UK Online Bingo

Online Bingo in the UK – Are You Ready to Have Some Fun?

General Information about online bingo in the UK

Bingo in the UK has been a popular pastime for a very long time; if we go by what history tells us, even before the Gambling Act of 1960 was passed into law. After this Act was promulgated, legal commercial bingo became one of the phenomena of the 20th Century. The late 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s was the time called the heydays of bingo; declining in the 90’s but then finding a new life again. Traditionally it took place in old majestic buildings in the UK – cinemas, theatres and dance halls which were no longer sustaining themselves because of the introduction of television.

In the late 1990’s and on into the New Millenium – online bingo came into play and although there was enthusiasm for these games, this enthusiasm was restricted to those homes with an internet connection (mostly dial up at the time). The growth and improvement of this service to high speed broadband and massive competition has now piloted online bingo in the UK into the stratosphere in terms of popularity.

The UK leads the world in terms of the popularity of online bingo and in fact is used as a benchmark for other countries when establishing this industry. It is also popularly played in Canada, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands and now Spain and Italy – slowly working its way through the European Continent. South America also shows a great deal of potential.

Online Bingo in the UK – Statistics

Worldwide over 100 million people play online bingo, with a large proportion of these players being from the UK. Demographics point to a mix of 80% women and 20% men but this stereotype is rapidly changing. The age groups of players are also changing with people of 18 years and older being allowed to play; new generations of players will continue to feed the need and drive the growth for an exceptionally long time to come. As many as 50% of all online bingo players globally love playing this game so much, that they play it every day.

Players of 65 years and older prefer to visit traditional land bingo clubs, but many also play online. In the age group 18 to 24 years, this makes up approximately 13.75% of all players. The 25 to 34 age group makes 15.96% of all bingo players, and in the 35 to 49 age group, this is 25.26% of all players. As age demographics increase, these percentages tend to decline, but there is still a percentage 6.66% of online bingo players in the 55 to 64 years age group.

Celebrities enjoy playing online bingo and this also drives younger and trendier players online. Household names such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Bianca and Jade Jagger, Sharon Osbourne (who has her own UK online bingo room), Kelly Ripa, Elle McPherson and there are even rumours that the Queen of England enjoys an online bingo game or two. Of course we would love to know at which site she plays and what her alias might be. There are tons more statistics available, but I think you get the picture by now.

UK Online Bingo Sites are Not All Created Equally

Online bingo in the UK has come a very long way since the early days. Very few sites have come and gone and there are handful which are head and shoulders above the rest – most sites have been "stayers" however.

There is a marked relationship between a site which offers brilliant promotions, games and prizes and its popularity with players. Different sites have different draw-cards but one thing all online bingo players agree with is the companionship and camaraderie they enjoy through the chat features. There is a definite social networking aspect and this is highly prized; some players will even stick to a rubbish site, because of the friendships they have made. So, very like land bingo players, the game is not all about the prizes, bingo is about socializing and making new friends. Playing is kind of like getting out and about while having a girls night in at the same time. As oxymoron-ish as this might seem!

Online Bingo Promotions and Prizes

This is the really fun bit for people who like winning. It is without a doubt that promotions and prizes play a seriously major role in the popularity for online bingo in the UK. Yes, we know players like socializing, but they also like winning too. Some players are chilled and calm about winning or losing while others are jackpot chasers; it takes all kinds to make up the world of online bingo players, as it does with any other world.

Just to give you an idea of the prizes on offer: I have been writing about UK online bingo for a very long time, so as an exercise in memory; just off the top of my head, I will mention some of the prizes I have seen won:

Cars

There have cars given away at most of the top UK Bingo sites – Wink Bingo gives away a brand new Mini Cooper to celebrate the New Year – every year. I have seen cars given away at 888 Ladies, Foxy – where they also gave away a Caravan in 2010. Moon Bingo has also given away a car as a prize, and Sun Bingo gives away Fiat 500’s as thought they were penny sweets. They gave away 100 cars in 100 days in 2009, 30 cars in 30 days in 2010 and are giving away 1 this year (2011) already to celebrate Valentines Day. They must have found one hiding away somewhere!

Cash

All online bingo sites in the UK give away a ton of cash. The best games to look out for are "Guaranteed" cash prize games. Foxy Bingo is on top of its game; they give away big guaranteed cash prizes nearly every day of the week Tombola only gives away cash and they give away a lot. Jackpot Joy Bingo, Posh , Wink, Tasty and Red Bus Bingo give away lots but in particular a £25 000 cash prize every quarter – this time the prize is £50000 (29th April). By the way a lot of the games that give guaranteed cash prizes away are free bingo games – there is a £1 000 cash prize up for grabs free every day at Red Bus Bingo. 888 Ladies hosts the Golden Ticket game once a year, this is a £5 million coverall with a minimum prize of £50 000 – tickets cannot be bought, they have to be earned for free.

Tangible Gifts

These are only a small selection of the tangible prizes up for grabs: holidays (Foxy Bingo gave away 14 FREE holidays in the last 14 days of Feb 2011), clothing and shopping vouchers, iPads, iPods, iPhones, digital cameras, camcorders, DVD players televisions, home theatre systems, make up, GHD’s, Wii’s Nintendo DSi’s and other game consoles, games, DVD’s, CD’s music memorabilia, designer handbags, jewellery, kitchen appliances, home décor, home improvements and even a house and a holiday home once (also Sun Bingo).

Slots Games and Prizes

Slots are also popularly played at bingo sites, not only these games but scratch cards, keno, roulette, blackjack, video poker and others. However slots in particular have a special place in the hearts of UK online bingo players. Probably the prize to end all prizes at a bingo site – (with casinos there has been better, but that is a different matter); was the last time the Clover Rollover was won. This is a specific online slot at Virtue Fusion powered or partner bingo sites, and on Christmas Eve 2010, a jackpot prize of £3.9 million was won. This took place at Bet 365 Bingo. Since this game’s introduction to UK operators it has made two millionaires and one multi-millionaire. However the variety of slots is huge, the prizes are also huge and prizes in the 10’s 50’s and 100’s of thousands are regularly won.

Conclusion

None of this is marketing hype; it is all completely true and is indicative of the aggressive competitive spirit of online bingo in the UK. And all sites offer a ton of free bingo money for no deposit bonuses, first deposit bonuses, ongoing bonuses, chat games… gosh I am running out of breath!

All in all a massive market in a recession-proof industry has been created in online bingo in the UK. Not a single thing I have mentioned is untrue and there is plenty more to come. Players are winning, operators are making money and there is no prospect of this industry bottoming out for a very, very long time! Are you ready to have some fun? Now all you have to do is decide where you want to play bingo, and that’s going to be a hard one.