Despite the country being in a recession, the UK Gambling Commission is reporting that bingo sales are up this year. A report was recently released by the Commission which showed a year on year comparison and there was a 4.6% increase in 2009.

The report showed that the number of operators registered with the Commission had dropped from 2224 last year to 2166 this year. The number of land based bingo halls has dropped as well. This year has been a hard one for land based operators as bingo players have changed to playing online as well as a smoking ban which was passed this year.

Many of the major online bingo sites are thriving while their land based operations are closing down. There seems to be a shift in player habits as people are staying home and simply paying for the game instead of the extras it takes to go to the bingo hall.

The report also showed that Mecca Bingo and Gala Bingo, two of the major operators, own over 40% of the land based bingo clubs jointly. It has hurt the companies to close the clubs but the online market it thriving so they are still doing well.


- 2009-10-20