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.
Welcome to The Re-View, where we look back at the trends, the triumphs, and the top-tier sites that defined the year for UK bingo and casino. We took 100% real player data to answer the questions like: What is the most popular day of the year for bingo? Which bingo site was everyone talking about? Editor’s Note: Play Smart, Play Safe We love the thrill of the “Full House” and…
Bingo news that’s literally hot-off-the-press? Yes please. We’re excited to share with you that next year you’ll be able to dab and spin on a whole new platform! ITV Win is entering the real-money online bingo and casino space. Yes, the same people who bring us This Morning, The Chase, and Coronation Street are gearing up to launch “ITV Win Bingo & Spins”. Right now, ITV Win is ITV’s online competitions hub, where…
Christmas is the season for food, family, and, of course, a good game of bingo. But let’s face it, those classic calls could use a little festive spice! We’ve teamed up with the ultimate food connoisseur and bingo expert Tubz to craft a brand new set of Christmas Food Bingo Calls and get his take on the most important meal of the year. Let the festive feasting begin! The Mains:…
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…
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…
If you want to get more treats than tricks, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the best Halloween bingo games, online Halloween slot games, and the spookiest bingo events. Featuring ‘ugly drag queens’, slasher fishermen, and more; we’ve got Halloween bingo events from Bongo’s Bingo, offers from Heart Bingo, Big Bass Halloween slot details, and more. So, forget ghosts and ghouls, the scariest thing this autumn would be missing out…
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…
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…
Aviator, the popular ‘crash-style’ game has been unavailable to UK players for two weeks after its supplier, Spribe, had its operating licence suspended. With an estimated 42 million players per month worldwide and up to 350,000 bets placed every minute, the Aviator game is one of the most popular slot site games in the world. The incident, though frustrating, illustrates the role of regulations, to ensure – among other things…
If you want to get more treats than tricks, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the best Halloween bingo games, online Halloween slot games, and the spookiest bingo events. Featuring ‘ugly drag queens’, slasher fishermen, and more; we’ve got Halloween bingo events from Bongo’s Bingo, offers from Heart Bingo, Big Bass Halloween slot details, and more. So, forget ghosts and ghouls, the scariest thing this autumn would be missing out…
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…
Gamblers are set for a major win as a new law will soon cap bonus wagering requirements. The changes, which will come into force on 19 January 2026, will cap casino bonus wagering requirements at a maximum of 10x times the bonus amount, a significant drop compared to the wagering requirements some sites have of 65x and higher. Big Win For Players: From £650 to £100 So, how will these…
We sat down with the one and only Rita Simons to chat about Eastenders, Panto (t’is the season after all), and what comes next for the star in 2026. “I remember Watching The Very First Eastenders Episode” Rita grew up watching Eastenders. “I was a massive fan. I watched the first ever episode with my mum, which must have been back in the 80s. I was born in the 70s…
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are perfect for relaxing, grazing on leftovers and, for some of us, sneaking in a quiet game of bingo. The festive downtime got us wondering: why is it called Boxing Day anyway? So we went looking for the answer. While families across the UK ask “Which is the better Boxing Day turkey recipe: turkey sandwiches or turkey curry?” These questions always also come up too: “Why do…
Christmas and TV belong together like turkey and stuffing; think Gavin and Stacey, the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special, and Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. So we’ve rounded up the 11 best Christmas TV picks for 2025: soaps, specials, game shows, films, and old favourites we expect to cause remote control arguments across the country. Every December, TV fans across the UK start asking the big question: “So, what’s on the box for…
This year WhichBingo is taking bingo into the heart of the UK & Ireland’s most magical markets. Introducing Christmas Market Bingo 2025: a fun, festive challenge that brings together the joy of bingo with the magic of exploring the quirkiest and best Christmas markets across the UK and Ireland. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine by the sea (yes please!) or hunting for unique handmade artisan gifts in a cathedral courtyard,…
by
Killian Morris
5min
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.
4min 
Reader comments