Microgaming closes bingo network

Microgaming has confirmed the closure of its bingo network six months after closing its poker network.

The closure of the bingo network will mark the end of an era for Microgaming and the beginning of a new one in which it will focus solely on online casino content.

A spokesperson confirmed the move in a statement given exclusively to Gaming Intelligence: “Microgaming elected to close its bingo network following an extensive strategic review earlier this year.”

Operators were told of the decision in January. Companies using Microgaming’s bingo platform have included the likes of Betsson, Butlers Bingo, 32Red, Betway and Danske Spil. According to Which Bingo, Microgaming had eight sites on the network at the end of 2019.

"We notified affected operators in January and have been working with them closely to minimise disruption," continued the spokesperson. "For reasons of confidentiality, we cannot confirm the names of those operators nor, as we are working with those customers on the closure plan, exactly when the network will shut down."

The company’s managing director for bingo, Leon Thomas, joined the Isle of Man-based supplier in June last year from IWG and has been overseeing the process. Despite Thomas’s experience with the likes of Tombola, Rank, bwin and Caesars, the vertical continued to struggle and closing down was seen as the only viable option.

It is understood that Thomas will remain at Microgaming for now in a new strategic role, which will be "revealed in due course," according to the spokesperson.