'Disappointed' residents told by council they can't play bingo for cash prizes

Residents at a sheltered housing complex have been happily playing bingo every Friday night for the past 38 years, but they have been told they can continue to play for fun – as long as there is no money on the table.

Redditch council told residents of Harry Taylor House in Worcestershire not to participate in the long-standing tradition for cash prizes as they “may not be confirming to the law”.

'Disappointed' residents have since decided to seek a license to continue playing for money.

Great-grandmother Maureen Price, aged 76, said: “It's stupid, we only play for peanuts. We asked a councillor to see if they can get us a license to play here and he's looking into it.”

The weekly bingo nights have been a feature at the complex for many years, and is a source of entertainment for many of the older residents, providing them with a chance to socialise and an opportunity to keep their minds active.

Every Monday, residents 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.

A 77-year-old resident says there is a “real social aspect to the bingo nights,” and hopes the event “hasn’t been tainted by the council’s decision”.

According to Redditch Council, the Gambling Act 2005 states that people cannot be charged to participate in a game of bingo which awards people cash prizes paid for by the entry fee. Instead, it has been advised that groups play lawfully for gifts.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have not cancelled any social gatherings at Harry Taylor House and appreciate that this is a long-standing tradition for many of the residents which we would not wish to negate. What we have asked is that residents do not play bingo for cash prizes as they may not be conforming to the law.

“The Gambling Act 2005 makes it very clear that you cannot charge for participation in the game and that in turn the prizes cannot be made up of moneys paid to participate. We have made contact with a number of groups, as well as Harry Taylor House, to explain the situation but unfortunately some of the groups have decided not to continue as a result - even though they can still play for fun.”