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Bingo-for-biscuits Britons arrested in Portuguese bar 'Bingo-for-biscuits' Brits fined in Portugal
(about 2 hours later)
Twenty-eight UK expats and holidaymakers were arrested by police at a Portuguese bar holding a game of "fun" bingo with biscuits for prizes. Twenty-eight UK expats and holiday-makers have been fined after police in Portugal swooped on a bar where a game of bingo was being played for biscuits.
Landlady Marianne Pittaway, from North Yorkshire, was hosting the game at The Yorkshire Tavern in Albufeira, on Friday night. Landlady Marianne Pittaway, from North Yorkshire, was fined 700 euros (£595) for hosting the game at The Yorkshire Tavern in Albufeira, on Friday night.
As prizes were being handed out, everyone in the bar was arrested and taken in vans to a police station. Ms Pittaway, 34, also received a four-month suspended prison sentence.
Portuguese police said it was part of a crackdown on illegal gambling. She said she was "still in shock" and that the country's regulations were "wrong in a lot of aspects".
Many of the British citizens arrested were due to appear in court in Albufeira, where they potentially face charges of illegal gambling. Ms Pittaway, who has been in Portugal for eight years, said her bar would "definitely not" be staging bingo again.
They could be fined up to £8,500 under gambling laws, which mean organisers of bingo have to apply for a government licence. The 28 people arrested, all British citizens, appeared in court in Albufeira to face charges of "exploitation of illegal gambling, illegal gambling and witnessing illegal gambling", according to the police.
Those in the bar during Friday's raid were fined various amounts and given suspended sentences.
Even the people in the bar who were not playing bingo were fined 150 euros (£125) and given a three-month suspended sentence for "witnessing illegal gambling".
Organisers of bingo in Portugal have to apply for a government licence.
'Just a joke''Just a joke'
Speaking ahead of her court appearance, Ms Pittaway, 34, from York, said: "I put on the bingo for some entertainment and a bit of fun. We were only playing for some biscuits and drinks. Speaking ahead of her court appearance, Ms Pittaway, originally from York, said: "I put on the bingo for some entertainment and a bit of fun. We were only playing for some biscuits and drinks.
"One minute we were all playing, having a bit of fun and then we were just bundled off in three police vans and taken to the police station. "One minute we were all playing, having a bit of fun and then we were just bundled off in three police vans and taken to the police station."
"Some of those arrested weren't even playing bingo, they were just in the bar watching TV. Among those arrested were Lee Williams and Claire Fairhurst, from Wigan, who were in the bar but not involved in the bingo. The couple were allowed to return to the UK.
"It's just a joke, a complete overreaction and ridiculously heavy-handed." Mr Williams said: "When we tried to leave three of the guys, who were armed police, actually made a barricade in front of us and told us were not allowed to leave and that we had to go to the police station to be read our rights and that we were being arrested as part of an illegal gambling group.
Among those arrested were Lee Williams and Claire Fairhurst, from Wigan, who were in the bar but not involved in the bingo. They have since been allowed to return to the UK. "I've had a lot of ribbing from my mates - I'm sick of hearing people saying 'eyes down' or 'house' - you've just got to smile about it, really."
In a post on the bar's Facebook page, Mr Williams said: "Free bingo with a prize of a packet of biscuits is considered illegal in Portugal."
In a statement, Portuguese police, Faro GNR, said the action had been carried out following "information reported by anonymous citizens".In a statement, Portuguese police, Faro GNR, said the action had been carried out following "information reported by anonymous citizens".
It said officers found people were playing "games of luck and chance" outside an authorised place.It said officers found people were playing "games of luck and chance" outside an authorised place.
A total of 28 citizens were detained for the "exploitation of illegal gambling, illegal gambling and witnessing illegal gambling", a force statement confirmed.
"After being duly identified and made official witnesses the individuals were released and instructed to appear in Albufeira court today, to be heard over their unlawful behaviour, with a view to applying possible measures of coercion," it added.