How Is Devon's Bingo Culture Changing?
From the seaside halls of the English Riviera to the community venues in Exeter and Plymouth, Bingo has been a part of Devon life for generations.
However, over the last 10 years or so, we’ve seen a decline. Bingo culture is changing, and traditional halls are generally getting a lot less popular.
The Days of the Packed Hall
Exeter’s city-centre hall on North Street was one to remember. It first opened as a bingo hall in 1963 and has been the go-to place for bingo players ever since.
Along the coast, the resort towns of Torquay and Paignton built bingo into their nightlife. The English Riviera, in general, already draws in a large crowd from their entertainment calendar, so bingo didn’t have a hard time getting popular here.
These venues, though very different from one another, became staples of their towns and cities. A lot of them even drew in large crowds each and every week.
A Tradition Under Pressure
In recent years, the picture of packed bingo halls has changed. Aged buildings, rising running costs, and a shift in bingo player habits are all to blame.
Exeter’s last surviving bingo hall is a clear example of this pressure. In 2026, it was announced that the city’s last bingo hall could face possible closure, citing an expiring lease and the cost of essential maintenance as the reasons.
Other Devon venues, in Plymouth and elsewhere, have already shut their doors for good as well. Therefore, in locations where bingo halls existed and thrived well, only a handful of them now remain.
The Game Moves Online
Although bingo halls have started to decline, the game itself hasn’t disappeared. In fact, it has just moved location.
Nowadays, you can just play online live bingo from the comfort of your home. It keeps much of what made the hall experience, with a real live presenter, in-game chats, and so forth, meaning for many, bingo has turned into an online activity.
For people in rural parts of Devon, who often have long drives to bingo halls, it offers a much better alternative. Instead of the long journey, they can simply hop on a computer, laptop, or phone and get a similar experience.
Plus, rural broadband and mobile coverage are getting better. Those in such areas now have government-backed broadband upgrades, which could spike more online activity.
Where Devon's Bingo Goes Next
None of this means that traditional bingo in Devon is finished. The venues in Torquay and Plymouth still draw in loyal crowds each week.
News about bingo halls shutting could actually work as good publicity as well. It might even trigger some ex-bingo players to return to the halls they once went to.
Then again, the online experience of live bingo is getting better. Of course, it’ll never be the same. However, it’s getting close, and it is a perfect alternative for many who love the game.
The most likely thing that’ll happen is that only a few key bingo halls will remain open. Even large players have started to shut down their venues due to operational reasons.
Where these players will go will vary. But we imagine some of them will be choosing the digital option, as it’s just much more convenient.
