Bingo operators may face venue redesigns under UK gambling consultation

UK bingo operators may soon need to redesign venues or reapply for new licenses under proposed government rules that seek clearer distinctions between bingo halls and gaming centers.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) consultation, open until January 9, 2026, outlines options requiring between 30% and 50% of floor space for bingo, restrictions on cabinet gaming machines, and potential conversion costs ranging from £351 to £5,859 for new operating licenses.

Revised licensing standards for bingo premises

The proposals come as the bingo sector continues to evolve, with smaller, machine-led high street venues becoming more common while traditional bingo clubs have declined. Between December 2018 and August 2024, the number of bingo clubs registered with the Bingo Association dropped from 335 to 248, while the number of high street venues increased from 119 to 218.

According to Gambling Commission data, gaming machines have become the primary revenue source for licensed bingo operators, representing 63% of gross gambling yield (GGY) in the year to March 2024, compared with 44% a decade earlier. Some licensed bingo venues now offer limited bingo facilities and resemble adult gaming centers.

The government’s consultation paper proposes that all licensed bingo venues dedicate a minimum portion of their total floor space—either 30%, 40%, or 50%—to bingo activities. The designated “bingo area” must be continuous, clearly defined, and separated from sections containing cabinet or in-fill gaming machines.

Tablet gaming machines located within this area would be required to offer bingo, and DCMS is also seeking feedback on whether minimum distances—ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters—should be maintained between the bingo area and larger gaming machines.

Machine rules and stake adjustments

The consultation also covers Category D gaming machines, such as crane grabbers, coin pushers, and non-money prize machines typically found in family entertainment centers. The government proposes keeping the £1 maximum stake for crane grab machines while increasing the top prize from £50 to £75.

For non-money prize machines, stake limits could increase from 30p to either 40p or 50p, and maximum prizes could rise to £20. The government also suggests merging categories for coin pushers and similar machines, setting a single maximum stake of 30p and a £20 prize limit, with no more than £12 in cash.

The consultation paper notes that the Consumer Prices Index in the UK has increased by more than 55% between 2009 and 2025, which has made it harder for operators to offer prizes that appeal to players.

Additionally, DCMS proposes a ban on anyone under 18 using “cash-out” slot-style machines that pay out money. While the industry introduced a voluntary ban in 2021, the government intends to formalize this restriction through legislation.

Compliance, conversion, and costs

Operators whose venues do not meet the proposed requirements could need to alter their layouts or apply to convert their premises to adult gaming centers (AGCs). The consultation document indicates that licensees choosing conversion would need a new AGC operating license, with fees between £351 and £5,859 depending on the venue’s gross gambling yield.

Conversion would also mean the loss of permission to serve alcohol, as AGCs are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages under current regulations.

Data from the Gambling Commission show that among operators primarily managing high street bingo sites, only 1% of GGY is derived from bingo games, compared with 51% for traditional bingo clubs and 55% for holiday park venues.

DCMS said the proposed measures aim to ensure that licensed premises are appropriately categorized and that bingo remains a substantive offering within bingo venues. “The government is clear that growth cannot be pursued at any cost. It is vitally important to uphold the licensing objectives set out in the Gambling Act 2005, which includes protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling,” the department stated.