80% Increase in Online Bingo Players in UK

The current recession has hit the UK just as hard, and maybe harder, than the United States. The Pound has taken a severe pounding on global currency markets and UK housing and employment statistics are grim. One group of people who seem to be shrugging off the doom and gloom on the economic front are those who play online bingo, According to Google online bingo now ranks as high as online poker in popularity and both have seen an increase in player numbers despite the recession.

Websites in the UK report an 80% increase in the number of players in the last six months. Although the recent data may surprise some, online bingo has seen an increase for a variety of reasons. Smoking bans have been cited in several studies as a major factor that has caused many to switch from land based bingo hall to free online bingo In addition the closure of many brick and mortar operations has left many with the choice of playing bingo online or driving significant distances to the nearest bingo club.

Mecca Bingo, one of the oldest and most successful operators of bingo clubs in the UK, experienced a significant decline in players after the recent smoking ban was implemented. Bingo also faces double taxation contributing to the demise of many bingo clubs. It has been estimated that for every bingo hall that closes the government will lost 700,000 pounds ($1,039,548 USD) per year in lost revenue.

While the numbers are estimates they reflect what almost all studies have shown; that players are playing online bingo with more frequency than in the past. Many new players have indicated that online bingo is less expensive, has no transportation costs, no admission fees, and can be played from the comfort of home. Most online bingo websites have auto daub which enables the busy player to do household chores while simultaneously playing bingo and it is this feature which attracts busy mothers.

It would appear that in the world of online bingo the recession does not exist or at least is not as noticeable.

Source: http://www.bingolingo.com/80-increase-in-online-bingo-players-in-uk