THOUSANDS of people try their luck every night on a simple game of chance. Bingo is the modern name for the game which began in the 18th Century as "lotto" and later became known as housey-housey. Bingo halls swept the country in the '60s and '70s and the game has remained popular despite the National Lottery. A decade ago prize money rocketed as a national game was introduced. For the first time, punters could win a prize so massive it could change their lives. The National Game is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Reporters CHRISTINE RUTTER and CATHERINE SMYTH visited two bingo halls to find the why game is so popular.

IF YOU expect a dark, smoky hall packed with punters in twin sets, pearls and purple rinses intent on gambling away their pensions, prepared to be disappointed.

The new generation of bingo halls are every bit as flash as Las Vegas casinos.

There are bright lights, live bands, flashing fruit machines, ornate bars and fast food outlets - and, of course, thousands of players of all ages with eyes down and believing that this could be their lucky night.

In fact, the bingo hall language of "clickety-click" and "two fat ladies" is the only thing reminiscent of the old-style club. Nearly 35,000 people have clocked into the plush new Riva Club in Blackburn since it opened three weeks ago - and it isn't hard to see why. The total prize money handed out already is around £186,500. In one night, scores of people left hundreds of pounds in credit and those that didn't strike it lucky consoled themselves with free food hampers.

"Bingo halls used to be converted cinemas with dim lighting, no air conditioning, smoky and drab decor, full of old ladies in curlers and slippers," said manager of Riva Andrew Sobenica.

"New bingo halls are aimed at younger people from 18 to 35 who are now coming to play. People aged from 40 to 70 are still the majority for the present."

Bingo addict Tracy Dawe, 32, of Finch Close, Blackburn, often arrives at the club nearly two hours before the game starts just to grab her lucky seat.

She said: "I used to go to the pub but I go to bingo instead now. I have a break from the kids but get home early enough. I'd be addicted if I had the money." First timer 20-year-old Linzi Murphy said: "It is my first night and the club is just totally different from what I expected it to be."

Regular Ken Pilling, 60, landlord of the Wheatsheaf pub, Blackburn, said: "More young people play because it is not expensive. They can have a cheap beer and then go on to a club afterwards. You can also walk out with £200,000 every night, which is a great incentive."

Pensioners Irene and William Emms, of St Albans Court, Blackburn, said: "We don't smoke or drink so we save up and play bingo. We have been coming for 20 years. We haven't won yet but we keep hoping."

EYES down, look in and every afternoon you will see 450 people in Burnley eagerly searching for two fat ladies, one little duck and Kelly's eye.

Bingo's heyday in the 1960s saw 24 per cent of the population playing the game.

Now the numbers' game is bouncing back with a newer, younger clientele.

The first person to win a Ford Popular car back in the 1960s at the former Palace club, Chris Zaba is now a regular player at the new £3.8m Gala Club on Centenary Way, Burnley.

She used to teach in the Lake District but disability brought her back to Hapton.

"This is my main social activity," said Chris, 53, who goes to the games with friend Maureen Webb.

"Without bingo I would not get out." Each Saturday the club participates in the national game, giving members the chance of winning the star prize of £100,000, and it has just introduced the connect game linking up with Gala Clubs all over the North West to win up to £10,000.

John and Sheila Pilling and their daughter Suzanne Hoggarth, from Accrington, are regulars at the new club and their younger daughter, 18 year old Joni-Belinda won £150 on Gala's opening night.

Sheila said: "We come several times a week as a family and we like it because it is clean and the staff are great."

Housewife Suzanne, 27, said: "It gets me out of the house and there is always a possibility of winning some money."

The new Gala club seats 1,600 and has 14,500 members, most of whom are aged between 20 and 40. Besides the numbers game, it has speciality showtime on Saturday nights with cabaret stars including Bucks Fizz, The Supremes and The Stylistics.

Bingo hungry punters in Pendle and Rossendale are not left out either because games are held at the Empire in Haslingden and the Palace and Regent in Nelson.

General manager at Gala in Burnley Bob Smith said: "Coming to the club is not just about playing bingo.

"It is a whole leisure experience."

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