The rise of bingo amongst students

| December 4, 2014 | 0 Comments

Students in London are determined to change the stereotypes surrounding the classic game of bingo. Bingo was traditionally seen as a game designed for older citizens with bingo halls being the domain of the elderly and pensioners. All that is changing, however, and bingo is currently enjoying a surge in popularity among young adults.

Bingo

The game has become easily accessible to the younger generation thanks in part to the growth of technology. It is estimated that the number of internet users has increased to over two billion worldwide, so it is not surprising that one of Britain’s best-loved games has made the online transition. Online gaming has caught fire among the student population in London with most students finding it easier to access the online bingo site of their choice from their smartphones or tablets. There are also those who prefer to visit traditional bingo halls to share the fun and excitement.

Bingo is undergoing a major transformation, and a cursory visit to some of the bingo halls in London will prove this. Where such establishments were previously almost exclusively patronised by people above the age of 50, it is not uncommon to encounter younger crowds there these days. Data from the Gambling Commission shows that of the 3.5 million bingo players in Britain today, 700,000 are between the ages of 18 and 24. The number of players under the age of 45 has been gradually increasing over the last decade from 46% to 62%. Furthermore, young players account for 29% of online bingo players.

 

Revamped bingo games

One of the reasons why the student population is flocking to the game has to do with its image. Bingo is viewed as an innocuous leisure activity and does not carry the labels of deviance attached to other forms of gambling. Students can, therefore, enjoy the game without harbouring any guilt for doing so.

Another reason that is driving bingo’s popularity among students is the social aspect of the game. Whether live or online, bingo is meant to be played with friends. Those wishing to have a fun night out with friends can decide to visit any of the numerous bingo halls in London. Alternatively, they can simply log on to any online bingo site using their mobile devices. Most of the major sites have introduced chat features so that players can make friends and get to know each other as they play.

In order to cash in on students’ increasing interest in bingo, some entrepreneurs have come up with innovative ways to attract them. One of the most common among these are the new club-style bingo venues featuring loud music, drinking and rowdy crowds – a far cry from the typical old ladies’ bingo halls that most people are used to. Students also love attending any number of the off-beat themed bingo parties that are regularly held in different venues in the city. By coming up with a variety of themes and new rules for the game, they have revolutionised how bingo is played.

There are no indications that bingo will decline in popularity any time soon amongst the student population in London and the UK. This is a good thing as the younger audiences have given the game a much-needed new lease of life, ensuring that it remains one of the top games in the country.

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Category: Entertainment

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