Bingo, as housie is known as in the UK (not to be confused with the similar US game Bingo), is an expanding and highly profitable business, with many companies competing for the customers’ money.

The two largest companies with bingo halls in Great Britain are:

* Gala Bingo (Gala Group Ltd.)
* Mecca Bingo Ltd. (part of The Rank Group plc)

In Northern Ireland, one of the largest bingo club groups is the Planet Bingo Group, with seven clubs in the following towns/cities:

* Antrim
* Carrickfergus
* Belfast
* Newtownards
* Portadown

There are three clubs in the city of Belfast; Galaxy Bingo at the Yorkgate Shopping Centre, which is the Head Office, Star Bingo, and Planet Belfast, a.k.a. 321 Club due to its address; 321 Newtownards Road.

Online Bingo is also becoming increasingly popular with many different companies launching sites including Ladbrokes and Ann Summers
As well as offering the familiar Housie/Bingo played by marking numbered books, most large clubs have their tables modified for the playing of Cash Housie or Mechanised Cash Bingo [Parti Bingo] (using coin slots or, increasingly in the 21st century, an electronic credit system). This is highly profitable for the operator, with a typical “take” of fifty percent of the stake.

Mechanised cash bingo differs from paper bingo, because it is played on a plastic bingo board, that is 4×4 square, and split up into four columns of colours. The customer chooses when they want to play, and insert a credit into a coin slot. The company involved will then use a computer (called a stage rig controller) to automatically take a “participation fee” which is set by the operator (usually between 40% and 60%). The rest of the credit is then put into the prize pool to be played for. There are only 80 numbers in play. The numbers are called a lot faster by the caller (usually around 1.5 seconds a number) and when a customer has a winning combination they press a claim button to stop the game. This is profitable for the operator as the games are so fast, and a huge parfee can be made in a few minutes. Winning combinations are usually any line down, across, diagonal, four corners or four centre squares.

In Northern Ireland bingo clubs, where the laws governing bingo games are different than in England, Scotland and Wales, it is common, when playing “parti bingo” for the caller to announce that a position or “card” has won, and ending the game, without the participation of the person playing. This enables the customer to play more positions in hope of a better chance of winning.

Natural and Organic Food

Somebody to Love by Queen is the choice of song for Pierre for this week’s special legendes. I adore Pierre! He was fantastic. Not a favourite song of mine but brilliant. He got 4 blues and he deserved it. Marianne said exceptional and extraordinary. Manu said it was extraordinary as well. Dove said he did the right thing by taking a risk. He’ll get through for sure; he’s just too good.

Pierre’s audition a couple of weeks ago really impressed the judges and me too! He’s fantastic and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win. He is streets ahead of the rest. Watch the audition video now and see for yourself.