13 replies to this topic

[sunny]

Six Brits arrested and fined for playing BINGO at Turkish holiday resort
21st December 2008



Six Brits have been arrested and fined for playing a pre-Christmas game of bingo in a Turkish holiday resort.

The Britons were detained by police for several hours before each were fined £55 when officers carried out a raid on Friday night at a bar, in Altinkum, Western Turkey - a popular haunt for British holidaymakers and expats.

But the operation by undercover officers left a bitter taste in the mouths of some as the game was one of many activities organized as part of a charity night at the Pyramid Bar to help raise money towards the medical expenses of a British woman recovering from cancer.
Severe: The six Brits were arrested and fined for playing a game of pre-Christmas bingo in Turkish holiday resort Altinkum

Severe: The six Brits were arrested and fined for playing a game of pre-Christmas bingo in Turkish holiday resort Altinkum

Fifteen Britons, many longtime expats, were eventually taken to a local police station.

Six were fined and others were released without charge. There were about 60 people in the bar when the raid occurred.

The resort’s chief of police Yalçın Akalınlı, said officers had launched the operation following complaints from the public that the bar was allowing gambling – in this case bingo.

He said bingo was seen as a form of unregulated gambling in Turkey and, therefore, against the law.

The bar owners are likely to be hit with a closure order for a number of days as punishment.

The charity night had been arranged by friends of Mrs Ruby Myrescough, 60, formerly of Burnley, but who now lives in the resort.

She was diagnosed with cancer several weeks ago, had undergone an operation in Turkey and is now facing the prospect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Jacqui Zyane, one of those released without charge, said: 'I couldn’t believe it when the police came in through the doors and began questioning people about their id.

'But it seems they had come because bingo was allegedly being played.

'The night had been organized for a special purpose and this is what happens. I am very, very angry.'

Pauline and Mike Ellington, who have lived in Altinkum for three years, were having their final drink before heading back to the UK for Christmas.

They had gone there to meet a friend.

Mrs Ellington said: 'I hope I don’t get a criminal record for playing bingo. We have been hauled out of there as if we are common criminals.

'Some of us thought it was part of the entertainment on the night before the police began asking for our passports. It is disgusting as the night was for a good cause.'

Former charity worker Mrs Myrescough, who was not arrested in the raid, said: 'I can’t believe how the night has turned out. It is very upsetting.'

This is the second raid by police in 15 months against bingo players in Altinkum.

Seven British tourists were fined for playing a game in September last year.

[Ken]

Incredible. But it doesn't surprise me that the police acted because of the complaints, I've certainly seen that before.

[kookywooky]

Surely they were familiar with the Law if they live in the country?

We have strict gaming Law's in the UK that have to be adhered to.

I sympathise with them because they were raising money for a good cause but surely they could have come up with other forms of fundraising which don't flout the law of the land.

[benhalterci]

I agree with Kooky and....if there had been a previous arrest regarding the playing of bingo (they must have known about that) in Altinkum - why did they take the risk again?
Of course they could have had a simple whip-round or donated money in some other way.
Don't forget that TR is becoming more Islamist as well and there could be a lot more of this kind of thing happening. I think that these colonies of expat Brits unfortunately forget they are in a Muslim country. Just look at what happened to those couple who were cavorting on the beach in Dubai. I suppose they all feel that there is safety in numbers.

[Ken]

I wonder if quiz nights are next?

[Steve]

..goodness not the quiz nights ..we do about three or four a week in kusadasi..the incident in altinnkum,was apparantly the same place again as last year,also the complaints come from a nearby bar ..again..the problem with bingo you cannot and will not get a licence for this,as it would open the floodgates again for e.g casinos .or whatever.and last time we had casinos in kusadasi ..the suicide rate was very high,as far as i have been told that is why gambling has been banned.ok you can back a horse.in a race from a "betting shop" but that is licenced .and is governed by the T.J.K..."the turkish jockey club"to which they have to pay an enormous 50% tax to the goverment

[benhalterci]

That's why I can't believe they were daft enough to repeat the scenario the next year. I wonder if it's about this old arrogant British Rajh mentality that seems to occur, especially with the oldies, when they get into ghettos abroad?
About gambling; I think online is popular as one of my Turkish friends wanted to start an online gambling casino with the server based in the US.

[Ken]

I had a feeling it was a complaint from the competition. A lot of things can happen depending on who complains. Actually I was kidding about the quiz nights, I don't see how that could be interpreted as gambling, since there's no random chance involved (except on some of those "multiple choice" questions)! There was some law that came out recently that prohibited alcohol from being given as an "award," that some were interpreting as endangering quiz nights (can't find the article, Sunny, do you remember that one?), but I think it pertained to things like performance awards in companies rather than as a prize at quiz nights. Anybody heard anything on that one?

[sunny]

Yes, there was an article in Zaman newspaper on May 15th this year which I put, including a link in the 'Turkish Law' section but unfortunately the link doesn't work any more. It did state that alcohol was prohibited from being given as a prize.

[Ken]

Thanks for that correction, I see I am losing my memory! So it seems to me the quiz nights are safe!

[sunny]

Well, they do give booze as prizes including a raffle so I think we'll have to keep our fingers crossed.

[Ken]

I wonder if raffles are considered gambling?

[Steve]

..well last night ..we won the quiz yet again there is a 10ytl prize but we always put it in the staff tip box

[Ken]

Congrats Steve and team... I've yet to win one! Maybe you should save the prize money for bail...