(Monday 6th of September 2010)
Bucky's latest new promotion is one of the best yet. For every 90 ball network game played on the site, a stack of cash is put aside to be given away to whoever is first to scoop the progressive jackpots prize. From Monday, the standard '29 balls or under' win criteria gets easier by one ball every day until somebody claims the massive prize. Certainly not a bad way to welcome the Autumn!
(Wednesday 1st of September 2010)
The Bucky Bingo website isn't just about playing bingo. Indeed, there's a whole bingo community just waiting to be experienced. As well as a great place to meet people, the chat rooms also host a fantastic pub quiz every Monday between 8pm and 9.30pm and our pop quiz every Wednesday from 6pm to 7.30pm. In these quizzes people can pick up extra cash for playing, which can then be used during bingo games.
(Thursday 26th of August 2010)
Who says Sundays have to be boring and miserable? Not Bucky! We're turning every Sunday into a Super Sunday thanks to our new promotion. Each Sunday - 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th in September, we're giving players the chance to win an entire month's worth of free bingo. All you have to do is deposit £10 on any of these days and Bucky will pick a winner at random, informing them of their good luck via email!
(Wednesday 18th of August 2010)
Football's most famous bingo fan, Christiano Ronaldo, has recorded over 10 million fans on the social networking site Facebook. The skilful midfielder, who has recently proclaimed his love for bingo, may want to think about joining the Bucky Bingo Facebook page. Indeed, everyone's favourite bingo site is running a special charity drive, donating £1 to charity for every new fan to like the page.
(Friday 13th of August 2010)
Bingo fan Chris Moyles celebrated this week after new figures claimed a rise in his breakfast show audience. The DJ, who hosts the Radio One morning slot, recently revealed he had visited a bingo club for the first time. While Moyles didn't say if he had won any prizes from the trip, he commented that the experience was a lot of fun.
(Monday 9th of August 2010)
Online bingo fans will remember our article uncovering Courtney Cox's love for the game. Now, it appears that she might be trying to get her other Friends' co-stars involved as Matthew Perry who played Chandler Bing on the hit U.S sitcom, has hinted he may invite his ex-colleagues onto his latest television project.
(Wednesday 4th of August 2010)
Snooker legend Alex Higgins got his big break after being spotted playing at bingo halls in the north-west, it has been revealed. Former player Ian McCulloch told the BBC that his friend's father, who owed the clubs, got involved with Higgins in 1970. Higgins even moved into the family home before heading to the World Championships and 1972 and become the tournament's youngest-ever winner. "[My friend's father] applied for him to turn professional," said McCulloch.
(Tuesday 3rd of August 2010)
Bingo's cool factor has shot up after former Blue star Simon Webbe confessed that he loves taking girls on first dates at bingo clubs. The singer revealed that he enjoys playing bingo games with a would-be partner during the early stages of a relationship. Webbe added that if he could take a fantasy celebrity date, it'd be movie star Sandra Bullock. "She's so hot on screen," said the former boy band star.
(Tuesday 3rd of August 2010)
People in Britain are embracing bingo's new sexy image. The game has enjoyed a makeover as of late thanks to celebrities revealing their bingo love. Indeed, Take That star Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole and comedian James Corden claim that they love to pick up a dabber on the hunt for a cash prize. As a result, club members are becoming younger and bingo halls are accommodating them with more exciting games.
(Monday 2nd of August 2010)
X-Factor star and big bingo fan Cheryl Cole may be about to quit Britain and head to the US permanently. The 27-year-old singer recently took time off from her position as X-Factor judge to recover from a bout of malaria. However, a source has told the Daily Mirror that she has also been using the time to meet with American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest as well as Fox TV producers to discuss her future.
(Tuesday 27th of July 2010)
Peterhead bingo player Michael O'Rourke has been slapped with a fine for breaching his Asbo. The 51-year-old broke the terms of his behavioural order by reportedly blasting the music of Dolly Parton from his living room. However, O'Rourke, who has previously been reprimanded and banned from a bingo club for shouting 'house' too loud, claims he is receiving unfair treatment due to being hard of hearing. He also accused his neighbours of "being vindictive".
(Monday 26th of July 2010)
Scientists have discovered a rare form of carbon in space and have named it the 'Buckyball'. These spheres are the third form of their kind found in space after graphite and diamond, and are the largest-known molecules to date. Astronomers used the Spitzer spectroscopy to look at infrared light from the planetary nebula and found the Buckyballs. Of course, online bingo players can find their own Buckyballs with our fantastic bingo games every day.
(Saturday 24th of July 2010)
The long-awaited Take That reunion almost didn't happen due to Mark Ronson. The music producer and singer revealed he tried to dissuade Robbie Williams from reuniting with bingo games fan Gary Barlow's group, instead hoping to get him to join his band The Business International. However, Ronson claims that the experience has not left him bitter. "I asked him to join my band The Business International but I guess Take That have more fans," he said.
(Monday 19th of July 2010)
Bucky will conduct a very special interview with charity partners Breakthrough Breast Cancer over Twitter today. At 2pm on Monday 19th July, a representative from the charity will chat with Bucky about the initiative, and how Bucky and social media has helped raised money for the group.
(Monday 19th of July 2010)
Bucky Bingo players will be used to receiving some excellent prizes from us, but this one really is out of this world! The jackpot that can be received after a successful run on the Irish-themed Clover Rollover has now reached an amazing £2.5 million. So, if you think you have the luck of the Irish, why not have a go and see if you can win this life-changing amount?
(Thursday 8th of July 2010)
Bucky Bingo continues to reward its loyal customers with some of the best prizes on the net! This month, we stay ahead of the pack with one of the most sought-after devices of the last few years. That's right, we've got a 16GB Apple iPad to give away. One lucky winner will be able to take the iPad home with them and enjoy the best way to watch movies, check emails and surf the web!
(Tuesday 6th of July 2010)
Online bingo fans will no doubt be looking forward to the start of this year's X Factor competition, but may be shocked to hear that judge Cheryl Cole could miss the series. The Girls Aloud singer collapsed, reportedly due to exhaustion, during a photo shoot. As a result, the star missed the filming of the hit show, and will be out of action until further notice. A source said Cole is feeling "run down".
(Friday 2nd of July 2010)
Bucky Bingo is the place to be when it comes to giving out prizes to its loyal members! Every day, £7,500 in online bingo prize money is up for grabs in our Bingo Linx games alone, with sessions taking place at three different times. At noon, a top prize of £1,000 is available, £2,500 is on offer at 6pm and a whopping £4,000 is up for grabs at 10.30pm. Last month, ten people picked up in excess of £350, with three netting the £2,500 prize.
(Wednesday 30th of June 2010)
TV Presenter and self-confessed bingo fanatic Denise Van Outen is undertaking another sponsored charity hike. Denise, 35, will head to Peru with a team of celebrities for a seven-day trek along the world famous Inca Trail to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. She will be joined by pal Fearne Cotton as the pair undertakes their second hike since they climbed Kilimanjaro in aid of Sport Relief last year.
(Monday 28th of June 2010)
Hollywood star and ardent bingo fan Russell Crowe will take on the role of Robert McCall in a film adaptation of the 80s hit TV show The Equalizer. Taking over the character from the late Edward Woodward, Crowe will play a troubled former secret agent turned vigilante. No stranger to trouble himself, Crowe was once fired from his job as a bingo caller for making up rude versions of the calls.
(Wednesday 23rd of June 2010)
Bucky Bingo is the perfect place to discuss the fashion winners and losers at Royal Ascot 2010. Of course, our online bingo forums are packed with snappy dressers who know a fair bit about looking marvellous! This year, attention was focused on the wave of wannabe WAGs with their Cheryl Cole-esque dresses and fancy fascinators. For some fashion experts, however, it was all a bit much. One commentator felt that the Queen continued to outshine the lot of them. So online bingo fans, what did you think?
(Tuesday 22nd of June 2010)
The question of what to buy for Father's Day is an annual conundrum. This year, however, Bucky Bingo ladies used their bingo bonus prizes to pay for some very special presents indeed. For the petrol head dads out there, the chance to take a Ferrari Testarossa for a spin was something they will never forget. Meanwhile, stadium tours were a hit with football fans and adventure breaks proved immensely popular with adrenaline junkies.
(Monday 21st of June 2010)
This year, London played host to a very special event. The Annual Bingo Summit 2010 was a roaring success as senior figures from across the world jetted in to discuss the future of gaming. Top of the agenda was a subject rather close to the hearts of every Bucky Bingo member. Online bingo has enjoyed a phenomenal rise in the last year and, if chatter at the Annual Bingo Summit is anything to go by, that's not about to change anytime soon.
(Friday 18th of June 2010)
It's a night our mascot BB will be looking forward to as much as our loyal Bucky Bingo members; a 70s theme night is headed to the Bucky Bingo website! Players can log on every Wednesday from 6pm 11pm and be Stuck In The Middle With Us during a funky pop quiz as well as 1p, 2p and free bingo games. We call it our ABC, It's easy as 1/2/Free night, and it's sure to provide a great night in for all our members.
(Wednesday 16th of June 2010)
Bucky Bingo support for charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer is gaining momentum. Bucky has now managed to raise £20,433 in total for the group. Bucky's Facebook fan page has proved to be a particularly popular way for people to give, as Bucky has promised to donate £1 for every person who becomes a fan. Online bingo fans around the country can show their support for the charity by logging onto Facebook and becoming a fan today.
(Wednesday 9th of June 2010)
The latest Bucky Bingo holiday winner has been announced, and they could spend the £1,000 in holiday vouchers on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the World Cup! Bucky player moosetracks may find it difficult to find tickets for the biggest football tournament on the planet, but may take a trip to South Africa to check out the carnival atmosphere. Maybe moosetracks will be the only British person left in the country come World Cup final time!
(Tuesday 8th of June 2010)
Bingo fan Courteney Cox is set to give Friends fans the reunion they've been waiting for. The actress is planning to share the screen with Jennifer Aniston in the horror sequel Scream 4, which is set for release in cinemas in 2011. Sources say Aniston's role will be similar to that of Drew Barrymore in the original Scream movie, released in 1996. Neve Campbell is also set to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott.
(Wednesday 2nd of June 2010)
Key figures from the online bingo world will gather in London next week for a summit regarding the future of the industry. Proceedings will include an awards ceremony with prizes for Best Newcomer and Best Portal, while a range of speakers from across the industry will express views and concerns for the business. It is hoped that the event will also act as a networking opportunity, allowing parties to establish working relationships with each other.
(Wednesday 2nd of June 2010)
Robbie Williams is set to surprise the pop world by asking Gary Barlow to be best man at his upcoming wedding. The singer is currently engaged to actress Ayda Field and is reportedly ready to ask former Take That band mate Barlow to perform the task. However, bingo fan Barlow will be sharing the job with Williams' longtime best friend and confidante Jonathan Wilkes when the 36-year-old ties the knot.
(Wednesday 2nd of June 2010)
A newspaper based in South London has provided a helpful list of hints and tips designed to aid online bingo players throughout the UK. Among the tips dished out are the best times to play free bingo. Online bingo fans may already know about the great midweek offers currently being promoted by Bucky, including World Cup Wednesdays, in which members can pick up an England shirt or a cash alternative if they are not a football fan.
(Tuesday 1st of June 2010)
Girls Aloud star and bingo fan Cheryl Cole has decided to give away all of the jewellery given to her by estranged husband Ashley. The couple split in February. The singer recently invited some friends to the ex-couple's Surrey mansion for a girly night in and took the chance to hand out the expensive items. According to a source, the X-Factor star even admitted that she didn't like some of the pieces.
(Tuesday 1st of June 2010)
Bucky's great prizes have been given an update in time for the summer season. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays have been given facelifts, with all new incentives designed to reward our punters. Tuesday becomes Bounce Back Tuesdays, where anyone who plays on Tuesday can potentially pick up a bonus on Wednesday. Wednesday is World Cup Wednesday with England replica tops up for grabs, while Thursdays sees a 22-inch LCD TV on the line for TV Thursday.
(Wednesday 26th of May 2010)
Movie star and celebrity bingo fan Daryl Hannah is now looking to use her profile in an effort to help raise awareness of environmental issues all over the world. The Splash actress, who has appeared at charity-related Hollywood bingo events, opened up about her love of the outdoors in a recent interview. Hannah, who is currently backing The Green Wave campaign, told The Independent that she is "more of a rural person than a city lover".
(Tuesday 25th of May 2010)
This year's Eurovision Song Contest is nearly upon us, so get ready for the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza as we put our own bingo spin on it and break it down by the numbers. For some online bingo fans, the contest could provide the perfect excuse to escape for a quick game, but for others it's a great social occasion and a good laugh. With our Eurovision trivia-based bingo numbers, it may even result in a cash win.
(Monday 10th of May 2010)
Bucky Bingo fans who can't get enough of the pastime will have a new way to play later this year when Nintendo releases its Wii Party game. Featured in the title is a special bingo mode which allows players to compete against friends and family using their own specially-customised Mii characters. Bringing bingo to a new audience is something which Bucky has been doing for years, and this sounds right up our street!
(Friday 30th of April 2010)
Visitors to the Bucky Bingo site could find themselves picking up a £1 million jackpot on Big Top Tombola. The game's total prize fund is now close to the magical amount, so one lucky player could find their life completely transformed by the dream amount. Big Top Tombola is not the only way to be rewarded with Bucky - the legendary Bucky Bonus gives depositing players money back at the beginning of each month as a thank you for their loyalty. That's not all, as the site is packed with free bingo sessions and promotions galore!
(Thursday 22nd of April 2010)
Former Manchester United football star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been seen passionately kissing US reality TV star Kim Kardashian. A report in the Sun claims that the world-renowned Real Madrid player was spotted by an onlooker who said he was "kissing and being very affectionate" with the 29-year-old. This news comes after Ronaldo was linked with another reality TV star, hotel heiress Paris Hilton, who once acted as a celebrity bingo caller at Mary's bingo club in Hollywood.
(Thursday 22nd of April 2010)
Socialite-turned-fashion designer Jade Jagger has told The Telegraph about her favourite places to go in the world. The star is a well-known bingo enthusiast, so it may be that online bingo players can relate to her picks, if not quite afford them! Jagger's list includes local pubs, restaurants and shops from as far afield as Tokyo and New York. Jagger describes Tokyo as "like being in another universe", adding it "is the best place to shop".
(Thursday 22nd of April 2010)
Star of television and stage Denise Van Outen is keeping busy even though the birth of her first child is just weeks away. The celebrity bingo fan was spotted going for a stroll near her home in North London sporting large sunglasses, a floral t-shirt and a huge bump. The star made a visit to the Mama and Papas shop in central London with her husband Lee Mead in order to pick up some last minute provisions for the birth of their baby.
(Thursday 22nd of April 2010)
A reunion between Take That and former bandmate Robbie Williams is on the cards, according to band member Gary Barlow. The musician was speaking to schoolchildren during a visit to a school in Nantwich, where he was backing music initiative set up by the Conservative Party. "I think its inevitable one day we'll come back together," he said. "We'll see." Barlow is from nearby Frodsham and is a keen supporter of the Conservative Party.
(Tuesday 13th of April 2010)
Popular bingo bonus game Clover Rollover is on course to smash the £2 million barrier. Simply by lining up five shamrocks on a payline at maximum bet, it's possible to win a truly sensational payout that currently stands at more than £1.8 million. And because Clover Rollover boasts a progressive jackpot, the prize fund keeps on growing as more people try their luck. If you want to have a go, this brilliant bingo bonus game is available at Bucky Bingo today.
(Thursday 8th of April 2010)
The generosity of Bucky and Buckingham members has been emphatically underlined by their incredible support of the fight against breast cancer. Last summer, we pledged to raise £20,000 for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer in the first year of a two-year partnership and now we're extremely pleased to announce that this ambitious target has been passed ahead of schedule. So we'd just like to say a big thankyou to everyone who helped us reach £20,091 and counting.
(Wednesday 7th of April 2010)
The internet is a great place for gaming. We know all about the delights of free online bingo, of course, but it's also proved to be the perfect space for Scrabble. However, this iconic word game is about to undergo the biggest rule change in its history - places, people and brands will all now be allowed. So next time you play, why not try dropping in the likes of Bucky, BB, Cleo, Thor and Dabbers?
(Wednesday 7th of April 2010)
It's heartening to hear about loyal bingo players who finally get the payouts they deserve after years of trying. Take Rosie Murphy, for example. She has been visiting her local bingo club in Worthington week in, week out for as long as anyone can remember. But all that time spent plugging away was instantly forgotten when she picked up £15,000 on the National Bingo Game recently. Best of all, Rosie is sharing her bingo jackpot with her two regular bingo partners.
(Tuesday 6th of April 2010)
You won't find many online bingo fans with a bad word to say about Take That. Gary Barlow, not content with writing some of the most popular songs of modern times, is also a self-confessed bingo lover. Indeed, he even arranged a spot of free bingo for his celebrity friends on the occasion of his tenth wedding anniversary earlier this year. As a result, it's hard to begrudge the fact that Take That have just been named one of the biggest artists of the noughties.
(Monday 5th of April 2010)
There was plenty of talk about Bucky this Easter. Many online bingo fans were talking excitedly about our £22k Easter Sunday Bingo Linx extravaganza and £1,000 holiday voucher giveaway. But not everyone was talking about online bingo. In fact, an actor has just been chosen to play Captain America's sidekick Bucky Barnes in a forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster. And these aren't the only Buckies. Here, we profile the comic book character, country singer and town that share our name.
(Thursday 1st of April 2010)
Many online bingo fans would love to try out the Nintendo DSi XL. This clever little gadget - the next step up from the Nintendo DS Lite - lets you play games, listen to your favourite bands and even share holiday snaps. Well hold onto your hats because Bucky Bingo is giving away a brand new Nintendo DSi XL to one lucky player who deposits and spends £20 in April 2010. There are also some £100 Love2Shop gift vouchers and £25 online bingo credits to be won.
(Tuesday 23rd of March 2010)
What are your summer holiday plans? Money will be no object for some of our fantastic online bingo players thanks to a superb new promotion. Starting in April 2010, the Lucky Bucky £1,000 Break will give away £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers per month up until July. All you need to do is deposit and play £10 during the month. So if you've always dreamed of a romantic Caribbean cruise, get yourself down to Bucky Bingo.
(Wednesday 10th of March 2010)
Online bingo players can now find Bucky Bingo on Facebook, the popular social networking site. The new group will offer fans exclusive competitions and bonus material as well as giving players the chance to discuss all things Bucky! Log into Facebook now to catch up on all the gossip from one of the UK's leading online bingo sites.
(Monday 8th of March 2010)
Everybody loves St Patrick's Day and Bucky Bingo is no exception. On Wednesday, March 17th 2010, we're offering no fewer than 16 straight hours of free bingo. BB's Free Room will be open for business at 8am and there'll be non-stop action right through till midnight. And unlike some specialist free bingo sites, you can be confident our room won't get overcrowded. So this St Patrick's Day, see if you've got the luck of the Irish.
(Friday 5th of March 2010)
It's probably fair to say that most online bingo lovers will need no introduction to Kim Cattrall. She may have made her name playing Samantha but her latest role is something really rather different. Kim plays quarrelsome English lady Samantha in Noel Coward's classic comedy Private Lives, which has just landed on the West End. And while online bingo fans may sometimes mistake her for Samantha, Kim is adamant her private life is very different.
(Thursday 4th of March 2010)
Did you know that today is World Book Day? To mark this momentous occasion, a study has been published to discover what noughties' bestseller would make the perfect gift for young people. Unsurprisingly, Harry Potter came top. But what should online bingo fans turn to if they're in the mood for a good read? We look at three books that deal with bingo in one shape or form - enough to get you started, at any rate.
(Wednesday 3rd of March 2010)
Arguments are flying over the question of what to do with a popular bingo club in Somerset. The beautiful town of Taunton has a thriving bingo club that welcomes more than 2,000 players through its doors each week. Nevertheless, plans are afoot that threaten its very future. A group called Project Gaumont wants to turn the bingo club into a multi-entertainment centre. That has prompted a passionate defence from the bingo club's current manager who feels the plans are demeaning to bingo.
(Tuesday 2nd of March 2010)
Bucky Bingo can finally reveal the winner of our Bucky in Love competition. We asked the online bingo community to email and tweet us their all-time favourite chat-up lines, which was the cue for some truly hilarious icebreakers. Our lucky bingo fan wins a spin on the London Eye, a romantic cruise down the Thames and a deluxe dining experience. Don't forget that our Twitter account will keep you right up to date with the very latest online bingo news, gossip and promotions.
(Tuesday 2nd of March 2010)
It's no secret that you can win serious amounts of cash playing online bingo. But have you ever taken the time to check out our big-money bingo bonus games? Perhaps you should. Clover Rollover's progressive jackpot has just smashed the £1.5 million barrier and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. All you need to do to win this sensational sum of money is get five shamrock symbols on an active payline at maximum bet.
(Monday 1st of March 2010)
Six household names have embarked on an extraordinary bike ride. Davina McCall, Fearne Cotton, David Walliams, Russell Howard, Miranda Hart and Patrick Kielty have formed a relay team to get from John o' Groats to Land's End. If they are to raise £1 million for Sport Relief, they will have to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest in the first 24 hours alone. Speaking of Mount Everest, did you know that the world's tallest mountain recently hosted a rather chilly free bingo game?
(Friday 26th of February 2010)
The media is filled with stories about anti-social students. However, undergraduates in the east midlands have been busy smashing the stereotypes with the aid of free bingo games. Students at Nottingham Trent University organised an impressive 27 events to help locals recently, including an initiative to bond with care home residents through free bingo. It was the brainchild of 19-year-old Emma Kehoe, who said that the initiative had opened her eyes to the value of volunteering.
(Friday 19th of February 2010)
Winning a huge online bingo jackpot is hard to beat. Watching the book fill up, waiting for that last number and then shrieking with delight when it finally appears. Last month, three Bucky Bingo players found out for themselves exactly what it means to win big. The headline-grabbing £2,000 Golden Jackpot was scooped by bengaltiger and then again by sparrklieeeee, while another gamer by the name of louieskint took home the £1,000 Buckingham Bingo's Bonus.
(Wednesday 17th of February 2010)
It may sound like an obvious question but have you ever though properly about what you'd do with an bingo jackpot? One online bingo fan who can't be accused of a lack of inspiration is Saami Maalem. The 22 year old from Newport has set her heart on an epic Sex and the City-style shopping trip to the Big Apple. Saami, who is learning to drive at the moment, also wants to buy a new car.
(Wednesday 10th of February 2010)
A 66 year old who hit the big time playing bingo has talked about her lucky break for the first time. The lady, who hails from Blackburn, won a £28,000 bingo jackpot and an additional £3,000 award for getting a full house. She was not the only one celebrating either because a further 176 players each received the tidy sum of £142 to mark the occasion. Earlier this month, of course, a Bucky Bingo player in Bradford scooped more than £34,000 from a 10p ticket.
(Friday 5th of February 2010)
This year could mark the beginning of a whole new era for the humble UK bingo book. Traditionally, players have had to make do with a limited number of colours and layouts on their tickets. But now a Sunderland-based printer has invested £1 million in what it says is the country's first full-colour variable high-speed digital press. The colourful UK bingo books garnered some admiring looks recently when they were used as part of a fundraising drive for the Haiti relief effort.
(Thursday 4th of February 2010)
Let's face it, nobody would turn down a big box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. To celebrate the most romantic day of the year, Bucky Bingo is giving away ten Chocoholic hampers worth £50 each. Every last one is choc full of delicious treats from Thorntons. We're also encouraging you to send in your favourite chat-up lines for our competition Bucky in Love. The best entry will win a cruise down the Thames, a four-course a la carte meal and a trip on the London Eye.
(Tuesday 2nd of February 2010)
A Bucky Bingo player will be partying in style after scooping a mega bingo jackpot. Just this week, Shell15 bought a 10p ticket and won the staggering sum of £34,115.53. It all happened in The Buckingham Room, which is set aside exclusively for Bucky Bingo players. And to help him celebrate in style, Buckingham Bingo has already sent a bottle of Champagne over to his home in Bradford.
(Monday 1st of February 2010)
We should never underestimate how much of a difference bingo can make to real lives. Take Keech Hospice Care in Luton as an example. It needs £6 million a year to keep going, much of which is dependent on the selfless work of bingo organisers like Cilla Palmer. Cilla, who runs the Three Hammers pub in St Albans, put on a series of bingo nights and other activities for her regulars and raised no less than £1,300 for her local children's hospice.
(Friday 29th of January 2010)
Who would pass up on the opportunity to cruise the Thames in a romantic pleasure boat? That's what is on offer in the latest Bucky Bingo competition, Bucky in Love. As well as the cruise, you'll get to enjoy a four-course meal and a breathtaking trip on the London Eye. All you need to do to qualify is tell us a chat-up line. Whether funny, silly, ridiculous or downright odd, we'd love to hear your all-time favourite icebreaker!
(Friday 15th of January 2010)
The people of Nottingham have paid tribute to a dedicated activist and bingo organiser. Sheila Roper, who passed away last month, was an immensely popular local figure after organising regular bingo games for the elderly. She also helped out at a popular community centre and was an important figure in the Lenton Abbey scout group. Councillors have talked about their memories of Mrs Roper, while her son revealed that she just wanted to make a difference.
(Tuesday 12th of January 2010)
Ramblers who get into difficulty on challenging walks like the Pennine Way may well have reason to thank bingo. That's because Leicestershire residents Essie Wilmot and Janet Kerr decided to put on monthly charity bingo games all last year. And the impressive amount raised, some £2,500, has just been donated to their local air ambulance service. The good news is that it doesn't stop there because the duo are staging another charity bingo session later this week.
(Tuesday 5th of January 2010)
A simple game of bingo was the first step on the road to recovery for one Derby pensioner. Seven years ago, Jill Gemmell, 67, was struggling with depression and hardly ever went beyond her front door. Then, a friend persuaded her to try a bingo session at an old people's welfare club in Derby and she became an instant convert. Now, Ms Gemmell is a committee member at the club and enjoys twice-weekly bingo sessions.
(Monday 28th of December 2009)
Everybody knows about the three wise men but have you heard about the three well-meaning bingo games? In the pretty seaside resort of Tenby, bingo proved to be the perfect fundraiser for the season of goodwill. Hospitals, healthcare centres and schools all benefited from the triple whammy. The Lewy Body Dementia Association was also chosen after the organiser's father-in-law was diagnosed with the mental health disorder. The Tenby trio continues bingo's fine track record when it comes to supporting good causes.
(Monday 21st of December 2009)
Free bingo is again proving its ability to bring together people of all ages. A youth club and an over 50s community group are meeting at a Devon bowls club to play some free bingo games and nibble a few mince pies. Both organisations are celebrating a successful first year in which they have helped to improve the area and had plenty of fun along the way. And it's by no means the first British bingo session to bridge the generation gap.
(Monday 21st of December 2009)
North America is the birthplace of bingo so it's fitting that one of its bingo clubs may have given us a glimpse of the next big thing. It's called e-bingo and it's entirely automated. Every player sits at a high-tech terminal that marks off numbers the instant they are called, meaning you can chat to other gamers without fear of dropping behind. Moreover, these terminals can offer a selection of exciting electronic games besides e-bingo.
(Tuesday 15th of December 2009)
It's a fact of life that nobody likes paying taxes. But this week, the bingo sector received not one but two massive tax boosts that could secure the finances of many British bingo clubs. Everybody knows about the so-called bingo budget, in which Alistair Darling pledged to cut bingo duty by two per cent. However, the chancellor's announcement overshadowed a separate statement by HMRC. It means other forms of bingo games besides bingo machines could now be exempt from VAT.
(Monday 14th of December 2009)
Bingo club taxes should be further reduced, it has been claimed. Last week, Alistair Darling decided to drop the rate from 22 per cent to 20 per cent after months of criticism from MPs and players. Although The Bingo Association's chief executive Paul Tallboys welcomed this move, he argued that the chancellor needed to go further and slash duty to 18 per cent. This would bring bingo clubs into line with operators in similar industries.
(Wednesday 9th of December 2009)
The campaign to reverse the bingo tax hike has gained another supporter in parliament. Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, has pledged to fight on behalf of the thousands of bingo players in Crewe. He argued that raising bingo club duty from 15 to 22 per cent "makes no sense". And he has added his name to an Early Day Motion opposing the plan, which was set out in April 2009 by chancellor Alistair Darling.
(Saturday 5th of December 2009)
A couple that became famous for staging charity bingo games has bowed out after 45 years in the spotlight. Phyllis and Jim Martin have been putting on an average of three bingo sessions per year since 1964. In that time, it's thought they have raised an astonishing total of £130,000 for charities, schools and surgeries. The final event alone raised £2,380, which will be donated to a specialist ward at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
(Friday 4th of December 2009)
More than any other time of the year, Christmas is a time for giving. And a bingo night is aiming to tap into this season of goodwill to raise funds for Grampound Road Pre-School. All the action takes place at the Robert Harvey Memorial Hall where there will be plenty of reminders that Christmas is just around the corner. A glass of mulled wine will be given to every bingo player to wash down the delicious homemade mince pie they get on the door.
(Tuesday 1st of December 2009)
Bingo is 80 today. The game may have been around in one form or another for hundreds of years but we had to wait till 1929 for the version everybody knows and loves. Edwin S Lowe, a travelling toy salesman, is the man credited with bringing joy to millions of lives. He adapted a bean-based game that he stumbled across at a carnival in Georgia. When one of the players mistakenly yelled out "bingo" instead of "beano", a legend was born.
(Monday 30th of November 2009)
A major player on the north-east bingo scene has sadly passed away. Kay Newton, who owned a famous Grimsby bingo club, was 83 years old. She was a popular figure and will be remembered fondly across the local community. Perhaps Mrs Newton was best known for running the Clifton Bingo Hall boutique where she brought the latest beauty products to the streets of Grimsby. She was a successful horse trainer who twice won the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket.
(Friday 20th of November 2009)
Fate has dealt a kind hand to an assistant bingo club manager called Audrey White. Mrs White won a huge £1 million jackpot recently - after being given the wrong scratchcard at her local supermarket. She originally wanted a £2 Lottery scratchcard but now she's counting her blessings after the cashier gave her a £5 card instead. It's a remarkable turnaround for the bingo club professional. Just three years ago, she narrowly avoided having her modest semi-detached home repossessed.
(Tuesday 3rd of November 2009)
Bingo fans in the north east have protested against the planned closure of a community centre. The facility, on Harehills Road in Middlesbrough, could be shut despite the fact that work has still not begun on its replacement. Whinney Banks Youth and Community Centre offers twice-weekly bingo sessions and residents are concerned they'll be left with nowhere else to go. However, Buckingham Bingo Peterlee is just a few miles down the road while online bingo gives people the chance to play wherever they live.
(Saturday 31st of October 2009)
Elderly people could be given financial help to go to the bingo under new proposals. From the middle of next month, Cumbria County Council is enabling social care users to determine how their funding is spent for the very first time. The initiative, dubbed personal budgets, could help people across the county drop into their local bingo clubs more regularly. However, only time will tell if other councils decide to follow Cumbria's lead.
(Wednesday 28th of October 2009)
Free bingo will play an important role at Gary Barlow's wedding anniversary. The Take That frontman and wife Dawn are planning to hold free bingo games on the day, while bingo balls make an appearance on the party invitations. It's all part of the decidedly British tone of the party. An insider has explained that the couple don't want "daft French scoff" so they'll be ensuring Harry Ramsden's fish and chips get top billing on the menu.
(Saturday 24th of October 2009)
You might find it hard to believe, but Alex Salmond has just turned his hand to bingo calling. The First Minister of Scotland took centre stage at a Glasgow bingo club to promote SNP by-election candidate David Kerr. The seat of Glasgow North East has been a Labour stronghold for 74 years - and sure enough the winning number was none other than 74. Following the bingo game, Mr Salmond joked that "you can't fight fate".
(Wednesday 21st of October 2009)
In his mid-30s, Greater Manchester bingo caller Charlie Walduck was told his weight problems could prove fatal. He was 50 stone. Following a life-changing bingo game in a Manchester club, Charlie resolved to take action by eating more healthily and exercising regularly under the supervision of a well-known celebrity doctor. In just a few short years, Charlie shed an astonishing 35 stone. Now, he hopes his incredible life story will prove an inspiration to others.
(Monday 19th of October 2009)
If you've ever doubted bingo's capacity to do good, consider the case of Watford Disability Forum. The group, which provides vital support to local disabled people, has just raised £1,000 from a charity bingo session led by none other than the mayor of Watford herself, Dorothy Thornhill. The much-needed funds will be spent on an accessibility audio kit for businesses and social events to give disabled people something a little bit special to look forward to.
(Wednesday 14th of October 2009)
Bucky Bingo's fabulous selection of side games offer plenty of entertainment. But as Mayan Mania fan Christopher 7 found out, they also have a habit of offering some fantastic cash prizes. Christopher 7 scooped no less than £17,500 on the game, which is set amid the pyramids and statues of the ancient Mayan civilisation. The superb Mayan Mania progressive jackpot, seeded at £10,000, can be won simply by getting five erupting volcanoes on a payline.
(Friday 2nd of October 2009)
Bingo has been given an edgy appeal by a top-secret London bingo club. The Underground Rebel Bingo Club is moving to a new home near Angel tube station but mystery surrounds the precise location. It's all part of a deliberate plan to give bingo an edgy appeal among trendy young urbanites. Many regulars may have dabbled in free online bingo before checking out this wacky new bingo club, which boasts several twists on the traditional numbers game.
(Friday 25th of September 2009)
Efforts to save bingo clubs from Alistair Darling's proposed tax hike have been backed by a high-profile Liberal Democrat MP. Tom Brake, elected representative for Carshalton and Wallington, described the plan as "yet another example of misdirected taxation" and said the government should instead focus on protecting local bingo clubs. It comes not long after the government admitted that politicians have been inundated with letters from constituents about the importance of bingo games.
(Wednesday 23rd of September 2009)
Della Hancock, who survived a breast cancer battle three years ago, is counting the charity proceeds after staging her third lady's-only bingo night. Everything from the event will go to the Lady McAdden Breast Screening Unit and their quest to purchase a new mammography machine. In a similar vein, the bingo industry comes together annually to raise money for breast cancer charity Breakthrough for Breast Cancer. Bucky Bingo is a proud backer of Bingo for Breakthrough.
(Tuesday 22nd of September 2009)
Bingo games were among the fundraising antics at a star-studded Scarborough showpiece compered by local entertainment guru Tony Peers. The event at the Spa Complex raised several thousand pounds, which organisers will share out between Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Richard Fox Memorial Fund and the bizarrely named Grand Order of Water Rats. Bingo fans may be interested to hear Buckingham Bingo has an established base in the north-east.
(Tuesday 15th of September 2009)
A heart-warming project in Cheshire is helping to bridge the generation gap. Junior wardens have taken part in a local retirement home fun day, which involved several free bingo games. Organisers hailed the free bingo event as a huge success and were pleased that young and old got on so well together. Merseyside recently hosted a similar bingo outreach project in which school pupils were given a crash course in bingo by residents of a sheltered accommodation facility.
(Tuesday 8th of September 2009)
Bingo is a vital part of any community and nowhere is this more true than in the idyllic town of Cullompton, where bingo games are being planned to raise money for Christmas lights. Now the town clerk has called upon local people to introduce their friends and relatives to bingo for the fabulous festive show. Buckingham Bingo - the club-based division of Bucky - prides itself on being a vital part of communities all over the north of England.
(Tuesday 1st of September 2009)
There are many reasons why people decide to march. Sometimes it's for pleasure, sometimes to stand up for what they believe in and sometimes to satisfy their passion for bingo. A group of Lancashire-based octogenarians have just completed a two-mile trek on their walking frames to raise money for a bingo game machine at their hospice. It is yet another example of the extraordinary lengths that ordinary people will go to when they really love bingo.
(Tuesday 25th of August 2009)
The Senior Citizens Hall in Macclesfield was chosen as the local distribution point for Tamiflu tablets but low demand means it is now free to operate as a community centre once more. That means bingo games will be back on the timetable in a move that has been welcomed by locals. Meanwhile, people affected by the swine flu virus who have been told to stay at home are choosing to play bingo online instead.
(Monday 24th of August 2009)
A Devon man's forthcoming bingo night will raise money for the National Stroke Association. Matt Wintle expects to raise £1,000 by cycling from London to Paris and he hopes a bingo game will go down well with local players. Buckingham Bingo is committed to supporting non-profit organisations such as Breakthrough for Breast Cancer. Indeed, we recently pledged to raise a massive £20,000 for the cancer charity through special bingo games, sponsored walks and other events.
(Monday 24th of August 2009)
A theatre reviewer has admitted to falling in love with bingo. Mark Shenton, the respected Sunday Express critic, enjoyed the 'theatricality' of his first bingo game. He also tried quirky variations of the classic numbers game where players try to create letters, symbols and butterflies on their bingo cards. His table won no fewer than three bingo games, which led to some celebratory post-game pizzas. The critic decided to try the nation's favourite pastime after watching a bingo-themed play.
(Monday 24th of August 2009)
Bingo received an unexpected boost when a club in Nottinghamshire was featured on national TV. The Scandalous Adventures of Lord Byron saw Hollywood celebrity Rupert Everett quiz players at Byron Bingo Hall about the legendary poet. The bingo fans didn't disappoint and gave some hilarious answers. Lord Byron aside, bingo is known to have a keen celebrity following from the likes of Denise Van Outen, Catherine Zeta Jones and Damon Hill.
(Friday 14th of August 2009)
You may have noticed that the Bucky Bingo website has had a facelift. The long-awaited revamp incorporates several new features such as a more user-friendly layout, regular news and blogs and an expanded Club Finder section. The overhaul was designed to make Bucky Bingo not only the online bingo site to come to for more prizes more often, but also to attract new players to the game while keeping existing fans entertained.
(Wednesday 29th of July 2009)
Some of Britain's best-loved actors have become honorary callers for a bingo game on a new bingo TV show. Icons past and present from Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Brookside and Peak Practice all made guest appearances on the bonus bingo slot. Big Brother stars Craig Phillips and Anthony Hutton also took on bingo caller duties for the programme after answering questions from the general public.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UK's leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer.
