Tag Archives: Bingo

Entertainment

Influencer Niamh Cullen and Late Husband Jamie Gill’s Relationship Timeline

Maravi Post Reporter

Irish influencer Niamh Cullen’s husband, Jamie Gill, died weeks after their first wedding anniversary.

“The unimaginable has happened. Our worst nightmare. My beautiful husband has been taken from us,” Cullen wrote via Instagram in November 2025, announcing Gill’s death at age 33. “[He was] the light of my life. I was the luckiest to be loved and adored by you Jamie. I love you endlessly, not just now, but eternally.”

Cullen married Gill, who maintained a relatively private profile, exactly one year earlier.

“6 months married (last week) we only realized today,” Cullen captioned a set of Instagram selfies in May 2025. “In sickness and in health JJ, I love you forever. You’re my inspiration everyday.”

Influencer Deaths of 2025: Stefanie Pieper and More Stars We’ve Lost

Keep scrolling for Cullen and Gill’s complete relationship timeline:

2017

The social media star revealed via Instagram that they met at Bingo Loco, a local bingo hall.

“8 years ago today. I’m so happy you picked up my card at Bingo Loco and changed your plans to come with us to Metropolis Festival,” Cullen wrote via Instagram in October 2025, celebrating their dating anniversary. “I still remember that warm, fuzzy, excited feeling like it was yesterday ✨. So grateful for everything that’s followed since, hopeful for better days and more memories to be made.”

At the time, Cullen was still living with her ex-boyfriend and asked to remain friends with Gill. Their bond turned romantic the next year.

July 2021

During an appearance on the “Good Glow” podcast, Cullen revealed that she and Gill had recently moved in together.

“I’m feeling super good. I’m in a really good place, [and] I’m living with my boyfriend, Jamie,” she said. “We’re excited.”

The “Unveiled” podcaster further gushed that Gill was a complete “gentleman” when they met.

December 2022

Niamh-Cullen-and-Jamie-Gill-Engaged-318924260_672081034579622_2957369302848685291_n
Courtesy of Niamh Cullen/ Instagram

Gill popped the question after several years of dating.

“And it went a little like this,” Cullen wrote via Instagram, sharing a snap of her diamond engagement ring.

November 2024

“I simply have no words,” she wrote via Instagram, sharing pics from their destination wedding. “Our wedding day 🕊️. Just the beginning of the [photo] spam.”

When Cullen and Gill embarked on their honeymoon to Italy, he subsequently got sick and was hospitalized for 10 days.

“Just two weeks before Christmas, Jamie underwent major surgery, where doctors discovered a cancerous tumor,” Cullen wrote via Instagram the next year. “Our world shattered in an instant, but we stayed strong. Jamie bravely faced 10 rounds of chemotherapy. There were ups and downs along the way, but nothing could have prepared us for what followed after his 10th session.”

The couple got legally married in Dublin in December.

August 2025

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Courtesy of Niamh Cullen/ Instagram

Cullen took a social media hiatus amid Gill’s health struggles.

“Life has been interesting enough. We’ve had some stuff going on at home. I know we will share in time, but at the moment, it’s not my story alone to share,” she told VIP Magazine. “My husband has just been having some struggles with his health. We’re just taking it day by day. I’m trying to be busy but also spend time at home with Jamie.”

Later that month, Cullen shared throwback pictures of the couple from a Kylie Minogue concert the year before.

“This time last year [we were] going to see Kylie, Jamie still talks about it. After that, celebrating our first night in the house, we didn’t have a clue what was ahead,” Cullen wrote via Instagram. “But this makes me excited and hopeful that better days are coming. Life is short. Always make sure you are having a big ball. It’s something we always did together and will continue to do it soon.”

Fall 2025

Gill was hospitalized with pneumonia and sepsis, leading doctors to confirm that his cancer had returned.

“My blood still runs cold, but I know this: My husband is a fighter,” Cullen wrote via Instagram on November 14. “We will not give up.”

November 2025

Cullen marked her first wedding anniversary via Instagram amid Gill’s cancer recurrence.

“I can’t believe it’s already our one year wedding anniversary. I was too emotional over the weekend to even look through our photos or think about posting,” she wrote via Instagram on November 10. “Happy anniversary to my amazing, brave, and resilient husband ❤️‍🩹 You make my world a better place.”

Nineteen days later, Cullen confirmed that Gill died at age 33.

Sports

iGaming in California: An Exhaustive Overview

MaraviPost

iGaming has become increasingly popular, and California is no exception. With a population of over 39 million people, California is the largest state in the United States by population, making it a prime market for casino-related operators.

Nonetheless, the legality of iGaming in The Sunshine State is complex and constantly evolving.

The Jackpot Sounds project, an ambitious voice in the online gambling industry, was recently invited to share its insights on the Californian legal framework surrounding iGaming. With a deep understanding of the regulation of online gambling in the USA, Jackpot Sounds have been recognized as an authority on the subject, making their opinion invaluable in discussions on the future of iGaming in California.

As the debate on iGaming regulation continues, Jackpot Sounds’ input is sure to be a crucial factor in shaping the future of online gambling in California.

This article provides an all-around overview of what we know about online casino-related activities in California, including the current legal status, the history of online betting in the state, and its potential future in California.

Current Legal Status of iGaming in California

Currently, iGaming is not explicitly legal in California. The state has not passed any specific legislation that legalizes online betting, and there are no state-licensed online operators.

Nevertheless, there are also no laws that explicitly prohibit online casino-related activities, leaving a legal gray area for residents of the state who wish to gamble online.

Tribal casinos are self-regulated entities that work alongside the California Control Commission and within the confines of tribal-state gaming compacts.

Parimutuel betting is overseen by the California Horse Racing Board, while cardrooms are regulated by the Division of Control. Social and sweepstakes platforms comply with federal laws.

History of iGaming in California

The state has a thriving casino industry, with numerous tribal casinos and cardrooms operating throughout the state. However, the state has been slow to embrace iGaming, and there have been several failed attempts to legalize online poker in particular.

In 2012, a bill was introduced in the California State Legislature that would have legalized online poker. The bill was supported by several of the state’s tribal casinos, but it ultimately failed to pass due to opposition from other stakeholders, including card rooms and operators.

Since then, there have been several other attempts to legalize online poker, but none have been successful.

In 2019, a bill was introduced that would have legalized online sports betting in The Cereal Bowl of the Nation. The bill was supported by several professional sports teams and leagues, but it also failed to pass due to opposition from tribal casinos and other stakeholders.

The Betting Age in California

In The Tech State, the legal age for iGaming varies depending on the type of game being played. For horse racing, bingo, and lottery tickets, the minimum age is 18.

However, for games in tribal casinos, the minimum age is also 18, but some venues may require players to be at least 21 due to the presence of alcohol on the premises.

Social and sweepstakes California online casino sites are also available for players who are 18 years old.

Taxes on Casino and Betting Winnings in CA

The winnings in California are considered income and are subject to state taxation. The personal state tax rates range from 1% to 12.3%, depending on the amount of earnings.

For married couples, the rates are the same, but the earnings thresholds are higher. Licensed operators are required to issue a pre-filled Form W-2G if a player wins over a certain amount on specific games, such as

  • bingo,
  • keno,
  • poker, or
  • other wagers.

Illegal Betting in California: A Complete Overview

iGaming is a popular activity in California, with a wide range of legal options available, including

  • state lotteries,
  • parimutuel betting,
  • card games,
  • keno,
  • bingo,
  • slot machines, and
  • progressive slot machines.

Nonetheless, illegal casino-related activity still exists and flourishes in the state, with some analysts estimating that $32 billion was wagered illegally in 1986 alone.

Prevalence in California

Illegal betting is popular in California, but its popularity and prevalence are difficult to measure. In 1986, it was estimated that $32 billion was wagered illegally in the state, resulting in significant social costs.

The most popular forms of illegal games are “numbers,” which is essentially a lottery, and betting with bookies, typically sports betting. Sports betting, in particular, is thought to amount to a large sum, with some analysts considering it the largest category of iGaming after casino games.

Social Costs

The social costs of illegal gaming in California are significant, ranging from $1 billion to $10 billion, depending on the percentage and number of pathological gamblers.

These costs are derived from cost estimates from other states and prevalence studies and include the cost of treatment, lost productivity, and criminal justice expenses.

For example, the cost per pathological gambler ranges from $8,000 to $15,000, depending on the severity of the addiction.

Consequences

Engaging in illegal iGaming activities in California can result in serious consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Under California law, it is illegal to operate an online gaming site in the state without a license from the government.

Violators can face fines and up to one year in jail. Moreover, participating in any real-money online gaming activity is also illegal, and players can face similar penalties.

Illegal Online Betting in California

Online betting, including illegal activities, is a growing concern in California. With the emergence of casino betting, the potential for illegal online activity has increased significantly. Bettors can now play poker and wager on horses online, bypassing traditional card rooms and pari-mutuel wagering that supports horse racing.

Technological Advancements

Communication technologies, such as the internet, support multistate lotteries and allow bingo games to be hosted at multiple sites, creating larger prizes and more competitive games. International iGaming companies headquartered in other countries compete in the American iGaming market via the Internet, despite its illegality.

Charitable Games and Legal Betting

Even nonprofit organizations are pushing at the edges of legal iGaming in California. For example, some organizations have received notices from the California Division of Control regarding poker tournaments and other games, with organizers facing up to a year in jail or a fine of $1,000.

Revenue Loss for Charitable Organizations

The flow of revenue to some nonprofit organizations from bingo games has shrunk since casino betting on Indian lands, with Sacramento County charity bingo hall revenues dropping by nearly one-third in the last 12 years.

Efforts to Combat Illegal Betting in California

The California Control Commission and the Bureau of Control are responsible for regulating legal iGaming activities in the state.

These agencies work together to ensure that all casino-related activities are conducted fairly and honestly, and that all participants are protected from fraud and other illegal activities.

However, combating illegal iGaming is a significant challenge, as many illegal casino-related operations are run by organized crime groups that are difficult to detect and prosecute.

Potential Future of Betting and iGaming in California

Despite the failed attempts to legalize iGaming in California, the state’s large population and thriving casino industry make it a prime market for online casino operators. Several stakeholders, including tribal casinos, card rooms, and operators, continue to advocate for the legalization of casino-related activities in California.

In recent years, there has been increasing support for the legalization of online sports betting in California.

In 2020, a coalition of tribal casinos and sports betting operators launched a campaign to legalize online sports betting in the state. The campaign, which is backed by several professional sports teams and leagues, is seeking to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2022 that would legalize online sports betting.

If the constitutional amendment is approved by voters, it would pave the way for the legalization of online sports betting in the Golden State. This could potentially open the door for the legalization of other forms of betting, such as online poker and casino games.

Conclusion

Online betting is a complex and constantly evolving issue in California. While online casino-related activities is not currently legal in the state, there are still several options for California residents who wish to gamble online.

The history of iGaming in the Land of Milk and Honey has been marked by failed attempts to legalize online poker and sports betting. But there is increasing support for the legalization of online sports betting in the state.

If the constitutional amendment to legalize online sports betting is approved by voters in 2022, it could potentially open the door for the legalization of other forms of iGaming in California.

Illegal casino-related activities are a significant problem in California, with social costs ranging from $1 billion to $10 billion. While legal iGaming activities are widely available, illegal one continues to flourish, with some analysts estimating that $32 billion was wagered illegally in 1986 alone.

Engaging in illegal casino-related activities can result in serious consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Therefore, it is essential to gamble responsibly and only with licensed and regulated operators.

The California Control Commission and the Bureau of Control are committed to ensuring that all casino-related activities are conducted fairly and honestly, and that all participants are protected from fraud and other illegal activities.

References

  1. California State Legislature
  2. California Control Commission
  3. California Gambling Control Resource Book
  4. Penal Code § 330 PC – Illegal Gambling in California
Regional, Sports

How many rounds are in a bingo game?

Maravi Post Reporter

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Knowing how many rounds in a game of bingo means knowing the rules. Each player in the game buys a scorecard with a selection of random numbers on it.

The bingo-caller then calls out the numbers which are drawn by an RNG (random number generator). Each scorecard purchased is different from everyone else’s in the game – visit Umbingo.com.

As the numbers are called out, the players cross them off from their scorecards. The first person to cross off all their numbers from the scorecard is the winner.

This should indicate that the number of rounds in a game of bingo is entirely subject to however many turns it takes until someone wins. But is it more complicated than that?

Different rules for different forms of bingo

Depending on which variation of bingo you’re playing could mean that some games last much longer than others.

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Online bingo comes in all different shapes and sized, and you’ll be able to play 90-ball, 80-ball, 75-ball, or 30-ball bingo, amongst many others.

The 90-ball format has a scorecard containing 24 numbers on a 5×5 grid. However, the 80-ball format is played on a grid of 4×4.

The 75-ball format has scorecards with 25 squares, laid out in a 5×5 grid and finally, 30-ball bingo is all laid out on scorecards containing nine squares laid out in a 3×3 format. Clearly, this version of bingo won’t last very long at all.

As you can see, all of these different formats will last different lengths of time, thus changing the number of rounds each bingo game will take.

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The 90-ball format can take quite a long time for someone to get a full-house, but if you’re playing for patterns or lines, that’s another way of shortening the games.

Working out the length of a game

One American mathematical website went one step further than mere estimation when trying to determine the length a bingo game should take.

The 75-ball format is most common in America, so the mathematicians were using a 25-square scorecard, each with 24 random numbers ranging from 1 to 75 on them.

“Each column has 1/5 of the numbers (1-15, 16-30, etc). Every round results in a single number being called. To win, a player must have five numbers in a row, column, or diagonal, for a total of 12 possible ways to win. My understanding is that a single player will on average call bingo in 41.36 rounds.” – stack.exchange.com

Does changing the number of players affect the number of rounds?

Is bingo a case of ‘the more the merrier’? Put simply, as the number of players increase, does the average rounds to win decrease? This would mean that huge bingo events would all be over quite quickly, despite playing longer formats, wouldn’t it?

In short, yes. However, the game can’t be made arbitrarily small. This means that mathematically, as the number of players increases, the expected number of turns to finish the game will decrease.

The simple formula to work this out?

As if you didn’t know!

Source: Africa Feeds

Regional, Sports

Essential things to do before playing Bingo

Maravi Post Reporter

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If you are new to bingo or you have taken an extended period away from the game, you may be surprised to find how much the game has evolved.

While bingo halls aren’t a thing of the past, since the introduction of online bingo onto our mobile devices the games popularity has only increased year by year.

On the face of it, bingo seems like an uncomplicated game, there is no way to get the odds in your favour as it is a game of complete chance. However there are a few  essential things you have to do before you play online bingo – learn more.

Properly Prepare 

Be honest with yourself and ask what exactly your goal is with playing bingo, are you looking to win the jackpot or are you playing the game to have a great time with new people and socialise?

Either way is completely fine, but it will alter exactly how you should prepare for games, for instance if you are wanting to win you may need to think about playing at less peak times in order to improve your chances whilst if you want to meet people and socialise then you should do the exact opposite and play at the busiest times. 

Choose the Right Game for you 

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When playing it is important that you choose the right game that suits your needs and playing style. The main two you’ll encounter will be 75 ball and 90 ball bingo, it is important to understand the differences between these two games.

75 ball bingo offers players the chance to buy as many tickets as possible to increase their chances of winning, however with an infinite number of winning patterns so don’t expect to instantly be able to win if you buy two tickets.

90 ball bingo is similar, this game is most popular here in the UK. It has more than one winner in the game and even allows players to win a bigger cash prize! 

Set a limit 

If you are new it can be easy to just spend, spend, spend. But bingo is not a game where you can spend a lot of money and end up winning, you can go a long time without ever winning a single thing in the game.

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Especially after you have tasted victory once or twice, it can be all too easy to keep putting money into bingo games. To try and stop this from happening you should consider setting a limit for yourself and if you are in danger of going over it simply stop playing the game. 

Finally, Relax and Have Fun! 

No matter what you are looking for in a game of bingo, the most important thing you can do to prepare is just to relax and have fun with it. It is only a game after all, it is meant to be fun!

There is no need to stress yourself out about bingo, everybody is very welcoming and if you are friendly and are prepared to have fun we can promise that you will end up having a wonderful time.

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Regional

Bingo around the World

Maravi Post Reporter

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The game of online bingo no deposit is played in countries all over the world although there are many differences in how the game is played. 

Though it may have changed a fair amount since it was first created, Bingo has remained recognisable and is increasing in its popularity with every passing year. 

This has been hugely helped by the online creation of Bingo games, specific websites and apps.

Whether you are looking to play in the UK or elsewhere in the world, there are plenty of ways in which Bingo is accessible to you, even if you are travelling abroad or even emigrating. 

If this is the case for you then this article is definitely worth a read because playing Bingo is a great way to make new friends who all share a love for one common factor…Bingo! 

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Bingo is the ideal way to keep your brain active, it is high paced and is a great way to unwind after a long day.  Playable by anyone, there are no particular rules, skills or strategies needed for you to be able to participate so all you need to do is find the best Bingo game for you and start playing straight away. 

Playing Bingo in the UK

Though many people think that there are strong links between Bingo and the UK, many other countries have equally just as convincing stories that may give us an indication as to the origin of Bingo. 

The history of British Bingo as we would recognise it was actually only recorded as of the 60s, so countries like America and Germany have been playing Bingo for a lot longer apparently.  Despite the Brits being one of the most Bingo obsessed countries with over 4 million players, this has not always been the case, but it has been massively assisted by the online Bingo world.

It is no longer stereotypically associated with the older generations and is now more than acceptable for younger members of society to openly play.  Younger players are now more interested in playing Bingo because they do not have to specifically go to a Bingo hall to be able to participate and with our lives being fuller and faster than ever, the ability to be able to multi-task is hugely important. 

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With so many options of how Bingo can be played online, there are plenty of options for players of all ages to be able to participate in at any time of the day or night, with 90, 80 and 75 ball Bingo being the most popular ways in which to play online. 

Playing Bingo in Italy

This is the country in which many people believe Bingo to have its roots with many people being led to believe that there is proof of Bingo being played here since 1530.  Obviously, not every country wants to agree with this but the Italian remain proud of this potential fact. 

Due to this, there are still many Bingo halls readily available for players to venture in to spread around Italy with the online Bingo world not seemingly having affected this side of Bingo playing at all.

The Italian Bingo is said to have come about through its connection to the Italian National Lottery and has multiple similarities. 

Though Bingo may not be the initial thing you think of when you are visiting Italy, with pasta and pizza taking over your mind, you should go and visit an Italian Bingo hall.  The Italians are hugely welcome so don’t get put off by their competitive nature when it comes to playing their favourite national game. 

Playing Bingo in America

Though Bingo in the US started life being known as Beano, there have been few changes to the game since it first appeared in 1927.  It was a popular game that travelled through the different States of the country with the carnivals as another way of drawing in a crowd.  One person, Mr Edward Lowe, was particularly fascinated at not only the size of the crowd it drew but the length of time people wanted to play this game for.

Realising its popularity, Lowe made a couple of changes to the original game he had seen with the carnival and travelled through the States with his variation of Bingo.  It was played at parties, charity events, auctions, and more with people of all social classes desperately awaiting his arrival in their State. 

Nearly a century later, the Americans still enjoy playing a very recognisable game of Bingo, though they tend to play 75 ball Bingo more often than any other type.  However, the most common reason for Bingo in the US is not for recreation but is use in the education system, just as it is in Germany. 

Who Else Loves Bingo?

Many other countries have a deep love for Bingo.  The Germans have seemingly been playing Bingo since the 1880s and it has a very close resemblance to that of the UK style of Bingo.  Used primarily as an educational tool, Bingo in Germany originated from their Lottospiel, or National Lottery, but is generally seen as a higher risk game to play than Bingo in the UK.

Behind the Brits, interestingly the Romanians are the second biggest Bingo players in the world.  There may be a lot of laws surrounding gambling, but since the 90s, Bingo halls and online Bingo have been increasing in their popularity at an incredible speed.  This has been down to the huge popularity of the Bingo TV shows which is loved so much by the Romanian nation that it wins annual awards.

Despite laws being incredibly strict in Sweden, online Bingo is permitted to be played and it is not governed by their state.  Interestingly, the players of Swedish Bingo are generally a lot younger than other comparable countries and their Bingo style is incredibly similar to the Bingo that Brits would be familiar with so it is very easy to transfer your skills.  With 90 and 75 ball Bingo being the games of choice here, you can start playing as soon as your plane lands.

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