The Amusement Network

16/09/2026

It's the year 2009 and we're at one of the industry's favourite events - the Dublin AMEX show!
📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/47/amex-2009

16/09/2026

Registration is now open for CompSocUK, the competitive socialising expo returning as part of EAG360 at ExCeL London in January 2027.

The show is aimed at operators and owners looking to create social, immersive and technology-led entertainment venues across hospitality, retail and beyond.

Find out more and how to register for EAG360 2027:

CompSocUK is the only expo where operators and owners in the competitive socialising sector can see new products and venue innovations all in one place. Registration for the 2027 show is now open as part of EAG360 alongside Amuse Expo and London Gaming Sho

16/09/2026

New research commissioned by EUROMAT estimates that Europe’s illegal online market generated €12bn in net revenue in 2025, having tripled in size since 2019.

📈 The illegal market is now estimated to equal 25% of Europe’s total online gambling sector
🔍 The study analysed 28 European online gambling markets, using more than 1,000 hours of data analysis
⚠️ Researchers say regulatory restrictions and consumer friction can contribute to players moving from legal to illegal operators
🪙 Cryptocurrency is identified as an increasingly important tool for black-market operators, offering product differentiation and regulatory workarounds
💷 Euromat warns that illegal operators divert consumer spending away from regulated businesses and government tax revenues
🛡️ The research also raises concerns around player protection, particularly where vulnerable customers migrate to unregulated sites
🚨 Euromat says the findings will form part of its engagement with policymakers and law enforcement agencies across Europe

Read the full article for more on the research, its findings and Euromat’s response:

The most detailed analysis ever conducted of illegal online gambling in Europe has demonstrated the size of the unregulated ‘black- market’ which it calculates was worth €12bn in net revenue in 2025 – a figure which has tripled in size since 2019 a

08/09/2026

For this week's gallery, it's the year 2000 and the industry are in for the show and the Hall of Fame Dinner...
📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/16/blackpool-2000-hall-of-fame-dinner

08/09/2026

This month, Joyce reflects on friendship, memories and celebrations across the amusement industry, and remembers Dave Tanner, formerly of VFS Cardiff, following his recent passing.

Read Joyce’s August column for all the stories and memories:

I recently received an email from New Zealand from Brian Devlin whose company was ASI in Ireland before he moved to New Zealand. It was a sad email as he reported about the passing of Dave Tanner ex VFS (video Fruit Services) Cardiff.

08/09/2026

Buzz Bingo is seeing stronger interest from younger customers, with almost half of its 190,000 new club customers during the year aged under 35...

👥 Almost 100,000 new under-35 customers joined Buzz Bingo during the year
📈 Overall revenue rose 11% to £241.4m, with land-based clubs generating £192.3m
🎉 New customers aged under 25 increased 16% in the second half of the year
🏗️ Investment in Buzz’s 76-club estate includes self-service kiosks, improved Wi-Fi and 10,000+ electronic bingo terminals
🚀 Seven refurbished clubs are reportedly achieving around 20% higher admissions than the rest of the estate
📱 Digital sales also increased 11% to £49.1m, while online customers rose 18%
⚠️ Rising employment costs saw underlying profit fall 6% to £39.2m

The results suggest is increasingly finding a place as an affordable social night out for Gen Z and millennials, while investment in modernised clubs is helping operators bring new audiences through the doors.

Read the full article for more on Buzz Bingo’s results:

Almost half of 190,000 new club customers were under 35 as investment in the Buzz estate helps attract a new generation of bingo players

08/09/2026

Bacta has stepped up its criticism of the Government’s approach to the land-based sector, warning that and regulation should not be used to drive legitimate businesses out of existence.

🏛️ Bacta is challenging claims that gambling premises and amusement arcades are “rapidly spreading” across Britain’s high streets
📉 Gambling Commission figures show licensed gambling premises have been declining, with AGCs down around 12% since 2015
💷 Licensed arcades contributed £256m in direct taxes and irrecoverable VAT in 2024, according to Bacta
⚠️ Bacta is particularly concerned about removing the “aim to permit” principle, which could give councils greater scope to reject new premises
🎰 The association says policymakers must recognise the differences between AGCs, FECs, betting shops and online gambling
🚨 Allaster Gair warns that excessive regulation could become “prohibition by another route” for lawful operators

The intervention raises a wider question for the sector: how far should governments go in regulating businesses that are legal, licensed and contributing to the economy?

Read the full article for Bacta’s response:

02/09/2026

In this week's gallery, it's 2001 and the industry has gathered for Nigal and Gerry's golf day dinner...
📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/109/nigel-and-gerry-s-golf-day-part-2-2001

02/09/2026

🎱 The UK sector is showing signs of renewed confidence, with new club investment, younger audiences and the abolition of helping to improve the outlook.

Quick highlights:
🎉 New venues are opening, with further developments in the pipeline

💷 Club 3000 Bingo is investing £27m across its estate, including a new £5m Sunderland venue due in early 2027

👥 Younger customers are showing interest in traditional, social bingo, including paper bingo

📊 Land-based bingo generated £650.4m in gross gambling yield between April 2024 and March 2025, compared with £165.6m online

🏘️ Bingo clubs continue to be positioned as community and social assets, competing for leisure time alongside pubs, cinemas and competitive socialising

💷 The abolition of Bingo Duty from April has provided welcome relief, although operators still face pressures from staffing, energy and business rates

👉 Read the full article for more on the changing UK bingo market and where the sector is heading:

The UK bingo sector is showing signs of renewed confidence, with new club investment, growing interest from younger players and the abolition of Bingo Duty helping to improve the outlook for the industry.

02/09/2026

Teignmouth’s historic Grand Pier is facing an uncertain future as coastal erosion and storm damage put increasing pressure on the Victorian structure...

🌊 Storm Ingrid damaged the end of the pier in January, while falling sand levels are exposing supporting piles to heavier seas

💷 The owners say they have invested almost £750,000 in repairs since 2014

📢 A petition calling for urgent coastal protection has attracted almost 900 signatures

🏗️ A long-term coastal protection scheme is being developed, but a Government funding decision may not come until 2028/29, with works potentially completed around 2030

🎡 The privately owned pier remains an important home for traditional seaside amusements and family entertainment

❤️ A fundraising campaign is now helping finance further structural repairs at

Save Grand Pier Teignmouth Good afternoon, Teignmouth Community, Grand Pier has stood… Maddy Brenner needs your support for Save Grand Pier Teignmouth