Frame, a successful marketing company based in Glasgow, will be managing Gala Bingo’s marketing campaign in 2009. Television, Radio, and Internet ads are the strategies comprising this proposed massive campaign.

Gala has had a hellish 2008 with 13 of their land-based bingo clubs closing to the internal company reorg which ousted 200 workers from their headquarters. Personal equity backers even had to take a 50% cut in their stake. However, Dominic Harrision, Gala’s new CEO, remained confident that Gala would regain firm footing in 2009 and remain recession resilient.

In general, 2008 was a rocky road to travel for bingo Operators, both land-based and online. The National Bingo Caller of the Year competition, which is annually hosted by The National Bingo Game Association was suspended this year due to the difficulties facing the bingo industry.

With so many obstacles in its path, it will be very interesting to see what marketing strategies Frame has in mind to rebuild Gala’s weakening bridges. The latest scoop is that online media was the popular preference to print media for next year’s marketing initiatives.

Woolworths, a renowned UK high street retail store is reportedly looking into creating fresh revenue for the brand and moving into the online bingo business, and that’s just for starters.  The group has signed a deal for an online bingo site with St Minver, a Gibraltar based white label provider who currently provides platforms for 20 licensees, and is positive at the prospects of what lies ahead.  Long term plans are not limited to the bingo market though, as Woolworths also plans to extend its gaming portfolio going forward with the launch of additional casino games for its customers to enjoy.

While analysts debate as to whether online gambling will be suited to the brand or not, the Woolworths decision makers are confident that its customers trust the brand and will enjoy this type of entertainment in a safe, secure and familiar environment.  And what better way to pass the time while you do your online shopping at Woolies than by playing a game of bingo on the side?

Arizona Charlies did away with their Bonanza Jackpot as of Midnight on New Years Eve.

They are switching to a non progressive Dual Dab. The included pictures are for Arizona Charlies on Decatur. I’m not sure what Boulder is doing, although I heard Boulders IS progressive. I’ll post more on AC Boulder when I can get some straight answers.

AC Decatur also added 3-on-strips Super Coverall jackpot of $10,000 if the coverall is hit in 51 numbers or less on one of the 3-on-strips.

My source tells me the $12,000+ Bonanza money was to be split evenly over all 12 sessions Hotballs, making them all over $1,000 and a few of them over $2,000. I just got off the phone with Decatur and this hasn’t been added as of yet though.

UPDATE: The $12,000+ from the bonanza was applied to the Hotballs yesterday, so ALL the hotballs are over $1,000 with a few over $2,000.

The price went back up to $8 (Decatur) for a small Rainbow instead of the $7 they have been at.

Happy Dual Dabbing!

I noticed the Super (red) Bonanza Jackpot was hit. So I contacted LCGI.

Thomas (last name w/h) won $19,500 in 50#’s at the Virgin River Casino in Mesquite, NV during the 9pm session playing Super Bonanza Bingo; 3-on paper Bonanza.

National Bingo Night
Friday, May 18 at 9/8c

For the First Time on Network Television, Series Gives Viewers the Ultimate Real-Time Interactive Experience With the Chance to Win Thousands of Prizes

[tag]National Bingo Night[/tag] is a high-energy, truly interactive game of luck based on the popular American pastime. Three games of fast-paced, high stakes Bingo are played each night with the viewing public invited to join along. In each game, a contestant in the studio will try his/her luck against the studio audience for a chance to win cash, trips and prizes. Hosted by Ed Sanders (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), the new series premieres FRIDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on The ABC Television Network, following the season finale of America’s Funniest Home Videos (8:00-9:00 p.m.).

In each of three games, viewers can print their own [tag]Bingo cards[/tag] from ABC.com and mark off the numbers as they’re called, so they’ll not only experience the excitement of watching the on-screen competition but can concurrently enjoy the pure fun of playing bingo at home, free of charge, for an opportunity to cash in. Those who get Bingo can log on to win. In the studio, a contestant will race against the studio audience as balls numbered from 1-75 are randomly selected from a giant, two-and-a-half story sphere set in a high tech “Bingo Plex” arena. The audience will track the numbers on their own Bingo cards for a chance to win cash and send the contestant home empty-handed.

The pilot will serve as the premiere, with five additional one-hour episodes to begin taping in April.

The series will be hosted by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition design team contributor Ed Sanders. National Bingo Night is executive-produced and created by Andrew Glassman (Three Wishes, Average Joe) for Glassman Media.

Source: National Bingo Night