Bingo is one of the UK’s most
established and best-loved pastimes, but it’s fair to say that it’s
always attracted an older audience.

From bingo halls in towns and cities
across the country, to seaside promenades, the main people with
dabbers in hand has certainly been those aged 60+. However, that is
beginning to change as bingo is seeing a resurgence, attracting a
younger audience than ever before.

But why is that?

There are a number of reasons why bingo
has been on the rise the last few years among the younger generation,
and it comes from a mixture of both the rise of online bingo and the
fun, new offline variants that are sweeping the nation.

The Rise of Online Bingo

Research has shown that the rise of
online bingo has been significant over the past few years and that is
only forecasted to grow too. Lockdown has boosted that tremendously,
with more people seeking thrills online while the likes of bingo
halls are closed.

However, the arrival of younger players
isn’t a trend that began six months ago, but rather one that has
been coming since around 2016.

The rise of online bingo, and other
areas of gambling such as slots and sports betting, has helped
attract a whole new audience. The ability to play on-the-go,
spontaneously and quicker than ever before suits a generation that is
used to having everything at the touch of a button. Offline bingo
can’t do that, it needs to be organised and scheduled in.

Which perhaps put younger people off.
Online bingo has managed to capture them though, exposing new,
younger players to the more traditional forms of bingo as well as
newer variants designed specifically to suit their needs. For
example, speed bingo has proven hugely popular with a younger
audience, while reputable
slingo sites are taking the industry to entirely new
levels.

That’s Seeping into
Offline Gaming

That’s then seeping into offline
bingo. While the online world of bingo has helped secure bingo as a
hobby for thousands, if not millions of players, it’s helping
change the attitudes towards the offline game.

No longer are local bingo halls being
tarnished with a brush that deems them old, run-down or not cool
enough, they’re being seen as the next step to an enjoyable hobby.
And the stats are proving that.

As bingo halls began to re-open
following the easing of lockdown restrictions, the younger
players have flocked back in their numbers and have
helped keen many halls afloat.

What is also aiding the arrival of
younger players at more traditional bingo halls is a new type of
bingo night that has become a cultural phenomenon.

Brands such as Bongos
Bingo has taken the trend of younger players playing
bingo to an entirely new level, with funky nights that target 18-30
year olds specifically. They sell out evenings across the country and
even internationally as bingo continues to cement itself in the minds
of the younger generation.

These are usually monthly nights
though, and while they are much more than just bingo, with DJs and
dancing accompanying it, bingo is at its very core, and it leaves
people wanting their fix much more frequently. That’s seeing more
players playing online and at local bingo halls.

Not long ago bingo was considered to be a dying game. However, today that couldn’t be further from the truth and the combination of online and mobile bingo, coupled with new fun offline evenings and variations is helping the game reestablish itself and become a British institution once again.

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