How the Internet Rebranded Bingo as a Game for All Ages?

The game of bingo was once associated with elderly ladies with blue rinses, visiting their local community centers for a few games. Among the older generation, bingo was a hugely popular pastime throughout the middle years of the 20th century. From 1960 when the UK Gambling Act legalized playing for real money, thousands upon thousands flocked to their local bingo halls each week to participate, socialize and try to win a cash prize. In 1963, it was estimated that there were 14 million people in the UK who regularly played bingo.

Bingo Loses Its Bang

During the late 1980s and 1990s, the popularity of bingo began to wane, and numbers dropped even further after the turn of the century. A large part of this was credited to the introduction of the smoking ban in the UK, which prevented people from smoking in public indoor spaces.

Hundreds of bingo halls closed and player numbers dropped to an all-time low of just 1.5 million by the early 2000s. However, it was at this point that people began to have more regular access to the internet, not only from home but also, from 2007 and beyond, via their mobile phones.

The Online Revolution

Bingo became a popular idea for app developers

As mobile phone technology advanced, people began to use their devices for more than just calling and texting. The introduction of apps led to people using their phones for almost any form of activity or entertainment, with one of the most popular uses being to play games. In 2018, there were an estimated 2.3 billion gamers worldwide, with 51% of gaming revenue coming from mobile.

As gaming increased in popularity, many software developers were searching for ideas to broaden the scope of games on offer. As simple to play, previously popular game, bingo became a top choice for game developers to work with. Multiple websites and apps sprang up offering online bingo similarly to Paddy Power Bingo and the audience reaction was phenomenal.

A Widening Demographic

Online bingo appealed to a wider younger audience

The new bingo apps and websites not only appealed to the traditional bingo-playing demographic, but also to a wider, younger, and more diverse audience. Online providers have taken the most popular elements of traditional bingo and given the game a modern twist. Many of the best UK bingo sites cater to the fact that this is generally seen as a social game, with many players appreciating the opportunity to connect with friends as well as enjoy the game.

Recent statistics show that, while bingo is still primarily appealing to women, almost a quarter (22%) of players today are male. The average age range for online bingo players is between 34 and 65, and most players have more than one online account. Of those that play bingo online, 78% will access games at least once a week. There are now more than 3.5 million online bingo players in the UK which, while nowhere near the heady heights of player numbers in the game’s 1960s heyday, show how much bingo has increased in popularity in recent years.

Choice and Convenience

The advent of online bingo websites and apps revamped the game and made it more contemporary, with modern graphics and themes based on popular culture. Being able to play online also gave people more choice and more convenience. With mobile especially, players can now log into their favourite bingo app at any time, no matter where they happen to be.

With hundreds of websites to choose from and a broad variety of games within each site, players also have far more choice over what games to play than they ever did in traditional bingo halls. Players are no longer limited to their closest geographical site but can browse hundreds of providers to find the one they like the best.

Bonuses and Promotions

Most bingo websites offer a variety of bonuses and promotions, both to attract new players and retain existing customers. These might include deposit-matching bonuses, a certain number of free-to-play games, loyalty points that can be exchanged for prizes, bonuses for introducing friends and more.

Savvy players can indulge in several games of bingo each week without having to commit huge sums of money if they find the best bonuses and promotions.

Chat Rooms

One of the key reasons people since the 1960s have enjoyed playing bingo is the social aspect. While players of course enjoy the game and the opportunities it presents to win cash prizes, many also see attending bingo as a chance to catch up with friends. This can be seen in the increased number of people attending brick-and-mortar bingo halls.

Software developers were quick to include socialization within their games, with most online bingo sites offering chat rooms and in-game chat facilities. Many provide chat rooms that continue even once the game is over, providing a space for players to engage with each other outside of bingo in the way they might congregate outside the bingo hall or in the pub after a game.

The online bingo industry has adapted to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly younger audience. However, by maintaining the core traits of the much-loved game, the industry has also drawn many older players back in. People of all ages today might enjoy a few games of bingo each week, with a lucky few taking home significant cash prizes.