Today’s gambling market is a multi-faceted operation that offers an endless selection of games. It is one of the most profitable industries in the UK and also worldwide. Between October 2018 and September 2019, the total gambling market was worth £14.3 billion. It is believed that this number has increased dramatically since then. The most popular casino game is online slots, which accounts for around 70% of the total GGY (gross gambling yield) amongst other casino games. But what about bingo? Is the classic game still alive in the market? We look for the answer in this article or check out barbadosbingo.com right away.
Ups and downs of bingo
Popularised in the UK after World War 2, bingo was once the crowned king of games. Millions of people flocked to bingo halls, both loners and families alike to rejoice in the atmosphere and the famous game of chance. At its peak in the 20th century, there were over 1000 active bingo halls that were said to employ around 20’000 people. However, these days are long gone. Since the 1990s, bingo started decreasing in popularity and many halls had to close their doors.
With the introduction of online gambling in the 90s, online bingo started catching on slowly but surely. Some players realised the online version wasn’t so bad and it had its own perks, like the fact that you can play from the comfort of your house rather than the bingo hall.
Online bingo went through a massive popularity increase in the last 20 years. Today it is estimated to bring over 200 million pounds of profits into the gambling market.
Why are people playing online?
Many people nowadays admit to liking the online version of bingo even more than the traditional brick-and-mortar experience. Real-life bingo took the first hit with the introduction of the indoors smoking ban. For many players, this took away a fundamental part of bingo games. These players turned to online bingo where they can enjoy their cigarettes as they like while also taking advantage of great promotions and themed games.
Online bingo websites offer a range of other benefits. Not only can the players enjoy 90 Ball or 75 Ball bingo, but also a range of alternative versions that aren’t normally available in land-based bingo: Speed bingo, 30 Ball bingo, Slingo, branded bingo and many more. Furthermore, the players of online bingo are able to play the game at any point in the day or night, making it convenient for busy bees, night shift workers and unemployed alike.
Conclusion
According to one source, around 75% of bingo players in the UK admit to choosing the online version over the land-based version. Although the once glorious number of 1000 bingo halls is more than halved today, the game still shines as bright as ever with its online ventures. A lot of people play online bingo in the UK and for a good reason – it is cheap, cheerful and can offer massive prizes!
