You couldn´t make it up if you tried ... how many thought that when they heard on the BBC news that British ex-pats in Portugal had been arrested and fined by a court of law for playing BINGO in a bar on the resort of Albufeira that its was a belated April Fools joke! The local police apparently spent 2 weeks "staking out" the Yorkshire Tavern for running an illegal gambling ring..... they obviously can´t make any inroads into the abduction of Madeline McCann so see fit to use police time on this fiasco.
Like Spain, gambling is illegal outside of registered and authorised establishments in Portugal. The fact that there was no prize money involved - they were playing for a tin of biscuits and a bar of chocolate, did not deter the police and they still swooped.
Benidorm is littered with British bars and even major hotels who hold daily bingo sessions - often advertised as "Eyes Down" or "Housey Housey"...again technically illegal. There is actually a proper regulated bingo hall at the end of the Avd Mediterraneo where you can go to play legally, but obviously it will all be in Spanish. However, as the numbers are called they also appear on a screen on each table so Iam sure that Brits could follow it. The cash prizes, although not allowed to be advertised outside are fairly meaty, so if you are a "hardened" bingo player maybe pop down - but remember to take photo ID such as a passport or driving license otherwise you won´t be allowed in (also you must be over 18 years of age).I wonder whether it will affect numbers of those playing in the British bars or not, worried that they too may be arrested and fined for an innocent game. Who knows, remember Arthur Daley´s memorable catchphrase "Nice little Earner" from Minder - maybe it will get the Benidorm police and cash strapped council thinking....
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| Eyes down... or maybe not! |