How and why Manchester’s bingo scene has grown so much
Believe it or not, the UK’s bingo industry now generates a jaw-dropping £1bn per year.
That makes Britain’s booming bingo scene more lucrative than both Netflix and Spotify combined. While most cities and towns across the country boast at least one bingo hall (Manchester’s packed with fantastic venues, of course), it’s easy to underestimate just how big bingo has become.
But how and why is bingo so big in Manchester now?
A social experience
One of the biggest reasons for bingo’s resurgence and growth in Manchester is the strong social aspect.
Some say that ‘bingo halls have the crucial social ingredients to nurture a positive outlook on life’.
Anyone who’s ever stepped foot inside a bingo hall, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, will attest to the infectious buzz of excitement. People are talking, laughing, having fun — fuelled by the excitement of (potentially) scooping a big win. And, no doubt, a few drinks!
Putting a new spin on an old game
Another factor driving bingo’s continued growth in Manchester is the way in which younger generations, including millennials, are embracing it.
Yes, we’re talking about Bongo’s Bingo.
Bongo’s Bingo is a dynamic take on bingo that started in Liverpool but has expanded to other cities since, including Manchester. This combines high-octane dancing, pulsing tunes and traditional bingo with absurd-yet-fantastic flair. It’s a 21st-century mix of the old and the new that people love.
The rise of online bingo
Newcomers are discovering bingo through websites and apps, combining a fun pastime with the chance to win prizes. The sheer variety of special offers such as no deposit or low deposit bingo adds extra incentive to try online bingo, with a growing number of bingo sites allowing players to join in on deposits as low as £5 (view a full list here) as well as bonuses for topping-up your account balance.
Online bingo helps new and seasoned bingo fans alike stay connected to the game. Chat rooms integrated into most sites maintains the social element, too, for a more engaging experience.
Players can dive into a quick game or two at any time, any place (provided they have an internet connection), with almost any type of bingo available. Themed games — including ones based on Coronation Street, The Chase and other hit programmes — put a pop-culture spin on the experience, too.
Craving a fresh experience
Finally, the growth of bingo in Manchester and throughout the UK is due to what the fundamental shift in what young people see as a good night out.
Turning bingo into an event like Bongo’s Bingo provides consumers with a chance to enjoy a game they may or may not have played before in an entirely new context. They can spend time with friends, broaden their horizons and share their night’s gaming with the world via Instagram or Snapchat.
It’s a far cry from the type of bingo their grandparents might play, but it may help build their interest in visiting a Gala Bingo or Mecca Bingo one evening instead of the same old bars. Like online bingo, experience-led events (like Bongo’s Bingo) gives them a modern taste of the game — and could inspire them to take it up as a regular pastime.