Rising costs have pushed bingo halls toward a precarious spot, and the Valencian Association of Legalized Games (Ejuva) has formally appealed to the Generalitat to review the feasibility plan amid the ceiling set by regional game regulations that limits any rise in carton prices. The sector argues that the current framework leaves business owners little room to adapt to mounting expenses, threatening the continued operation of venues across the Valencia region.
Affiliates of the Community’s Leisure and Tourism Federation (Fotur) report that input costs are climbing steadily—raw materials, rental charges, and staff wages have surged, with an average uptick around 30 percent. Add to this the recent spike in electricity prices, and the financial squeeze becomes even more acute. In this environment, Ejuva emphasizes that the gross profitability generated from game cards sits in the 12 to 14 percent range, a level that fails to cover the room’s profitability threshold and results in meaningful losses for operators.
Business leaders warn that the sale of cardboard and related supplies remains sluggish, while price controls anchored in regional regulations prevent venues from offsetting cost increases through pricing without violating policy frameworks. The overall message is clear: without targeted relief or a viable long-term plan, the sector stands on the brink of economic collapse, jeopardizing more than two thousand direct jobs linked to the Valencia Community’s bingo facilities.
The economic risk is especially pronounced given past disruptions from the pandemic, which imposed strict restrictions and a gradual reopening. During the height of the health crisis, bingo halls operated at reduced capacity, limiting revenue when demand remained robust in other entertainment sectors. A 50 percent capacity cap and consequent revenue declines compiled into significant financial stress, with Fotur estimating that the leisure and entertainment segment in the Community incurred substantial losses in the first half of 2020. In this context, Ejuva had urged authorities to implement a recovery plan tailored to bingo halls to cushion the sector from ongoing price pressures and regulatory rigidity.
As prices continue to rise across materials, utilities, and labor, operators argue that the current market environment is unsustainable. They call for urgent measures that would preserve the viability of venues, support ongoing employment, and ensure the cultural and recreational value Bingo brings to communities remains accessible. The broader economic impact is not confined to the halls themselves; it touches suppliers, staff, and local economies dependent on steady consumer activity and tourism-related spending. Stakeholders insist that a well-considered viability strategy is essential to stabilize the sector, safeguard livelihoods, and maintain the social fabric surrounding community entertainment offerings. (Source: Ejuva, Fotur)