Full house! Why bingo is booming with the younger generation

But that’s all changing as more young people are choosing bingo halls over pubs and clubs, looking for a night out that makes their money go further.

Rank Group, which runs 52 Mecca bingo venues across the UK including one in Norwich, has said 44pc of the 187,000 new customers to its halls in the year to June were under 35 years old. This is up from 39pc in 2019, according to chief executive John O’Reilly.

The bingo boom among young people has even contributed to Mecca recording profits this year for the first time since before the pandemic in 2019.

Mecca Bingo in Aylsham Road, Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“There are stereotypes that bingo is for elderly people, but the data is showing it is anything but,” said David Williams, director of public affairs at Rank Group. 

“We’re in a cost-of-living crisis and money is tight, but younger people are still looking for entertainment and a good night out.

“They want their money to go further. If you go to a pub with a few mates and everybody orders a pint you probably won’t get much change out of £30 for a round of drinks.

David Williams, director of public affairs at Rank Group, which operates Mecca Bingo (Image: Supplied)

“What we’re doing is putting on bingo, acts and entertainment, and food and drink for a similar price.

“The average cost of a pint of beer in our clubs is £3.40. There aren’t many pubs nowadays where you can get a pint for that.

“A bottle of rosé is £12 – you go into a nice pub and that same bottle is nearer £30.

“Younger people are acutely aware of this and are voting with their feet.”

Mecca Bingo (Image: Mecca)

Buzz Bingo, the UK’s largest bingo operator with 82 clubs, including one in Ipswich, has also welcomed more young people to its venues. Around half of its 200,000 new customers last year were 35 years old.

Both Mecca and Buzz Bingo say younger audiences are attracted to their themed nights, live music and shows. 

“People expect their money to go further,” Mr Williams said. “They want something to show for it – an experience.

“The hospitality industry and leisure and entertainment businesses like ours have had to work harder to attract customers who are not prepared to tolerate sub-standard value for money.

“We’re not playing for a life changing amount of money. We also play for giant inflatable allegators and life-size cardboard cut-outs of David Beckham – these prizes are not going to change people’s lives but they are going to give people who are in need of a laugh a good time with all the current cost of living pressures.”

Mecca Bingo (Image: Mecca)

Bongo's Bingo hosts bingo nights at 40 venues across the UK, including Norwich's Epic Studios in Magdalen Street.

Bongo's began in Liverpool nine years ago and now puts on shows across the world. 

“For £20 your whole night is planned out for you," said Bongo’s Bingo host manager Jimmy Sweets.

"It’s entertainment, prizes and dancing, with loads of great music from all different genres.

“I think it sometimes shocks people as they come expecting a stuffy atmosphere of a traditional bingo hall and then it’s completely different.

“It’s more of a night out than going to a bar or club. People want more bang for their buck from a night out.”

Bongo's Bingo (Image: Bongo's Bingo)

Bongo's Bingo (Image: Bongo's Bingo)

But although more young people are getting into bingo, operators like Mecca say they haven’t forgotten their loyal elderly customers.

“Bingo has always been at the heart of communities in towns and cities up and down the UK,” Mr Williams said.

“It’s a place where people come together. For older people that looks a certain way, but young people don’t want to sit in silence dabbing off their numbers.

“There’s a place for that, which we cherish, but young customers aren’t going to want it.

“We still look after those customers, but in the evenings it will be a more interactive, immersive experience.

“We’ve got to move with the times.”