Britain and its Bingo Love Affair

Bingo has its roots in Italy and while the Europeans may have invented the game, a huge wave of interest started to build in the USA in the first half of the 1900s. It retains interest all over the world but its popularity peaks when we reach the UK.

It’s said that Brits spend over £30 million on bingo each year and, it also seems that every provider of the game is enjoying something of a boom period. But why has Britain taken the game to its heart and just why does the love affair remain so strong after several decades?

Fighting Back

The increase of online gambling certainly saw an initial rise in revenue figures and digital forms of bingo continue to thrive in the present day. Prior to that digital age, the only option was to play the game in its physical form but there was certainly plenty of choice.

The betting and gaming act of 1960 allowed for dedicated betting shops to be opened in the UK from January 1st of the following year. Licensed bingo halls quickly spotted the opportunity to take advantage and we started to see some familiar brand names enter the high street. Stakes may have been high but the social nature of bingo also led to a number of free to play games. In holiday camps and social clubs across the country, the fun nature of bingo saw the game develop.

The impact of online play has certainly led to a number of closures out in the real world but it would appear that the bricks and mortar bingo industry has been quietly fighting back. 2016 saw the announcement of a number of new openings across the UK including a substantial, 1,000 seat venue in Southampton. This was set against a backdrop where 45 million visits a year were being made to physical bingo halls.

Happily, it seems that online bingo operators and real-life bingo halls can co-exist but there is no doubt that the digital providers have helped to swell that annual revenue.

Digital Days

When it comes to new bingo sites 2019 has already seen a host of operators come online to join a busy sector. It’s a crowded industry but there always seems to be room for more providers whose big challenge is to stand out from the competition.

There are certain advantages to playing online and the convenience element is a clear winner. A night out at the bingo is a big occasion but with online play, there’s no need to dress up and make the journey to your nearest bingo hall which may be several miles away. Simply switch on, log in and you can play from the comfort of your own home.

Choice is another big factor in the success of the online industry: While a bingo hall can host several games across a busy evening, they are restricted to playing just one game at a time. With online bingo, there can be hundreds of games available at any one time and the industry has worked hard to make potential customers aware of that choice.

Along with bingo operators, there has been a steady increase in the number of affiliate sites that work alongside them. An affiliate site such as Bingoport works to promote the games and offers from across the industry and they are vital in keeping players aware of the latest updates and promotions. In summary, online bingo play is a thriving part of the sector and it’s also striving to mirror the real-world experience.

It is, admittedly, tough for an online bingo operator to replicate the atmosphere that players can enjoy in a bricks and mortar bingo hall. A night at the bingo is a big social occasion and one that’s hard to beat. However, online operators have worked to reproduce that sense of community by offering chat rooms and a chance to meet new virtual friends.

The social side is important but it’s only one reason why the Brits love bingo so much.

Why Bingo?

We come back to the original question of why bingo is so popular in the UK as opposed to other countries where casino play and sports betting tend to dominate. We’ve mentioned the social element of play and that is a big factor but that ability to socialise would count for nothing if the game wasn’t fun. It’s simple and easy to follow and every player starts with an even chance of winning a prize.

Bingo can also help from a cognitive point of view. Keeping the brain active is one way of addressing the issue of mental decline and it’s no coincidence that we see the game played extensively in nursing homes across the UK. The ability to recognise numbers and to react quickly is one way in which the elderly can stay sharp plus, of course, bingo is a nostalgic reminder for many.

In the online world, the game is cheap to play and there is an element of flexibility. In an effort to compete with each other, operators continue to develop their products. Different games are available in terms of available numbers on each card while the continued evolution in technology means that bingo companies are able to bring in themed games based on topical and recognisable genres.

Brits love bingo for many reasons but the rise of the online industry has offered more choice than ever before. At the same time, the response by bricks and mortar establishments has seen them fight back and as a result, there’s never been a better time to get involved with this classic game.