If you’ve ever wondered why a UK bingo brand is named after one of the most sacred cities in Islam, you're not alone. Mecca Bingo is one of the most recognisable names in British gambling, but its name has sparked questions — and at times, serious controversy.
Despite what some might assume, Mecca Bingo was not named with religious intent. The origins of the name go back nearly a century to Britain’s booming dance hall scene, long before bingo became the business’s main attraction.
Here's the full story of how Mecca Bingo got its name, why the name stuck, and how it’s been received over the years.
A Name From a Different Time
The word “Mecca” has long been used in English as a metaphor for a place people flock to — a “Mecca for tourists” or a “Mecca for shoppers.” This casual use was common in the early 20th century, and that’s exactly the context in which the Mecca brand was born.
In 1933, two businessmen, Carl Heimann and Byron Davies, founded Mecca Agency Limited, launching a chain of dance halls under the name Mecca Dancing. The name wasn’t chosen to reference the Islamic holy city directly — rather, it was meant to reflect a place people would want to visit.
Over the next few decades, Mecca became a household name in British entertainment. Its venues weren’t just places to dance — they were cultural hubs. The company ran dance halls in cities all across the UK, including famous venues like the Hammersmith Palais in London. Mecca venues featured on TV shows such as BBC’s Come Dancing and helped launch the careers of well-known entertainers.
From Dancing to Dabbing: The Birth of Mecca Bingo
By the late 1950s, Mecca’s dance halls were still prominent, but ballroom dancing as a pastime was beginning to fade. Enter Eric Morley, a key figure in Mecca’s history who was then serving as the company’s General Manager of Dancing.
On a visit to the United States, Morley saw how popular bingo was becoming across the Atlantic. He realised it could be just what Mecca needed to bring new life to its venues. The spacious ballrooms were perfectly suited for bingo games — they had the seating, the sound systems, and a ready-made audience.
In the early 1960s, Mecca launched its first bingo hall, Rosehill, and it was a huge success. Within a few years, bingo had overtaken dancing as the main attraction in Mecca venues across the country.
By the time The Rank Organisation acquired Mecca Leisure Group in 1990 for £512 million, bingo was no longer just a sideline — it was the brand’s main business. And so the name Mecca moved with it into a new era of entertainment.
Why the Name Stayed
Even as Mecca moved away from dancing and fully embraced bingo, the name didn’t change. Why would it? It had already built decades of brand recognition.
At the time, few considered the potential religious implications of keeping the name. In the mid-20th century, the use of “Mecca” in everyday language was still seen as a harmless metaphor. But that perception began to shift in the 1990s.
Controversy and Cultural Sensitivity
As Britain became more culturally and religiously diverse, some names and references once considered inoffensive began to be seen in a different light. For Muslim communities in particular, the use of the word Mecca for a gambling brand became a serious issue.
The most high-profile controversy came in 1998 in the town of Luton, where local Muslims protested against the Mecca Bingo hall. They argued that linking the holiest city in Islam to gambling — a practice forbidden in their faith — was deeply offensive. On Christmas Day, tensions boiled over when bricks were thrown through the windows of the Luton Mecca Bingo venue, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
How Mecca Bingo Responded
Mecca Bingo initially defended its position, pointing out that the name had existed for decades and that it was not chosen to offend or disrespect anyone’s faith. Company representatives stated that Mecca was simply the long-standing brand name used across the country.
But they also recognised the need to listen. After meeting with Muslim leaders in Luton, the company agreed to change the name of the Luton venue. The action showed a willingness to address local concerns and defuse tensions through dialogue.
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Mecca Bingo Today
Despite these controversies, Mecca Bingo has remained one of the UK’s leading bingo operators. It’s now owned by The Rank Group, which also owns Grosvenor Casinos and operates gaming venues in Spain.
Today, Mecca Bingo operates both physical bingo clubs and a popular online platform, offering bingo games, slot machines, and themed experiences like Emoji Bingo or Britain’s Got Talent Bingo. The business serves around one million customers annually.
The company went digital in 2000, launching its website and later its app, allowing users to play from their phones and tablets. The online platform now includes over 20 bingo rooms and more than 160 slot games — a far cry from its dance hall days.
Final Thoughts
So, why is Mecca Bingo called Mecca?
The answer lies in a different era — a time when the word “Mecca” was used to describe a popular gathering place, not necessarily a religious one. The brand took its name from the Mecca Dance Halls that once lit up Britain’s nightlife in the 1930s and 40s. As bingo took over in the 1960s, the name simply carried over.
But the way we understand words can change — just like the values people hold. A name that once felt harmless can take on a very different tone in a changing society.
To its credit, the company has shown that it's willing to evolve — not just with new technology, but with cultural awareness too.
Mecca Bingo’s story is about more than just games and jackpots. It reflects how businesses and communities adapt, respond, and move forward together.
