The future of Sottish bingo halls is in serious jeopardy according to The Bingo Association in Scotland. Unless the Scottish Government steps in to offer more financial support, it could mean the end of bingo halls altogether.
Bingo Devastation
The Bingo Association in Scotland has launched a campaign to try and save Scottish bingo halls from permanent closure, after the devastation caused by their closure caused by the Covid pandemic. 
One particular bingo hall in Dunfermline, joined in with the campaign, having been closed since November. The Operations Director at the Carlton Bingo Dunfermline, Mike Watret, told the Dunfermline Press:
“It feels as though we aren’t being listened to. I think everybody recognises the role bingo plays in the local community especially among the older customers, particularly female, and people who live on their own. It has a positive role to play but it isn’t being backed up by funding to support that. “When we did open from August to November, the staff had some positivity and customers felt safe… it feels a bit unfair the position we’re in. Some people come once a month or once a week and it’s a safe environment where people can meet friends. We’ve made efforts to contact customers over the phone to make sure they’re okay and we want to be there for them when this is all over.”
More Funding
At present, bingo halls haven’t received the same funding as the hospitality industry and only qualify for the small closure grants of £3000 per month to cover overheads and employment costs. Bingo venues have also gone to great lengths and costs to become Covid secure, only for them to remain closed again for months on end. The Bingo Association in Scotland have now asked the Scottish Government to offer more funding, similar to what hotels, cinemas and nightclubs have been offered. The Scottish Government did say they were committed to providing as much help as possible and said that Bingo Halls were included in additional funding top ups which could double or triple the financial support they receive.