Online bingo games have been available since the birth of the internet. From the mid-1990s, the game became more accessible, and we began to see the first licensed gaming operators.
Bingo frequently formed part of online casino platforms, while other sites were set up to offer this game exclusively. In the decades that have followed, it’s become more popular but why is online bingo attracting more interest in adults players than the original game played in physical halls around the world?
Nudging Ahead
While real-world bingo still has a sizeable audience, the online alternative is beginning to attract more players. Figures in 2023 show that around 45% of players solely played the game at digital bingo sites. Either they had never played in a physical hall or they had stopped doing so.
Two years on from that survey, it could be assumed that over half of players are now focused online. With a growing customer base, digital platforms must be offering something that their bricks and mortar counterparts cannot match.
Ease of Use
The most obvious advantage of playing online bingo is the convenience. Most operators have an app and in all cases, there is a dedicated mobile website, so you don’t even have to switch on a PC or a laptop.
This is an area where physical bingo halls cannot compete. A night at the bingo remains a great social occasion, but it involves planning and organisation in advance. With the digital game, you can access the platforms spontaneously by logging on to your smartphone and tapping on the app.
The convenience element of online bingo has certainly helped to grow its adult audience, but there are other advantages to digital play.
Your Choice of Games
With no restrictions on floor space, an online bingo operator is free to list as many games as their customers want. At a physical gaming hall, there is just one type of game available and although there may be several rounds on a single night, that inflexibility is an issue.
In the UK, 90-ball bingo is the most popular game, while in other countries around the world, 75-ball has a following. Whichever option your bingo hall opts for, that’s all there is on offer.
At an online platform, there will be options for 90-ball, 75-ball, and much more. In order to keep things interesting for players, game developers are producing exciting and innovative versions while maintaining the essence of bingo.
Games are also based around different themes, so you may see options attached to your favourite TV quiz shows. There really is no limit to what the developers can do and having that much choice is another clear advantage to online play.
Filling in the Gaps
A night out at the bingo is a great social occasion, and there will always be a place for physical gaming halls. Online producers know that they cannot replace face-to-face human interaction, but they have worked hard to deliver a social element to their platforms.
At the majority of digital operators, there are chat rooms available where players can discuss the games or any aspect of their day. If, for example, you were unsure over the rules of a specific bingo version, you can add a message and someone will step in to help.
A moderator is on hand to monitor the chat, and this is a great way to maintain the social benefits of bingo.
While it’s important to keep friends close to you in the physical world, chatting and interacting online certainly provides a benefit.
Online Focus
There are other advantages to playing online bingo that may not be as obvious. For example, the fact that the games are automated is important. If you’re playing at a bingo hall, you have to listen intently to the caller and if you’re distracted, you may miss one of your numbers.
With online bingo, any matching numbers are crossed off your card automatically. There’s no danger of missing a call and losing a potential prize. This is especially beneficial for those who like to play more than one bingo card in a round.
Online bingo can also be more cost-effective: There’s no need to spend money on transport to get to a hall, and you don’t have to buy additional food and drink during those breaks in play.
While there will always be room for both forms of bingo, it’s clear to see why more people are playing exclusively online. In time, the percentages will rise even further as the benefits of digital bingo become more apparent.