenix Nights. Next, duo Edgar7 & Jaynine, playing typical American tourists on their European tour: they bring their own unique brand of humour and stay in character the whole time, keeping the audience entertained throughout, incorporating pre-recorded videos into their performance. Then, Ferrari Roché, a firm favourite based on room reaction, turns the bingo club into a rave space, handing out glowsticks and ‘throwing some shapes’ on the stage to classic dance tunes - her energy level and pace are fantastic - keeping songs and prizes on theme and still calling the game. Closing the show was daring drag queen Crudi Dench, whose lip sync battles and snappy jokes win over the audience. While the performance is more stand-alone than bingo caller, Dabbers then used a brilliant head-to-head challenge to whittle down duplicate finalists, in a bottle shake off: sure to have had a ‘hand’ in bringing home the final win for Crudi Dench.
Matt Stallworthy, University Event Coordinator by day and Drag Queen, Crudi Dench by night, was certainly a clear winner for both audience and judges. Playing to a sold-out crowd, Crudi won over spectators by bringing a unique breath of fresh air and pure comedy to the role of bingo caller: excitement, sass and
entertainment, rather than the Drag Race maxim of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. There was no ‘Tea’ or ‘shade’, but lots of talent.
Miles Baron, CEO of The Bingo Association and guest judge said, “It was great to be invited to be a Judge at the final of Dabbers’ Next Top Bingo Caller: great entertainment, from amazing finalists and the audience were very much up for it all.
“Congratulations to Crudi for stealing the show and taking home the crown and to the Judges’ Choice Winner, Kitty Cassis. While I am not confident that all of Crudi’s new bingo calls will transfer to club bingo, they were certainly a new take on bingolingo that was spot on for the crowd at Dabbers.
“Just like the best callers in club bingo, who we will be judging next month at the National Bingo Game’s Caller of The Year competition, it’s about knowing your audience, keeping them engaged, managing the game and keeping it fun.”
Winner Crudi Dench is the drag persona of Matt Stallworthy. Originally from Liverpool, Matt started drag in York while at university, studying comedy and social studies, and named his alter ego in honour of Judi Dench, who was born in the Heworth area of York. Matt said, “Crudi’s vibe has definitely developed from the northern women that I was surrounded by growing up in Liverpool and met while in York”.
While studying in York Matt helped set up ‘Haus of Dench’, a group of performers creating spaces for LGBT+ Creatives to showcase their talents. There were no LGBT+ venues in York so Haus of Dench decided to take over Fibbers, one of York’s most well-known indie live music venues, and create cabaret/club night Lip Sync Lollapalooza. The mash-up between cabaret and club styles, combining
lip-sync and comedy that ended with a full-on disco was a big hit.
As experience of events grew the troupe introduced bingo into its repertoire. With no previous knowledge or experience of the game and no family members who played, they had no preconceived notions of what it should and should not be. Haus of Dench Bingo was also a great crowd pleaser whenever it was offered up.
“Just before the pandemic we had started doing a few Drag Bingo events and we got to see quickly how popular they were.” Matt said.
The jump from Haus of Dench to Dabbers Bingo is no chasm, but not perhaps the most obvious. It was Haus member Kate Butch who encouraged Crudi to enter, as she had previously taken part in the competition. With nothing to lose and everything to play for Crudi submitted her entry form, and the rest as they say is history. We caught up with Crudi (AKA Matt) just as she was planning her Autumn schedule and asked why she thought she had won, has she ever been to play regular bingo and future plans.
“Dabbers’ Next Top Bingo Caller brings together a diverse group of entertainers, who are
different audiences. A stand-up comedian is used to an audience that attends expecting to focus on them, so does not have to fight for their initial attention. If you are performing in a bar or club, where the audience have not necessarily come to see and focus on a performer, and are likely to be distracted talking or doing other things, then you need to grab their attention and keep it.
“Drag bingo is used to dealing with less focussed audiences and is used to delivering lots of cut-through and keeping the pace up. That certainly helped me with my performance at Dabbers, which was great, as I very much wanted to win. The opportunity to be one of the regular presenters at the club will be great and I am very much looking forward to working with the team there and delivering the Crudi Dench experience. The Dabbers team also attend events and festivals including Edinburgh and Latitude in Reading. Part of the challenge in the competition was to deliver new bingo calls for numbers 1-45, so that was perfect! My bingolingo was very much written by me for Crudi to deliver!
“I have never played bingo in a regular club, but it is on my list. I am also yet to pay a visit to Hijingo, but it’s great to see bingo reinventing itself, because audiences love it! Get the right bingo for the right audience and it’s an amazing experience and event.”
Performing as Crudi Dench has led to many wonderful and peculiar experiences – from working with the Cheeky Girls and RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner Sasha Velour to performing on top of the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Matt is also part of the improv troupe Any Suggestions, Doctor? The Improvised Doctor Who Parody, an Edinburgh Fringe favourite which has recently finished a nationwide tour.
When not on stage, Matt works as a University Event Coordinator during the day, swapping wigs and heels for logistics and risk assessments. “Managing crowds at open days is definitely a different skill set from managing crowds at cabaret bars and comedy clubs! But with both I hope to leave guests happy and smiling”.
While Crudi works on her plan for global stardom, Matt has no plans to give up the day job, just yet.
“Just before the pandemic we had started doing a few Drag Bingo events and we got to see quickly how popular they were.”
Solve our word search puzzle by finding the 13 words hidden in the grid below. Note: The words may be written in any direction including backwards and diagonally.
There’s a decidedly spooky them for this issue’s Wordsearch as we ask you to ‘ghoul out’ Halloween answers!
Frankenstein Trick or Treat
Poltergeist Werewolves Halloween Haunted House Grim Reaper Black Cat
Skeleton Monsters Dracula
Broomstick
Ghosts
All Bingo Connect Wordsearch competition entries must be received by 30th November 2022. 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 2021. 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.
D I K W P O L T E R G E I S T G Z F T A P H D C W R E B K P M R X R A V U L X T U B R S H O A I Z A D C O J G X Z O K N N W Q M W N M L Y H O R O E E S T D Q R E K E F O Z P M L E T O R V R E R E N S U T S E W E L A X W V A E N T J W T T O R C C H A S P P W S Q E I O L S B U R I R S Z E O T I C N L K K L R M Z C X C R L E K O A I X A I E R W K M J X V I I H T A E R T R O K C I R T E N Q D W J W B L A C K C A T F S E T V H A U N T E D H O U S E E
There is a statutory obligation on employers to make reference to their disciplinary and grievance procedures in their employee’s contracts of employment.
Although it is usual practice for the contract to state that the procedures do not actually form part of the contract in order not to create any contractual obligations, an unreasonable failure to comply with the ACAS Statutory Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (the Code) allows an employment tribunal to increase any awards made by up to 25%. Therefore, employers should have disciplinary and grievance procedures which comply with the Code and ensure that they follow the Code if they are required to invoke their disciplinary procedure or they receive a grievance from an employee. In this article I explore the main features of the Code and provide some tips on how to handle disciplinary and grievance matters.
From time to time, most employers will have to deal with a disciplinary matter or will receive a grievance. From the outset the employer should follow the correct procedure and make sure it is clear which managers are responsible for the investigation, dealing with the disciplinary or grievance hearing and hearing any appeal. In many cases, disputes arising in the workplace may be resolved informally. However, this is not always possible and in matters where serious allegations have been made, it would be inappropriate to do so. At an early stage the employer
needs to decide how it is going to handle a particular issue. It is better to seek legal advice at the outset of a problem rather than seeking advice half way through a procedure only to find out that the Code has already be breached.
The Code does not apply to redundancy dismissals or the nonrenewal of fixed-term contracts on their expiry.
The importance of the initial investigation in relation to alleged misconduct or poor performance should not be under estimated. In misconduct cases the employer will need to establish which manager will be undertaking the investigation and if possible, there should a clear separation between the investigator, the person conducting the disciplinary hearing and the manager hearing any appeal. The employer needs to get their “ducks in a row” at the beginning of the process so it is clear who will be undertaking the specific roles during the disciplinary process.
The investigation part of the procedure is simply to try to establish the facts of the case. In serious misconduct cases, it may be necessary to suspend an employee with pay. However, suspension should not be a “knee jerk” response and alternatives to suspension should be considered
and the suspension kept under review. However, it may be necessary in order to preserve evidence or where the level of alleged misconduct is so serious that the employee subject to the investigation should be removed from the workplace. It is advisable to take legal advice at an early stage in relation to whether or not an individual should be suspended.
The employee should be informed in writing of the alleged misconduct or poor performance and that they are subject to an investigation. Whether it is alleged misconduct or poor performance, the employer should state clearly the allegations and provide the evidence which support the allegations. Employers often make the mistake of not defining the nature of the misconduct or poor performance or not providing sufficient evidence to support the allegations. It is important at this stage that as far as possible the issues are clear in order that the employee understands what they are facing. The letter inviting them to a disciplinary hearing should set out the allegations and the evidence which they are required to address at the disciplinary hearing. The letter inviting them to the disciplinary hearing should also state that the employee has a right to be accompanied either by a trade union representative or a work colleague.
At the disciplinary hearing, the
employer should explain the complaint which the employee has already received in writing and go through the evidence. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for the employee to answer the allegations before any decision is reached. Where an employer or the employee intends to call relevant witnesses, they should give advance notice that they intend to do so.
Employees have a statutory right to be accompanied to a disciplinary hearing by a work colleague or a trade union representative. The companion is entitled to address the hearing, respond on behalf of the employee during the hearing, but the companion does not have the right to answer questions on the employee’s behalf.
At the hearing, after the employee has had the opportunity to respond to the allegations, the employer representative should not make an immediate response, but inform the employee that they will consider the representations which have been made and will respond in due course. To do otherwise, may indicate that the employer has pre-determined the outcome before considering the response of the employee. Therefore, it is always better to reflect on what has been said before deciding what the appropriate disciplinary action is. The employer should also consider whether there are any mitigating circumstances to consider for example whether the employee’s conduct or performance has been affected by personal or health issues. The Code provides for three disciplinary sanctions;
• first written warning;
• final written warning; and
• dismissal.
Whatever disciplinary sanction is given, the employer should set out in writing their findings and the reasons for the disciplinary outcome. In the case of poor performance, unless there has been gross negligence or a previous warning has been given, the outcome will be either a first or final written warning, depending on the nature of the poor performance. In conduct cases, if it is found that the employee has committed gross misconduct, for example, theft or
harassment of another member of staff, dismissal without notice would be appropriate. For less serious matters, for example, being late for work or refusing to comply with a reasonable instruction, a first or final written warning may be appropriate. Disciplinary warnings usually remain on the employee’s record for 6 to 12 months.
An employee should have the right of appeal against any disciplinary sanction and where possible, the appeal should be heard by a manager who has not previously been involved in the case.
A grievance is a complaint or a problem raised by the employee in relation to their employment. Although the onus is on the employee to set out their complaint, the employer should not be obstructive and in some cases will need to help the employee to specify their complaint, particularly if it is of a sensitive nature. The employer should try to clarify the nature of the complaint and find ways to try to resolve the matter. It may be that the complaint can be dealt with informally, but if this is not possible, or desirable if there is a serious complaint made which involves another employee, the matter needs to be investigated.
Therefore, the normal sequence of events is that following receipt of the complaint, a meeting will be held to consider the employee’s grievance. The employee is entitled to be accompanied to the grievance meeting by either a work colleague or a trade union representative. The companion has the same rights at a grievance hearing as in a disciplinary hearing, as explained above.
Following the initial grievance meeting, it is likely that the manager hearing the grievance will need to undertake further investigations. It is often good practice to meet with the employee again to provide them with a further opportunity to make any representations before a final decision is made.
If the complaint is about another employee, it may be that the initial grievance may result in a disciplinary
investigation. Therefore, matters can become complicated where there is a grievance process and also a disciplinary process. However, the employer will need to identity which procedure is being followed and make this clear to the parties concerned.
Where an employee feels that their grievance has not been resolved, they should be given the right of appeal to a manager who has not previously been involved in the case.
Dealing with grievances can become a very timing consuming and stressful which means some employers either ignore the matter or “kick it in the long grass”. However, a failure to deal with a grievance reasonably can be grounds for an employee to claim constructive unfair dismissal where the employee has sufficient service to do so, or they may believe they have suffered some form of discrimination claim. Therefore, it is better to deal with the grievance promptly and try to get to grips with the issues and take advice at the outset because by not addressing the issues, they will often come back to cause the employer to invest more time dealing with the matter either in the form of further grievances or ultimately an employment tribunal claim.
In summary, disciplinary and grievance procedures provide the structure to deal with disciplinary and grievance matters and in the event of an employment tribunal claim, a tribunal will want to see that the employer has followed at least the basic procedures as set out in the ACAS Code. The mistake that employers sometimes make is that they believe that they can take short-cuts in order to resolve a matter which often makes matters worse and ultimately more costly.
Taylor Walton is able to assist Association members with any queries relating to disciplinary and grievance procedures or any other employment or business immigration matters.
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Bingo has a long history in the UK where it has always been about people, community and fun. A key element of that fun and game play are the guys and gels who call the numbers: part host, part compere, part entertainer and referee, bingo callers rule!
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.
