Gerry Sutcliffe, the UK Minister for Culture, Media and Sport has announced that the government will be reviewing the licensing structure for online gaming – enforcing changes that could have a huge affect upon the way things ‘work’ online. Sutcliffe first indicated that change was on the wind back in April last year and this was reaffirmed only weeks ago when he stated that the changes would primarily apply to operators who are not licensed in the UK: This will therefore affect around 98% of operators and includes major brands: If his proposals come into force then as it stands these operators will not be able to directly publicise their sites toward UK players – At the moment all ‘white list’ overseas operators are able to do this.

The new move aims to guard UK players by ensuring ALL online gaming operators stick to this country’s stringent gaming laws therefore removing any ‘variables’. It is still early days and there will no doubt be much consultation to come between Sutcliffe and the Gambling Commission. Prudent regulations do guard consumers and undoubtedly if online bingo is to move onwards and upwards then players must be protected. However, it seems no coincidence that this move coincides with several major operators moving abroad to avoid huge tax rates. So it remains to be seen as to whether the result will simply amount to more financial problems for the industry, a worse deal for players (higher ticket prices and lower jackpots) and much more £££££ for the tax man.

Playing online bingo is also growing in popularity in the South Americas and with many new Spanish language websites becoming available, as well as wider distribution of high speed broadband; one never knows, people in Peru could be playing at sites like, Wink Bingo, Think Bingo and Posh Bingo.

Virtual socializing has allowed the most unlikely people to meet and cement real friendships, and bingo players have already got two strong bonds, a common interest in playing bingo and in meeting lots of like-minded people.

I have always maintained that playing at an online bingo site is like being a member of a social networking site with a difference, you get to chat and play bingo. But more and more UK sites have pages Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and so on, and fans are following news and promotions by means of these pages, as well as being introduced to an even more globally wide-spread circle of friends.

The social dimensions of playing bingo become mind boggling in their potential with the use of networking sites, and this has prompted bingo software designers to develop similar functions for bingo sites. One of the first to go this route with “Social Betworkign” is Virtue Fusion, a very reputable online bingo and gaming software developer.

The new software will allow members to bring an extra personal touch to the game. They will be able to build bigger and better profiles, upload photos and generally do what any social networking site can do. It is believed the gregarious UK bingo playing crowd will warmly welcome these changes.

It found that in general the luck in the north of the country is better than in the south and again it is the luck of the Scots and not the Irish which comes up trumps. In terms of celebrities, Simon Cowell was found to be the luckiest (or is it the most talented?), while Katie Price’s ex husband Alex Reid was the unluckiest (perhaps he disagrees!). In the majority men with the name Steve are luckier than others and the unluckiest place in the British Isles to live is Bath.

In absolute contrast to the ideology that the Scots are tight with a penny, there were found to be the most giving, and they donate far more of their bingo winnings to family, friends or charity.

During the year 2009, online bingo in the UK has continued to grow in popularity despite the fact or perhaps in spite of the fact that many new sites have joined in this bun-fight for market share. This year there are more sites than ever to vote for and I know who mine are going to be, do you have a favourite or two, too? There are also 50 sites available to nominate for the “New Site of the Year” award, so your, the player’s input is needed in both these categories.

There should be a link from your favourite site through which you can vote, but if you don’t see one, it is a simple matter to go to Which Bingo and place your vote there. There is not a lot of trouble involved in doing this, it will only take you a few minutes and you can even do it between bingo games.

This prestigious celebrates and rewards excellence in online bingo, and this can only be done by allowing players to vote for their favourite site or sites. Criteria for voting will reflect the excitement, quality and entertainment value of these sites and the results are going to tell you where the best places to play bingo in the UK can be found. Make sure you get your say.

But his South Shield bingo club following has been behind him every step of the way, voting for him and encouraging others to do so. Now that Simon seems to be favoring him to win, this 18 year old Geordie may just end up being the winner. Blake Robson, who won the coveted title of Bingo Caller of the Year is the bingo caller at this club and he recons the boy has talent too, and hpes he might pop past for a game or on his return.

So not only are a ton of South Shields bingo and Joe fans encouraging others to vote for him, apparently so is Simon Cowell lobbying support with Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue. Joe probably deserves it, he did after all receive a standing ovation for his rendition of the Elton John song “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”, and this was from the Judges. Word is also out that Simon Cowell has also decided the first track to be released by the X Factor winner is “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey, and Joe has already performed this.

In the meantime the new X Factors games have seen online bingo players spinning to win VIP experiences at the London studios, while the contestants do their sound takes. It seems that the launch of this game in conjunction with the show has created a veritable slew of competitions, and winners. The new games come in the form of a slot which sees players having to traverse through levels to reach bonus rounds such as boot camp, and the live finals.

There are still many online ops providing operations to the US, but Think about this, I have a U.S bank account, I live in South Africa and I am not allowed to use my U.S debit card to transact my online bingo deposits in the UK, i’ve tried it with wink bingo, think bingo, foxy bingo and most recenlty posh bingo, with no luck whatsoever. This is what UIGEA is responsible for. Essentially the US embargoed the concept of free trade, from the UK and Europe to the US, still expected US companies to be able to ply their trades in the UK and Europe. Many companies went under, people lost their jobs and those that survive have done well.

Although new President Barak Obama has been asked to redress this bill, he has had a bit much on his plate cleaning up the mess left behind by the Bush administration. However apparently poker, horse racing and sports betting – are to receive attention. Proposals are presently winding their way through Congress and these could legalize certain types of Web-based betting. One certainly hopes that Bingo will be included.

Gambling experts aren’t getting their hopes up yet however, this could take as long if not longer than a year to come to being heard, and in the meantime the US administration is losing out on taxable dollars in excess of nearly $6 billion in the US and $21 billion worldwide which is generated by the online gaming industry.

Barney Frank who has been supporting a proposal to regulate this industry much like the UK, rather than an outright ban, can see the income earning potential for the Government by regulation. However legislators are dragging their feet in this regard.

Play Side Games Cheeky Bingo...

Side games are also some times called mini games and these feature at all UK online bingo sites, including the likes of Posh, Think, Foxy, 888ladies and many more. These are generally slots, keno, scratchies or even roulette and blackjack. They are different to standalone games in that they are able to be played at the same time as you are playing bingo. Essentially they open out into the same window at the bingo game, in their own little window, hence the name “side or mini game”.

While to some people the idea of playing a game of bingo, chatting to roomies and playing a side games, seems like multi-tasking gone mad, it is amazing how quickly online bingo players get used to doing all three. And although these games may be called “side” or “mini”, many of them are linked to huge progressive jackpot prizes.

Take for instance the millionaire maker “Clover Rollover”, this game is available at a good few internet bingo sites as a side game. It has been single-handedly responsible for creating more than a few millionaires. It is a 5 reel five pay line slots game, where if you have the luck of the Irish and you land five clovers on the pay lines, you hit pay-dirt! The game is initially funded with a whopping £10 000 and based on the stakes from the previous day, the progressive prize money increases at midnight, every night. This is one of the largest PJP games found online today, and is definitely worth a few spins. You never quite know if you will be the next lucky winner do you. The maximum bet on this game for the progressive prize is only £1, and this is very good value for money.

Online bingo sites often special tournaments and cash back offers on side games, and if the special pertains only to standalone games, you know these are not the slots etc which are found inside the bingo games.

Side games have become and important part of any online bingo site, particularly because of the potential for winning these massive PJP’s.  They help to provide tons of non-stop fun and if you are looking for a site with great side games and more, try Wink Bingo.

The theory of playing a random number game, where numbers are for example 1 – 90, with no two numbers being the same, makes the odds difficult to determine. Add to that the cards of with an infinite number can be unique and this calculates as massive odds against winning. But add the fun factor into the game and the fact that you feel lucky and this p-laces bingo in a whole new light. Last night I played snakes and ladders with my grand nephew and he cheats like a demon, but it is impossible to cheat when you play bingo. Although one bingo caller might disagree as he spends this Christmas in jail for fiddling with the random number generator so his girlfriend could win.

It is interesting to note that myths regarding winning when you play bingo abound. For example some players believe that certain patterns are more lucky than others, and if you play these patterns you have more chance of winning. This is myth at its purest, remember, every player is playing on the same pattern and they all have the same chance of winning.

A game of skill like poker allows the player to manipulate the odds so they have a better chance of winning. In fact it is all about psychology and you don’t have to have a winning hand to win, but this is not the case with bingo. There is no way of manipulating any of the odds for a win, and no psychology, whether Freudian, Jungian or subjective, is actually going to help any player to win. The best thing to do is settle down and just enjoy the game, that’s what I do!

Even though the odd deadly blasts still rips the air in this city and the streets are nowhere near as safe as they used to be. Many people can still be found playing bingo, entire families join in the fun and games, all hoping that tonight may be their lucky night. One regular patron said she had been playing bingo here since she was a young girl and had never win, but she still comes back for more, trailing her family behind her.

The social club is 85 years old and it has made a huge come-back. Bingo games play, Arabic pop music blares and there is even an open bar. Saturday night bingo games are the draw card and crowd pleaser, and it attract all age groups, from teenagers to grandparents who have been members their whole lives.

This mania for bingo actually show a growing trend that the sense of security in Baghdad is returning. Communities who what nothing to do with religious divisions are most likely to frequent the club and members include Sunnis, Shi’ites and Christians. No one cares what they other person’s religious affiliations are, and once again the game of bingo is the great leveler. It is the game, the socializing and the chance of that big win which draws these like-minded people together, and what was once the playground for Iraqi elite during British rule has been revived by bingo.

People stayed away from the Alwiyah Club during the Saddam Hussein regime as it was frequented by his family and cronies who were well renowned sexual predators. Also no alcohol or music was allowed and as one young patron says “what kind of a party is that?” Soon after the invasion of the US in 2003, this club started re-building itself and has continued to do so, and now it is the hangout of the Iraqi newly rich! I wonder if they are allowed to play online bingo?

Then there is the proverbial bingo game which is also a super Christmas gift and online printable versions of this well loved game can even be found for free. Turn bingo into a classic traditional holiday game and find the right one for your needs, for free. You will find Winter Holiday Picture Bingo, Christmas Picture Bingo, Christian Christmas Picture Bingo and Family Bingo all of which make perfect gifts.

If your loved one is and online bingo fan and the name of the game for them is Foxy Bingo, Foxy Street, their online shopping site has lots of lovely Foxy Bingo branded items up for grabs, and many sites also allow you to gift other bingo players with cash from you account. More free bingo money always makes a very welcome and particularly useful gift, and it may even bring them more luck.

Then there are many different items that are thought to be lucky by bingo players, lucky colour dabbers, teddies are very lucky, or how about a lucky shamrock in sliver or gold which can be worn as a pendant. Personalized bingo ball baubles for the Christmas tree make super gifts and these can also be purchased from many online stores.

Silver, gold or enamelled bingo ball earrings are great and they look too cheeky for words, but what a way to wear a bingo ball. And there are also all kinds of other lucky charms, for example a troll doll, these are well renowned for bringing luck as are rabbits feet, but I don’t know that I could actually bring myself to buy a rabbits for someone, it’s a bit like buying an elephants foot stool, not quite kosher. But there are lots of gift ideas for the bingo fan in your life, have fun shopping!