Latest News
Annual insight report from WhichBingo suggests Bingo halls will continue to face a steady decline in numbers, as online popularity soars
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
B2B
Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK
Swedish gaming giant’s industry signals commitment to the UK regulated market by launching it leading portfolio of games with Ivy Casino
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced that its industry leading portfolio of games is now live with Ivy Casino in the UK.
Ivy Casino’s players in the United Kingdom can now access global smash hits from Play’n GO, including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and Rise of Olympus 100 among many others.
Ivy Casino is a UK-facing online casino brand that launched in 2024 with a focus on delivering a premium, player-centric experience tailored specifically for the UK market.
The brand operates alongside two sister sites, Rose Casino and O’Reels, which also serve UK audiences and share the same commitment to high-quality entertainment, strong user experience and robust responsible gaming standards.
Play’n GO has been one of the leading game suppliers in the UK for many years and is steadfast in its commitment to regulated markets globally.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of Play’n GO, said:
“We are delighted to launch with Ivy Casino in the UK who, like us, are focused on all the key elements of operating within a regulated market framework. I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”
Mark Good, representing Ivy Casino, said:
“This partnership with Play’n GO forms part of Ivy Casino’s ongoing strategy to enhance its content offering for UK players by collaborating with leading studios known for creative, engaging gameplay.”
Play’n GO is a proud sponsor of the Moneygram Haas Formula 1 team, and recently launched a fashion brand, Play’n GO Shop, to sit alongside its existing Play’n GO Music brand to give fans more ways to connect with Play’n GO.
In October, Play’n GO set a world record by launching everyone’s favourite slot character, Garga, into space reaching a height of over 35,500m as part of the launch campaign for Reactoonz 100 which instantly became one of the biggest game launches of the year for the company.
The post Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Brand Activation
Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals
Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading online betting platforms, will be the official sponsor of New Year’s Eve celebrations in four Brazilian capitals: Salvador, Recife, Natal and Maceió. The initiative reinforces the brand’s growing presence in the national cultural calendar and its strategy to connect with large-scale public celebrations beyond the digital environment.
New Year’s Eve is one of Brazil’s most significant annual moments, marked by intense domestic travel, international tourism and mass public participation. By supporting celebrations in four key destinations, Esportes da Sorte aligns its brand with tradition, culture and shared experiences that resonate deeply with local communities.
“Sponsoring New Year’s Eve celebrations in four capitals reflects our commitment to being present in moments that bring people together,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, owner of the Esportes da Sorte brand. “Supporting these cities means valuing their cultural identity, strengthening local ecosystems and celebrating the people who keep these traditions alive year after year.”
Across all four capitals, the brand will activate its presence through immersive experiences, public-facing activations and the distribution of branded giveaways — a hallmark of Esportes da Sorte’s engagement strategy at major events. The activations are designed to enhance the festive atmosphere while reinforcing the brand’s connection with culture, entertainment and responsible enjoyment.
The New Year’s Eve sponsorships build on Esportes da Sorte’s broader cultural engagement strategy, which includes long-standing support for large-scale events such as Carnatal, in Rio Grande do Norte — a key fixture in the state’s tourism and cultural calendar. Together, these initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in cultural sponsorships nationwide.
Esportes da Sorte’s participation also mirrors a wider trend within Brazil’s regulated betting market, as operators increasingly diversify their sponsorship portfolios beyond football. Music, festivals and cultural celebrations have become strategic platforms for brands seeking broader visibility, deeper community ties and more sustainable engagement with the public.
The post Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Arcade Games
Hub88 partners with ZOOT Studios to bring next-generation instant games to operators
First-of-its-kind agreement sees video game-inspired instant content launched via Hub88’s aggregation platform
Hub88 has strengthened its content portfolio by entering a strategic partnership with ZOOT Studios, a new supplier producing high-quality interactive instant games for a global audience.
The agreement makes ZOOT’s debut portfolio of more than 55 releases available to Hub88’s vast network of operators, marking the supplier’s first major launch with an aggregator.
ZOOT Studios specialises in fast-paced instant games built around trends, social media-driven behaviour and striking visual design. Titles such as Dubai Chocolate Tower, Beer Pong and Sub Crush promise Hub88’s partners culturally relevant content that draws wide audiences, with support for both FIAT and crypto currencies.
As part of the deal, Hub88’s network will be among the first to access ZOOT Studios’ content, with Dice, Crash, Mines, Plinko, Sports, Tower and Arcade games tailored to the evolving preferences of digital-first players.
The deal demonstrates Hub88’s focus on versatility and its position as a must-have distribution partner to some of the industry’s most exciting emerging studios.
Jess Inglott, Head of Supplier Relations at Hub88, said: “ZOOT Studios is turning heads by releasing the next generation of instant win entertainment. Their vision to offer operators high-quality content that speaks to modern audiences aligns well with our strategy. Partnerships like this allow us to deliver value and new levels of player engagement on an even bigger scale.”
Sean Ryan, CEO at ZOOT Studios, said: “We’re delighted to have Hub88 as our partner. The aggregator’s extensive operator network and high-tech integration capabilities make them a perfect match for our future-facing game portfolio.”
The post Hub88 partners with ZOOT Studios to bring next-generation instant games to operators appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
-
Latest News7 days agoNagoshi Studio Unveils GANG OF DRAGON, a New Action-Adventure Game from Director Toshihiro Nagoshi
-
Latest News7 days agoBlask & Gamblers Connect Enter A New Media Partnership
-
Fortune of Olympus4 days agoPRAGMATIC PLAY STRIKES GOLD WITH FORTUNE OF OLYMPUS
-
Dominic Sawyer VP Growth at Tequity4 days agoTequity and iBankroll forge strategic partnership
-
Latest News1 day agoVegangster Gives Operators Real-Time Jackpot Control and a New Revenue Stream with Sharedluck’s JackpotX
-
Gamepop3 days agoGAMEPOP: The Culture of Play by Red Bull Media House – the first bookazine devoted entirely to video game culture
-
Christos Zoulianitis Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY4 days agoENJOY expands distribution through SoftGamings partnership
-
Latest News2 days agoTop 5 Newest High-RTP Slots at Social Casinos This Month



