The Bingo Market: A Path to Survival or a Chance for a Comeback?

The bingo market, once immensely popular, now faces significant challenges that have pushed it to the margins of the gambling market. An analysis of data from 2015 to 2024 reveals that both online (remote) and traditional (non-remote) bingo have lost market share to more profitable segments such as casinos and sports betting. Can the bingo sector regain its former glory, or is it destined to remain a niche component of the gambling industry?

Key Takeaways

  • Gaming machines contribute nearly 63% of the total GGY in the non-remote bingo sector, highlighting the sector’s dependency on this revenue stream.
  • Despite its adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote bingo accounts for only 2.4% of the total online gambling GGY, significantly trailing behind remote casinos (63.2%) and remote betting (34.4%).
  • Remote bingo achieved a turnover of £980.3 million in 2023/24, but its GGY is disproportionately low at £167.2 million, reflecting competitive pressures and the need for aggressive promotional strategies.

Data Source and Calculation Methodology

The figures and insights presented in this article are based on raw data from the Gambling Commission’s Industry Statistics – November 2024. These have been independently analysed and calculated to provide a deeper understanding of the bingo market. This approach ensures the findings are tailored to address key trends and challenges in the sector, offering unique insights for industry professionals.

Current State of the Bingo Market

The bingo market in both traditional (non-remote) and online (remote) formats, is currently facing significant challenges. Its market share continues to decline as more profitable sectors like casinos and betting dominate. However, data from 2023/24 highlights the unique attributes of each bingo segment that shape their current position.

bingo market non remote vs remote 2023-2024

Turnover of Online and Traditional Bingo in 2023/24

In terms of turnover, the bingo market shows notable differences between its online and traditional formats. Online bingo (remote) reached a turnover of £980.3 million in 2023/24, compared to traditional bingo’s £746 million. This indicates that players increasingly prefer the convenience and accessibility of online games. 

However, it is worth noting that the high turnover in remote bingo does not translate into equally high gross gambling yield (GGY). During the same period, the GGY for online bingo stood at just £167.2 million, accounting for only 2.4% of the total GGY in the online gambling sector. In comparison, non-remote bingo achieved a GGY of £628.1 million, nearly four times that of its online counterpart.

The Role of Gaming Machines in the Non-Remote Sector

Non-remote bingo’s revenue is primarily driven by gaming machines, which contribute nearly 63% of the total GGY for the traditional bingo sector. This reliance highlights that traditional bingo venues increasingly depend on gaming machines, while bingo games themselves play a smaller role in their financial success. In 2023/24, GGY from bingo games amounted to £234.2 million, significantly lower than the £394 million generated by gaming machines.

Growth and Challenges of Remote Bingo

While the online bingo sector generates higher turnover, it demonstrates lower efficiency in converting cash flow into revenue. This trend may stem from intense competition in the online space and the need for operators to offer aggressive promotions and bonuses, which reduce profit margins. Nevertheless, it is notable that the GGY for remote bingo increased by 36% between 2015/16 and 2023/24, indicating potential for long-term growth.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two bingo sectors followed divergent paths. Traditional bingo experienced a dramatic decline in 2020/21, with turnover dropping to just £320.6 million – a 61% decrease from the previous year. Meanwhile, online bingo saw a 14.3% increase in turnover during the same period, showcasing the remote sector’s adaptability in challenging circumstances.

The Dual Nature of the Bingo Sector

Despite their differences, both segments of bingo face significant challenges. The non-remote sector needs to attract younger players and reduce its reliance on gaming machines, which are subject to increasing regulation. Meanwhile, the remote sector must focus on improving profitability and leveraging technology, such as gamification and personalisation, to stand out in a highly competitive online environment.

The current state of the bingo sector underscores its dual nature. Traditional bingo continues to generate higher net revenues due to gaming machines but suffers from declining popularity in its core games. Online bingo, while more accessible, struggles with low profitability, posing a key challenge for its future growth. Both segments require innovation to remain competitive in an increasingly diversified gambling market.

The Bingo Market Compared to Other Gambling Sectors

Non-remote bingo remains an important component of the traditional gambling sector, yet its role has significantly diminished compared to dominant categories such as betting and casino gaming.

bingo market vs other gambling sectors market share and turnover

Non-Remote Bingo in Comparison to Other Sectors

The non-remote bingo market generated a GGY of £628.1 million in 2023/24, accounting for 13.5% of the total non-remote gambling market. By contrast, betting achieved over four times the net revenue, reaching £2,489.9 million, representing 53.6% of the market. Casino gaming, while smaller than betting, also surpassed bingo with £865.8 million (18.6% market share).

It is notable that non-remote bingo’s share of the gambling market has been declining over the years. In 2008/09, the sector contributed 14.4% of the non-remote GGY, representing a nearly one-percentage-point drop over the past decade. Meanwhile, the betting and casino sectors, particularly casino gaming, have steadily increased their market shares.

The rapid growth of non-remote casino gaming between 2013 and 2019 suggests that players are increasingly opting for more exciting table games and slot machines over traditional bingo. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated bingo’s marginalisation, as restrictions on gambling venues had a disproportionate impact on sectors reliant on social games.

Remote Bingo vs. Casino and Betting Online

The remote bingo market, while niche, remains an important component of the overall online gambling landscape. In the online gambling sector, the dominance of casino remote actvity is even more pronounced. 

In 2023/24, remote casinos generated a GGY of £4.4 billion, accounting for a staggering 63.2% of the total online gambling GGY. By comparison, remote betting achieved £2.4 billion (34.4%), while remote bingo remains a niche segment with a GGY of £167.2 million, just 2.4% of the market.

In terms of turnover, casino remote further highlights its dominance, generating £106.1 billion in 2023/24, equating to 80.9% of the total online gambling turnover. During the same period, remote bingo turnover was £980.3 million (0.7%), while remote betting turnover reached £24.1 billion.

Why Does Bingo Lag Behind Other Gambling Sectors?

Lower Engagement and Less Excitement
Casino games offer more dynamic and thrilling experiences, such as roulette, blackjack, and slots with advanced graphics and sound effects. By comparison, bingo—particularly online bingo—is perceived as less exciting and engaging.

Higher Margins in Casino Gaming
Remote casinos boast higher profit margins, attracting greater investment from gambling operators. As a result, remote bingo remains a niche offering, with operators focusing on more lucrative segments.

Regulatory Restrictions
Stringent regulations on marketing and promotions limit the ability of online bingo operators to attract new players. Combined with lower margins, remote bingo struggles to compete with more profitable segments like casinos and sports betting.

Is There Room for Bingo to Grow?

While data points to the marginalisation of both non-remote and remote bingo, the sector still holds the potential to carve out a place in the gambling market. Remote bingo experienced a 36% increase in GGY from 2015/16 to 2023/24, demonstrating its capacity for growth in absolute terms.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted remote bingo’s adaptability in challenging conditions, achieving record-breaking results in 2020/21. However, the primary challenge remains competition from remote casinos, which account for 63.2% of the total online gambling GGY.

Key Challenges for the Bingo Market

The bingo sector faces numerous challenges, including shifting player preferences and growing competition. Physical bingo halls are losing popularity, while online bingo is being overshadowed by more profitable segments. These difficulties highlight the need for innovative strategies to ensure the sector’s survival and growth.

Declining Popularity of Bingo Halls

Non-remote bingo venues have been grappling with declining popularity for years. Between 2015/16 and 2023/24, the sector’s turnover fell by 33%, dropping from £1.1 billion to £746 million. 

The most significant decline occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when turnover plummeted to a record low of £320.6 million – a 61% decrease compared to the previous year. While the non-remote sector has partially recovered in subsequent years, a return to pre-pandemic levels seems unlikely.

Bingo halls are increasingly reliant on gaming machines, which accounted for 62.7% of the total GGY for non-remote bingo in 2023/24. This reliance underscores the waning appeal of traditional bingo games and the need for local venues to adapt their offerings to remain profitable. 

However, dependence on gaming machines leaves these venues vulnerable to regulatory changes, such as restrictions on machine availability or stake limits, which could further erode their revenue.

Demographic Challenges and Lack of Modernisation

Player demographics pose one of the biggest challenges for non-remote bingo. Traditional venues predominantly attract older generations, making it difficult to engage younger players. 

The absence of modern features, such as gamification or integration with social media platforms, exacerbates this gap, particularly when compared to the more innovative offerings available in other gambling sectors.

Competitive Pressure in the Online Environment

The online bingo market is under intense competitive pressure from remote casinos, which dominate the sector with higher margins and more dynamic offerings. Between 2015/16 and 2023/24, turnover for remote bingo fell by 33%, dropping from £1.5 billion to £980.3 million. In contrast, remote casinos have steadily expanded their dominance, achieving a turnover of £106.1 billion in 2023/24.

The declining share of remote bingo in the total online gambling GGY – from 4.5% in 2014/15 to 2.4% in 2023/24 – further illustrates its marginalisation. One contributing factor is the aggressive promotional strategies and bonuses required to attract players, which significantly reduce profit margins. This competitive pressure continues to challenge the viability of the online bingo segment as a significant player in the remote gambling market.

Opportunities for Growth in the Bingo Market

Despite its challenges, the bingo sector retains growth potential through technological advancements and innovative business models. While traditional non-remote bingo struggles with demographic limitations and marginalisation, and the online segment faces intense competition, data highlights certain opportunities for expansion.

The Digital Evolution of the Bingo Market

The bingo market has undergone significant digital transformation, leveraging technology to create new opportunities for growth, particularly in the online space. Remote bingo showcased its adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, as traditional venues were forced to close.

In 2020/21, remote bingo GGY reached a record £189 million, driven by players embracing the convenience and accessibility of digital platforms. This shift demonstrated the potential of online bingo to attract audiences during challenging times. However, as markets stabilised, revenues settled at £167.2 million in 2023/24, indicating a need for further innovation to sustain long-term growth.

Personalisation and Gamification and in Online Bingo

Personalisation and gamification and could help the online bingo market attract younger players and enhance user engagement. Gamification in online bingo presents an opportunity to refresh its image, though it is not a cure-all solution. 

Features such as leaderboards, missions, and challenges can attract a more engaged group of younger players. However, online bingo must contend with faster-paced and more exciting gambling formats, such as slots and sports betting. 

Personalisation, driven by artificial intelligence algorithms, could enhance user loyalty by tailoring offerings to individual preferences, which is vital in the highly competitive online gambling market.

Technological Constraints in Traditional Non-Remote Bingo

The traditional non-remote bingo sector faces even greater challenges. The lack of modern technological solutions and its reliance on older generations of players restrict its growth prospects. While implementing innovative solutions like digital integrations may yield some benefits, they are unlikely to reverse the marginalisation of this segment.

Business Model Transformation

One of the most promising opportunities for the bingo sector lies in adopting a hybrid gaming model that combines online and offline elements. Bingo halls could host live-streamed events for online players, enabling shared gaming experiences across both groups. This type of integration could restore the social aspect of bingo while creating new revenue streams. In some markets, linked jackpots and other hybrid innovations have already shown potential, but there remains significant room for further integration of online and offline experiences.

The transformation of the business model could also involve targeting specific demographic groups. While traditional bingo remains attractive to senior players, younger adults demand more dynamic gaming formats. Developing games with competitive elements and innovative features could help attract this demographic.

Building Community

One of bingo’s greatest strengths, which sets it apart from other gambling formats, is its social nature. Online operators can sustain this through interactive features such as real-time chats, community rooms, and themed events like prize bingo nights or tournaments.

Bingo halls can also capitalise on this strength by hosting local initiatives that foster community engagement. For example, operators like Mecca Bingo have successfully introduced events such as themed games, live shows, and social gatherings, offering customers a vibrant alternative to the anonymity of online gambling. These initiatives highlight the potential of physical bingo venues to enhance their appeal by creating unique, community-driven experiences.

Recovery Examples and Growth Potential

Data indicates that both non-remote and remote bingo have potential for recovery. Non-remote bingo turnover grew from a pandemic-induced low of £320.6 million in 2020/21 to £746 million in 2023/24, demonstrating the sector’s capacity to rebound after challenging periods. Meanwhile, remote bingo achieved a 36% increase in GGY between 2015/16 and 2023/24, highlighting improved efficiency in revenue generation despite its smaller market share.

The Bingo Market : A Path to Survival or a Chance for a Comeback to Glory?

Data and analysis clearly indicate that the bingo sector – both in its traditional (non-remote) and online (remote) forms – faces significant challenges. These include growing competition, shifting player preferences, and regulatory pressures. The question remains: can bingo reclaim its former glory, or will it continue as a stable, niche segment of the gambling market?

Realistic Forecasts for the Bingo Sector

The bingo market faces challenges that require strategic adaptation to evolving player preferences and regulatory conditions. Both non-remote and remote formats require new strategies to remain competitive.

Non-Remote Bingo: The Role of Gaming Machines and Regulatory Pressures

Traditional bingo halls have experienced a steady decline in turnover, dropping by 33% from £1.1 billion in 2015/16 to £746 million in 2023/24. Gaming machines play a crucial role in the traditional bingo market, contributing nearly 63% of the total GGY for the non-remote sector. 

However, regulatory measures targeting gaming machines – such as restrictions on maximum stakes and the number of devices allowed in venues – pose a genuine threat to the future of this sector. Without innovation and a diversified offering, traditional bingo halls risk losing their appeal to more modern forms of gambling.

Remote Bingo: Stability in a Niche Segment

Online bingo has demonstrated adaptability, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the sector’s GGY peaked at £189 million in 2020/21. However, recent data shows stabilised revenues of £167.2 million in 2023/24, representing just 2.4% of total online gambling GGY. 

Turnover in remote bingo also fell by 33% over the same period, from £1.5 billion in 2015/16 to £980.3 million in 2023/24. Despite some successes, online bingo continues to be overshadowed by casino remote, which dominates with 63.2% of the total online GGY.

Key Recommendations and Development Directions

Investing in Online Technologies

The remote bingo market should prioritise personalisation and gamification to enhance player engagement. Features like leaderboards, challenges, missions, and activity-based rewards could attract younger users and revitalise the bingo experience. 

Introducing more dynamic gameplay options could also help remote bingo compete with dominant formats like slots and sports betting.

Leveraging the Social Potential of Bingo

Bingo’s greatest strength lies in its social nature. Operators should invest in interactive features such as real-time chats, community rooms, and themed events to preserve and enhance this aspect. A hybrid model connecting online and offline players through live-streamed events could also help rebuild the social essence of bingo.

A Realistic Approach to Non-Remote Bingo

Future regulatory changes, such as further restrictions on stakes or the number of gaming machines, may create additional challenges for the sector. To address this, operators should consider diversifying their offerings, including introducing themed events and hybrid game formats that blend online and offline experiences. 

For instance, live-streamed events from local bingo halls for online players represent an emerging trend that could reinvigorate the sector and attract younger audiences.

Limitations and Challenges Across the Sector

The dominance of casino remote and betting remote will remain a significant challenge for bingo. These segments offer more exciting experiences and higher margins, making them more attractive to both investors and players. While innovation is essential, the bingo sector must accept its role as a niche market that is unlikely to return to its historic prominence.

Bingo Market: Survival as a Niche

Does bingo have a chance to regain its former glory? Data suggests that the sector will not reclaim its mass-market appeal but has the potential to survive and function as a stable niche within the gambling market. 

Key success factors include investments in online technologies, the development of its social aspect, and a pragmatic approach to regulatory and demographic constraints.

The path to bingo market’s survival lies in its ability to adapt to evolving market conditions and player preferences. Operators must recognise that while bingo – both online and offline- can attract players, its greatest value lies in its social nature, which sets it apart from other gambling formats.