From reading the newspaper to buying your groceries, talking with friends, and gambling, everything has become digital – or has it?
Bingo halls have been a huge part of the UK since the 1960s, attracting millions of participants who come to socialize and have a good time.
However, some people claim that these halls are a dying breed; only attracting the older generation and being replaced by online alternatives.
Statistics by Statista and the UK Gambling Commission, as well as insights from bingo venues, beg to differ. They say they are here to stay.
Follow us as we take a closer look at the UK bingo industry and how online bingo and bingo halls seem to attract a different demographic, allowing both to co-exist.
Year Over Year Statistics
When looking at year-over-year statistics provided by the UK Gambling Commission, there is no indication that online bingo is taking market shares from bingo halls.
The table below shows the Gross Gaming Revenue for online bingo and bingo halls in the past four reporting periods of 2019 – 2023.
| Year | Revenue (Online Bingo) | Revenue (Bingo Halls) | UKGC Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 – 2020 | £177 million | £318 million | Link |
| 2020 – 2021 | £189 million | N/A (covid lockdown) | Link |
| 2021 – 2022 | £183 million | £147 million | Link |
| 2022 – 2023 | £173 million | £227 million | Link |
Note
When also including video bingo machines, the total offline bingo revenue is much higher than what is reported for the bingo halls above. However, this article is about bingo halls and online bingo rooms which is why we are not taking this revenue into consideration.
So, what do the revenue statistics from the UK Gambling Commission tell us?
First of all, we can see that the revenue for online bingo has remained pretty much the same over the four reporting periods.
We can also see that the revenue from bingo halls has been heavily reduced since the COVID-19 lockdown, which is to be expected.
However, the bingo halls seem to be recovering, and despite the fact that people couldn’t visit the halls during the lockdown, there was only a slight increase in the revenue from online bingo.
This tells us that the vast majority of bingo hall visitors did not choose an online alternative during the lockdown. The next section answers why.
Why Isn’t Online Bingo Taking Over?
Online bingo isn’t replacing bingo halls because they attract a different demographic.
Those who visit bingo halls likely value the social interaction these visits entail which isn’t present in online bingo rooms.
Sure, online bingo offers chat features that allow players to type to each other, but this is nowhere near comparable to a real experience.
It is possible that many bingo hall enthusiasts also go online to play since the games are available 24/7. But they still make their bingo hall visits.
Those who are drawn to online bingo are most likely people who value social interaction less, and the flexibility of playing at any time from anywhere more.
They may also appreciate the wider selection of bingo games and bonuses available, as well as the ease of accessing other gambling products, such as slot machines and table games.
Are Bingo Halls Struggling to Stay Alive?
The past two decades, Bingo halls have certainly had their fair share of struggles.
In 2006/2007, the UK banned smoking in enclosed places which naturally had a big negative impact on bingo halls.
Then in 2019, we had the COVID-19 pandemic which saw heavy lockdowns of UK venues between 2020 – 2021.
However, revenue reports, figures over operational venues, and insights from bingo halls indicate that they have always recovered and remained profitable.
Let’s take a look at the revenue table again.
| Year | Revenue (Bingo Halls) |
|---|---|
| 2019 – 2020 | £318 million |
| 2020 – 2021 | N/A (covid lockdown) |
| 2021 – 2022 | £147 million |
| 2022 – 2023 | £227 million |
While the £318 million revenue reported for 2019 – 2020 is substantially bigger than the £217 million revenue reported for 2022 – 2023, we can see a huge recovery from 2021 – 2022 where the revenue was no more than £147 million.
It will be interesting to see what the new report for 2023 – 2024 will show but we will not be surprised to see another increase, pointing towards a continuous recovery of bingo halls since the pandemic.
Adding to the revenue, figures from Statista show that there are just as many bingo premises in the UK in 2023 as there were in 2012:
| Year | Bingo Premises |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 650 |
| 2022 | 614 |
| 2021 | 589 |
| 2020 | 635 |
| 2019 | 631 |
| 2018 | 657 |
| 2017 | 635 |
| 2016 | 654 |
| 2015 | 674 |
| 2014 | 710 |
| 2013 | 680 |
| 2012 | 646 |
Again, it seems like the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the venues with a noticeable drop in 2021. However, since then, there has been an increase in operational bingo halls, pointing towards a recovery.
In an article by BBC, a spokesperson for the Mecca Bingo Hall on Clough Road in Hull mentioned that they saw a drop of 30% – 40% in participants after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of May 2023, this drop was reportedly reduced to 10% – 15%, again showing a clear-cut recovery.
While bingo halls tend to be associated with an older generation, the spokesperson also mentioned that they are seeing a lot more younger people coming in to play. This includes people in their 30s who appreciate meeting up with their friends, as well as students who are seeking an affordable night out.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our analysis of the UK bingo industry suggests that online bingo is not replacing traditional bingo halls.
Instead, the two formats cater to different demographics and offer distinct experiences.
The bingo halls speak to a more social-oriented group, while online bingo rooms are more suitable for variety-game gamblers who value comfort and flexibility.
While bingo halls have faced challenges over the years, they have always recovered and remain a popular choice for many players.
As the industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how online and offline bingo continue to coexist and adapt to changing player preferences.