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An Illustrated UK Bingo History - Part 2 - 1968 To 2007

The 1968 Gaming Act And Beyond

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A further act of Parliament - The Gaming Act of 1968 - allowed clubs to introduce gambling via slot machines, further expanding the range of entertainment for patrons. Usually they were named Bingo and Social Clubs, and the social part of the equation was well earned. People came to meet up with friends, have a meal and a drink, and a convivial few hours out.

Bishop Auckland Hippodrome - now operated independently

In the 1960's and 1970's Bingo flourished across the country, with many larger towns having a wide choice of social clubs, the former suburban cinemas outside the town centre were often highly successful.

The "Link" game proved to be a big winner among players, clubs across a region are linked up to play a game where the jackpot amounts to a larger sum, and the "National" game links clubs across the country to provide a huge Jackpot. Here a prize is won by the first person to call house in each club. All these results are sent to the central National Game computers where the big prize, totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds, is awarded to the player who called house in the least amount of numbers. The prize is shared in the event of a tie. In 2007 Britain's first Bingo Millionaire was created - the prizes have never been higher!

ABC's became Coral Social Clubs, having been acquired by Star in 1970, and later still by Bass Leisure in 1981. The clubs, however, retained their Coral name until merged with the Granada clubs in 1991. The whole group were rebranded Gala from October onwards. The Gala clubs continued to expand, adding 17 Ritz clubs in 1998, 10 clubs from Jarglen in 1999, 27 Riva clubs in 2000, which made it the largest bingo operator at the time, and County Bingo, a Scottish group, acquired by Gala in 2006.

ChathamRitz - now a Gala Club, seen here in it's Coral days

The Top Rank clubs acquired Mecca Leisure in 1990, and subsequently the Top Rank name was phased out in favour of Mecca, although this has occasionally caused controversy with members of the Islam Religion and in at least one case (Luton) the name was not used at first.

The Essoldo clubs were sold in 1973 to Ladbroke Group and renamed Lucky Seven Bingo, later they became part of Top Rank, and thus the survivors now bear the Mecca name.

Stretford Top Rank - started out as an Essoldo club, now sadly closed

During the 1990's, faced with aging (albeit palatial) buildings, the bingo operators began to close down the ex-cinemas in favour of new, purpose built bingo halls, often just outside the town centre. This had the advantages of cheaper land giving more floor space, enabling an ever more mobile population to park by the hall, and also improving access for the disabled. The first purpose built hall was the Castle Club at Canton in Cardiff, which opened in December 1988. However many of the old cinemas are still providing for the warmth and comfort of the players, some like the former Sheffield Odeon, have now been a bingo hall for considerably more years than they showed films!

Sheffield Mecca - from 1956 to 1971 the Odeon Cinema

During the first decade of the 21st century new threats to the prosperity of the clubs arrived. The Health Act of 2005 which banned smoking in enclosed spaces from July 2007 was seen as a major problem - evidence seems to indicate that the effects on Bingo Halls is not as great as first feared. The other main threat is on-line bingo. Many of the major operators now also run an internet version of the game. Ironically the part of the name dropped by most clubs, could prove to be their strongest asset - that of being a Social club!

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An Illustrated UK Bingo History - Part 2 - 1968 To 2007

The 1968 Gaming Act And Beyond

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