A new horse racing bingo game, Giddy Up Bingo, has been launched through a collaboration between Playtech and Betfred. The 50 ball, multi-stake game calls for players to select one of four horses, which then gallop off the screen as the bingo numbers are called.

The game also boasts a community jackpot, for the chance to win much more than the average online bingo game.

The director of digital bingo at Playtech, Angus Nisbet, said about the new product: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Betfred to bring it exclusively to their players. The in-game animation creates the effect of the horses actually racing as the numbers are called, giving it great visual appeal, and with a choice of four stakes, the game can attract both newcomers and more experienced players.”

“With horse racing season in full swing, it’s no surprise to see such a strong early reaction to Giddy Up Bingo – but we’re confident this is a variant players will enjoy all year round.”

Also adding his comments was Joni Kellings, Bingo Manager Betfred, who said that the group was very proud of this exclusive new game, which has received positive player reactions since its launch.

He called Giddy Up Bingo “visually engaging” with “versatile gameplay”, which were exactly the elements the group sought in an exclusive variant.

The state-run Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) has issued the first online traditional bingo license to the gaming group, Leisure & Resorts World Corp. This will allow LRWC to offer bingo games both online and off, including its Bingo Bonanza games in shopping malls.

Leisure & Resorts recently launched its BingoPlus gaming brand through its AB Leisure Exponent subsidiary.

The group believes that online bingo will become one of its main streams of revenue.

According the Leisure & Resorts president, Andy Tsui: “One of the company’s major strategies is to strengthen online platforms to provide more and better playing opportunities to customers during the pandemic and beyond.”

“Online traditional bingo a great way to enjoy bingo from the comfort of ones’ home without having to miss out on social interaction and have the chance to win huge prizes.”

Players will be able to access Bingo Bonanza games by streaming them from traditional bingo halls located in Metro Manila and other areas around the country.  At present, there are 18 such halls, but Leisure & Resorts hopes to expand to many other locations.

Market analysts believe that new way of playing traditional bingo will transform the game by combining “the excitement of the old and the convenience of new technology,” as per a press release by LRWC.

The UK gaming company, Rank Group, said that the closure of several Mecca bingo halls across the country significantly affected its profits.  Rank reported a hefty loss of GBP 72 million pre-tax in the 2021 year ending June. This was down from a GBP 9.4 million profit reported just one year earlier.

Rank Group said that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic impacted its net gaming revenues, which fell by 48% to GBP 329.6 million.

However, Rank Group was optimistic about the future, and said that trading was “encouraging” since bingo halls reopened. The chief executive of Rank, John O’Reilly, predicted that numbers would improve as tourists returned to the UK.

He said that this period has been “exceptionally challenging” for the gambling industry.

“We are now well into a new financial year with our venues open and trading positively,” he said. “Our venues have been performing ahead of our expectations following the easing of restrictions on the UK hospitality sector on 17 May and we anticipate further growth as travel restrictions eventually ease and tourism returns, particularly to London.”

Rank Group also owns the Grosvenor casino chain, where revenues in the 13 weeks to August 15th were down 19% compared to pre-pandemic years.

Rank’s online business in the UK had experienced disappointing numbers, but it was to be expected since it was a “year of transition” onto a new online platform.

Players in the UK will be thrilled to learn that the software and content provider, Pragmatic Play is marking National Bingo Day with a special offer. Local players will be allowed to try out casino games for free over a period of two days at a range of online bingo sites powered by the group.

The Bingo Association in the UK launched the inaugural National Bingo Day and has invited online bingo providers and retail properties to take part in the celebrations.

Pragmatic Play is offering a bingo game with a $1,000 prize pool this week, which will take place at Lottoland and Butlers Bingo, among others.  The game will be free to enter for members of the online bingo rooms.

“We are massively excited to join in the fun and celebrations of National Bingo Day, along with our partners and all those involved in bingo, both online and in the clubs,” said Ezgi Erturk, head of bingo for Pragmatic Play. “What better way to celebrate than lots of free bingo, something we know will be eagerly received by players, and available across our network.”

Pragmatic Play is well known in the online bingo community and regularly rolls out new games, such as the exciting Bingo Blast.

The content provider also creates excellent online slots for top online casino brands.

Microgaming, an Isle of Man based software developer, is pleased to reveal that it has appointed former Instant Win Gaming (IWG) Chief Commercial Officer Leon Thomas to act as its new Managing Director of Bingo.

Thomas has more than 10 years’ industry experience and joins Microgaming from lottery and bingo-games operator IWG, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer.  He has an exceptionally strong grounding in online bingo after serving as Managing Director of Tombola, where he launched the brand in Spain and Italy, as well as securing its leading position in the United Kingdom.

Thomas has also held a number of senior roles, namely for the Rank Group’s Mecca Digital division, Caesars Entertainment and NYX Gaming Group.

In his new role at Microgaming, Thomas has been assigned to maximize the success of the bingo vertical, develop a long-term business approach and capitalize on commercial opportunities.

John Coleman, the Chief Executive Officer at Microgaming, commented on the appointment by saying that they are pleased to welcome Leon to the Microgaming family.

Coleman went on to say that with his immense experience in online gaming and knowledge of both B2B and B2C industries, Leon will play a leading role as they continue to maximize the value, success and growth of their bingo vertical.

Thomas added that he is delighted to be appointed Managing Director of Bingo for one of the gaming industry’s foremost entertainment providers.

Thomas also said that Microgaming has a fantastic platform, and given its scale and reach, it is set to substantially grow the bingo side of its business.