Top 3 Trends Shaping Online Bingo

Bingo is one of the oldest forms of gambling and at the same time one of the most innovative.

13:44 25 June 2019

How is that possible? Well, there are really two types of bingo. There’s the bingo played in bingo halls by mostly seniors aged 60+. Traditional bingo is known as one of Britain’s most-loved games. And then there’s the bingo played online by an increasingly younger audience from around the globe.

Traditional bingo and online bingo are the same game, but played in different arenas. Thanks to online bingo, the bingo industry has been undergoing some great innovations and attracting ever-younger audiences.

WhichBingo’s recent 2019 Online Bingo Annual Report recently identified three fascinating bingo industry trends.

Mobile Bingo is Number One

 

People use their mobile devices for almost everything these days, from making retail purchases to doing their banking to playing bingo. According to the WhichBingo survey, 27% of players now play exclusively on their phone, compared to 25% on laptop, 6% on tablet, 6% on desktop, and 36% on multiple devices. When taking into account those who played on multiple devices, 57% of players played mobile bingo exclusively or alongside other devices.

Of the players who said they played bingo on mobile or tablet, 46% said they played exclusively on their mobile web browser, 22% said they downloaded a mobile app, and 32% said they played via both their mobile browser and an app. This suggests that bingo players like the convenience of being able to open their bingo account from a mobile browser but that mobile bingo apps haven’t progressed to the point where players will commit to playing exclusively from an app.

Demand Driven by 35 to 55 Year Olds

The stereotypical bingo player is aged 60+ or even 70+, but WhichBingo’s survey shows that demand for online and mobile bingo is being driven by the younger generation. According to the survey, the 45-54 age group is largest cohort among online bingo players, accounting for 30% of all players. The next largest group is the 35-44 age group, which accounts for 24% of all players. The 65+ crowd account for only 8% of all online bingo players.

Other industries could learn a lot from the way online bingo operators have attracted younger players. Not content with merely catering to their traditional audience, online bingo operators have gone out and found innovative ways to entice new players. Whether it’s themed websites, flashy graphics, generous bonuses, or the convenience of mobile, online bingo operators have put a lot of effort into attracting new players – efforts which have clearly paid off.

 

Players Are Embracing Bonuses

 

Speaking of bonuses, the WhichBingo report found a “positive change in players’ attitudes towards bonuses because of fairer wagering requirements.” In 2017, 61% of players said they would rather receive no bonus and be able to withdraw winning at any time. But in 2018, only 55% said they would rather receive no bonus, as opposed to a record 45% who said they would rather receive a bonus even if it meant no withdrawal until wagering requirements are met.

As WhichBingo reported, online bingo sites loosened their wagering requirements in 2018 and players have clearly responded well to the changes. Again, there’s a lesson here for internet businesses of all types: if you show a willingness to be flexible and to innovate, your customers will respond. Online and mobile bingo operators have certainly shown a willingness to be flexible and to listen to their customers. As a result, player engagement is on the rise.