The Sunderland-based company can produce up to 200m bingo tickets a week after installing the high-speed press, its first move into digital colour.

The purchase has enabled the leisure and gaming company to produce a range of bingo tickets with personalised text and images.

The ‘3rd Generation Bingo’ (3GB) game books can feature locally-relevant and bespoke information such
as advertising, offers and sponsorship.

According to the company, the shift to digital has resulted in shorter turnaround times.

Paddy Cronin, managing director of Edwardthompson, said: We carefully researched the market and found the Screen-Hunkeler combination to offer the best all-round, proven and consistent solution from all the technologies on offer. The solution is very cost-effective.

More than 100 bingo clubs have already adopted the 3GB books, with Cronin anticipating growth in the sector in the coming months.

We can now add new games and new ways to win with more depth that would just not have been possible before. It improves both player experience and bingo club revenues and early reaction is extremely positive, he added.

The Screen Truepress Jet520 can print up to 128 meters per minute at a web width on a single engine and at double that speed with a duplex engine installed,