Bingo is a true British favourite, a regular fixture for friends to catch up on the latest gossip as they mark numbers on a card and, if one is lucky, win a modest prize. While we’ve seen bingo make a comeback in recent years it wasn’t too long ago that the game’s prospects were pretty bleak. In the early years of the 2000s halls were closing down as attendances fell, a sign pundits suggested meant the end was nigh for bingo. However, seemingly out of nowhere bingo saw its fortunes turn, as a younger, more diverse crowd started to take an interest in the game. In the meantime online platforms started hosting bingo games, leasing new, digital life to our favourite pastime. How did all of this come about? That’s the topic of this blog post, so join us as we analyse the decline and revival of bingo in the UK!
What Caused the Decline of Bingo Halls in the 2000s?
As we mentioned earlier, bingo’s fortunes took a turn for the worst in the 2000s. It wasn’t too long ago that bingo halls were closing in droves, the public seemingly no longer interested in what was once a community favourite. What happened then? It was something of a perfect storm, really - a combination of an aging core audience, shifts in leisure activities, competition from new forms of gambling, and even regulatory pressures hit the humble bingo hall, and the pressure proved almost too much for the industry to bear.
Shifting Tastes and Demographics
It’s a basic fact of life - people get older, leading to demographic change. In the case of bingo, the audience that used to frequent bingo halls in the 1980s and 1990s was getting on with the years, causing them to stop playing the game. In the meantime the new generation was no longer interested in bingo, distracted as it was by a full range of entertainment alternatives. As a result the old halls and clubs found it harder to replace their core audience, leading to lost business and, eventually, many a hall closure.
New Forms of Gambling and Entertainment
Bingo used to be one one of a few forms of both gambling and entertainment, but the situation shifted in the 1990s. People found new leisure activities, be it bars, cinema multiplexes, home broadband internet, and game consoles, while the National Lottery and new online gambling sites scratched the gambling itch. These new forms of entertainment particularly appealed to younger audiences, who found bingo old and stuffy.
Regulatory Headwinds All Round
Changes in regulation also hit bingo hard in the 1990s. Hall licensing rules got tighter with the formation of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which covers bingo as well as casinos and sports betting. Another change came in 2007 with the indoor smoking ban, which might sound minor but actually affected footfall in many locales, including bingo halls. After all bingo was one of a number of smoking–friendly activities, and is one that is centered around socialising as much as it is around the game itself.
It’s the Economy, Of Course
Last, but definitely not least, of the factors leading to this downturn was the economic squeeze. Bingo halls faced higher bills, as rents, rates and utilities all rose in price, and so did the people that used to attend these same bingo halls. Money was tight all round, and hall operators were justified to close shop as attendances were already dropping due to the above mentioned reasons.
How the Online Platforms Revived Interest in Bingo
We’ve mentioned the internet as one of the factors that hit bingo hall attendance, so why are we stating that it also helped revive interest in bingo? You probably know the answer to this one - online bingo, of course. With this in mind let’s get into the weeds and see how the internet did this.
A Pivot From Paper to Pixels
The internet made bingo available to everyone, at all times. One no longer needed to travel to the hall for a game, as they could simply get online and find a bingo session pretty much anytime, anywhere. Online bingo players surged dramatically between the 2000s and 2010s, showing that there was still an interest in the game, and as a result the number of online bingo operators also grew during the same period.
Social Features and Gamification
The early online bingo games did not replicate the social aspect of the game, but this soon changed with new titles that included something crucial - live chat. This way players could make friends, sometimes with people from all over the world. Chat was then layered with other social features, such as emojis, leaderboards, loyalty bonuses, and themed rooms, for the ultimate bingo experience.
The Demographic Shift - Who Plays Bingo Today?
Who plays bingo nowadays? The answer is interesting, since it currently covers a whole mix of demographics. There’s a younger, more gender-balanced cohort, a tech-savvy crowd eager to attend themed events. Then we add the core of older players, who have remained loyal to the game even as its fortunes waned.
The Youngsters of Bingo
According to industry analysis there’s a significant number of bingo players aged between 25 and 44 years old, bucking the trend that the bingo audience skews towards the older side. This is arguably thanks to the internet, which has proven that bingo is a game for all. This younger player base is comfortable around apps and online payment systems, and tends to be urban or suburban. That said, for these players bingo is just one event in a busy social calendar, and as such won’t have their identity rotate around a single game or activity.
The Older Core
While the bingo player base is indeed more diverse than ever, there’s still a core of older women that are bingo enthusiasts. Many of these players have migrated online, allaying any mobility concerns, but there are still plenty who continue going to their local community hall for a spot of bingo. After all this is a social game that is made for face-to-face interaction!
What Brought Young Players Back to Bingo?
We’ve seen how the mix of technology and bingo has essentially transformed the game, but was this the sole reason why younger players started getting back to bingo? It’s a big factor, just not the only one, so let’s take a look at what else brought about this shift in audiences for our favourite game.
In-Club Technology
The bingo hall has moved beyond the simple ball cages and paper tickets. The major chains have invested in all kinds of new technologies, including electronic displays, tablet controls, and even self-service kiosks. This way rounds get speedier and more friction–free while retaining the same social aspect that makes bingo such a classic, all while appealing to the crucial younger audience.
Cross-Platform Play
You can truly play bingo anywhere, anytime these days. Through the power of omnichannel play you can play a round or two on a brand’s app, then visit one of its clubs to play on a tablet, all using the same interface. In addition you’ll continue collecting loyalty points from wherever you’re playing. This way operators can further personalise the bingo experience for each player, bringing them exactly what they want.
Rebrands, Partnerships, and Tie-ins
The big operators have been busy teaming up with musicians, influencers, and nightlife promoters to bring even more oomph to their bingo nights. This has led to a variety of novel events, from EDM DJ nights to themed drag events, helping bring a sense of cool and current to bingo. These events also help attract people who’d otherwise not be interested in the idea of bingo!
Bingo in the UK: Looking Towards the Future and Beyond
The story of bingo in the UK is not one of resurrection, but one of reinvention. While online platforms and apps have helped bring bingo back into the popular consciousness, physical bingo halls remain valuable as social hubs for players young and old. This means operators that manage to pair these two very different worlds will be the ones most likely to continue thriving in current times. So enjoy bingo, take advantage of the features and ideas that best appeal to you and, as always, play responsibly.
