Listen to this article:Castle Leisure reports growth in 2025, with higher revenue and profit, and says it is continuing to assess further acquisition opportunities. It is important news for the bingo industry, not just because of the numbers involved, but because it suggests that one of the UK’s best-known independent bingo operators still sees room for growth.
According to the latest reporting of the Cardiff-based operator behind Castle Bingo, the revenue for the 52 weeks to 28 December 2025 rose by 4.5% from £37.1 million to £38.8 million. Total profits also increased sharply from £3.6 million to £5 million, while pre-tax profit reached £6.5 million, up from £4.8 million the previous year. The business employs around 550 people, which means it is a fairly sizeable operator.
The numbers are impressive and become even more so when understood in the context of rising wage bills, higher supply costs, and wider inflationary pressure across the hospitality and leisure sectors. Castle Leisure said payroll costs rose by £1.1 million during the year, while the cost of sales also increased. Interest due on bank overdrafts and loans also jumped significantly. Nonetheless, the 2024 profits of Castle Bingo also show that the business still managed to increase revenue and improve profitability.
Several bingo and leisure operators have spent the last couple of years talking about higher costs and tighter margins, and Castle Leisure has also highlighted this difficulty. However, it still managed to post a stronger set of results.
A spokesperson for the board said: “Our clubs grew revenues and profitability through 2025”, while also acknowledging that inflationary pressures continued to affect payroll and other expenses.
This suggests that the company’s clubs performed well enough to absorb at least some of the extra pressure. There was also a substantial rise in operating income, from £357,000 in 2024 to £2.1 million in 2025, which helped offset some of those higher costs.
In practical terms, this is encouraging news for the bingo industry. Castle Leisure is not reporting growth because conditions have become easy. It is reporting growth in spite of a difficult cost environment. This makes the result more impressive, and it suggests that well-run bingo clubs can still perform well even when the wider business climate is far from ideal.
The other notable part of the update is the company’s view on expansion. Castle Leisure said it expects further consolidation in the bingo market and that it continues to assess further acquisition opportunities.
The bingo market has already been through a long period of consolidation, with larger operators picking up clubs and regional businesses looking for chances to strengthen their position, and Castle Leisure clearly believes that process is not over yet.
This may not have an immediate impact on players, but it does suggest that the company is not just focused on protecting what it already has. It is also looking at where it might grow next. In an industry where there have been numerous recent stories about rising costs, closures, and tax pressures, it is a very positive signal.
Castle Leisure has a long history in bingo and remains one of the best-known operators in Wales. It has roots going back to the 19th century, and now operates a network of purpose-built bingo clubs in South Wales and England.
In further good news, Castle Leisure has said that 2026 has started positively, with revenue and profitability ahead of the comparative period in 2025. However, the company also said cost increases will continue this year, particularly on utility bills and business rates, with the removal of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief and rating changes both expected to add pressure.
Nonetheless, Castle Leisure reports growth, and its current position looks healthy. It is growing, it is profitable, and it is confident enough to keep looking at acquisition opportunities.
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