Scottish Bingo In Terminal Decline

What follows is an article by an expert in the Bingo Industry Tony Stisi, who has asked that this be posted to draw attention to the current state of the Scottish Bingo Industry and what is about to happen to the English Industry.

I personally have been involved in the bingo industry since 1966 starting my career with Pleasurama [ who in later years were taken over by Mecca] @ the Coronation Ballroom on Ramsgate Promenade where I was taught my trade. This was pre 1968 Gaming Act when half crown roulette tables were the norm—the Golden scoop was the “BIG GAME” & prize bingo was played on electro—mechanical dedicated seating areas away from the main auditorium. “ Fred Carr” valve boxes were used to play “Linked Bingo” - restricted to 5 clubs using BT dedicated landlines. The monetary limit for many years was maximum £250 payout over 7 days!!! Now we can play for A MILLION !!

The industry through evolution , innovation & embracing technological advances has come a long way since then !! I can therefore speak with some credibility on the issues facing the industry in Scotland currently & will be unleashed on a fairly unsuspecting [ I imagine ] Southern sector next year. I , as one of the founding directors of Border Bingo Clubs have been involved in bingo in the Scottish Borders since 1970 , either as a manager for Kingsway Entertainments Ltd who sold out to Granada in 1988 or running my own business at The Bridge Bingo Club in Hawick since 1986. That later evolved into Borders Bingo Club (BBC) with the takeover of The Pavilion Bingo Club in 1999. Since 1994 we have invested upwards of £600k to refurbish & rekit our clubs with the latest in new seating ,carpeting ,tabling etc . We have invested very heavily in ISDN link equipment & mcb technology right up to the ground breaking “Quad Card”.

We have faced many challenges over the years, competition, unemployment, industry malaise . All were overcome by dint of hard work & a belief that we would win out at In Galashiels ,since the 70’s, clubs , pubs,etc that played bingo and and no longer exist.

Prior to the smoking ban being implemented we had regular discussions on the likely impact on our business but at the end of the day it was pure speculation as we could not be certain of the unknown.

THE FACTS SINCE 26TH MARCH 2006.
[ These can be verified by our accountants—our gross profit tax returns & our vat returns ] .
1) Admits have dropped
2) Revenues—Participation fees, Mcb income & AWP income have all suffered dramatically.
3) Some smoking members have ceased attending altogether .
4) Smoking members are coming out later & are leaving earlier.
5) A large % of smoking members leave the clubs several times throughout the session but especially at the intervals where we in the industry garner our ancillary revenues which make up the bulk of our income. Smoking Members RESENT Going outside [ feeling like 2nd class citizens ] .It has detracted considerably from their enjoyment of the session.

THE FACTS ARE THIS
1) Severe reduction in income. 20% /30% & in some weeks considerably more.
2 ) Additional expenditure to try & combat the downturn.
3) Nothing we have tried so far ie the introduction of comfort breaks , additional earlier free incentives , higher jackpots , bar promotions etc has worked.
4) We have no idea where the bottom of the pit is & if we have fallen that far yet.
6) The management & staff are totally demoralised & the members are constantly asking if we are going to remain open as they themselves have seen the effect especially on the mcb prize money.
7) The treasury need to take into account in a very serious way not just the financial ramifications to the operators treasury itself but the enormous
SOCIAL IMPACT on areas where the local bingo club is the only leisure
outlet that our members have. Many of our members are female , go out on
their own & would never dream of going to pubs & clubs for their social activity. Their bingo club is where they meet their friends , check on each others wellbeing , catch up on the local gossip & have their moan about anything & everything !! What are they meant to do , sit at home looking at 4 walls or play on line bingo “Whoopee” !!

Job losses in the sector will be horrendous as clubs cut back & many will eventually close.

THE TREASURY NEED TO LISTEN , WE IN SCOTLAND AGAIN HAVE BEEN THE GUINEA PIGS FOR CHANGE !!

Unfortunately it is only those of us in Scotland feeling this massive pain & if the Treasury do not pay heed to our small voice ,waiting for the eventual avalanche of discontent emanating from English clubs then for those of us in the Scottish sector it will be way too late. Many clubs face bankruptcy & closure.

THIS IS NOT SCAREMONGERING AS quoted in an asinine on line comment.
I am now resting my case and can only hope that the powers in charge read & listen to THE SCOTTISH BINGO SECTOR Clubs have already closed !!!

If nothing is done then the impact on the industry will cripple it for good.

Tony Stisi on behalf of Border Bingo Clubs.
Email— ts@teviotview.com