Latest News

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

Published

5 years ago

May 13, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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 4^th – 15^th 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/

EPIC agree

Onrise and EPIC agree strategic partnership for gambling harm prevention

Published

38 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

onrise-and-epic-agree-strategic-partnership-for-gambling-harm-prevention

Onrise, the trusted mental health platform for athletes across the US, has entered a strategic partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, a leading consultancy in gambling harm prevention. The collaboration aims to enhance support services for athletes and coaches at professional and collegiate levels amid growing concerns around sports wagering and gambling-related risks.

EPIC Global Solutions brings expertise grounded in lived experience of gambling addiction. Through this partnership, EPIC will provide education and training—both face-to-face and digital—to supplement Onrise’s network of over 250 peer support experts. These services are designed to help sports organizations promote safer relationships with gambling products.

The Onrise platform already offers a comprehensive support system, including licensed therapists, psychiatric care, sports performance coaching, and retired athlete peer support, all delivered securely through one-on-one sessions with flexible scheduling.

Kim Quigley, Founder and CEO of Onrise, commented:
“Student-athletes live in a time where gambling and sport intertwine in so many ways, with significant wagering interest in collegiate sport. This partnership with EPIC Global Solutions is about getting in early, before a bet becomes a burden carried in silence. By pairing world-class gambling education with Onrise’s athlete-specific mental health care, we can spot risk sooner, intervene faster, and protect their health, future, and the team communities depending on them.”

Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Global Solutions, added:
“This partnership arose from a shared alignment of values. Gambling and sports wagering is growing fast in the US, particularly in sports and college sectors. Together, we can provide stronger, athlete-focused support to promote mental health, wellbeing, and performance.”

The partnership coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the US, running throughout March to raise awareness of early identification and prevention of gambling-related harms.

The post Onrise and EPIC agree strategic partnership for gambling harm prevention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Dota 2 Team

LEON Esports Expands its Partnership with GamerLegion to Include a Dota 2 Team

Published

38 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

leon-esports-expands-its-partnership-with-gamerlegion-to-include-a-dota-2-team

Online casino and sportsbook LEON has strengthened its esports involvement by extending its partnership with the organisation GamerLegion to cover the team’s North American Dota 2 roster.

Previously sponsoring GamerLegion’s Counter-Strike 2 team, LEON’s expanded collaboration marks the next step in the brand’s growing esports strategy.

GamerLegion’s Dota 2 squad, formed in late 2025, played its first official match on November 15th and is currently ranked approximately #17 globally. The team has already competed in major tournaments, including PGL Wallachia, DreamLeague, and BLAST Slam.

As part of the extended partnership, LEON and GamerLegion will introduce exclusive giveaways, fan activities, and collaborative content for the esports community, further strengthening engagement across both teams and their audiences.

The post LEON Esports Expands its Partnership with GamerLegion to Include a Dota 2 Team appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Colombian market

GoldenRace reinforces leadership in the Colombian market alongside Olympia Apuestas Virtuales

Published

38 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

goldenrace-reinforces-leadership-in-the-colombian-market-alongside-olympia-apuestas-virtuales

GoldenRace, a global leader in Virtual Sports and the first and only ACDV-certified provider in Colombia, has signed a partnership with Olympia Apuestas Virtuales. This collaboration expands GoldenRace’s footprint in the Colombian retail sector while raising standards for virtual gaming.

Colombia has long been a strategic market for GoldenRace, and its compliance with Coljuegos regulations ensures operators can run certified, fully transparent products. Olympia’s terminals now feature GoldenRace’s full virtual sports portfolio, demonstrating how advanced technology can seamlessly adapt to local legal and operational requirements. Since November 2025, Olympia has successfully deployed multiple terminals, highlighting growing player demand for fast, secure, and accessible gaming experiences.

GoldenRace virtual betting delivers instant excitement, with events every five minutes and betting options across football, horse racing, dog racing, motorcycling, and more. The platform requires minimal registration while offering immediate results, catering to players seeking quick, adrenaline-filled entertainment.

Martin Wachter, CEO and Founder of GoldenRace, commented:
“Our track record in Colombia has allowed us to understand what operators need and what players love. Partnering with Olympia lets us expand in the retail sector, bringing certified virtual games to physical points of sale where trust and immediacy are crucial.”

David Cadavid, Betting Coordinator at BetPlay and Olympia Casinos, added:
“This partnership is central to our diversification and growth strategy. Virtual betting represents both fast, accessible entertainment and a contribution to the national economy. GoldenRace’s certified products are a clear opportunity for innovation, development, and profitability in Colombia.”

The GoldenRace–Olympia alliance is set to continue transforming the virtual betting landscape in Colombia, offering players instant action while supporting sustainable business growth.

The post GoldenRace reinforces leadership in the Colombian market alongside Olympia Apuestas Virtuales appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.