trial ruling by declaring yesterday: "The matter is not dead.'' Mr. DeFontes signalled a possible appeal against Senior Magistrate the Wor.

Will Francis's judgment that VSB TV bingo was illegal.

And he fired a potshot at television rivals, ZBM, which has also been broadcasting bingo.

"We are looking at the court judgment from every angle. It appears the rules are not the same for everybody.'' A possible way round the judgment was also being examined, the DeFontes Broadcasting Company president said.

Meanwhile, a defence lawyer Mr. Richard Hector hinted at a fight against Mr.

Francis' ruling as well.

He said he would be asking Attorney General Mr. Elliott Mottley for his opinion on the judgment.

Mr. Francis delivered Wednesday's ruling following a lengthy Magistrates' Court trial in April and May.

DeFontes Broadcasting and businessman Neil Inchcup had been charged with conducting an illegal lottery -- in the form of Freeport Home bingo -- over VSB television on October 22, 1994.

Inchcup, 59, of Collector's Hill, Smith's Parish, was later acquitted of this charge.

However, he faced additional charges of conducting a lottery, namely a bingo game, at Dockyard on October 18, 1994; and of allowing a multi-purpose room in the Clocktower building to be used to hold a lottery on that same day.

The legal interpretation of Mr. Francis' ruling was that only bingo in licensed premises was lawful.

Any appeal must be lodged within ten days of the judgment being delivered.

Mr. Hector said he would be consulting with the Attorney General to find out his position on the ruling, and ask why ZBM was allowed to continuing holding bingo games.

For the time being, VSB TV bingo, broadcast on Saturdays, would be cancelled.

Mr. DeFontes said an appeal may be lodged -- although this might not be necessary.

"I have been looking at what the judgment says about the liquor licence, and I don't think it states you cannot broadcast bingo games from licensed premises.

"So, if we go to licensed premises, and broadcast from there I think we could be home and free. We are still looking into this.''