Gala Bingo has been a household name since the 70s when the operator opened its first bingo clubs. While it has since rebranded as Buzz Bingo, it continues to operate more bingo halls than any other brand, which is why it’s sad to discover that the company is considering shutting several of them.
Which Buzz Bingo clubs are under threat?
So far, there are nine clubs which have potentially been identified as being at risk. They include two Buzz Bingo clubs in Scotland (Cumbernauld and Dumfries), three branches in the North-West of England (Carlisle, Belle Vue Manchester and Bromborough), Slough in Berkshire, Surrey Quays in London, Keighley in West Yorkshire, and Grantham in Lincolnshire.
If the above-planned club closures go ahead, Buzz will lose around 10% of its land-based bingo venues.
Why is Buzz Bingo thinking of closing more clubs?
The operator has given multiple reasons for the potential closures, although overall, it states that the clubs have “unfortunately ceased to be financially viable”.
It says that COVID-19 changed customer behaviour, resulting in fewer people visiting its clubs even after restrictions were lifted. On top of this, it cites a loss in consumer confidence due to the current cost-of-living crisis. Rising costs (including energy bills) are also taking their toll on the land-based bingo operator which is having to absorb rising costs while trying to offer customers value for money.
What will happen to the staff if the clubs shut?
Buzz Bingo has said that it’s fully committed to supporting any employees that could be impacted by the closure of the bingo clubs. If all nine clubs were to shut down, over 150 workers could be affected. In the past, the company has tried to offer employees alternative jobs in nearby clubs. It also stepped forward when Mecca Bingo closed several of its clubs to accommodate as many former Mecca employees as possible into its own workforce.
Previous club closures
Back in the summer of 2020, the operator announced its plans to permanently shut 26 of its UK bingo halls as part of a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement). The decision was made due to the government’s COVID-19 restrictions on entertainment and hospitality venues creating “an unsustainable operating environment for the foreseeable future”.
Advertiser Disclosure: Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.
1st Deposit only. Dep & Stake £10 bingo get £30 online bonus (x4 wagering) & £10 club vouchers, &/or £10 qualifying slots get £20 slots bonus (x20 wagering), 10p-£2 per spin. T&Cs apply. 18+
Other Latest Industry News
11. Jul 202509:12
TOWIE's Bobby Norris Dabs Out with Fanny Galore in Latest Series
Get ready for a fabulous dose of bingo, drag, and celebrity sparkle as WhichBingo’s highly anticipated “Dabbing Out” Series 3 returns. Episode one starts with a bang – featuring none other than The Only Way Is Essex legend Bobby Norris at drag bingo. “You gotta love a bit of drag and bingo,” Norris said, as he and Dabbing Out host Charlie Shakespeare play bingo at Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party….
by
Killian Morris
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
4. Jul 202512:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride
3min
27. Jun 202509:48
£100,000 Prize for National Bingo Week
National Bingo Week is ending with a bang! Buzz Bingo has put up a £100,000 prize in its Big Money Live this Sunday. The £100,000 will go to the lucky person who gets a Full House. And there is also a £10,000 prize for 2 lines, and a £5,000 prize for 1 line – making for a total of £115,000 available to be won in one game. What a way…
by
Nic McBride
2min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
4. Jul 202512:33
WhichBingo Wins Best Bingo Affiliate 2025
And the winner is… us! A panel of expert judges has officially crowned WhichBingo as the #1 guide to finding top bingo sites. WhichBingo won Best Bingo Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2025 in London. “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s a clear sign that our commitment to connecting players with the best bingo sites is being recognised by the iGaming industry,” said WhichBingo Senior Director Lynsey…
by
Nic McBride
3min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
11. Mar 202516:42
200,000 Votes and Counting So Far in the 2025 WhichBingo Awards
WhichBingo, one of the UK’s best known and most trusted online bingo review and affiliate sites, owned and operated by Gambling.com Group, is delighted to reveal that more than 200,000 votes have so far been cast in the annual WhichBingo Awards. With just under a month to go, there is still plenty of time to vote, with the closing date for nominations being the 4th of April, 2025. Commenting on the…
by
Charles Shakespeare
3min
7. Jul 202515:27
Behind the Numbers: The WhichBingo Awards 2025 Voting Revealed
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
by
Nic McBride
6min
16. Apr 202512:35
Hook, Line & Winner: Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo Goes Live
Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo is a brand new bingo game, the latest innovation in the bingo world, offering players like yourself an exciting new twist on the classic 90-ball bingo game. This game combines the fun of bingo with the excitement of slot features, jackpots, and bonus rounds, all while staying true to the famous Fishin’ Frenzy brand. The game looks great and is totally in line with the brand’s design…
by
Esther Rubin
2min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
20. Sep 202410:48
Betting Company Flutter Shows Community Spirit with £400k Cash4Clubs Initiative
Flutter UKI, the betting company behind brands Paddy Power Bingo, Betfair, Sky Betting & Gaming and tombola, shows that giving back can be a priority. As part of its Do More initiative which hopes to improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030, Flutter UKI has proudly announced the return of its flagship Cash4Clubs programme, offering financial support to grassroots sports organisations. For 2024, Cash4Clubs will offer a massive…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
28. Nov 202415:45
Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it. 1. New Stake Limits While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
20. Nov 202415:49
Safer Gambling Week 2024: Promoting Positive Play and Industry Support
Safer gambling week is upon us once again but what does that mean for the gambling industry and those who play? For gambling companies it is an opportunity to engage with their customers and promote the various tools that are on offer to help players manage their gambling spend, their time spent gambling and their access to gambling. For consumers it is a chance to have open and honest conversations…
by
Rob Mabbett
3min
17. Nov 202406:55
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
by
Esther Rubin
3min
13. Jun 202410:59
Rise in Safer Gambling Tools Use During Safer Gambling Week
New figures released have shown a substantial uptake in the use of safer gambling tools during last year’s Safer Gambling Week. 2023’s Safer Gambling Week was held from November 13th to November 19th and promoted an exciting campaign on the use of safer gambling tools when gambling. Safer Gambling Week is organised by the Betting and Gaming Council and is in its 7th year. It brings together many different areas…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
1min
11. Jul 202509:12
TOWIE's Bobby Norris Dabs Out with Fanny Galore in Latest Series
Get ready for a fabulous dose of bingo, drag, and celebrity sparkle as WhichBingo’s highly anticipated “Dabbing Out” Series 3 returns. Episode one starts with a bang – featuring none other than The Only Way Is Essex legend Bobby Norris at drag bingo. “You gotta love a bit of drag and bingo,” Norris said, as he and Dabbing Out host Charlie Shakespeare play bingo at Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party….
by
Killian Morris
3min
20. Jun 202509:43
Anna Vakili on Love Island Drama, Dating Show Rumours and Life After the Villa
Fresh from a whirlwind few months, Anna Vakili sat down with WhichBingo to talk all things Love Island from the fiery new season and dating show rumours to life post-villa and her rollercoaster love life. The reality star opened up about future TV ambitions, fertility struggles, and what’s next for Sisters in the City, her hugely popular podcast with sister Mandi. Speaking to WhichBingo, the home of the best bingo…
by
Killian Morris
8min
6. Jun 202513:45
Love Island Through the Ages
What the Cast Would’ve Looked Like in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90’s and predictions for 2050 With Love Island returning to our screens next week, it’s time to pop on the lip gloss, top up the fake tan, and get ready for another summer of slow-burn romance, bombshell drama, and recoupling chaos. But what if the villa had opened its doors in another decade? What if the Islanders strutted their…
by
Killian Morris
4min
15. May 202507:00
WhichBingo Awards 2025 – Gala Crowned the Best Bingo Site By You
The WhichBingo Awards are over for another year and what an exciting one it has been! Since first launching in 2014, the WhichBingo Awards have become one of the most coveted awards in the industry and our event this year held on May 14th was a huge success. Once again, the WhichBingo Awards 2025 took place on the beautiful Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar, so really there are no losers for…
by
Jennifer McFadyen
3min
Updated October 16, 2024
Anita Heffernan
Author & Managing Editor
The Bingo Veteran – “Bingo Queen”
The Bingo Queen is a fun name earned from colleagues through Anita Heffernan's exceptional knowledge and commitment to the online bingo world. With over 20 years of experience as both a player and an expert in the industry, Anita has built a reputation as a trusted authority on all things bingo.
Your comment is awaiting moderation and will be posted soon. Thank you for taking part in our discussion and helping fellow players!
David
May 11th, 2023, 19:18
I go to Buzz Bingo Aldershot twice a week I thoroughly enjoy it. I buy food each time, now I see the discount has been removed and the price has jumped up quite a large amount I know the cost of living has gone up as well but surely keeping your prices down it encourages people to eat more in club, please can you reconsider your prices or give regular customers a discount voucher. thank you await your reply
Margaret
April 24th, 2023, 08:15
Think another reason for drop in customers is the Electronic Touch Pad.. If your marking books with 6 tickets and your up against a touch pad with untold number of tickets there's not much chance of winning. I have checked on the nights I am there and your lucky if one paper ticket wins anything. I enjoyed going to Buzz bingo but think you got too greedy.
Alan
June 14th, 2023, 16:38
Winning is a needle in a haystack luck and has very little to do with ticket numbers. Week after week we sit with 339 electronic between us to get nowhere and watch paper shout over and over. The difference in those ticket numbers makes such a minuscule difference to your chance amongst the millions of possible number combinations is almost insignificant. I totally agree with the latest ripoff prices, especially for food, a complete ripoff compared with Club 3000 prices. Also, Buzz prizemoney has been crippled to the point that call or not, you are out of pocket.
Get the best bingo and slots offers weekly via email
Sign up to receive the latest bingo and casino promotions
3min 
Reader comments