It seemed, for a while, that bingo may be on its last legs. Though it’s a classic game with a history that dates back many hundreds of years, there was no denying that times had been difficult for bingo. The number of bingo halls in the UK has fallen dramatically, dipping from some 600 15 years ago to just more than 250 today.
But there are signs that the game isn’t dying, but just sleeping. Interest and participation in the game have undergone a revival in recent years, leading to hope that bingo’s future might just be as bright as its past. Let’s take a look at just some of the reasons why bingo is making a comeback.
New Fans
There were fears that the rise of video gaming may prove to be a death knell for bingo. Though bingo has been popular in the past, it didn’t appear to be making an impact with younger generations. But that’s no longer the case. In the UK, there’s been a huge increase in the number of young adults (ages 21 – 35) playing bingo. In fact, according to one bingo hall operator, more than half of its 200,000 visitors last year were under the age of 35.
The game has proven so popular in some social circles that ‘going to the bingo’ has become the go-to Friday night pastime, with many younger visitors attending a bingo hall at least once a month.
Online Accessibility
As we mentioned above, the number of bingo halls in the UK has fallen dramatically in the past couple of decades, and that has naturally had an impact on the number of people who play the game in the “real world.” But thanks to the power of the web, people interested in playing bingo now have another option at their disposal: the online world. UK bingo websites aren’t only available; they’re also modern, user-friendly, and tend to offer deals that allow newcomers to try the website risk-free. Those deals are usually easy to get, too — users just need to find more details on Oddschecker about how to claim the offer, and they can begin playing. The availability of online bingo means that the game is available to significantly more people, who have the convenience of playing online from the comfort of their own homes.
An Evolving Game
Bingo is considered a traditional game, but that doesn’t mean that the game is stuck in the past. It continues to evolve, and in the process, makes itself more appealing to a wider number of people. A person might not be drawn towards playing the classic version of the game, but they may be drawn to a more modern version. For instance, some websites offer ‘emoji’ bingo, which uses emojis instead of numbers. There are also Christmas versions along with multiple variants, including 80-ball and 2’s company games. In other words: there’s something for everyone.
The Social Factor
The modern world might seem more connected than it’s ever been, yet it’s also when people feel more isolated than ever before. As such, many people are looking for ways to get their social fill in a fun and friendly environment — and that’s just what both online and offline bingo offers. Whether it’s playing with friends and family, or simply enjoying the company of strangers, bingo allows for a moment of connection that can be otherwise difficult to obtain.
