Editor Derek Jameson was the force; hot bingo for newspaper readers was the result!
All innovations begin with someone. For newspaper bingo that someone was Editor Derek Jameson, an amazing man who rose from the pit of an orphanage to become the editor of three national newspapers, as well as a radio and television personality and author to boot.
Derek Jameson: A Man for All Seasons
Born into poverty on 29 November 1929 and raised in an orphanage, Derek Jameson awoke to his life’s calling through the inspiration of a teacher, Ernest Hare. That teacher gave Jameson a love for reading.
At the age of 14, the editor began his career as a newspaper messenger. However, with his intelligence, will to work and talent for communicating, Jameson rose rapidly in the newspaper world.
The Craze for Newspaper Bingo
Jameson became the editor of the Daily Express in 1977, and remained in that position until 1980. During his tenure at the Daily Express he took on the job of editor of the Daily Star as well. Jameson’s push for newspaper bingo at the Daily Star paid off in spades for the publisher. The initial bingo game appeared in the Star in 1981. The bingo cards were mailed out to readers, and the bingo numbers were published in the newspaper.
Newspaper bingo created a craze for the game. The Daily Mirror and Sun soon jumped on the band wagon. The circulation battle among competing newspapers focused on the amount of the bingo prize. The Daily Express won the war with an enormous pot containing £1 million for its initial bingo game in 1984. All of England was drawn to newspaper bingo, to the extent that the bingo numbers were carried at TV-am every morning. Editor Jameson had started something huge.
Newspapers Enter the Online Bingo Industry
Both of Jameson’s papers, the Daily Express and Daily Star, were associated with the former CyberBingo Network. The Sun is invested in Sun Bingo on the internet, through Gamesys. Mirror Bingo is owned by the Daily Mirror, and powered by 888 technology on the Cashcade network.
Education Organization Looks to Bingo Fundraisers
Editor Jameson in England knew that newspaper bingo would enhance the circulation of his paper. By the same token, the Lake Elsinore Valley Education Foundation in California recognized that bingo could provide the funding for extracurricular activities.
Student scholarships, along with community outreach programs, are supported by a yearly bingo event at the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Elks Lodge. To enhance the reading enjoyment of students, bingo profits also contribute to a book distribution program. Those books consist of easy readers, grade-school-level novels and mysteries.
Education Foundation president Kevin Page commented that bingo is fun for the players, the Elks Lodge does a fine job of running the event and the profits are beneficial to the school district. Page added that some players like to arrive in time to prepare their spots with seat cushions, bingo set-ups and fans. The registration fee is $25 for each gamer. No one under 18 is admitted. Players are happy with the almost $2,000 in pot money. Around 16 games keep players busy and cheerful.
Hand in hand with education and newspapers, bingo works for the community!
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