Bingo has been stitched into the fabric of Scottish life for decades, but in recent years, the number of places to play has decreased dramatically. From highs in the 80s and 90s, Edinburgh now has fewer than 10 bingo halls. Former hotspots such as Edinburgh Carlton and Royal George have long since closed their doors, while other halls have been converted.

Indeed, we learned at the start of 2024 that Longstone Limited was granted permission to turn Leith’s Club 3000 Bingo site into PBSA homes. While it’s certainly a positive to see the site put to good use, the demise of bingo halls such as Club 3000 is a negative for Edinburgh’s entertainment sector. Bingo has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years thanks to the advent of online gambling platforms.

Bingo is Booming Online

Data from the UK Gambling Commission shows that remote (online) bingo’s gross gaming yield (i.e., revenue) was £173 million in the year to March 2023. Gross gambling yield for non-remote (live) bingo was £591 million, an increase of 34% on the previous year.

Therefore, despite the bingo halls in the city closing, the game remains popular. Aside from the convenience of online gaming, remote bingo sites cater to a diverse range of people.

For example, alongside traditional 90 ball games at Buzz Bingo, members can enjoy a range of slots, including modern Megaways games such as Diamond Mine and Reel King. These slots have dynamic structures, which means the number of active paylines changes every spin. Essentially, they’re less predictable than standard slots and, therefore, more appealing to some players.

There’s Something for Everyone

As well as Megaways slots, Buzz Bingo offers casino games such as blackjack and roulette. Finally, to ensure that as many people as possible feel included, Buzz Bingo is big on community. There are chat rooms, community games, and social media competitions.

Inclusivity is the name of the game, as it always has been in the bingo world. That’s why online platforms are thriving.

The nice thing about online platforms such as Buzz Bingo is that they bridge that gap between their world and the real world. Specifically, you can use the club finder tool to look for live bingo halls where you are. That means you can type Edinburgh into the finder and get a list of local bingo halls, as well as venues in neighbouring Scottish cities.

A Fun Game to Play

Therefore, if you’re a fan of bingo, you can still play. What’s more, you don’t have to lose the social aspect of playing bingo. A lot of this stems from its role during WWII. Bingo was one of the main forms of entertainment and helped foster a sense of community with people affected by the war. Moreover, bingo was used as a way to raise money for charities during WWII.

That’s why it’s a social game people still enjoy playing. Edinburgh might not be the bingo hub it used to be, but there are still places to play, including Meadowbank. For those who don’t want to venture out, there are options aplenty online. So, if you’re looking for something fun to do, it might be time to try your hand at bingo.