Connect with us

Latest News

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

Published

on

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 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/

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

BETBY

BETBY launches fully priced World Cup bracket as part of tournament offering

Published

on

betby-launches-fully-priced-world-cup-bracket-as-part-of-tournament-offering

BETBY, the leading Tier 1 sportsbook provider, has announced the launch of its comprehensive World Cup offering, led by one of the most distinctive advantages currently available to operators: odds on the entire World Cup bracket already available, before the official draw takes place.

Released exactly one month before the opening match, BETBY’s World Cup package gives operators a crucial head start, enabling them to activate campaigns and capture player interest well ahead of kickoff.

The offering also provides operators with an additional marketing tool to drive engagement and maximise player interaction in the lead-up to the tournament.

By providing a fully pre-priced tournament structure across all potential matchups, BETBY allows operators to offer betting markets from the group stage through to the final from day one.

This early availability extends the betting lifecycle significantly, giving players the opportunity to engage with the full tournament narrative in advance and driving sustained activity throughout the build-up to kickoff.

To further enhance engagement during the tournament, BETBY is introducing microbetting for the World Cup, enabling wagers on events occurring within one-minute intervals throughout each match. With at least 90 intervals per game, players can bet on outcomes such as throw-ins, fouls, corners, offsides, goals, and goal kicks.

This real-time, high-frequency betting format transforms the viewing experience into a continuous stream of opportunities, keeping users actively engaged from kickoff to the final whistle while increasing interaction levels, boosting ARPU, and strengthening retention.

Complementing this is BETBY’s eWorld Cup, an esports experience that replicates all tournament matches in a short-format, high-frequency environment.

With matches lasting just a few minutes, the e-sim ensures continuous football action, helping operators fill off-peak gaps and overcome time zone challenges while maintaining consistent user engagement.

The product is fully customizable, allowing operators to tailor visuals, teams, match configurations, and margins to align with their brand and commercial strategy.

BETBY’s World Cup offering is further supported by a dedicated tournament hub, designed to centralize all content, data, and betting opportunities within a single interface.

Users can explore group stages and full bracket progression, access event pages, view promotions and line banners, watch video content, and analyze detailed statistics, creating a more immersive and informed betting experience.

The package includes boosted odds across all World Cup events, daily featured offers, and a wide selection of prebuilt “hot” combos with enhanced pricing, giving operators the flexibility to engage a broad player base, from high-value users to casual bettors.

Operators also benefit from one of the most extensive market coverages in the industry, spanning main markets, outrights, props, and special bets, supported by a trading team ready to accommodate bespoke requests.

By combining early market availability, real-time engagement tools, continuous betting opportunities, and deep trading flexibility, BETBY delivers a complete solution designed to maximize operator performance throughout the World Cup.

“As the biggest sports event worldwide, the World Cup is as much about preparation as it is about execution,” said Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at BETBY.

“By being the first B2B sportsbook provider to make the full tournament bracket available ahead of the draw, we’re giving operators a clear advantage: the ability to start engaging players earlier and build momentum well before kickoff.

At the same time, other features like microbetting and our eWorld Cup ensure that engagement stays high throughout every stage of the competition.

We’re delivering a complete content portfolio that allows our partners to maximize both player activity and revenue across the entire World Cup cycle.”

BETBY

BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence. BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.

From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.

For more information visit betby.com

The post BETBY launches fully priced World Cup bracket as part of tournament offering appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

Almir Ribeiro

BetMGM Brazil hires veteran journalist to lead government relations

Published

on

betmgm-brazil-hires-veteran-journalist-to-lead-government-relations

BetMGM Brasil has appointed Fernando Vieira de Mello, a journalist with more than 30 years of experience across media, journalism and entertainment, to strengthen its government relations strategy in the country.

The hire comes as Brazil’s regulated betting market enters a phase of consolidation and maturity.

Vieira de Mello is widely recognised in Brazil’s communications market for his career at Grupo Globo, TV Bandeirantes, Rádio Bandeirantes and TV Cultura, where he held roles as reporter, anchor, journalism director and institutional relations executive.

Most recently, he served as director of institutional relations for São Paulo at Grupo Globo, building dialogue with market segments and regulatory bodies across the Brazilian ecosystem.

“Fernando brings a rare combination of experience in communications, management, institutional relations and a deep understanding of Brazil’s media ecosystem,” said Almir Ribeiro, CEO of BetMGM Brasil.

“His arrival further strengthens our long-term vision for the country.”

Vieira de Mello pointed to the scale of the opportunity ahead.

“Few sectors in Brazil will go through such an intense process of transformation and reputation building over the coming years as online betting.

BetMGM enters this moment with very solid attributes: an operation backed by two global groups of enormous credibility, exclusive focus on regulated markets and a clear long-term vision for Brazil.”

The appointment reflects BetMGM’s broader effort to deepen engagement with strategic stakeholders and advance its governance, responsibility and sustainable market-building agenda in Brazil.

BetMGM Brasil

Launched in January 2025, BetMGM Brasil is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Grupo Globo. Headquartered in São Paulo, the company was among the first 14 operators to receive definitive authorisation to operate in Brazil’s regulated betting market.

Beyond Brazil, BetMGM offers online gaming and betting platforms in 29 regulated US states and across Europe.

The post BetMGM Brazil hires veteran journalist to lead government relations appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

2026 FIFA World Cup

Esportes da Sorte launches “Convoque” campaign for the World Cup

Published

on

esportes-da-sorte-launches-“convoque”-campaign-for-the-world-cup

The brand transforms its iconic blue hat into a narrative asset, bringing together creators, music and football in a multiplatform film ahead of the tournament

Esportes da Sorte has launched “Convoque,” a campaign designed to strengthen the brand’s connection to the World Cup through a language that blends entertainment, pop culture and football.

The campaign transforms the platform’s already recognisable blue hat into a central narrative element, using it as a “portal” between everyday life and a playful universe inspired by the brand experience.

The move marks a strategic effort by Esportes da Sorte to consolidate its presence in the sports betting space during the tournament while maintaining the entertainment identity that has defined its communications.

The lead film features the iconic blue hat alongside influencers and personalities from music, digital culture and sport, including Léo Santana, Jojo Todynho, Cerol, Duda Gutierrez, Marcelinho Carioca, Luizinho Freitas and Bruno Formiga.

The campaign

A sequel to the first film is set to launch at the end of May. In the narrative, an ordinary character leaves a street football match and finds the blue hat glowing on the ground.

When he puts it on, he is transported to a match “outside of reality,” in an environment that combines references from football, casino and digital culture.

The script uses humour, visual exaggeration and fantasy elements to build a brand journey connected to the world of gaming and responsible entertainment.

“The campaign reinforces our strategy for the World Cup: expanding the brand’s presence in the sports territory without losing the fun and entertainment DNA already recognised by our audience,” said Marcela Campos, vice president of Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil, which owns the Esportes da Sorte, Onabet and Lottu brands.

“The blue hat moves beyond being a visual element and becomes a narrative asset that connects different universes of the brand experience.”

Created by agency Brenda and produced by Nocandy, the campaign takes a multiplatform approach, with distribution across TV, out-of-home, YouTube and social media, as well as activations planned throughout the tournament.

The strategy reflects the intensifying competition for attention among brands in the sector during the most significant sporting event in the global calendar.

The film closes with responsible gambling messaging, aligning the campaign with the group’s institutional positioning around user protection practices and responsible communication in the regulated market.

Esportes da Sorte

Esportes da Sorte is one of Brazil’s leading sports betting platforms, operating under a licence granted by the Ministry of Finance to Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group that also owns the Onabet and Lottu brands.

The company is certified as a Great Place to Work and generates around one thousand direct and indirect jobs. It holds strategic partnerships with institutions including ANJL, IBIA, Sportradar, EBAC and IAA. Beyond sports betting, the group sponsors clubs including Corinthians, Ceará, Ferroviária and Náutico, and supports cultural initiatives including the Galo da Madrugada and carnival celebrations across multiple Brazilian cities.

The post Esportes da Sorte launches “Convoque” campaign for the World Cup appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania