Recent years have seen a phenomenal growth in bingo sites. In 2004 there were just 20 bingo sites operating in Britain. Just over a decade later it is thought that number is closer to 350. Those operating such bingo sites are widely diverse ranging from the leading bingo hall owners, to some of Britain’s largest newspapers. In fact, nowadays, you can barely turn on the TV or radio, or drive down the street without being smacked in the face by an advert for a bingo site. But why is online Bingo so popular and who is playing – and why?
Sociable
Maybe it’s the social aspect – in the past, women visited bingo halls to meet their friends, to socialise in a safe environment, and to potentially win a little bit of cash. Nowadays, every online bingo site has its own chat room. For many online bingo players, it’s this ‘chatroom-type’ style that appeals.
‘Live’ Chat
On certain bingo sites, players’ cards are filled in automatically. This enables them to focus on chatting as they play. Consequently, certain online bingo phrases have been developed, such as HABO, which is abbreviated for ‘have a better one, and BLING, which means ‘better luck next time.’For players who wish to send each other messages in private, some bingo sites allow this. And playing virtual bingo is an excellent antidote to social isolation too. For example, for people with limited mobility, and people who live in remote areas, it can be a lifeline.
How Much Does It Cost?
Then there’s the cost of playing. A bingo card can cost as little as one penny. However, most cards typically cost approximately ten pence. Prizes can amount to thousands of pounds. However, winnings are usually determined by how many people are involved in the game and can often be as little as just several pounds.It is true to say, however, players typically spend more than they win – after all, it’s a game of chance, and not skill.
Growth In Online Bingo
And while you’re chatting to your bingo buddies you can relax – you are in your own home after all. And for some players that means being able to smoke whilst chatting and trying their luck. The ban on smoking in Bingo halls is a leading reason why land based Bingo went into decline and the online game took off.But like land-based bingo, slot machines are all part of the online experience, but all done from the comfort of your chair. The software is able to multi-task, meaning players can fire up a favourite slot simultaneously alongside their bingo game. This increases the odds of winning, and some slot games have multi-million pound progressive jackpots. So it definitely looks like online bingo is here to stay and will only improve as more and more software is developed that allows the player to participate in different games, all the while catching up on the latest gossip with their roomies.