Gala Bingo goes it alone

Gala Bingo, one of the top two bingo operators in the UK, made the surprising announcement that they will withdraw from the National Bingo Game.

The National Bingo Game is usually the most exciting part of a bingo night out, providing the biggest prizes.  Linking up bingo halls across the nation, the National Bingo Game has even created the first bingo millionaires!

The National Bingo Game has been going strong since it was formed in 1986.  The idea behind the national game was to take bingo up a notch and make it more attractive in a competitive industry.  It is played twice every day of the year except Christmas Day.  Approximately 500 bingo clubs take part in the National Game, which has paid out £1 billion over the last 21 years.

Gala owns 162 bingo clubs, representing a large portion of the UK bingo industry.

Bingo Association chief Paul Tallboys said he was surprised and saddened by the decision, especially in these troubled times, when the industry faces many challenges.

The general feeling is that bingo clubs need to stick together and that by breaking away to focus on their own business, Gala is proving disloyal.  It is debatable whether the National Game will be able to continue with a third of the pot gone and it remains to be seen if other bingo operator Mecaa and Independent clubs will manage to keep the game going, or choose to follow suit with their own promotions.

About £1 million is paid out every week across the UK in the National Bingo Game.  Although the bingo industry is struggling due to the effects of double taxation and the smoking ban which cut into their revenues, an estimated 3 million Brits play the game regularly, at least twice a week.