Online Bingo Vs Land-Based Bingo Halls
Bingo is a social activity. Many would argue that one of the key reasons for its popularity is the game’s social nature. And they would be completely right. For decades people in the UK have been gathering in their local bingo halls throughout the country to play bingo.
Online bingo appeared at the dawn of the new century and there were only about 20 bingo sites in 2004. Many assumed that online bingo sites will never replace the good old bingo halls, but boy were they wrong! While it is undoubtedly true that the social element of bingo is vital, it is also true that this moment can be captured online as well.
New technology allows people to communicate in new and different ways and it has changed the way in which we communicate, but it has also influenced games and gaming. A lot of traditional games are now played online, and bingo is certainly one of them.
Benefits Of Online Bingo
First let us have a look at the strongest selling points of online bingo and why it took the lead over conventional bingo played in bingo halls.
Firstly, online bingo is a lot more comfortable and convenient. In order to play bingo in a bingo hall you need to get to the bingo hall first, whereas you can play online bingo while sitting in your living room or your study. With the mobile optimisation of online bingo games, now it is possible to play online bingo wherever you are, as long as the internet connection on your smartphone or tablet is stable.
Online bingo sites offer bonuses and many other perks and benefits that can’t be claimed at land-based bingo halls. You can claim free bingo tickets or gain entry to special prize draws. Plus, certain online bingo sites also feature slots and other types of casino games and they often award free spins on some of the offered slots.
Another great thing about online bingo is variety. Namely, a bingo site doesn’t feature just one or two bingo rooms. Usually there are plenty of bingo rooms, including different bingo varieties, so you won’t have to limit yourself only to 90-ball, or 75-ball bingo, both of these and many other variants are offered.
It is not only that you have to travel to the bingo hall in order to play bingo online, but you can’t switch to a new bingo hall if you feel like it. With online bingo, you are free to register with as many operators as you’d like and then log in to whichever account you like.
The Decline Of Bingo Halls
We did a bit of research and it turns out that the decline of bingo halls corresponds with the rise of online bingo popularity. Soon after the emergence of the first online bingo sites, bingo halls all over the UK began closing down. In a period of just ten years, from 2005 to 2015, more than 200 bingo halls were forced to close down. On the other hand, during the 10-year period from 2004 until 2014 350 online bingo websites were launched.
Some online bingo sites became quite popular and recognisable and it is pretty clear that this trend will continue. Some land-based providers went online hoping that this would help them expand their audience and that appears to be a good strategy.