While the United Kingdom may not have been the country that invented bingo, it embraced the game completely in the 20th century, and with online Bingo it has grown to be hugely popular so far in the 21st.
But it has not been without it problems. The advent of television and later video players and recorders reduced the demand for seeing films at the cinema in the 50’s-70s, and many were converted to the new craze, Bingo. But after the 1970’s many Bingo halls struggled, and for many the death knell was the English indoor smoking ban. However live land-based Bingo has had something of a phoenix like rise from the ashes, and with attractions like Mecca’s "Bin-Glo" has brought in a whole new bunch of (younger) people to the game. However while Bingo online maybe still growing in popularity, and a more diverse audience are trying out live land-based Bingo, pundits, players, and Bingo Businesses are keen to try to ensure Bingo’s longevity. One way of them doing this is through the "I’m Backing Bingo!" campaign. It’s being pursued by an organisation known as the Bingo Association. But what is the Bingo association?
The Bingo Association. The Bingo Association is the trade association of the licensed bingo industry in Great Britain, representing proprietors of bingo clubs licensed under The Gambling Act 2005.
There are over 70 proprietors in membership and the membership profile ranges from the large operators, including Mecca (100 clubs) to smaller operators like Carlton Leisure (14 clubs) and many single unit businesses. What does it do?
The Association says that it assists members by:
* Representing their interests to relevant third parties, including Government, Regulators, Treasury and research and academic organisation.
* Responding to formal consultations on issues affecting the Bingo industry.
* Providing support, guidance and information to members concerning operation and compliance issues.
The Bingo Association also has a long history of supporting charitable causes and makes a formal commitment to the charity it works with. The Association and members then work with the charity to organize fundraising activities and where appropriate disseminate information. In addition to supporting a national nominated Association charity, many members also support local causes and charities in locations close to their clubs.
Just over a year ago, the Bingo Association announced the formation of a new All Party Parliamentary Group on Bingo. The Group represents the interests of the Bingo industry in Parliament and continues its programme of activity to ensure that UK parliamentarians are kept abreast of the industry’s developments and issues. It launched the "I’m Backing Bingo!" campaign.
The Group is chaired by the Conservative MP Brian Binley (Northampton South), who is also Chairman of the All Party Group on Small Business and a member of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee. Brian Binley said:
"I am delighted to have been elected as chair of the APPG on Bingo. I have consistently called for a fairer taxation system for bingo halls in light of the social importance and that issue is a top priority for the group."
"You cannot underestimate the importance of Bingo halls in the United Kingdom and I have been saddened by the closure of so many clubs over the last five years."
New Labour MP Luciana Berger, elected as Secretary of the Group, said:
"Bingo was a big issue on the doorstep ahead of this year’s election, which is why I pledged that if I was elected I would help the bingo industry reduce its tax burden. I am proud to have supported the bingo industry in the past but am now grateful that this new All Party Group has been formed to help drive the campaign forwards."
It’s good to see that we have Members of Parliament who seem keen to understand that Bingo is not just another gambling game, but something special, and important to the community!