Why online bingo is proving popular with players

Traditional bingo halls have been part and parcel of community culture in the UK for decades. However, as suffering physical venues strive to reinvent themselves and recover from recent losses, online bingo is booming.

Discover why online bingo is proving popular with players and how it’s bringing this generational game into the 21st century.

The technological revolution The last 40 years have been characterised by an extraordinary technological revolution. The invention of the internet moved much of our social culture online, from company communication to leisure activities such as watching television and listening to music.

Gaming is no exception: bingo wasn’t alone in shifting from its original in-person format to our screens. In addition to the physical games at the traditional community halls, players suddenly had a new and exciting option – online bingo hosted by the World Wide Web.

Connectivity and convenience

Another reason why online bingo is proving popular is convenience and connectivity.

Via computers, tablets, and smartphone apps, players can access a game of bingo anytime, anywhere. This ability to cater to the specific schedules and preferences of players makes it a more appealing option for many than the traditional bingo hall which is limited by set dates and times.

The freedom of being able to play 24/7 seems to be an essential part of the success of online bingo in modern society.

Variety beyond classic bingo

The online gaming experience also offers variety beyond classic bingo. In the UK this is 90-ball bingo which involves a race to a row and culminates in the first to a full house.

Gaming websites offer versions popular in other parts of the world such as the 75-ball bingo commonly played in the USA and the fast-paced 30-ball bingo that’s ideal if you’re short on time. More modern mash-ups are available too, like gameshow influenced Deal or No Deal bingo and other themed editions. You can also play inverse versions where the usual rules are reversed, or swap the usual straight lines for different patterns.

Building virtual communities

You might assume that playing online means a lack of social interaction. After all, it was the opportunity for face-to-face conversation and the sense of camaraderie that led to bingo halls being a 20th-century community staple in the UK.

However, most gaming websites are dedicated to building virtual communities which mimic the social element of in-person bingo. Online chat features allow players to connect and share their experiences, with chat monitors providing help and support and ensuring user safety.

These virtual communities go a long way towards debunking the idea that online gaming is isolating.