Controversial New Flaming Hot Advert
12th March, 2008
The recent launch of Camelot's new TV advert promoting their new "Flaming Hot" bingo scratch card has received varied reactions. Many believe the advert mocks the bingo industry.
The advert portrays a little old lady on a mobility scooter driving past a bingo hall. The hall has prominently displayed a 'Closed' sign in its front doors. The dreary scene is then changed as the lady is transported to a beach scene on an all-singing all-dancing scooter!
Many people cannot see the problem with this but many in the bingo industry have protested, claiming that it pokes fun at recent events that have forced the bingo industry into closures of halls.
Factors such as the smoking ban and the fact that it is the only industry in the world forced to pay double taxation to the government have forced many companies to close bingo halls due to falls in revenue. The companies now often concentrate on their online bingo and a select few halls.
A spokesman from Camelot has denied the accusations saying "it's only closed because it's early in the morning".
A spokesman from Rank, the parent of Mecca Bingo, has said in response "That was not the connotation given by the advert. It is particularly distasteful that a state sponsored gambling monopoly should publicly rejoice in the closure of bingo clubs" urging the National Lottery to withdraw the advert.
