It seems while 12 months ago there were few buyers within the bingo industry the situation has changed as the effects of the smoking ban have stabilised. Over the summer last year we reported several acquisitions and now not a month goes buy without a club changing hands. Brian Fraser is expected to complete his purchase of the majority of the Buckingham Bingo group this week and latest information within the industry is that Castle Leisure is to buy two of the clubs, Bootle and Corby. Opera Bingo have also been spending having purchased a club from another independent operator.

Prior to 2010 there were numerous companies that were for sale, some of them being openly advertised and others were only discussed behind closed doors. It seems that while there was plenty of talk and operators visiting competitors clubs there were few deals done. Now we find ourselves in a position where buyers outstrip sellers. In addition to many current bingo operators looking to expand their brands by purchasing clubs there are several investment companies and at least two online bingo operators that are looking to invest in land based bingo companies given half the chance. We are expecting 2011 to be a busy year with plenty more clubs changing hands.

Latest Reports

Peter Lawton has sold the Rex Bingo to Opera Bingo. The Rex Bingo Club based in Denton Holme, Carlisle has joined the Opera Bingo brand which already includes clubs in Workington, Penrith and Whitehaven.

As reported last week Brian Fraser who is well known within the bingo industry has fought off fierce competition to acquire the majority of the Buckingham Bingo assets and will help to fulfil his goals of once again being a major name within the bingo industry. The clubs will become part of the Club 3000 brand and will no doubt benefit from the experience of their new owner.

Two of the clubs that were part of the Buckingham Bingo are to be acquired by Castle Leisure which itself has ambitious plan, having purchased Weoley Castle from Shipleys in November.

Castle Leisure is the leading bingo operator in South Wales and its 8 purpose built bingo clubs (Bridgend, Canton, Merthyr Tidfil, Morriston, Nantgarw, Neath, Cardiff, Newport) are based within the region. The company has occupied its head office site in Cardiff continuously since 1856.