These published statistics revealed Italy’s total turnover for January and February of this year to be sizeable €11.6 billion. After the first two months of last year, revenue had reached €10.02 billion. Accordingly, the figures show that in 2011 the Italian online gaming industry has seen a 15.8 percent increase when compared to the previous year.

The AMMS figures also show that Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) have gained a high degree of popularity in Italy and have consequently had a strong influence on the Italian marketplace. Indeed, VLTs, which are essentially computerised slot machines, were only introduced in Italy in February. However, of the total €5.73 billion revenue generated in that month, a massive €719 million can be attributed to VLTs.

Bingo was the next biggest taker behind VLTs with €156 million.

The AMMS statistics once more reveal Italy to be the European leader when it comes to online gambling. And this is understandably so; Italy was the first significantly sized European mainland country to permit regulated private online gambling.

Moreover, Italy looks set to maintain its elite status. Indeed, the Italian marker could also be set to open up even further after the Italian government passed a new online gaming regulation which now permits online casino operators to offer customers the chance to play online poker and other online casino games.

Today, then, may perhaps stir even more bemusement; the aforementioned Buckingham Bingo Online Bingo sites Bucky and BOGOF have been purchased by Betfred.com

Betfred.com is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the sports betting industry. Indeed, Betfred.com has always boasted an extremely assured marketing and development team. However, in this case, Betfred.com appears to be acting against the grain of most analysts’ view of Bucky and BOGOF: indeed, many analysts have previously suggested that the two websites do not represent economically viable companies.

Those who visit Bucky and BOGOF will still be able to do so, for both sites will be kept running. Moreover, both sites may be expected to soon see more visitors as Betfred — a franchise who can count the hugely popular World Snooker Championships among its roster of sponsored events — are set to aim invest time and money in investing in the websites in an attempt to boost their online profile and increase their visibility in the highly competitive online bingo market.

Live Bingo is certainly highly entertaining; however, there are no prizes to be won. Indeed, Live Bingo on the iPad is played purely for fun and entertainment.

In fact, iPad owners are unable to play for money since the iPad cannot properly access the vast majority of UK online bingo sites. This is because the iPad does not support flash software — the software which the majority of online bingo sites utilize.

The inability to run flash constitutes a major downside of the iPad for online bingo players. However, looking on the bright side, the arrival of the Live Bingo iPad App does reveal that the iPad can support Live Bingo. Now all that is required is for Apple to develop software similar to that used on sites like Sun Bingo and players will be able to play competitive bingo on the iPad.

However, although this software is easy to develop, the fact that Apple, and American company, is restricted by US legislation which prohibits the playing of bingo for cash, means that iPad owners wishing to play pay bingo may have to wait for such legislation to be changed before they can do so.

Consequently, it appears that the purely-for-entertainment Live Bingo iPad app will have to do for now.

AskBingo

Ask Bingo will be powered by the new GTech G2 software — the software which currently runs all St Minver Network brands. So, what does Ask Bingo being the table? What, if anything does it offer to the seasoned online bingo player?

Well, Ask Bingo is very similar to many of the other online bingo brands, such as Butlins, Littlewoods and ChitChat bingo, which are currently available on the St Minver network. Indeed, the promotions which Ask Bingo offers are all fairly standard and will be well known to bingo players who frequent the St Minver network. These promotions include the following: Live Bingo, Value Days, and the Monthly Monster Game.

Similarly, Ask Bingo also offers players the opportunity to play hybrid 75 ball games, 90 ball games, and a vast selection of side games. In total, Ask Bingo has seven bingo rooms, and each room will offer a wide selection of both progressive and static jackpots.

So, Ask Bingo certainly does not present anything groundbreaking or radical new: indeed, online bingo players will be familiar with everything that Ask Bingo has to offer. However, it is certainly possible that because Ask Bingo is backed by the Yahoo Games search engine it will soon become the most popular linked online bingo brand.

BingoHollywood

If so, it would be wise to head to Hollywood Bingo straightaway; in doing so, you will offer yourself the opportunity to win tickets for the National Television Awards.

If you wish to sample the glitz and glamour which is par-for-the-course at such awards ceremonies, then you must visit Bingo Hollywood before the 20th January. In the Bingo Hollywood National Television Awards room — easily located under the jackpots tab in the lobby — two special Golden Ball games will take place each hour. With every Golden Ball victory, a player collects £25 in prize money and edges closer to rubbing shoulders with Televisions brightest stars as they are rewarded with an entry into the National Television Awards prize draw. Winning the tickets is that simple!

The Hollywood Bingo player who is lucky enough to win the prize draw is in for a special treat indeed. On 26th January, the winner will be chauffeured to the O2 Arena in South-East London where the National Television Awards will be presented by Dermot O’Leary. The star-studded ceremony will include a number of special guest live performances. It will conclude with an equally star-studded after show party which, of course, the lucky Hollywood Bingo top-prize winner will also be invited to.

Hollywood Bingo are also offering a number of fantastic consolation prizes for those not lucky enough to win the T.V. Awards tickets. Indeed, two runners-up will be the lucky recipients of a Rasul Exotic Body Treatment. This relaxing treatment helps exfoliate the skin and cleanse the respiratory system, as receivers of the treatment inhale steam mixed with pure herbs after having medicinal chakra muds applied to their skin.

Undoubtedly, the consolation prize will constitute somewhat of a change of pace in contrast to the buzzing excitement of the National T.V. Awards top-prize. However, while the lucky winner of the top prize will be mingling with the stars of the small screen, the two lucky runners up will being enjoying the view of stars of a different kind. Indeed, the impressive Rasul Exotic Body Treatment takes place in an exotic and private temple: a place which is said to be lit by a thousand stars!

William Hill Bingo Online is offering a great opportunity for those whose New Year’s Eve plans are still undecided. Certainly, it may not be the conventional New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be no champagne, shortcake, or other party food. However, William Hill Bingo Online will definitely be a hosting a party — the William Hill Bingo New Year’s Eve Party — and its entrance ticket is only £20.

Ticket-holding party-goers will be granted £1,000 worth of free bingo.

The New Year’s Eve party will be held at the Star Club, and only those who have tickets will be granted entrance.

So, how does one attain a ticket for this excellent event? The answer is quite straightforward: simply spend £20 at William Hill Bingo before 31 December 2010. It is that easy!

As is now very common with online bingo, all games will be free. However, attendees to the William Hill Bingo New Year’s Eve Party will have the option to upgrade to Superbooks, which would increase the size of the pot and their prize money should they win.

William Hill Bingo are set to finish the new year as they started it, for the company will continue to offer other great promotions throughout 2011. Keep your eyes peeled!

Bingo

A thief stole about $2000 from a 66 year old man who was volunteering in a church. The stolen money was generated from Bingo and was snatched from the man when pepper spray was used to attack him by the thief.

The victim was attacked on his way out of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church after the man tried to exhort money from him. The money was generated from bingo games and was supposed to be taken to the bank at a later date.

Police officers are sure the man had a tipoff about the money before acting on it. A report in the Cincinnati Enquirer stated that the victim received a couple of bruises from the assault as well as minor facial injuries on Sunday night.

Residents are being urged to help the police in their investigations.

Harrah’s already has online Caesars Casino in Britain but this is the first bingo site for the kingdom. The new site also comes with other side games including baccarat, blackjack, roulette and slots.

CaesarsBingo.com operates using the Gamesys software. Players will be able to enjoy the site using real or play money.

Both Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment and Gamesys expressed excitement in the new partnership. They are also thrilled that they would be working for the UK market.

CaesarsBingo.com will offer many terrific cash and non cash prizes, jackpots, bonuses and promotions. Some of the great offers include trips to the Casino at the Empire in London’s Leicester Square, to all-expenses paid holidays to the iconic Caesars Palace Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

Harrah’s has always been active in the UK market. Harrah’s is the host of World Series of Poker Europe that is happening every September at the Empire Casino in London. The company also owns 11 casinos in Great Britain including Clubs International Inc.

The task force which was initiated by Governor Bob Riley said that it has seized 56 electronic bingo machines from a warehouse close to the one where they have earlier removed 300 machines. Current head of the task force, John Tyson Jr., calls the machines part of “illegal gambling” is dissatisfied with continued importation of machines to the state.

According to the statement released by the office of the governor, the 300 slot machines originated from Panama and then just shipped to Birmingham. The leaders of the state said that the machines are not allowed to remain in the state because of their illegality. The owner of the warehouse was reported to have complied with the removal of the bingo machines and will be shipped to Florida sometime soon.

The 56 machines were discovered somewhere north of Birmingham just as they were taking care of the 300 previous ones. Authorities raided the warehouse after they were able to obtain a search warrant. A judge has ruled before that this same warehouse should ship its bingo machines out of the state.

Tyson Jr. said that steps should be taken in order to ensure that warehouse owners comply with rulings on the removal of the bingo machines next time.

Tombola Bingo won the Most Popular Online Bingo Website, Best Online Game Innovation, and Most Online Bingo Prizes Won awards.

The most popular online bingo website trophy is based on the number of cash players that the website had for the entire year of 2009. Tombola was consistent in topping the list throughout the year.

The second award, Best Online Game Innovation, went to Tombola’s Bingo Roulette as voted by Bingo Port’s online community. This innovation combines the game play in bingo with the fun in playing roulette.

As the name of the award implies, the Most Online Bingo Prizes Won award was based on the amount of cash prizes the site has given out in 2009.

Other winners were Cheeky Bingo for Best New Online Bingo Site and Best Online Bingo Promotion, 888 Ladies for Fastest Growing Website, Mecca Bingo for Best Chat Team, Ladbrokes Affiliates for Best Online Bingo Affiliate Team, Wink Bingo for Best Bingo TV Commercial, and Foxy Bingo for Best Overall Online Bingo Operator.

The awards ceremony was held in January 29 at The Grange Hotel in London