Buzz Bingo says its clubs are growing again after years of decline, making it one of the few leisure businesses showing better results on the UK high street. The operator said this week that both admissions and revenue rose in 2025, the first time that has happened in nearly 20 years.
The update has drawn attention because many UK town centres are still dealing with weaker footfall, higher costs and lower demand for older retail formats. Buzz’s message is simple: bingo halls can still work if they feel more like modern, low-cost social venues and less like outdated sites.
Refurbished clubs are bringing customers back
The company says its refurbishment programme is helping improve performance in upgraded clubs. Buzz said venues fitted with new electronic touchpads, upgraded screens, faster Wi-Fi and new playing formats have delivered 20% growth in admissions and a 50% rise in new customers. It plans to continue the club transformation programme through 2026.
This is part of a wider plan rather than a one-off improvement. In its July 2024 results, Buzz said retail had returned to growth, online revenue rose 31% in FY2023, and underlying EBITDA increased 14%. The company also said 200,000 new visitors came into its retail clubs during that year, with about half aged under 35.
Younger players are helping drive the recovery
Buzz has also been helped by a younger customer base than many people might expect. City AM reported in February that half of the company’s 175,000 new players in the 12 months to September 2025 were under 25, with themed nights and ticketed events proving popular with younger visitors.
This could matter beyond bingo itself. The recent growth suggests people will still go out for in-person leisure if the venue feels social, affordable and updated for current habits. For Buzz, that has meant better tech, more event-style formats and clubs that feel less dated. This is an inference based on the company’s refurbishment strategy and the age profile of new customers.
Investment is still doing much of the work
The recovery still depends on spending holding up. Buzz’s recent gains have come with heavy investment in its estate, and the company has previously warned that tax pressure could make further investment harder and put some venues at risk.
Even so, Buzz Bingo’s latest results show that a high street gambling brand can still grow if it gives customers a reason to visit. After years of decline in many town centres, that is not a common result.
