Facts & Figures

• Bingo was revolutionised on 16 July 1985 by an amendment to the 1968 Gaming Act. The Gaming (Bingo) Act 1985 permitted games of multiple bingo to be played, where pre-selected numbers were "called" within the same time window in each of the participating clubs. Combined with high speed computer technology, this made the creation of "The National Bingo Game" possible.
  

• The National Bingo Game is the UK's second largest computer controlled game, the national lottery being the largest.
  
• The National Bingo Game was first played in June 1986
  
• Approximately 550 licensed bingo clubs link up every night of the year, except Christmas day, to play.
  
• Total weekly prize money distributed on the National Bingo Game is in excess of £1m.
  
• Total prize money distributed to date by the National Bingo Game (as at 31/12/2006) was over £929 million.
  
• In 2003, £270 million was paid to the Exchequer in duty and VAT from licensed bingo operators.
  
• The bingo industry employs around 20,000 people from callers and change givers to cleaners and accountants.
  
• There were 657 licensed bingo clubs operating in Great Britain, as at 31 March 2006.
  
• For the year 2005 the total estimated market was around 80 million admissions.
  
• £1,307 million was paid out in prize money during 2005.
  
• Estimated total industry pre-tax profit for the year 2005 was £277 million.
  
• Over 3 million people regularly play bingo in licensed clubs.
  
• Players are often members of more than one club.
  
• Players often arrive 2 hours before the game starts, to enjoy a meal or chat with friends.
  
• More than two in three people go to bingo for social, rather than financial reasons.