Forums of Gambling

Is Online Bingo Bucking the Trend and Showing Growth During the Recession?

With the recession hitting both consumers and businesses hard, are more people turning to cheaper leisure activity's such as online bingo? Bingo Alerts is one of the leading online comparison portals for internet bingo and seems to be performing well during the economic downturn.

London, UK (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- Onlinebingoalerts, the UK online comparison site for internet bingo, today reported record growth in traffic figures, suggesting that this might be one sector that is less affected by the current financial climate.

Gaming Alerts Ltd today reported that it had seen a significant uplift in traffic to its bingo portal, onlinebingoalerts - in the region of a 20% increase over the last 2 months. It also reported a 55% increase in depositing players in Q4 2008, compared to Q3 2008, despite the doom and gloom economic reports in Q4.The other Gaming Alerts sites, casino, poker and sports betting portals have not seen such significant growth and it appears that bingo is a bit of an anomaly.

From what we are seeing and from what operators are telling us, players are still playing and numbers of depositing players is rising, but people are just spending less each session, so in real terms there is little change in overall revenue
So what explains this sudden interest or uplift in online bingo? And are the stats really to be believed? There are a few theories that might offer an explanation of why the online bingo market is seemingly bucking the trend and not suffering as much as other industries. Here's a look at a few of them.

In previous recessions people have tended to spend more time on cheaper leisure activities, such as cinema and other forms of home entertainment - Sky, take-aways, films and online gambling. It's perfectly clear that an evening of playing online bingo at home can be much cheaper than a night out, especially when many sites such as Cheeky Bingo have free to play games and also tickets from just 10p, in addition to other special offers, bonuses and free bingo nights. With companies like Dominos pizzas recording impressive profits, it's clear that consumers are looking for ways of entertaining themselves at home, and having a fun night in rather than a costly night out.

Some argue that in a recession people look to online gambling as a viable option for making money. With unemployment high and incomes falling, playing bingo or casino games with large jackpots seem to becoming more popular, as many try to fix their financial situation. Online gaming is relatively cheap and easily accessible to millions. The returns are potentially huge and it could well become a popular alternative, as the recession deepens.

Operators and Industry bodies would argue against this as a factor, pointing out that the industry is heavily regulated to protect the poor, young and vulnerable and that all reputable operators are heavily involved in helping to eliminate problem gambling.

Another belief is that the growth during a recession might just be a result of the old 'no smoking ban' which affected traditional bingo halls. Some would say this has led to a shift in consumer behaviour with players choosing to play at growing sites like Gala Bingo, at home rather than visiting the local bingo halls where they cannot smoke.

Additionally, huge improvements in online bingo software have meant that playing online can be as fun, social and interactive as going to the halls. It also offers anonymity and in many cases might be a more affordable and hence preferable option. Added to that online bingo can be played any time of the day or night -which makes it an activity that is more widely available.

Other industry experts claim it's because players are becoming more savvy and financially aware, using the internet to help them find the best offers and bonuses and the sites with the best promotions and free games?

This would explain why in the last two months UK Bingo comparison sites such as bingo alerts have seen an uplift in traffic. Other sites such as financial and insurance comparison portals are reportedly doing well, as are popular voucher code sites, which are booming, as people look for vouchers and offers in a hope to cut down on expenditure. It is well known that there are many online bingo sites out there all competing for players, with new sites launching weekly. Consumers seem to be one step ahead of the game, opening a number of accounts so that they can make the most of the different promotions.

Marketing Executive for Bingo Alerts, Jamie Warnes said in a statement, "Bingo Alerts has seen a dramatic increase in visitors over the last few months, proving that people are still interested in online bingo, even in the current economic turmoil.

He went onto add, "From what we are seeing and from what operators are telling us, players are still playing and numbers of depositing players is rising, but people are just spending less each session, so in real terms there is little change in overall revenue"

No business is recession proof, as the recent collapse of Woolworths and Zavvi proved that even the biggest brands can fall victim to the cut back in consumer spending. In spite of this, online bingo seems to be putting up a good fight, as consumers favour cheaper activities that they can enjoy at home

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Forum Moderator

Bingo is a very inexpensive pastime, so i can believe that bingo will be the one area that won't suffer the recession. Even local bingo halls in my area are still up and running, a couple of them have shut down, but thats because there is a lot of competition, and if you don't offer a good enough payout, you wont attract players.

Everybody loves bingo. It is for everyone; for people from all ages, all cultures and all backgrounds. It's relaxing, you make friends, have fun and the best of all you WIN great amounts of money. Fun is winning. I prefer playing online bingo than in a bingo hall. I can play anytime of the day, hassle free, worry free, more secured, tons of freebies and privileges, and you can make friends all over the world because they have chat room for players. Those were just a list of my reasons why i like playing online bingo than in a bingo hall.

Hi Bingotime, and thanks for taking the time to make a nice post.
I agree with you on playing bingo online, it is such a community feeling. If you play at the same site all the time, you make some great friends, and look forward to talking with them when you play, its like you have another family of friends and its fun to catch up!

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Forum Moderator

Online bingo is somewhere suffered through this as this affected the online players growth. The uk online bingo market recieved the effects of both market infiltration and downturn too.

It is an inexpensive online hobby, and a way to gain money, and a way to find more friends that really gives you a very relaxing and enjoying experience. I think even during recession, the number of players will not be affected.. If you really enjoy playing bingo and it is your passion, there is no easy way that will take it out of your life, you will still play bingo right? Its a part of your lifestyle, always giving you the urge to play, even without winning sometimes, its still the experience that will keep you there.

Playing bingo is not just about winning.. It is on how you appreciate on what it brings to you.. For me its a joy I don't want to lose.. And with this joy playing with your friends and family, I am always a winner.