Most prospective parents might object to their child being regarded as an "omen", after the film exploits of a certain Damien. But for one bingo fan, the word proved slightly more positive recently, as she attempted to shock her daughter into labor. While the trick failed, National Bingo reveals that 44-year-old Tracey Firth instead landed in the money. Following a win at the Buckingham Bingo hall in Bradford, Tracey says of her daughter: "She was definitely my lucky omen." She adds that the £18,000 UK bingo jackpot is to be shared between herself and four others. Woman charged with stealing $17G of VFW Bingo Money A former treasurer who oversaw bingo games has been indicted on 97 counts of diverting funds and forgery. A grand jury charged Julie L. Weedman, 36, of Evarts, last week. Weedman is the former treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Lodge 11139 in Middlesboro. The missing funds came to light in the fall of 2006, when a bank notified the charity's president, Patricia Howard that a check bounced.

EU gaming companies saw their stock market value plunge in 2006 after the United States shut off their biggest market.  In May this year, after being defeated at the World Trade Organization, Washington took the rare step of withdrawing its WTO commitment to allow foreign firms into its gambling market.

Tourists seized for playing bingo Sarah Holland and Carla Harrison, both 25, were among a group of around 30 tourists playing bingo for a free drink at the bar in Altinkum, Turkey. They said they were unaware unlicensed gambling was illegal in Turkey, and were fined 117 Turkish Lira (£42) each. "We thought we were on Candid Camera until we were hustled into a van and taken to the police station", said Sarah.