British Bingo Receives an Extreme Makeover
Bingo is one of those games that have an inexorable quality to re-invent itself, with a little help from the odd creatively and technologically minded human being. There are still some people out there who believe that "Bingo" is some quaint pastime enjoyed by a stereotypical set of people. In terms of researching stereotypes, psychologists often use word association, for example if we were to say "prize" the subject may respond with "jackpot". If we were to say "bingo" in Britain the subject may respond with "pensioner", but stereotypical image of the typical bingo player in the British Isles is actually long gone.
The wrinkles have been ironed out, the "B" in bingo has received Botox and it is now a "B", in fact bingo in Britain could be said to have received an extreme makeover. The reason for this is "online bingo", but not only the fact that online bingo has brought new life to the game, the fact remains that this game played online has maintained massive and sustained growth year on year.
Land based bingo has been on the decline since 1997, after a short revival from the heydays of the late 1970's and 80's. However high street bingo brands are now reporting increased profits, even though more High Street bingo clubs are closing down; with only one or two new clubs popping up here and there, and this is not because of the smoking ban or unfair taxation. Players have embraced the game of bingo online, and High Street brands have climbed on this bandwagon.
Current demographics throw all the old bingo stereotypes out of the window, and the reasons why people play online are all different too. Convenience is a big contributing factor, but it is the social element of this game which really keeps it on the top of the pops, and playing bingo within a social networking framework, as well as being able to win smashing prizes, is a huge driving force. Unity, community and keeping in touch with friends is the lifeblood of the new face of bingo in the UK, and for now nothing looks set to change.
Bingo is one of those games that have an inexorable quality to re-invent itself, with a little help from the odd creatively and technologically minded human being. There are still some people out there who believe that "Bingo" is some quaint pastime enjoyed by a stereotypical set of people. In terms of researching stereotypes, psychologists often use word association, for example if we were to say "prize" the subject may respond with "jackpot". If we were to say "bingo" in Britain the subject may respond with "pensioner", but stereotypical image of the typical bingo player in the British Isles is actually long gone.
The wrinkles have been ironed out, the "B" in bingo has received Botox and it is now a "B", in fact bingo in Britain could be said to have received an extreme makeover. The reason for this is "online bingo", but not only the fact that online bingo has brought new life to the game, the fact remains that this game played online has maintained massive and sustained growth year on year.
Land based bingo has been on the decline since 1997, after a short revival from the heydays of the late 1970's and 80's. However high street bingo brands are now reporting increased profits, even though more High Street bingo clubs are closing down; with only one or two new clubs popping up here and there, and this is not because of the smoking ban or unfair taxation. Players have embraced the game of bingo online, and High Street brands have climbed on this bandwagon.
Current demographics throw all the old bingo stereotypes out of the window, and the reasons why people play online are all different too. Convenience is a big contributing factor, but it is the social element of this game which really keeps it on the top of the pops, and playing bingo within a social networking framework, as well as being able to win smashing prizes, is a huge driving force. Unity, community and keeping in touch with friends is the lifeblood of the new face of bingo in the UK, and for now nothing looks set to change.
