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Annual insight report from WhichBingo suggests Bingo halls will continue to face a steady decline in numbers, as online popularity soars

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The popularity of traditional Bingo halls is continuing to decline as audience demographics shift and the popularity of online bingo sites has soared in lockdown. The findings were part of the annual insight report by WhichBingo, the UK’s number one, independent online bingo reviews site, owned and operated by XLMedia, which found a significant shift in the Bingo industry to younger online consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 WhichBingo survey found that 45% of respondents said they prefer to play bingo online, while only 28% of the same respondents said they would prefer to play in a land-based hall. The report reveals player numbers at bingo halls are continuing to decline year on year since 2007, and the rise in popularity of online bingo has seen many players swap their weekly night out for time spent online.

Report researchers surveyed more than 800 adults who played online bingo in the UK between January 4th – 15th 2021, and results revealed that:

  • Facebook is the social media platform of choice for bingo community groups
  • Being part of an online bingo community is considered “very important” by 20% of players, according to the survey
  • The social aspect of land-based bingo halls is perhaps the most difficult element to recreate, and 41% chose “the atmosphere” as their favourite part of attending a hall.

Facebook is the most likely place to find online bingo players gathering on social media, with 40% of survey respondents saying that is where they would like the online bingo community to exist. Website forums (27%) remain more popular than channels like Twitter (21%), Twitch (16%) and Discord (14%), showing that the most up-to-date platforms are not necessarily the places bingo players want to gather.

The report revealed that changing demographics might be behind behaviour shifts. There has been a significant increase in younger men playing online bingo, but the report’s findings show that it is still women between the ages of 25 – 54 that are the more likely grouping to play online bingo. The overall shift to a younger player demographic, with 25 to 54 now the most represented age range (83% of respondents), confirms an industry step-change and growing preference for online bingo.

The WhichBingo Report is an anticipated annual insight tool for the UK online bingo industry and a unique collective analysis of shifting consumer trends in online gaming business. The report studies and forecasts online gaming trends in the bingo, sports betting and casino industries.

 

 

Stuart Simms, CEO of XLMedia PLC Group: “Our reports have shown for several years now that the demographic playing bingo has been changing gradually and there has been a marked shift away from going down the bingo hall mid-week with friends to those playing online. Of course this has all been exacerbated by the pandemic and bingo halls being forced to shut by the government’s regulations. It seems online bingo’s appeal is now reaching people earlier in life, with those 25 to 54 now the most represented age range.

“It’s obviously hugely encouraging to see so many younger people enjoying the game and that it’s popularity is growing faster than ever. Of course, the questions on everyone’s lips will be how many of these changes have been caused by the pandemic and how many people will return to old habits when bingo halls are reopened to the public on May 17th. We think it’s important bingo retailers understand their new audiences and rethink how they communicate to them going forward.”

The full 2021 WhichBingo Report can be found online at the dedicated microsite: https://www.whichbingo.co.uk/reports/2021/

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Press Box PR Becomes Official Sponsor of Women in iGaming, Backed by iGaming News

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iGaming News is excited to reveal Press Box PR, a top digital and conventional PR firm for the iGaming and sports betting sector, as the official Women in iGaming sponsor of the publication. This collaboration backs iGaming News’ Women in iGaming initiative, a program focused on honoring, showcasing, and elevating the accomplishments of women leaders advancing the industry.

To launch the partnership, iGaming News has unveiled a new category, sponsored by Press Box PR, at its first iGaming News Awards: “Woman of Influence,” highlighting outstanding women who are transforming the industry and fostering innovation.

Abigail Welch, Editor of iGaming News, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Press Box PR as the official sponsor of our Women in iGaming initiative. Their expertise in digital PR will help us bring the incredible stories of women across the industry to a wider audience. This partnership is about celebrating women every day, supporting their achievements and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”

Sarah Williams, B2B account manager for Press Box PR, said: “We’re thrilled to be a part of iGaming News’ Women in iGaming initiative! With International Women’s Day coming up this Sunday as well as March being Women’s History Month, there’s no better time to announce this fantastic partnership. By putting our time, money and effort behind initiatives like Women in iGaming, Press Box PR is showing support all year long, not just on certain days or months.

“While we are certainly seeing more women excelling and leading in the industry, only about 16% of executive-level roles in the sector are held by women, according to the latest 2025 data from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain. I hope that by shining a light on the skilled women in this industry, we can see that representation increase.”

The partnership will feature editorial pieces, interviews, podcasts, and campaign material highlighting women who are shaping history in iGaming, their professional paths, and how they are progressing the industry. Uniting iGaming News’ industry influence with Press Box PR’s digital communication skills and client network, the collaboration aims to amplify women’s voices and enhance recognition for female leaders.

The post Press Box PR Becomes Official Sponsor of Women in iGaming, Backed by iGaming News appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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HAPPY MONEY HENS

INSPIRED UNVEILS HAPPY MONEY HENS™, GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE SUPER WHEEL™ & GOLD CASH FREE SPINS RISING WINS™ ACROSS ONLINE & MOBILE

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Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, has unveiled three new online and mobile slot releases—Happy Money Hens™, Golden Winner Grand Chance Super Wheel™, and Gold Cash Free Spins Rising Wins™—now live across the UK and Maltese iGaming markets.

Happy Money Hens™ launches the new Happy Money™ series with a vibrant, hen-themed slot packed with Easter charm and big-win potential. Players interact with three animated hens, represented as pseudo-persistent feature bags above the reels, triggering multiple bonuses including Double Coins, Pot Fill, and the unique Happy Boost. Fast-paced action continues through a three-life Win & Spin Bonus, delivering expanding-win excitement and setting a playful tone for the broader Happy Money™ family.

Golden Winner Grand Chance Super Wheel™ builds on the award-winning Golden Winner Grand Chance series with a shared Super Wheel feature powered by patented Player Link™ technology. High-energy reels, golden bells, and the iconic Grand Chance Cherry come alive with reel “dings” that activate wheel spins, instant cash prizes, and Super Bonuses. Shared prize pots, multiplier-boosting trails, and surprise modifiers create a community-driven, pulse-pounding slot experience designed to keep players returning.

Gold Cash Free Spins Rising Wins™ is the latest chapter in the renowned Gold Cash™ franchise, introducing fresh mechanics while retaining the series’ signature style. The base game features random reel expansions, while the bonus round lets players choose: more spins at lower reel heights for steady wins, fewer spins with taller reels for high volatility, or a mystery option. Additional features include Fortune Bet, Fortune Spins, a Gamble option, and Bonus Buy where permitted, giving players control over risk and reward while enhancing overall excitement.

Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, commented:
“These new releases reflect our commitment to delivering diverse, engaging entertainment while supporting responsible play. By blending innovative mechanics with familiar formats, each game offers exciting and balanced gameplay. Inspired remains focused on creating high-quality, innovative, and enjoyable entertainment experiences as we continue to expand our portfolio.”

The post INSPIRED UNVEILS HAPPY MONEY HENS™, GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE SUPER WHEEL™ & GOLD CASH FREE SPINS RISING WINS™ ACROSS ONLINE & MOBILE appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Compliance Updates

Isle of Man Govt Publishes its National Risk Assessment (NRA) Covering Money Laundering Risk in Gambling Sector

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The Isle of Man government has published its updated National Risk Assessment (NRA) for the gambling sector.

The assessment identifies key threats of Money Laundering (ML) to the island’s Gambling sector (both Terrestrial and Online) and the materiality and impact of those threats. Both terrestrial and online gambling have been given a risk rating, with an overall rating for gambling as a whole. These risk ratings and key findings of the NRA feed into the wider NRA work, ensuring the Island has a comprehensive view of the entire threat landscape.

The NRA aggregates, compares and weighs the findings across all sectors to determine which risks drive national exposure. This ensures the NRA is not hypothetical: it reflects actual sector-level dynamics so that the Island can understand the “bigger picture” with each sectoral assessment piecing together a border threat picture.

It is important that the island has a comprehensive understanding of risk at all levels, which does not reflect poor standards but instead outlines structural features of a sector. A robust NRA demonstrates that the jurisdiction understands its ML risks and applies targeted controls that are appropriate.

Risk Ratings are as follows:

• The gambling sector overall is assessed as medium-high risk for money laundering.

• The online gambling sector has a medium-high risk, reflecting a large number of international customers and transaction volumes.

• The terrestrial gambling has a medium-low risk, reflecting its smaller size, domestic profile and lower transaction volumes.

Key Takeaways

The Sectoral NRA highlights core threats in both the online and terrestrial sectors, including:

• Criminal ownership and control of gambling businesses or B2B services, via front companies and complex corporate structures.

• Exploitation by organised crime groups, including those from East and Southeast Asia, for money laundering, cyber-enabled crime and other illicit activities globally.

• Criminals use false or stolen IDs, synthetic identities, and mule identities to access gambling services and obscure their true identity to bypass due diligence controls.

• For terrestrial gambling, cash-intensive operations and casino-specific instruments remain primary channels for laundering domestic predicate offences.

It also highlights potential emerging threats such as:

• Use of advanced technologies (AI, deepfakes, virtual assets) to obscure identities, automate fraud, and facilitate cross-border transfers.

• Use of “turnkey solutions” (pre-packaged business setups) allowing rapid establishment of operations and access to banking services with minimal experience.

Importantly, the NRA makes it clear that these risks arise in specific circumstances with the sector operating legitimate international structures, strong governance and applying high standards of AML/CFT compliance. Those features that make activity higher risk for misuse should be considered within that context.

The post Isle of Man Govt Publishes its National Risk Assessment (NRA) Covering Money Laundering Risk in Gambling Sector appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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