Buzz Bingo believes it is laying out the blueprint for how to beat high street blues and reverse declining trends. But revival is reliant on the government to retain Gambling Review recommendations on machine ratios for bingos and arcades.
The leadership of Buzz Bingo believes its transformation programme has given the operator a decisive edge across the UK’s retail and land-based gambling sectors.
Since the second half of 2025, Buzz reports it has delivered its first year of combined admissions and revenue growth since 2007, pointing to what it describes as a broader resurgence of bingo across the UK.
Venue admissions rose by 2.5% year-on-year, accelerating to 5% growth in H2, driven by multi-million-pound investment into its estate of 77 clubs and ongoing product upgrades.
Dominic Mansour, CEO of Buzz Bingo, commented: “Bingo is enjoying a real resurgence across the UK and we’re seeing that momentum across both our clubs and our online platform.
“Delivering admissions and revenue growth together for the first time in nearly two decades shows that our investment in our omnichannel strategy — including technology and innovation — is modernising the game and attracting a new generation of players.”
The Buzz strategy has been overhauled by a full-scale modernisation of its retail footprint. The operator has installed more than 10,000 electronic bingo touchpads and upgraded WiFi infrastructure across all venues, contributing to a 5.6% increase in electronic play. Growth has been strongest among players aged 65+, demonstrating improved accessibility for core audiences while broadening appeal to new demographics.
Refurbished venues have proven to be a key growth driver. Upgraded clubs recorded a 20% increase in admissions and a 50% rise in new customers, while overall new customer growth reached 13% in the second half of the year.
Buzz’s omnichannel strategy continues to underpin its wider growth trajectory. Active omnichannel customers increased by 10% in H2 2025, with online revenue from retail players rising at the same rate. Its flagship “Big Money Live” product, which connects retail and online play, awarded more than £4m in prizes during 2025, including regular £100,000 jackpots and a record £250,000 full house.
Digital engagement is also accelerating, with stakes via the Buzz Bingo app more than doubling year-on-year in Q4. A fully integrated app and wallet system now allows seamless movement between retail and online channels.
On the policy front, Buzz has welcomed HMRC’s decision to scrap the 10% tax on gross profits from land-based bingo venues, easing pressure on the retail model. However, uncertainty remains around machine entitlements.
DCMS has yet to decide on reforms to the current 80/20 machines rule, having intervened in April to freeze proposed changes to a 50/50 ratio — a decision operators view as critical to future investment.
Looking ahead, Buzz will accelerate its transformation programme through 2026, continuing to invest in technology, venues and formats. While regulatory clarity remains key, the operator’s performance signals that a modern, omnichannel model may yet underpin a sustained revival of the UK’s land-based bingo sector.
Mansour concluded: We expect to see even stronger growth in 2026 and beyond as we fully benefit from these investments.
“This performance is especially strong given the uncertainty around the Budget last year and, while we welcome the Government’s decision to abolish Bingo Duty, it will be important that the sector and omnichannel businesses in particular benefit from a stable regulatory environment so this positive momentum can continue.”
Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries.
