Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has decided to waste even more taxpayer money in his fight against those sinful bingo games in the state. Strange lodged a many pronged attack on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians gaming operations in the state. The new strategy was laid out in an amended complaint against the tribe filed in U.S. District Court in Montgomery. Originally Strange had asked an Elmore County Circuit Court Judge to shut down the tribe’s three casinos saying they are “a public nuisance.”

Fortunately the tribe was successful in getting the case moved to federal court. It seems Strange forgot about a little detail called tribal sovereignty. The tribe has asked a federal judge to dismiss the case on grounds that the state of Alabama has no standing to sue the tribe. Under federal law the Poarch Band are a sovereign nation. Andrew Brasher, Strange’s deputy solicitor general, said in an email “We have amended the complaint to clarify the federal aspects of the State’s claim and to let the court know more about how the Tribe’s slot machines operate. Amending a complaint is something that happens all the time in the early stages of a lawsuit.”

Brasher’s statement said that taking the case to state court was a legal ruse to limit the tribe’s courtroom options. Brasher stated “We were not surprised that the tribal defendants moved the lawsuit from state court to federal court. This procedural move required the tribal defendants to acknowledge that federal law gives the State a claim against them and to waive several defenses that they could have raised. So, we are not asking the federal court to send the case back to state court; we are asking the federal court to go ahead and consider our claim now.” While the complaint says that the tribe’s casinos are a ‘public nuisance’ it expands the state’s legal options by calling into question the legality of electronic bingo machines that the state claims are slot machines.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allows tribes to offer bingo using computers and other “technological aids” even if similar games are illegal in other part of the state. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act also forbids “electronic or electromechanical facsimiles of any game of chance or slot machines of any kind.” Strange is arguing that the bingo games are illegal slots. The amended complaint says of the games “The player does not need to pay attention, listen to alphanumeric designations drawn one-by-one, or match them up to a bingo card. Instead, the player presses a single button, watches slot-machine reels spin, and is told whether he or she has won by the gambling device.”

Strange is also arguing that tribal lands are not federally protected. It is difficult to understand why top state law enforcement is using so many resources to pursue a harmless game. Alabama residents would probably be better off playing online bingo!

All indications are that the global economy is finally improving. In the United States unemployment is down and housing prices are beginning to climb. In the Euro Zone Germany has had a strong recovery and the panic over Greece and Spain seems to have disappeared. In 2008 the economy was at its lowest on both sides of the Atlantic. Newly elected US president had inherited a recession from the previous Bush administration and many were pessimistic about the future. There was one bright spot: online gambling. According to the GBGC (Global Betting and Gaming Consultants) 2008 was a very good year and the online gambling industry grossed about $20 billion for the year.

During the great depression of the 1930′s the economy was in dire straits. Despite the economy off track betting generated millions as people tried any method they could think of to survive. At the time there was a rumor that garment businesses hired professional gamblers to go to the tracks to make money so the garment businesses could survive. The rumor turned out to be another urban myth.

Land based casinos are seeing fewer players even as the economy improves. High rollers are staying home or are taking their business to online gambling sites. Atlantic City casinos are in real trouble. Many had hoped that the new Revel casino would turn things around but industry insiders say that the upscale casino and resort may file for bankruptcy sometime this year. Gas prices are at an all-time high and many players are staying home until they are sure they will not lose their jobs.

While people are staying home they still need entertainment and online bingo and gambling are a perfect solution. Online bingo has been one of the lucky recipients during the economic slowdown. Online bingo is very affordable and easy to play. Players love to play bingo for entertainment and the chance of winning a jackpot. Because of the low cost of bingo games it is the ideal game in difficult times. Bingo also provides a diversion from the difficult economy. When times get rough most people turn to inexpensive home based forms of entertainment.

In the 30′s people affected by the depression went to the movies to forget their troubles and today people play inexpensive games on the internet. The bonuses and promotions at online bingo sites make the games even more affordable for cash strapped players. Since more people are playing online bingo the jackpots have gotten much larger. Throughout the global recession online bingo has provided inexpensive entertainment for millions and now that the economy is turning around bingo operators expect even more players.

Fortunately for online bingo players gambling addiction is extremely rare. When a case does surface it usually receives widespread coverage in the media. There have been several well documented cases of bingo addiction such as the woman in the UK who stole £76,000 from her employer to fund her bingo addiction. Lucienne Mainey, 41, from Cambridgeshire, was sentenced to prison for 16 months for her thefts. Another woman in the UK stole thousands of pounds from her mother to play online bingo alienating her family in the process. What causes some players to go so far off track? Some scientists think they may have the answer.

Scientists studying internet addiction found the same changes in the brain observed in people addicted to drugs like alcohol and cocaine. Researchers used MRI machines to reveal brain abnormalities in adolescents who spent several hours on the internet each day. For many their internet use damaged their social lives and personalities. Scientists believe the findings could lead to the development of new treatment approaches. Scientists estimate that between 5% and 10% of all internet users are addicted to using the internet. Addiction means that they cannot control their internet use. A majority of addicts are gamers who get so absorbed in their games that they go long periods of time without food and drink and their work, education and relationships suffer because of their use.

Henrietta Bowden Jones of the Imperial College, London, runs the UK’s only National Health Service clinic for internet addicts. Jones told reporters “The majority of people we see with serious internet addiction are gamers – people who spend long hours in roles in various games that cause them to disregard their obligations. I have seen people who stopped attending university lectures, failed their degrees or their marriages broke down because they were unable to emotionally connect with anything outside the game.”

Unfortunately an internet addiction combined with a propensity for gambling addiction is a recipe for disaster and many cases in the news have shown. For most online bingo players the games are a social activity and for most players social interaction is much more important than financial gain. The atmosphere during bingo is not highly competitive as it is during poker games. Bingo players do not really play against each other as poker players do. At many online bingo sites chat hosts have been trained to recognize those that may have a problem. Most online bingo sites post links to organizations that specialize in internet and gambling addiction. For most online bingo players the games are played for fun and entertainment and it would be a real shame if a few problem players ruined it for the majority.

The UK Bingo Association was formed in 1998 shortly after the merger of the British Bingo Operators‘Association and the Bingo Association of Great Britain. Bingo is a part of British culture and occupies a unique place in the gambling industry in Great Britain. Over three million UK residents play internet bingo and live bingo regularly. The bingo association works with operators, government agencies and regulators, lawmakers, and organizations that address problem gambling. The online bingo industry pioneered the self-exclusion option for problem gamblers. Currently there are 50 bingo proprietors that are members of the association. Members range in size from large operators like Mecca to smaller operators like Carlton Leisure.

The association has also been very active in addressing tax policies related to internet and live bingo. The organization has worked tirelessly to eliminate the unfair tax advantages enjoyed by offshore internet bingo operators and has also addressed the problem of double taxation of live bingo halls. The Bingo Association has been partially responsible for proposed legislation that will tax all wagers made by UK residents at the point of consumption doing away with the unfair tax advantages of offshore operators.

On June 27th the UK Bingo Association announced the appointment of Mark Jones as the new Chairman of the group. Jones is the managing director of Mecca Bingo. Jones joined the Rank Group in 2009 and will keep his current position while serving as chairman of the association. Patrick Duffy, of Palatial Leisure, will assume the role of vice chairman of the association. Mecca has been a member of the association for years and is one of Britain’s largest bingo operators. Mecca operates several clubs throughout Britain and also has a large online bingo operation. Mecca is committed to working with other bingo brands to further the interests of the bingo industry as a whole.

Jones said of his new position “I am delighted to have been appointed to the position of chair of the Bingo Association.” Jones also said his prime focus will be “to continue the Associations campaign to secure a fairer tax deal for bingo and work further towards changing people’s perception of the industry.”  The previous chair Brian Mattingly was appointed in 2009 but his duties at 888 Holdings as Chief Executive Officer has forced him to step down. The Chief Executive of the Bingo Association, Paul Talboys, said of the change “Brian’s contribution to the Association is greatly appreciated and I have really enjoyed working with him. The industry faces numerous challenges, specifically in relation to the securing a fair tax regime. Mark’s experience in the leisure industry will be an immense asset toward navigating the road ahead.”

Since 2007 the online bingo industry in the UK has become the largest sector of the online gaming industry in the country. The combination of a draconian national smoking ban and advances in software technology and capabilities has allowed the industry to grow and expand during the worst recession since the postwar years. The online bingo industry now boasts increasing player numbers every month. The first online bingo sites appeared in 1996 and today there are over 400 online bingo sites on the internet.

Industry figures for the past decade would indicate that the internet and bingo are prefect for each other. The game is easy to learn and no special skills are required beyond basic computer operation knowledge. The huge variety of online bingo sites means that there are games to suit every type of bingo player and their individual preferences. Today bingo games can be customized in a way that was not possible just a few short years ago. Online bingo games still retain the same basic rules and the rewards for players can be great. Recently in the UK one very lucky player won over a million pounds playing online bingo. The addition of Flash technology has made the game even more convenient for players and allows instant access to the games.Online bingo has also attracted a new generation of young players ensuring the game’s survival well into the future. Online bingo has changed the image of the game and bingo is no longer thought of as a game for pensioners and seniors.

The shift in player demographics has allowed bingo operators to create communities of players. Players’ at most online bingo sites can communicate in chat rooms and forums. Players can share their experiences and offer tips to newbies. Social interaction is very important to most players and several studies and surveys have confirmed that most players value socialization more than financial gain. Some young players that learned the game on the internet are venturing out to live bingo halls which has led to a renaissance of live bingo in the UK. The improvement of online communication technologies has led to the formation of huge bingo communities devoted to the game.

The internet has changed the way people play bingo and has increased the choices for players. Today online bingo sites offer more game varieties, increased jackpots and a huge selection of ongoing bonuses and promotions designed to make the games even more fun.

Online bingo sites are always on the lookout for an excuse to offer special promotions and games. During the Christmas holiday season just about every online bingo site will offer their best promotions of the year. People have time off from work and bingo operators want to make sure that people spend that off time playing online bingo! In Breat Britain there are more holidays than in the United States. There are several bank holidays throughout the year and British holidays such as Boxing Day. Bank holidays are long weekends and most bingo operators report increased profits during the long weekends. This year online bingo operators really have something to celebrate; The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne since 1952 and her coronation took place in 1953. Since then Great Britain has enjoyed a period of relative peace and prosperity. Queen Elizabeth took the throne while the country was still repairing the extensive damage suffered during World War Two and now reigns over a prosperous nation. The Queen’s diamond jubilee is a celebration for all Britons. Today, Sunday June 3rd thousands lined the banks of the Thames to catch a glimpse of the Queen leading a flotilla of a thousand boats. The Queen’s gilded barge is the centerpiece of the largest pageant on the Thames in 350 years. A 41 gun salute started the celebrations.

The procession up the Thames took several years of planning. Pageant Master Adrian Evans said he has been planning this event for two years and stated “It’s a piece of theater on the water, and we mustn’t forget that. It’s not simply a question of boats. There are 10 music barges, a fabulous belfry at the front. We’ve got the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the back, and in the middle, we’ve got bagpipes, we’ve got brass bands. We’ve got all sorts.” On Monday June 4th there will be a BBC concert at Buckingham palace which will be televised and celebrants can view the concert on several big screens throughout London. On Tuesday there will be more pomp and pageantry as a carriage procession will carry the royal family to a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Online bingo sites are joining in the festivities by offering some very special jubilee themed games and promotions. A quick Google search will reveal hundreds of special diamond jubilee games and very special promotions.

Study after study has shown that playing bingo has several health benefits. The benefits are both physical and mental. One university study showed that playing bingo can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms and promoted mental health. Playing bingo also helps maintain hand eye coordination and provides valuable exercise. The social aspect of bingo is also important and helps older people maintain a positive attitude and relieve stress. It is common to see women in their 80’s, 90’s and older enjoying a bingo session at local bingo halls. Some of these older players have learned computer skills and also play online bingo. In the UK the ‘Race Online 2012’ program has helped many pensioners learn computer skills and many of the teaching sessions were held at local bingo halls.

The fact that so many centenarians still play bingo illustrates the many benefits of bingo. In the UK a woman known as Isabella just turned 102 and still plays bingo several times a week. Isabella has been playing for over 60 years and a boss at a local bingo club told her several years ago that when she turned 100 she could play for free. The boss kept his word and Isabella hasn’t paid one penny to the Beach Bingo Club in North Shields since October 18, 2009. Isabella told reporters “I love playing bingo and the best thing was when I turned 100 the boss said I could play for free for the rest of my days. I’m still going strong and I play three times a week without fail.” Isabella says that she started playing bingo when she was 40 years old. “I first went to a bingo place in a room above the Assembly Rooms in Saville Street in North Shields with my neighbour, Lilly Pattie. There were no tables and chairs and we had to sit with our tickets on our knees. I got the bug and haven’t stopped playing.”

In Australia a bingo caller who just turned 100 informed reporters that she has no intention of retiring. Cecily Gauson, of New South Wales, says that retiring is “out of the question” and still works three days a week calling games. Mrs. Gauson credits her long life to a good breakfast every day and not smoking. Centenarian bingo players are not confined to the UK. In the Philippines Alfredo Robles is 101 years old and his wife Magdalena is 100. The couple spends most of their leisure hours playing bingo. Their son, a geriatrician practicing in Australia, said “Whenever we want to energize them from their stupor, we will only invite them to play bingo and they will immediately be brought back to life. That’s how they really enjoy the game.” It would appear that for many people playing bingo is the secret to a long and happy life.

With so many bingo sites available on the internet, it goes without saying that there is a plenty of competition going on between them. After all, bingo itself is a competitive game, and if you want to win a large sum of money you are going to have to shop around before you choose a new bingo site to play on, just so you can be sure that you are getting the best bonuses going. Because of this, many people who play online take the starting bonuses at new websites, play for a little while, and move on to the next site; rightfully so, of course.

There are places on the net dedicated to compiling as many of the bingo bonuses that are available as possible, such as www.bingo.org, and these sites have plenty of entries. With so many customers spending only a little and then moving on to a new site, it is little wonder that some bingo websites are starting to offer loyalty bonuses, for those who choose to stick around.

Sites like Bingo Street are offering large bonuses to people who re-deposit money, meaning that users can win a lot more money every time they play bingo games online. More often than not these websites are offering even more substantial rewards for those who choose to sign up in the first place, so there really is no reason not to experiment. If you do not like the place you can easily move on to the next. You never know, though, you might make some friends when you visit Bingo Street and other sites like it that offer loyalty bonuses, and you finally have another good reason to stick around too!

Of course, there is nothing stopping you joining other bingo sites at the same time; it is reasonably rare that people stick to only one site at once when they are trying their luck on the internet after all.

Something that was traditionally missing when you played bingo online was that sense of community you could only get from your local hall; people who came back week after week, who became friends even when they were close rivals. With loyalty rewards on bingo sites becoming more widespread, maybe we will finally be able to get that same sense of friendship and good natured competition, and win some money in the process.

Playing bingo online has become very popular over the years. The game is easy and there are literally thousands of sites from which players can choose. Bonuses and other incentives offered by various sites also add to the growing popularity. Bingo is a member of the soft game family along with scratch cards and lottery tickets. These games typically offer smaller betting amounts and are a bit more casual than other casino games.

One of the main reasons that online bingo has become popular is the lack of time restrictions. You can literally play this game somewhere online 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Players can choose any time of the day or night to get their games on so those who work late at night can play just as much as someone who has a more traditional schedule.

Many online bingo sites also offer free game play for those who are not yet sure that they are ready to gamble their money away. Many players choose this free game play to get used to the site and prepare themselves before they actually bet any money. Most sites offer free game play for all of their bingo games so players can choose the specific game that they want to play and practice for free before actually putting down a deposit.

Playing bingo in online casinos also gives players the chance to socialize and meet other people who may share their same interests. Traditional casinos and bingo halls certainly give you the opportunity to meet other people and talk face-to-face, but most prefer the freedom of online bingo halls for socializing. You can literally sit in your pajamas and talk with people from all over the world while playing online.

If you are looking to join this very popular trend, there are a number of online casinos and bingo halls where you will find many benefits. You should take the time to browse a few sites before settling on just one.  One site that offers these benefits as well as many others is CyberBingo.com.

Take your time and research a few sites before you decide where to spend your online bingo playing time. Be certain that the site you choose offers secure banking to protect your money as well as customer support just in case you have an issue during play.

This article was written by Cyber Bingo, one of the top online bingo sites since 1996.

Last Tuesday Chancellor Osborne revealed the new UK budget and the bingo industry has good reason to be concerned. One change that will hit land based operators hard is the Machine Games Duty (MGD) which will reduce profits greatly. Currently bingo hall operators report that as much as 70% of all revenues are generated by slots and fruit machines. Pub owners have also voiced their objections to the higher taxes. The bingo industry is already taxed at a higher rate than any other form of gambling and the new Machine Duty will offset and gains made from double tax relief. Although the taxes for bingo halls were decreased bingo hall operators will actually pay more because of the machine duty. A spokesman for the Bingo Associated stated “This new duty will help ensure that bingo’s potential for growth is substantially reduced, with some smaller independent operators seeing potential growth translated to contraction.”

Even worse, last year bingo halls faced much higher rates for licenses. In some cities the town councils raised the rates from hundreds of pounds annually to thousands. The new machine duty will levy a tax of 20% on the primo source of revenue for bingo clubs. Starting in February 2013 the new tax goes into effect. The effect of the new tax could be disastrous for smaller bingo halls that may be forced to close putting many out of work. Some in the industry consider the new taxes as another assault by the tory government on anything enjoyed by the working classes in the UK.

There are also big changes in store for the online bingo industry. Unlike land based halls online bingo operators have been given more time to prepare for the changes. The new taxes on internet bingo operators will not go into effect until December 2014. The policy shift will affect all online bingo operators and the new 15% taxes will be levied at the point of consumption. This will affect all online bingo sites that target British players. Many operators moved offshore to take advantage of favorable tax rates.

Online bingo operators licensed in the UK favor the new tax saying it will level the playing field. Currently offshore sites have a big advantage because of low tax rates. The new taxes will also help problem gamblers and will provide more funding for gambling addiction treatment programs. Although it is too soon to see just what effect the new policies will have on the industry bingo operators expect big changes.