The UK bingo sector’s role within the wider gambling industry, along with ongoing cooperation between operators and regulators, formed the centre of a speech delivered by Sarah Gardner at the Bingo Association Annual General Meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the Gambling Commission, Gardner outlined current market figures, upcoming regulatory work, and the importance of collaboration between the regulator and bingo operators. The speech was delivered on 7 May 2026 during the Bingo Association AGM and touched on several areas affecting land-based bingo businesses and remote operators across the UK.
Gardner, who currently serves as Acting Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, also used the event to reflect on the contribution of outgoing Bingo Association Chief Executive Miles Baron and the relationship between the sector and the regulator over recent years.
Bingo Sector Figures Show Market Position
During the speech, Gardner shared updated figures from the Gambling Commission’s Industry Statistics for 2024/25, offering insight into the current structure of the UK bingo market.
According to the figures presented, total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) for the bingo sector reached £816 million, representing around five percent of the wider gambling industry’s £16.8 billion GGY. Non-remote bingo activity generated £650 million, while remote bingo contributed £166 million.
Gardner also pointed to the importance of gaming machines within bingo venues, noting that approximately two-thirds of non-remote bingo GGY came from gaming machines, while bingo games themselves accounted for 35 percent of revenue.
Part of the speech focused on how participation data around bingo has developed through cooperation between the Gambling Commission and the Bingo Association. Gardner explained that differences had previously emerged between Gambling Survey for Great Britain estimates and industry admissions data regarding how many people were playing bingo.
The regulator and the association worked together to examine the discrepancy further and introduced a new survey question aimed at identifying where participants were playing bingo. Gardner stated that the updated approach produced figures that were “much more closely aligned” between the two sides.
The revised survey findings showed that 3.3 percent of adults aged 18 and over played bingo in 2024, while estimates for participation in traditional bingo clubs reached 1.2 percent. Gardner noted that the Bingo Association’s own admissions-based estimate stood at one percent.
She also highlighted that the updated survey data reinforced the social side of land-based bingo, which the Commission now considers part of its official statistics.
Gambling Commission Discusses Regulation Changes
Gardner used the AGM to provide an update on the Gambling Commission’s gaming machines consultation and upcoming regulatory adjustments.
She confirmed that from 29 July 2026, non-remote operators will be required to immediately remove machines from customer use if the Commission determines that the manufacture, supply, installation, adaptation, maintenance, or repair was not carried out under the correct technical operating licence. The same applies to machines failing to meet technical standards.
According to Gardner, the measure is intended to speed up the removal of non-compliant machines from gambling premises and improve protections for consumers and operators.
She also stated that the remainder of the Commission’s response to the gaming machines consultation is expected during the summer.
The speech further outlined priorities contained within the Gambling Commission’s latest Business Plan, including work linked to the Gambling Act Review, improving the regulator’s evidence base, and ongoing enforcement activity.
Illegal gambling was another major topic. Gardner confirmed that the Commission had received £26 million in new government funding covering the next three years, including resources aimed at tackling land-based illegal gambling activity.
Collaboration Remains Central Theme
A large portion of Gardner’s speech focused on cooperation between the regulator and the bingo sector, which she described as constructive and productive in recent years.
She praised Miles Baron for his work representing the industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout regulatory discussions affecting bingo operators. Gardner said Baron had consistently approached issues by working alongside government and regulators to find solutions.
Gardner said:
“We know what we can achieve through our powers, but we know that we can achieve a whole lot more for our objectives by working with those in industry who are willing to work with us.”
She added that cooperation between the Gambling Commission and the Bingo Association had helped strengthen research, consultation processes, and regulatory understanding across the sector.
Gardner also confirmed that the Commission plans to continue working closely with incoming Bingo Association Chief Executive Nicole O’Brien as discussions around the future of the UK bingo market continue.
Source:
"Bingo Association AGM - Sarah Gardner speech", gamblingcommission.gov.uk, May 8, 2026
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