Letter: Bingo could become a forum for real gamblers

BINGO is a controlled, low-stake form of gaming conducted in a social environment but that could change dramatically over the next ten years ("Bingo, the new rock'n'roll", 26 April). Clubs are trying hard to increase the numbers of male players and decrease their average age and to do this they have to change; to move toward a more interactive and technologically- driven form of the game which will change its soft nature. Allowing bingo to advertise on television and radio could also increase the number of problem gamblers. Further deregulation must take this into account.

Mark Griffiths

Nottingham Trent University