Plan B Forum

Pensioners at a care home have had their £1 bingo competition banned after a council accused them of breaking the law against illegal gambling dens.



Residents at the Harry Taylor House complex in Redditch, near Birmingham, have been asked not to participate in the longstanding tradition for cash prizes after being told they “may not be confirming to the law” - but stressed they can “still play for fun”.


According to Redditch Council, the Gambling Act 2005 says you cannot charge people to participate in bingo that, in turn, awards people cash prizes paid for by the entry fee.

Now the group of OAPs have been left to seek a license to continue playing for money in a move branded “disappointing” and “stupid” by residents.

Every Monday those in the sheltered housing complex pay £1 to play, with the winner taking the prize money, and on Tuesdays the £1 entry fee goes towards tea and cake, as well as residential outings.

Great-grandmother Maureen Price, 76, a retired catering assistant with limited mobility, said: "It's stupid, we only play for peanuts.

"We asked a councillor, who's very good, to see if they can get us a license to play here and he's looking into it.

the Gambling Act 2005 says you cannot charge people to participate in bingo that, in turn, awards people cash prizes paid for by the entry fee.

Gob wrote:
"We asked a councillor, who's very good, to see if they can get us a license to play here and he's looking into it.

RayThom wrote:BTW -- BB, if you're checking this thread out, the woman on the left, above, has untreated basal cell carcinoma. That's what will happen to you if you don't follow through with your treatment.