SUCCESSOR TO HOUSEY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28397, 2 October 1957, Page 16

SUCCESSOR TO HOUSEY

Bingo Spreads In Britain

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 1.

Bingo, a modified form of housey-housey, has become the latest gambling fever and is spreading like an epidemic among Britain’s housewives, says the “Daily Herald.” The game is drawing ever-in-creasing crowds to amusement arcades, seaside funfairs and fairgrounds and like other fevers is a menace, attacking its victim’s minds until they lose all sense of time and value. Bingo-crazy women sit for hours spending most of their house-keeping money in the hope of winning canteens of cutlery, blankets or ornaments.

Bingo stalls have increased tenfold to meet the demand. Booths are appearing like mushrooms and showmen are raking in thousands of pounds from wives who think they can make it pay. The “Daily Herald quotes the case of Mrs Mary Broun, aged 18, who told a reporter: “I am trying to furnish my flat from this game.” She sat with a bingo board in one hand while rocking her one-year-old daughter to sleep in a pram with the other. It was 3 o’clock in the afternoon, yet the fairground stall was doing brisk business. Its 40 seats were always occupied.

The national president of the Showmen’s Guild, Mr Jack Cullis, said the increase in the popularity of bingo in the last few months had been fantastic. “Well-dressed women and nice old ladies come back night after night to sit down and bet their sixpences,” he said.