Member Event with Phil Cronin, Tombola

30 April 2019, 18:00 - 20:30

Tombola HQ, Wylam Wharf, Sunderland SR1 2JR

Starting out in 1897 as Edward Thompson, a stationery shop in the heart of Sunderland, it wasn’t until Phil Cronin’s father, Frank, took over the family business in the 1960’s that the bingo story began.

Frank was an entrepreneur and mathematical genius, who created and produced his own printed bingo tickets, catapulting the business to become the biggest bingo ticket producer in the world.

Joining his father in the 1990’s, Phil expanded the business to sell interactive game cards, before taking charge and launching Intermedia Games in 1994 and then Tombola in 1999.

Initially building free-to-play games of chance for clients such as eBay and lastminute.com, Tombola received its first remote gaming license in 2005 and has gone on to become Britain’s biggest bingo site and one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK.

Last year turnover for the gaming giant reached almost £75m, with 450 staff working across sites in Sunderland, Italy, Spain and Gibraltar. They aim to double in size by 2020.

A crucial part of Tombola’s business plan for future growth is their brand new £7m HQ that has just opened in Sunderland and is already helping Phil and his team attract some of the best tech talent from the region and further afield.

Designed by Ryder Architecture, the 25,000 sq. ft. addition to Sunderland’s skyline incorporates both new and old buildings, with modern and technologically advanced open plan offices, a free onsite cafe and even a gym for employees.

Join us to hear from Phil about Tombola’s growth journey and future plans and to be one of the first people to enjoy a tour of the new Wylam Wharf riverside campus.

The Small Print - Guest places are available at this event for £25+Vat, payable in advance. Unfortunately we are not able to reimburse this cost if your guest place is cancelled within 72 hours of the event.

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