Bingo Tax Reforms Expected in 2008

A tax reform for the UK’s bingo industry is expected in 2008 after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has backed a campaign by the big boys of online bingo, Rank and Gala Coral.

The department is now expected to apply pressure on the chancellor Alistair Darling for tax breaks when it comes to releasing 2008’s budget.

The UK bingo industry is going through a tough time with falling admissions and an ageing customer base which have been compounded by the introduction of the smoking ban and the new Gambling Act in 2007.

Bingo companies are currently taxed twice – by Gaming Duty (15 per cent) and VAT (17.5 per cent). Bingo bosses rightly feel this is excessive as it is the only form of gambling to be taxed in this way.

Grandmother Scoops £150,000 At Local Bingo Hall

Caroline Henzell, a mother of four from Newcastle, won £150,000 at Mecca Bingo in Gateshead last Sunday.

The windfall was part of a £1m giveaway in free games that took place throughout the country.

The grandmother of three was quick to point out: “I was totally shaking and was so excited. To say I’m overjoyed is a complete understatement, it’s just brilliant news and an amazing start to the year – let’s just hope my luck continues.

“I’m going on holiday to Benidorm this year so some of the money will go towards that and my husband also wants to upgrade his car too.”

Mark Dadson, manager of Mecca Gateshead, said: “The atmosphere in the club was electric and the best I’ve experienced in 11 years in this industry. We are delighted that through the Mecca Millionaire game we are able to give people real life changing amounts of money.

Caroline’s win was part of the Mecca Millionaire game, launched on September 1st last year, which saw Britain’s first ever million pound giveaway by a high street bingo operator.

A total of £3.5m has changed the lives of 16 Mecca Millionaire players since September, with nearly £6m in jackpot payouts across the entire UK.

You can find the best online bingo games at Bingo Gala.

Shock Over Bingo Players Big Win

A Norwich bingo player had a winning start to the year after claiming a £150,000 prize in a national draw – the biggest in her club’s history.

The  70 year  old woman, scooped the mammoth jackpot in a quiet afternoon session on Sunday.

Her win, in a free game involving thousands of players from the company’s 103 venues nationally, left the woman stunned and the crowd erupted into cheers when her two-line prize was confirmed.

The woman, who is a regular at the club and attends up to six times a week, did not want to be identified, but said she would be sharing the massive prize with her daughter, an occasional player who was with her at the time, and using the cash to pay off her mortgage.

Fellow regulars at the club were thrilled at the woman’s win.

Irene Davison, 72, from Salhouse, who has played bingo for more five decades, including 15 years at the Norwich hall, said: “I think that’s brilliant, her getting all that money here. I’ve been going to bingo for 50 years and I’ve never been when someone’s won that much.

“It would have been a great atmosphere in here.”

Pat Gough, 45, from Holt, added: “That’s the biggest amount I’ve ever heard of. The most I’ve won in £100.

“£150,000 is a very nice amount to win. I think it would change your life.

“I’m really pleased it went to someone who plays at this club.”

Woman Wins £250,000 On Second Bingo Visit

A Woman from Prescot has had an unforgettable start to the New Year after winning £264,288 at online bingo game on only her second visit.

Pauline Davies, 26, scooped the prize and can’t believe her luck at winning so much money, especially after being a member for such a short time.

She said: “I was in total shock, everyone was screaming around me and my heart was pounding. I’m still waiting for someone to tell me it’s a joke!”

The huge win was on the Mecca Millionaire game., launched in September 2007, which gives Bingo operators the ability to retain a percentage of the player’s stake and give away huge accumulated jackpot winnings. The game has already made three bingo millionaires in the past four months.

Mrs Davies, a mortgage broker, has already made plans about how she is going to spend her money, starting with paying off virtually all of her mortgage.

She said: “There’s a penalty cause of a couple of thousand pounds if I pay it all off, so iIll just leave £1 in the account!”

New Year's Eve Big Win!

On New Year’s Eve a man was just about to leave the club after the main session when the results of the National Game came through, identifying his ticket as the winner of £10,000.

The duty manager said: “The results of the national were just coming through on the printer when I spotted the gentleman on his way out and asked him if he wanted to see the winner’s sheet.

“He was very cool about it but, as you can imagine, also delighted when he realised the big amount of his share, then headed for the door to have a cigarette.”

The lucky customer, who didn’t want to be identified, said: “When I was waiting for just one number on the ticket my knees were knocking, but I didn’t think I had won until Nick showed me the results. It’s a fantastic start to the new year.”

Just days before, on Saturday afternoon, a grandmother playing at the club won £10,000 on a linked game and immediately announced plans for “a good holiday”.

On Christmas Eve JCB driver Barry Darbyshire, from Wrexham, won £17,500 in the national game less than a week after another local man also won £17,500 playing the Afternoon Delight Game at the club on December 19, and on December 18 a customer won £5,800, also on the national game.

You can find the best online bingo games at Bingo Gala

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