Bingo’s new tune

Mecca Bingo, one of Britain’s biggest bingo firms, is trying to tempt back gamblers with music-themed events after customer numbers fell by 7.9pc last year.

Parent Rank Group, which also owns Grosvenor casinos, posted a 41pc plunge in profits to £46.7m during the year to June 30 compared with a year earlier. Sales at its gambling venues slumped by 3.9pc, causing its total revenues to drop by 2.3pc to £738m.

The company is betting on new gambling events and themed nights including karaoke and prizes ranging from holidays to unicorn onesies.