Thought to have originated in 16th century Italy, bingo has been around for a long time, in various forms. Traditionally a popular parlour game among the aristocracy, bingo has also been used as a teaching tool and, today, its more recent renaissance in 20th century England has had a huge cultural impact.
When the laws surrounding gaming changed with the introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act (1960), ‘games of chance’ like bingo were able to offer much higher prize values, encouraging more people to play the game.
While modern bingo fans are often more interested in playing bingo online on sites like Jackpotjoy, many traditional fans still appreciate the value of an in-person game. Others like to combine the two – playing online when they can’t get to a bingo hall, yet taking every opportunity to get to a live game when they can.
In bingo’s heyday in the 1960s, bingo halls were popping up in towns all over the country. Sometimes, other public buildings would be used to host games, with people playing at a variety of events and in entertainment venues across the UK. Some of the buildings designed to house bingo games have become iconic to fans of the game. For example:
The Ritz, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This glamorous bingo hall epitomises the glory days of bingo mania, when club memberships ran to the millions and the most popular halls saw hundreds of thousands of people coming through their doors every day.
After beginning life as a cinema in the 1930s, this charming Art Deco-style bingo hall was damaged during the Blitz, and rebuilt during the bingo boom of the 1960s. Designed to reflect the star-studded nature of its past life, the bingo hall maintains a glitzy Hollywood theme throughout, with pictures of some of the biggest stars adorning the walls.
Today, the hall maintains a classic approach of offering paper books – with no digital option available. In addition, visitors can perform karaoke, play slots, and enjoy live entertainment; so it’s a great place to enjoy a game as part of a night on the town.
Apollo Bingo, Cornwall
Another bingo hall that was once a cinema, this is another pre-World War Two entertainment spot, although it enjoyed much better fortunes. The casino itself is in a town that grew from a tiny village in which tin was discovered, boosting the local economy.
Admittedly, this hall is based within beautiful surroundings in Camborne, Cornwall. However, the main reason why players want to visit is due to its reputation as one of the luckiest bingo halls in the country. In 2017, players at this bingo hall won a combined total of over £44,000, so players keen to kickstart a run of good fortune can often be found playing here.
While you’re there, don’t miss out on the chance to sample some of the best Cornish foods to eat in Cornwall.
Merkur Bingo, Cricklewood
Formerly known as Beacon Bingo, the recently rebranded Merkur Bingo Hall at Cricklewood is definitely worth a visit. With enough space to accommodate up to 3,000 players at a time, this is not only the biggest bingo hall in the UK, but also the largest in Europe. In fact, there is only one bingo hall bigger than this in the whole world – Foxwoods, in Connecticut.
And, not only is Merkur Cricklewood impressive in size but, in 2014, it was awarded a Guinness World Record as the site of the largest bingo prize pot won in a single game when a player took home £100,000 for the first time ever. As one of the only places with the capacity to handle the attendees, Merkur Cricklewood also hosts the Bingo Caller of the Year Awards.
Apollo, Rhyl
Another former cinema, the Apollo in Rhyl, north east Wales, is perhaps best known for its Art Deco styling and beautiful architecture. Originally built in 1937, the Grade II listed building is widely regarded as one of the best bingo halls in Wales.
While the stunning decor is a welcome reminder of the building’s past, the interior offers visitors a modern bingo experience without sacrificing any of the historical charm that makes vintage bingo halls so appealing.
Although modern bingo fans have more choice than ever when it comes to the availability of games online, there will always be something special about playing in a real bingo hall.
What’s your favourite bingo hall to play at – your local venue, or perhaps one of those mentioned above? Let me know in the comments.