28 Irish and British tourists have been fined and given suspended jail sentences in Portugal for playing bingo in exchange for prizes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has been in contact with Irish citizens in the group.
They were found to be in breach of the country's strict laws against gambling, despite prizes of nothing more then biscuits and drinks being on offer.
The majority of those fined were OAPs. The owners of the bar, where the game of bingo took place, were given similar sentences.
Portugese authorities - not fans of gambling
Three van loads of Police raided The Yorkshire Tavern in Albufeira, Portugal last Friday night.
The 28 appeared in court, on charges of exploitation, illegal gambling and witnessing illegal gambling. Many in the group were given 3 month suspended sentences and fined €300. Others, who didn't even play but who did watch, were fined €150.
Participants thought they were paying just €1 to enter - it ended up being a much more expense evening than they bargained for.
Foreign Affairs
The Department of Foreign Affairs here earlier confirmed that it has been in contact with Irish members of the group, but says it doesn't comment on individual cases. A department spokesperson said the mixed group of Irish and British people included some dual passport holders.
The DFA says the group agreed to present themselves in court, after they were detained during a fun bingo game. They have been invited to make contact with deparment representatives again, if they need further help.
Landlady fined
Landlady Marianne Pittway, 34, who left the UK for Portugal 8 years ago, was fined €700 and given a 4 month suspended sentence.
Organisers of bingo in Portugal have to appeal to the government for a license.
Above, The Yorkshire Tavern in Albufeira, Portugal - illegal gambling den, according to police
Above, the kind of quiet evening for elderly people that Portugese authorities might prefer they enjoy
Bingo terms for numbers
See below for some of our favourite bingo terms - in case you're thinking of hitting a bingo hall anytime soon... best to find a legal one we say.
- Kelly's eye - Buttered scone - At the beginning - Little Jimmy - Nelson's column - B1 Baby of bingo - First on the board - Number Ace - Son of a gun
- One little duck - Baby's done it - Doctor who - Me and you - Little boy blue - Home alone - Peek a boo
- Dearie me - I'm free - Debbie McGee - You and me - Goodness me - One little flea - Cup of tea - Monkey on the tree
- The one next door - On the floor - Knock at the door - B4 Crowd says "and after" - Bobby Moore - Shut the door
- Man alive - Jack's alive - One little snake
