If you think the WhichBingo Awards are all subdued applause and canapés, think again!
In 2025, we welcomed 180 industry guests and spent 48 hours transforming the venue, followed by a full day of tech rehearsals.
Behind the scenes our annual event has built up a fair bit of history, along with a few moments that still get talked about long after the trophies are handed out. From floating venues to a little healthy competition between bingo giants, here are 6 fun facts that prove there’s much more to the WhichBingo Awards than meets the eye.
1. When Gordon Ramsey Came Aboard
Did you know we once hired Gordon Ramsay to do the food?
Well… not quite. What guests saw was a chef bursting dramatically out of the kitchen mid-service to shout at the waiting staff before storming back inside. He did it again and again, each time just long enough to be noticed.
For a while, our guests genuinely thought it was Gordon himself. He had the timing and the temper. But eventually it came out that he was just an extremely, extremely convincing and committed lookalike. Still, for a moment it looked like the WhichBingo Awards had become the latest episode of Kitchen Nightmares.
2. We Are Pretty Good Sailors
The WhichBingo Awards will be held aboard the Sunborn yacht in Gibraltar for the fourth year in a row, making it our most-used venue to date. At this point, the Sunborn feels like a home away from home, but with sea views and a room full of attendees.
3. An Amsterdam Adventure
Before Gibraltar, the only other country to host the awards was Holland. We trundled off to Amsterdam in 2022 and welcomed our guests at the famously quirky Upside Down museum. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with Stranger Things. It’s a rather ‘alternative’ event space that’s anything but typical. Bright, a little bonkers in places, and full of character (including a giant ball pit), it turned out to be a perfect fit for a WhichBingo awards night.
Before that, we kept things closer to home, hosting the ceremony at some of London’s most iconic venues, including Madame Tussauds and The Steel Yard.
Voting for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially open!
Who do you think offers the best games, service, and fun? Have your say and help put your fave on the winners podium.
4. Even a Global Pandemic Didn’t Stop Us
In 2020, like everything else, the WhichBingo Awards was forced to pivot. Live events were clearly off the table so for the first and only time, we took the ceremony completely online.
The virtual event was presented by TV favourite Rustie Lee, stage and screen legend Christopher Biggins, and actor and presenter Linda Lusardi, proving that especially in lockdown, bingo and casino sites deserved a bit of sparkle.
5. Is A Bingo Battle Brewing?
Last year, one of the bingo sites Gala Bingo picked up the Best Bingo Site award for the third time, equalling Jackpotjoy’s long-standing record. That puts both brands neck and neck in one of the most closely watched categories.
The big question now is: will one of them take a fourth win in 2026 and pull ahead? We’re not making predictions, but it’s definitely a storyline worth keeping an eye on.
6. It All Started With a Poll
Long before there was a stage and Charles Shakespeare holding a mic, there was just one simple idea: ask players what they thought.
The WhichBingo ‘Site of the Year’ poll first ran back in 2003, giving players a voice. The first official WhichBingo Awards ceremony followed in 2014. Since then, the awards have grown into one of the most popular events in the online bingo and casino industry.
And that’s just a small glimpse behind the curtain. With WhichBingo Awards 2026 on 13th May, there’s no doubt a few more memorable moments are still waiting to happen.
Did you know we’re giving away £2,500 in vouchers as a thank you for voting?
There are two separate prize draws:
- 5 x £250 vouchers for voting in the 12 Main Categories, and
- another 5 x £250 vouchers for the 5 Pre-Show Categories.
Voting is open if you want to show your fave brands some love.
Read more about the WhichBingo Awards 2026, including our all-new Pre-Show!
Have your say, submit your nominations, and you’ll be entered into the prize draw. Not bad for a few clicks.
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