A full house is expected on Sunday 27 June. No, it’s not for a Euro 2020 match but because it’s the first ever National Bingo Day. Will two fat ladies be attending or are we not allowed to write that these days, probably not.
It’s not actually anything new for bingo fans who have been celebrating it for years. However, this is the first time that national recognition has been given. Time then to get those eyes down for a great celebration but don’t dare miss the next number.
National Bingo Day will see plenty of special offers at online sites so it’s going to hopefully be a profitable day for players. The event comes at an important time for the industry. The past year has seen many bingo halls being closed due to the ongoing pandemic. That’ seen a rise in the number of players who now go online to play their favourite games. Now the halls are open again, it’s a battle to get their customers back.
OnlineBingo.co.uk have been working with fellow industry members such as MrQ.com and Buzz Bingo to show how lockdown was handled in the bingo world. They say that National Bingo Day will be an “opportunity for these bingo-heads to share their favourite bingo memories and talk about how they will be celebrating the big day.” There’ll be plenty of ‘do you remember that time I was one number off the jackpot” and “I still have that fluffy toy I won at the seaside.”
It’s not just a day though, there will be a whole week of exclusive content. This includes a look at how the pandemic has affected the bingo business. For example, Eric Howell, operations director at Majestic Bingo tells how half the planned sessions were lost in the last year.
Bingo isn’t just about trying to get a line or a full house. It’s a community and Nikki Ashby (general manager at Buzz Bingo in Medway) talks about how they set up Buzz Bingo Buddies to keep in touch with their customers, especially isolated elderly members.
There’s also a look at the future of the industry both online and in the halls. Might it be nightclub style events like Bongo’s Bingo that are the way ahead? Max Wright is the editor of OnlineBingo.co.uk. He says that they are “proud to commemorate and support the first National Bingo Day.” He’s delighted how the industry has come together for this “annual day of appreciation” to “celebrate the game of bingo; however the fans choose to play.”
