Listen to this article:It often feels that there are continual warnings about the death of live bingo. The theory is that the younger generation is not heading to halls to play, but rather enjoys spending time at bingo sites, which will eventually lead to the venues’ closure. However, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary.
For instance, eighteen-year-olds Lucy Lonnen and Aleksa Svencika proved that the game isn’t just for retirees when they visited Cambridgeshire’s last remaining dedicated venue. After turning 18, the pair visited Buzz Bingo in Peterborough and said that they had been waiting eagerly to try the game, bringing a new generation of bingo players in Cambridgeshire this way.
The Peterborough club became Cambridgeshire’s final bingo hall after Winners Bingo in Wisbech recently shut its doors.
Buzz Bingo’s manager, 48-year-old Dan Shuttleworth, said that the game was “evolving” and would “survive long into the future”.
Speaking about her trip to the club, Aleksa said:
“One of the first things I wanted to do when I turned 18 was experience real live bingo. I am quite competitive, and I found my eyes couldn’t scan the card quickly enough – but I think I got the hang of it.”
She added that she was surprised to discover that her first game was free, but said, “I’m not worried about getting hooked on it – it’s not that addictive. I would only come with friends for a social time out.”
According to The National Bingo Game Association, a combination of challenges, including the pandemic, rising energy prices, and higher employment costs following the latest Budget, has made it very difficult for small independent venues to remain viable.
Shuttleworth, who has worked in the industry for over 25 years, said bingo still offers an affordable night out. He said that it is “low cost, low risk” and argued that with people able to spend a couple of hours playing for just £6, it is also “good value”.
In regard to the future of the game, Shuttleworth said:
“We are evolving, changing and investing and can see some green shoots. It is a bit like the pub industry, which is also facing challenges. It can be an important part of the community, giving people a chance to meet with friends, others like to come out for a night of fun, have something to eat and drink and escape the real world for a bit.”
Among the regular players at the Peterborough club is 74-year-old Margaret Heaney, who plays with her 45-year-old daughter, Jo. She said, “I think online bingo is affecting numbers, it is not as busy as it used to be with my friends, it must be hard to make a profit.”
She recalled that in 1971, her late mother won £1,000 at a now-closed bingo hall in Peterborough, which was enough to buy a house that was later sold for £250,000.
“I have played since I was 18, it used to be a great way to meet up with old friends, but not so many come these days. Bingo hasn’t changed much over the years; the most I’ve ever won was about £80. I can’t play online as I don’t have a computer or smartphone. There does seem to be more younger people coming to play, it does appeal to all ages and both sexes.”
Despite Heaney’s observation that more young people are coming to play, there is no denying that clubs are struggling. Speaking about the recent closure of the Wisbech venue, Miles Baron of the National Bingo Game Association said:
“It is a sad day when any bingo club closes, they are often an important part of the local community, and those social connections formed by members are often irreplaceable. Our heart goes out to the members, employees and owners of the Winners Bingo club in Wisbech.”
Nonetheless, young people in Cambridgeshire are interested in bingo, and while there may be changes to where and how it is played, there is no doubt that bingo still has plenty of life left in it.
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