Buzz Bingo is making waves after revealing it’s in advanced discussions to acquire two of the three MERKUR bingo club sites – Cricklewood North West London and Northampton. The potential acquisition is a significant milestone for Buzz Bingo, the largest land-based bingo operator with over 80 venues, because it wasn’t that long ago that the brand closed a handful of its sites due to rising costs and falling footfall. So this purchase could signal a potential turning point for the company. Let’s take a closer look at the details.
Why MERKUR Bingo and Why Now?
The Buzz Bingo numbers look good; it’s now on a positive growth trajectory. 2023 showed a 5% increase in retail revenue, 31% increase in online revenue, and 14% increase in EBITDA (an alternative measure of financial performance). Its digital business has doubled its market share over the last two years and is expanding 3x faster than the overall market. Not to mention the FOUR WhichBingo awards it won in April 2024. Sounds like the brand had a bumper year and is heading in a great direction. So why the decision to pursue these two particular sites?
These venues “geographically complementary to Buzz’s existing footprint” (read: well-placed for Buzz Bingo’s current locations) and they have a solid fanbase in their respective communities. Combined, the two venues had nearly 500,000 people through their doors in 2023 and admissions have increased by approximately 5% so far this year.
Like Buzz Bingo, MERKUR provides visitors good-value bingo, food, drinks, plus live entertainment. And the winnings speak for themselves – on average a month, the two venues pay out a total of over £1 million. The Cricklewood branch, with its whopping 2,700 capacity, averages more than 3,500 winners per month, plus holds the Guinness World Record for paying out the largest single bingo house prize of all time of £100,000.
There are also signs that the popularity of out-of-home bingo is on the up, especially among the younger demographic. The number of 25–34 year olds playing bingo last year was double what it was in 2018.
A Brand Ready to Capitalise on Market Trends
Buzz Bingo is anticipating growth opportunities internationally, having announced a move of its digital business to Gibraltar, matching what many of its competitors have already done.
“Bingo in the UK is having a renaissance and Buzz Bingo is one of the UK’s leading online bingo brands with the largest retail footprint and is therefore well-placed to capture this growth.
Following a period of stabilisation for the business, it is now thriving, and we are delighted to be acquiring these two leading bingo clubs following a year of strong performance. With demand for Bingo growing, and our exceptional online performance, Buzz Bingo is positioning the business for accelerated growth, which is the key rationale behind our decision to move our Digital business to Gibraltar.”
What Does the Future Hold
As Buzz Bingo navigates the complexities of the acquisition process, questions arise regarding the future of the MERKUR Bingo. Will MERKUR continue in the bingo space at all or just retain its high street slots and games offering? Will Cricklewood still open 24/7? One thing remains clear: Buzz Bingo is showing its status as a powerhouse in the bingo industry, not just playing the game, but defining it.
What do a TikTok star, Love Island winner, comedian, and a rapper who has performed at the Royal Albert Hall – all have in common? Well, in 2025/26 they all brought the public spotlight to our favourite pastime; bingo! So we are giving you the chance to recognise their efforts by voting for the UK’s Best Bingo Personality in the WhichBingo Awards Pre Show (voting opens on April 7). Here are…
Just like a long Bank Holiday weekend or a basket of Easter eggs, all good things must come to an end. Speaking of which, voting for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 (main categories) closes Friday 3rd April. If you haven’t had your say yet, now’s the time. Your vote matters. These awards only mean something because players like you cast them. And while the main awards voting ends soon, you will have…
Bingo callers are the voices, the energy, and the personalities that keep players coming back night after night. They are the ones who brings bingo to life and make it what it is. And from April 7 it’s your chance to vote for the UK’s Best Bingo Caller in the WhichBingo Awards Pre-Show. Here are the nominees for Best Bingo Caller: 2026 (in no particular order): The nominees for Best Bingo…
We’re excited to invite you all along to enjoy a free night of laughter and bingo. WhichBingo is the brand new sponsor of the Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2026 — the competition that’s been making bingo the most fun night out in London for the past six years. Come and Watch For Free You won’t want to miss these nights of laughs and dabs. And thanks to WhichBingo‘s sponsorship,…
You see it: Los Vegas? You read it again. Los? Not Las? Nope, it’s not a typo. Los Vegas is a new casino site in the UK and as they say on their website; ‘Wrong Spelling, Right Attitude’. And at WhichBingo we’re big fans of a site that can have a bit of fun. So Why “Los”? First, we need to give you a quick Spanish and history lesson. In…
If you’re going to do poker in London, you may as well do it properly. That’s exactly what father-and-son entrepreneurs Jimmy and Simon Thomas have done at the Hippodrome Casino, managing to transform one of the capital’s most iconic buildings into a poker destination that rivals anything in the UK. Right in the heart of Leicester Square, this isn’t a single table hidden behind rows of slot machines. It’s a beautifully restored,…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Every December, game studios unwrap their festive releases. Cue games with Santa and jingling soundtracks. We’ve tested the newest and most popular Christmas slot games, checked the small print, and brought together the ones that genuinely stand out. In true WhichBingo style, here’s your honest guide to the best Christmas slot games 2025. What they do well, who they suit, and where to play them safely. The 6 Best Christmas Slot…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
What do a TikTok star, Love Island winner, comedian, and a rapper who has performed at the Royal Albert Hall – all have in common? Well, in 2025/26 they all brought the public spotlight to our favourite pastime; bingo! So we are giving you the chance to recognise their efforts by voting for the UK’s Best Bingo Personality in the WhichBingo Awards Pre Show (voting opens on April 7). Here are…
We sat down with Gaynor Faye — actress, producer and daughter of the legendary Kay Mellor — to talk about her new film Hot Flash, what the menopause really feels like from a woman living it, and why she is determined to put the ladder down for the next generation of women in TV. My Research Was Really the Lived Experience Preparing for her latest project was not exactly a…
We sat down with Ali Bastian — actress, performing arts school founder and Hollyoaks icon — to talk about beating cancer, building something new in West Cork, and why she thinks TV owes women so much more than a “Sexiest Female” trophy. “Your Body and Your Mind Have to Believe It” It has been a year since Ali Bastian finished radiotherapy, bringing to a close a long and gruelling breast…
Countdown To The Cringe Red carpets and awards ceremonies are supposed to be flawless, but real life tells a very different story. From trips and falls to unexpected underwear exposure, these are the most awkward awards show moments debated in WBHQ, ranked in full cringe style. With the WhichBingo Awards 2026 fast approaching, let’s down the unpredictability that makes live events unforgettable. #5: The One With “I’mma Let You Finish” What: Possibly…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
Updated October 15, 2024
Esther Rubin
Content Editor
Esther Rubin is a bingo and slots specialist with years of hands-on experience in the online gaming industry. Having worked as a bingo chat host, VIP manager, and promotions strategist, she has a deep understanding of online bingo platforms, community engagement, and player rewards. At WhichBingo, Esther reviews bingo sites, game variations, and promotions, helping players find the best platforms for a fun and fair gaming experience. She also analyses slot games, offering insights tailored for bingo players exploring slots. With a player-first approach, Esther’s reviews break down bonuses, jackpots, and game mechanics in a way that’s clear, engaging, and community-focused.
3min 
Reader comments