A Gaming Lifestyle: How Mini Me and Mobiles Transformed Bingo

Mini Me! Verne Troyer (CC BY 2.0) by csztova

Bingo is now cool, that’s the recent assessment of industry insider Miles Baron. Talking to Gambling Insider, the Bingo Association’s chief executive said that despite some growth issues over the last decade, the industry is enjoying a resurgence.

Thanks to a combination of technology and celebrities, more people are now anteing-up and listening for the call of the balls online. Indeed, with Hollywood stars like Verne Troyer (aka Mini Me from Austin Powers) partnering with bgo Bingo, the game has really become trendy. According to Baron, the growth of bingo now lies in the hands of the online operators who have harnessed technology and star power to make the game relevant to millennials.

The Billion-Pound Industry

Bingo fun (CC BY 2.0) by cote

In the UK alone, bingo betting hit £1.15 billion in 2015 and, with more than three million players now going online, it’s estimated that this figure will increase in the coming years. As we’ve noted, one of the primary reasons for online bingo’s growth is its use of celebrity figureheads. By using Troyer, bgo has been able to create a series of entertaining adverts that speak to the younger generation.

Of course, piquing the interest of the masses is only half the battle. Beyond the images of Troyer, the bingo games at bgo.com have been tailored to suit players that are used to on-demand games and services. Indeed, from themed games such as Deal or No Deal and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, to high-octane games designed for betting on the go, sites like bgo now offer games that are not only instantly recognisable, but instantly accessible and, therefore, instantly entertaining.

In fact, the tactic of linking bingo to pop culture is one that extends beyond the confines of bgo. Sun Bingo is an offshoot of the popular newspaper and naturally draws players in through its news network, while Mecca Bingo has tapped into the mobile generation with the Emoji Escalator Jackpot which offers Emoji-style balls and £10,000+ prizes.

More Speed Makes Bingo More Appealing

Speedy smartphones (CC BY-SA 2.0) by clasesdeperiodismo

Another factor which is really driving the online bingo industry forward is the need for speed. With 76% of adults now owning a smartphone, mobile gaming is now a $20 billion (£15 billion) industry according to Statista and this fact hasn’t been lost on bingo operators. By adding high-octane, short-format games into their lobbies, sites like bgo Bingo, Sun Bingo and Mecca have made it easier for users to play on the move, which has helped give the game a ‘modern’ feel.

In fact, as a testament to this new, high speed dynamic, games such as Deal or No Deal Bingo actually offer ‘quick fire’ rounds. In addition to numbers being drawn every second, players can win a progressive jackpot worth in excess of £100,000 if they make a full house within 29 calls.

This ability to win six-figure prizes in less than 30 seconds, as well as the celebrity appeal, has changed the image of bingo and, in a nutshell, made it ‘cool’.