New UK Bingo Market Report Published

Posted on September 21st, 2009

Market research agency Mintel recently released a report on the UK bingo market. The report titled “Bingo UK April 2009” analyzes such issues as the effect the smoking ban has had on bingo in the UK. Other topics covered are the effects of the current recession and global credit crunch and the effect they have had on the UK bingo industry. The report also explores the effect internet bingo is having on the brick and mortar bingo industry in the UK. Anyone who has been following UK bingo news knows that the land based bingo industry in the UK is in real redouble.

Bingo traditionally is seen as a working class and female pastime but that demographic is rapidly changing. In fact the 18 to 45 age group accounts for 62% of all UK bingo players. Approximately 20% of regular bingo players are 18 to 24 years old. In the report Mintel covers the following issues;

Once the recession is over could new marketing techniques help to prompt new growth in the industry?

The effects of legislation (smoking bans, double taxation) on the UK bingo market.
Will the demand for land based bingo come back and will conditions be favorable for expanding the customer base?

Will the growth of internet bingo be a threat to the brick and mortar bingo industry and lure players away from bingo clubs?

Land based bingo in the UK has seen a drop of 26% in revenue and attendance at bingo clubs has declined by about 20% creating serious problems for brick and mortar operations. On the other hand internet bingo has experienced significant growth in the UK and many of the major land based brands are now offering internet bingo in an attempt to shore up declining revenues. Internet bingo has been seen as ‘recession proof’ and there are now hundreds of internet bingo websites serving the UK market. With renewed marketing efforts the land based bingo industry could have a rosy future once the recession fades.

Troubles in the land based bingo industry has sent many players online to play their favorite game free from the restrictions imposed by the draconian smoking ban. Internet bingo sites are competing for these new players and have added bigger bingo bonuses, larger jackpots and original games. Bingo websites advertise bingo bonuses regularly and hardly a day goes by without several new promotions being advertised. It comes as no surprise that so many players are switching to internet bingo.