Rank unveils tablets to keep a full house at bingo halls The gaming group, which also owns Grosvenor Casinos, is trialling the idea at its latest venue in Reading. Playing bingo electronically on portable tablet devices, similar to iPads, requires less concentration, according to Rank's chairman and chief executive Ian Burke, allowing players to eat, drink and chat while playing. Although the group believes the traditional game, with distinctive calls such as Two Fat Ladies, Gandhi's Breakfast and Duck and a Crutch, will always exist, Mr Burke believes electronic bingo will appeal to a younger generation during a night out with their friends. The group believes there are opportunities to capitalise on the popularity of online bingo by expanding digital gaming at its venues as well. "The electronic gaming has definitely got an appeal to the under-35s," said Mr Burke, adding that even men in their mid-20s have been attracted to bingo on portable tablets. The group believes the new format could attract a "more even gender mix." Players can tap on the screens when their numbers come up but there is also a function to catch up if they have missed a few calls. Mr Burke said: "Electronic gaming offers all sorts of additional benefits to players. I wouldn't describe our handheld devices as an iPad, but it's the same principle. Like many people, three years ago I would never have imagined iPads being as popular or as successful as they are. A lot of people love the tactile aspect of playing bingo with paper and pen and I imagine that will be around for a long, long time to come. But playing bingo electronically is much more akin to playing it on the internet except it's done in a social and community setting. Rank, which is controlled by Malaysia's Guoco Group, recently struck a £179m deal with Gala Coral Group to buy 19 casinos, making it the biggest operator in Britain.