Mecca Bingo: Guide, History & Licence Info
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Mecca Bingo is the UK's flagship bingo brand operated by Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited under UKGC licence 57924. The brand dates back to 1961 when Eric Morley introduced bingo to the company's dance halls, and around 65 clubs still operate across the UK today.
It runs on Rank's RIDE platform with Playtech Bingo, offering exclusive rooms, dedicated apps and live bingo events streamed from real clubs. It suits players who want the full bingo experience with chat hosts, club integration and a heritage brand rather than a casino with bingo bolted on.
Existing players can log in to Mecca Bingo below or keep reading for the full guide.
Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money. The National Gambling Helpline is free on 0808 8020 133 any time.
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Mecca Bingo at a Glance
| Established | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Founded by | Carl Heimann & Byron Davies (Eric Morley introduced bingo) |
| UK Office | Rank Group, Maidenhead, SL6 8BN |
| Owned by | The Rank Group plc |
| Operator | Rank Interactive |
| UK Licence | UKGC 57924 |
| Products | BingoSlotsSlingoCasinoLive Casino |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android |
| Payments | Debit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Paysafecard |
| Min Deposit | £5 |
| Casino Platform | Playtech with multi-studio integration and Evolution live casino |
| Sportsbook | No Sports |
| Live Casino | Playtech Live, Evolution |
| Bingo | Playtech Bingo |
| Slots | Eyecon, Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Play'n GO, Games Global, Red Tiger, Aristocrat Interactive, Playtech, Yggdrasil |
| Table Games | Evolution Gaming, Playtech |
| Slingo | Gaming Realms |
| Lottery | No Lottery |
| Poker | No Poker |
Mecca Bingo Review & Guide
Guide to Mecca Bingo
Few UK bingo sites actually started as bingo companies. Mecca did. The brand dates back to 1961 when Eric Morley introduced bingo to the company's dance halls. Around 65 clubs still operate across the UK today, making this one of the last remaining operators with both online and physical venues.
The Rank Group has owned Mecca since 1990 when it acquired Mecca Leisure Group for £512 million. Online operations run through Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited on the RIDE platform with Playtech Bingo. This is the flagship brand, not a casino with bingo attached.
Mecca Bingo is the UK's flagship bingo brand operated by Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited under UKGC account 57924. It runs on Rank's RIDE platform with Playtech Bingo, offering exclusive rooms, dedicated apps for iOS and Android, live bingo from real clubs, and integration with 65+ physical venues. It suits players who want the full bingo experience rather than a stripped-back alternative.
What Can I Do at Mecca Bingo?
More than most bingo sites. Mecca has dedicated apps, live bingo events, club integration and exclusive rooms you will not find elsewhere. No sportsbook and no poker, but if you want those, Grosvenor Casinos is the Rank brand for that.
Online Bingo
You get 90-ball, 75-ball, 80-ball and 50-ball games across Mecca's own rooms plus networked Playtech Bingo rooms. The games run on the same Virtue Fusion software behind Betfred Bingo and Buzz Bingo.
Unlike Lucky Pants Bingo and Kitty Bingo (which get a subset of rooms), Mecca has the full selection plus exclusive rooms only available here.
| Room | Type | What It Offers |
|---|---|---|
| Main Event | 90-ball | Flagship room, games throughout the day, bigger pots than side brands |
| Gold Bingo | 90-ball | Premium room with higher stakes and larger prizes |
| Two Little Ducks | 90-ball | 24/7 room with rolling jackpots |
| Best Odds Bingo | 90-ball | Capped players and equal tickets for better odds |
| Deal or No Deal Bingo | 90-ball | TV show tie-in with banker bonus rounds |
| Fluffy Favourites Bingo | 90-ball | Eyecon themed room, popular with slots crossover players |
| Cashline | 80-ball | Also available in clubs, faster format |
| Burst Bingo | 50-ball | Balloons pop to reveal your numbers, quick games |
| Emoji Bingo | 50-ball | Emojis instead of numbers, designed for mobile |
| Loose Women Bingo | 90-ball | ITV tie-in room |
| Free Bingo Rooms | Various | Scheduled free games, no ticket purchase required |
| Penny Bingo | Various | 1p tickets for low-stakes play |
| Clover Rollover | 90-ball | Progressive jackpot that builds until won |
| Spirit Twister Bingo | 90-ball | Themed room with bonus wheel feature |
Live Bingo - Mega Money Live
Mega Money Live is a live linked game streamed directly from a Mecca club. Online players join up with players in Mecca clubs across the UK to take part in a 90-ball game with a real caller. The top prize is £35,000 and you can pre-buy tickets online or buy on the night in club.
Buzz Bingo does something similar with Bullseye Live Bingo, streaming from their studio to clubs. The difference is Mecca streams from actual club venues rather than a dedicated studio. If live-caller bingo matters to you, both Mecca and Buzz offer it.
Chat to Other Bingo Players and Hosts
Every room has a chat window where players talk to each other and the host. Hosts run quizzes and side games between draws, giving away free spins and bonus credit. It is part of the bingo experience Mecca has always traded on.
The downside of being the flagship: rooms get busy. During peak times, chat scrolls past faster than you can read it. If you want slower chat where hosts know your name, Kitty or Lucky Pants are the quieter Rank alternatives.
Experience Slots and Casino Games
Hundreds of slots sit alongside the bingo rooms from these providers:
| Provider | Popular Titles |
|---|---|
| Eyecon | Fluffy Favourites, Fluffy Too, Temple of Iris |
| Blueprint Gaming | Eye of Horus, Fishin' Frenzy, Genie Jackpots |
| Pragmatic Play | Big Bass Bonanza, Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus |
| NetEnt | Starburst, Gonzo's Quest, Divine Fortune |
| Play'n GO | Book of Dead, Reactoonz, Fire Joker |
| Games Global | Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck II |
| Red Tiger | Gonzo's Quest Megaways, Piggy Riches Megaways |
| Aristocrat | Buffalo, 50 Lions, Queen of the Nile (rare on Playtech sites) |
Aristocrat slots are worth noting. Most Playtech Bingo sites do not have them. Mecca does, which matters if you are looking for titles like Buffalo, 50 Lions or Double Bubble.
Slingo
Slingo games from Gaming Realms combine slots and bingo mechanics. Titles like Slingo Rainbow Riches and Slingo Starburst have built a following with players who want something different from standard slots.
Instant Wins
Scratch cards and quick games give you something to play between bingo sessions if you do not want to commit to a full slots session.
Live Casino
Tables from Evolution run 24/7 with real dealers on camera. The selection covers roulette, blackjack, baccarat and game shows like Crazy Time and Deal or No Deal Live. The live casino exists, but bingo is the main draw here. If you want a casino-first experience, Grosvenor Casinos is the Rank brand built for that.
Apps and Club Integration
Dedicated apps set this brand apart from the side brands:
- Mecca Bingo app (iOS and Android) - full online bingo and slots experience
- My Mecca app - club bookings, session times, in-venue features
- Mecca Connect - play online games on Max tablets inside clubs
If you have a club membership, you can link it to your online account using your membership number. Visit regularly and you may qualify for cross-channel rewards. Wallets are separate between online and in-club, but the integration is closer than any other UK bingo operator.
What you cannot do: No sports betting (try Grosvenor), no poker room. If you want pure slots without bingo, Mecca Games is the Rank brand for that.
The History of Mecca Bingo
The Mecca brand originated from land based bingo halls 40 years before it went online. The clubs opened in 1961, the website launched in 2000. That matters because most competitors did it the other way round: they started as online casinos and bolted on bingo later. Mecca built its bingo operation first.
Ownership and Operator
| Current Operator | Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited |
| UKGC Licence | 57924 |
| Parent Company | The Rank Group plc (LSE: RNK) |
| CEO | John O'Reilly (since 2018) |
| Headquarters | Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK |
| Platform | RIDE (Rank Interactive Digital Entertainment) |
| Bingo Software | Playtech Bingo (Virtue Fusion) |
| UK Clubs | Around 65 venues |
The Rank Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange, which means public reporting requirements and shareholder accountability that private operators do not have. Rank also operates Grosvenor Casinos (50+ UK venues) and acquired the Stride Gaming brands (Lucky Pants Bingo, Kitty Bingo) in 2019.
Past Ownership
The Mecca name goes back further than most people realise. Carl Heimann and Byron Davies founded Mecca Leisure Group as a dance hall operator. Eric Morley, who also created the Miss World pageant, introduced bingo to Mecca's venues in 1961.
The Rank Organisation acquired Mecca Leisure Group in 1990 for £512 million. Through the 90s and 2000s, Mecca and Gala Bingo were the two main high street rivals, with clubs in most UK towns. Gala sold its bingo halls to Caledonia Investments in 2015, which rebranded them as Buzz Bingo in 2018. Buzz still operates both land-based clubs and online. Rank kept its Mecca estate throughout and remains one of the few operators with both physical venues and a website.
The online arm launched in 2000, making Mecca one of the earliest UK bingo sites. Unlike operators who started online and added bingo as an afterthought, Mecca built its bingo infrastructure first.
TV Tie-Ins and Sponsorships
TV tie-ins and sponsorships have been a big part of the brand, mainly with ITV daytime and game shows.
Loose Women (ITV) - Mecca became the lead sponsor of Loose Women from 2024, with on-air idents and integrated campaigns. There is a dedicated Loose Women Bingo room (90-ball, themed on the show) and Gaming Realms built Stylish Slingo, an exclusive Slingo title based on the ITV programme.
Celebrity Lingo (ITV) - Mecca is the title sponsor of Celebrity Lingo, hosted by RuPaul, with a prime-time Sunday slot. The partnership features in MeccaTV promos and prize draws, though there is no separate Lingo bingo room.
X Factor Bingo - Mecca offered a branded 90-ball X Factor room with judges theme and bonus features. Room availability changes over time, so check the lobby for what is currently running.
These TV tie-ins are separate from Mecca's other exclusive rooms. Rooms like Main Event, Gold and Burst Bingo come from Mecca's direct arrangement with Playtech, not from TV partnerships.
Timeline
| 1961 | Eric Morley introduces bingo to Mecca dance halls |
| 1990 | Rank Organisation acquires Mecca Leisure Group |
| 2000 | Mecca Bingo launches online |
| 2003 | Rank acquires Blue Square for online gambling |
| 2015 | Gala Coral sells Gala clubs to Caledonia (later Buzz Bingo) |
| 2018 | John O'Reilly becomes Rank CEO |
| 2019 | Rank acquires Stride Gaming (adds Lucky Pants, Kitty Bingo) |
| 2020-2022 | Stride brands migrated to RIDE platform with Playtech Bingo |
| 2022 | UKGC fines for safer gambling failures |
| 2024 | Around 65 Mecca clubs still operating |
How Does Mecca Compare to...
Its Rank Group Family
As the flagship brand, Mecca sits alongside several others under Rank Interactive. All share the same UKGC licence and platform, but target different players.
| Brand | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| Kitty Bingo | Community bingo, quieter rooms, penny tickets, regulars who chat |
| Lucky Pants Bingo | Fast 50-ball games, stripped-back lobby, no upsells |
| Mecca Games | Slots-only brand, no bingo or casino tables |
| Grosvenor Casinos | Casino-first brand, 50+ UK venues, sports betting, poker |
| The Vic | Premium casino brand based on the Victoria Casino London |
If Mecca feels too busy, try other Mecca Bingo sister sites. Same Playtech software, quieter rooms. If you self-exclude from Mecca, it applies across all Rank sites.
Mecca vs Gala vs Buzz
These are the three names most people associate with UK bingo. They are now completely separate companies on different platforms.
| Brand | Owner / Platform |
|---|---|
| Mecca Bingo | The Rank Group / Playtech Bingo |
| Gala Bingo | LC International Limited (Entain) / Entain proprietary platform (left Playtech 2021) |
| Buzz Bingo | Buzz Bingo Digital / Playtech Bingo (100+ UK clubs) |
Mecca and Buzz share some Playtech network rooms. Gala is on a completely different platform since 2021. Different operators, different licences, different experiences.
Other Playtech Bingo Brands
Other sites also run Playtech Bingo. The software powers bingo rooms across multiple operators. Jackpots like Deal or No Deal Bingo and Fluffy Favourites Bingo are networked, so you might be playing against someone on a different site.
| Site | Operator |
|---|---|
| Betfred Bingo | Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited |
| Buzz Bingo | Buzz Bingo Digital (100+ UK clubs) |
| Heart Bingo | BV Gaming Limited |
The main games are the same across all Playtech Bingo sites. What differs is branding, promotions, lobby design, exclusive rooms and which extras each operator offers. Mecca has more exclusive rooms and club integration than any competitor.
UKGC Regulatory Issues
Mecca Bingo is operated by Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited under UKGC licence 57924, which means it is legally permitted to offer gambling to UK customers and subject to British consumer protections. The Gambling Commission can fine, suspend or shut down any operator that breaks the rules.
Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited itself has no regulatory actions on record. However, other entities within The Rank Group have had issues:
January 2022: £700,557 fine (Rank Digital Gaming). A separate Rank entity paid a regulatory settlement for safer gambling failures. Over 1,400 self-excluded customers managed to open new accounts at Bella Casino and Mecca Games (separate Rank products). The systems that should have blocked them did not work properly.
October 2022: £5.85 million fine (Daub Alderney). This fine was against Daub Alderney Limited for failures at Kitty Bingo and Lucky Pants Bingo. The investigation covered January 2019 to March 2020 and found customers losing tens of thousands with minimal operator intervention. Daub was by then a Rank subsidiary, but a separate licensed entity.
Combined: Rank Group entities have been involved in fines totalling over £6.5 million in 2022. Rank Interactive's own licence (57924) remains clean, but the group-level history is relevant context.
Safer gambling tools now include deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly), session time limits, reality checks, cooling off periods and self-exclusion. Self-exclusion from Mecca should cover all Rank sites. For all UK gambling sites at once, register with GAMSTOP.
The Bottom Line
Mecca Bingo is one of a handful of UK sites that actually started as a bingo company. Clubs since 1961, online since 2000. That history matters because most "bingo sites" today are casino operations with a bingo tab bolted on. Mecca built bingo rooms first and added slots later, not the other way round.
What works: Exclusive bingo rooms you will not find elsewhere (Main Event, Gold, Best Odds, Loose Women). Live bingo from real clubs via Mega Money Live. Dedicated apps for iOS and Android. Aristocrat slots that are rare on Playtech sites. Real chat hosts. Around 65 physical venues you can walk into. Genuine heritage brand.
What does not: No sportsbook. No poker. Busier rooms than the side brands. Other Rank Group entities have been fined (Rank Digital Gaming in 2022, Daub Alderney in 2018/2021), though Rank Interactive itself has a clean record.
Overall, Mecca Bingo offers what most do not: genuine bingo heritage, 65+ physical clubs, exclusive rooms, live-caller events, dedicated apps and the option to link your online account with a local venue. If you want proper bingo with history behind it, this is the UK site that actually started as a bingo company.
| Mecca Bingo Overview |
|---|
| Operated by Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited |
| UKGC licence 57924 |
| Playtech Bingo (Virtue Fusion) platform |
| 90-ball, 75-ball, 80-ball and 50-ball rooms |
| Slots, Slingo, instant wins and live casino |
| Dedicated iOS and Android apps |
| Around 65 UK clubs with online integration |
| Live bingo events (Mega Money Live) |
| £5 minimum deposit, £10 minimum withdrawal |
Why We List and Track This Brand
This is one of the few bingo sites worth taking seriously. It has 60+ years of history, physical venues and an operator listed on the London Stock Exchange. That deserves proper documentation, not marketing fluff.
Everything here comes from public sources: UKGC decisions, Companies House filings, Rank's investor reports, direct testing. The fine amounts are from Gambling Commission publications. The club numbers are from Rank's annual reports.
Why bother? Because Mecca is genuinely different from casino sites that bolted on bingo as an afterthought. The heritage is real. The clubs are real. The regulatory issues are also real. You need the full picture to decide if it is right for you.
Mecca Bingo: FAQs
- Who owns Mecca Bingo?
The Rank Group plc owns Mecca Bingo. Online operations run through Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited under UKGC licence 57924. John O'Reilly has been CEO since 2018. Same company runs Grosvenor Casinos, Kitty Bingo and Lucky Pants Bingo.
- Is online Mecca the same as the clubs?
Same company, different experience. You can link your club membership to your online account. Mecca Connect lets you play online games on Max tablets inside clubs. But wallets are separate and rooms differ between online and in-club. The "My Mecca" app handles club bookings separately from the main Mecca Bingo app.
- Has Mecca Bingo been fined by the UKGC?
Rank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited - the operator behind Mecca Bingo under UKGC licence 57924 - has no regulatory actions on record. However, other Rank Group entities have been fined: Rank Digital Gaming paid £700,557 in January 2022 for safer gambling failures, and Daub Alderney was fined £5.85 million in October 2022 for failures at Kitty Bingo and Lucky Pants Bingo. These were separate licensed entities within the same corporate group.
- How do I contact Mecca Bingo?
Live chat, phone and email support are available. For formal complaints unresolved after 8 weeks, escalate to IBAS. Check meccabingo.com for current contact details and hours.
- Can I self-exclude from just Mecca?
Self-exclusion should cover all Rank sites (Grosvenor, Kitty Bingo, Lucky Pants). Given Rank's 2022 fine for self-exclusion failures, verify it is working. For all UK gambling sites, use GAMSTOP.
- Is Mecca Bingo legit?
Yes. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission under account 57924. Online since 2000, clubs since 1961. Part of The Rank Group plc (LSE listed). Mecca is the flagship bingo brand with genuine heritage, not a casino with bingo attached.
- What are the deposit and withdrawal options?
Debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Paysafecard are available. Minimum deposit is £5. Payment methods and processing times change, so check the cashier at meccabingo.com for current options.
- Does Mecca Bingo have an app?
Yes. Mecca Bingo app for iOS and Android handles online bingo and slots. The separate "My Mecca" app handles club bookings and in-venue features. Same login for both.
- Is Mecca Bingo on the same network as Gala or Buzz?
Mecca and Buzz both use Playtech Bingo and share some network rooms. Gala left Playtech in 2021 and runs on Entain's proprietary platform. Different operators, different licences.
- What exclusive bingo rooms does Mecca have?
Main Event (flagship 90-ball), Gold Bingo (premium stakes), Two Little Ducks (24/7 jackpots), Best Odds Bingo (capped players), Cashline (80-ball), Burst Bingo (50-ball), Emoji Bingo (50-ball) and Loose Women Bingo. These are not available on non-Rank sites.
- What happened to Mecca Bingo halls?
Still open. Around 65 Mecca clubs operate across the UK. Unlike Gala (which sold to what became Buzz Bingo), Mecca kept its retail estate. Clubs run afternoon and evening sessions with human callers plus event nights.
- What is the difference between Mecca and Gala?
Different companies. Mecca is The Rank Group, Gala is operated by LC International Limited (part of Entain). Mecca has around 65 UK clubs, Gala sold its clubs in 2015 (now Buzz Bingo). Mecca uses Playtech Bingo, Gala moved to Entain's proprietary platform in 2021. Different platforms, different licences.
Last updated: 16 January 2026 by Rachael Bullock
Independent monitoring: We track Mecca Bingo as part of our ongoing coverage of the bingo and casino industry. This page is fact-checked against UKGC registers, Companies House records and Mecca Bingo's official site.
Affiliate disclosure: We're an affiliate partner of Mecca Bingo, which means we may earn a commission if you sign up via links on this page. This doesn't influence what we write. All links go directly to the genuine, UKGC-licensed site.
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