Whether it’s responding to emails at work or doomscrolling through social media at home, my average daily screen time is around 13 hours. So what’s my solution? Going analogue.
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A growing trend among younger generations is a move away from the digital world, driving renewed interest in physical media, community activities, and classic hobbies such as crosswords, crafting, knitting, and bingo.
More people are looking for opportunities to switch off from technology, spend time with others in person and enjoy experiences that don’t involve a screen.
While often associated with older generations, bingo offers exactly what many younger consumers are looking for: a screen-free, social experience that encourages genuine interaction.
Clear opportunity
This creates a clear opportunity for pubs, which are already established as social hubs where people gather to connect, relax and enjoy shared experiences.
Pubs are well placed to introduce bingo as part of their entertainment offering and appeal to a wider audience.
With National Bingo Week just around the corner, there has never been a better time for pubs to consider introducing bingo as part of their entertainment offering.
The annual celebration shines a spotlight on the game and the communities it brings together, making it an ideal opportunity to engage both existing customers and those looking for a fun, screen-free social experience.
For operators considering getting involved, it is important to understand the legal framework that governs bingo in pubs before the first numbers are called.
Legal compliance
Bingo is permitted in pubs under the ‘exempt gaming’ provisions of the Gambling Act 2005, provided it is offered only to adults and takes place on premises licensed for on-sales, with a bar available and no restaurant-style restrictions.
Below are some top tips to ensure compliance in your pub:
- Know the limits on stakes and prizes: The maximum stake per player is £5 per game, and total stakes or prizes must not exceed £2,000 per week. No participation fees may be charged, no deductions may be taken from stakes and bingo games cannot be linked across multiple premises. Importantly, pub bingo must remain non-commercial and not generate a profit. All stakes must be returned as prizes.
- Monitor customer-organised bingo: Even though their bingo games are not organised by you, customers must stick to the stake and prize limits. If the limits are exceeded, you would be facilitating illegal gambling and could face prosecution, enforcement or a review of your premises licence.
- Understand the rules of mobile bingo: Customers may want to use the premises’ free Wi-Fi to play bingo using their mobile phone, tablet or laptop on their own personal account held with another bingo operator. Provided there is no call to action to use the premises Wi-Fi to specifically access gambling content on customers’ own devices, and the Wi-Fi is free for all customers, there would be no prohibition here.
As younger consumers continue to seek screen-free, community-focused experiences, bingo offers pubs a valuable opportunity to engage a new audience.
However, operators must ensure any games are run within the strict limits set out by the Gambling Commission.
By understanding and following the rules, pubs can offer a fun and compliant activity that meets the growing demand for social, in-person entertainment.
