Who Plays Online Bingo?
Most people would be surprised to discover who plays online bingo. This is due to a common stereotype. For nearly a generation, any mention of bingo evokes images of large halls filled with droves of senior citizens. In reality, the game not only transcends age, but includes fans from both genders, nearly every ethnicity, and all demographics. It penetrates to the core of what excites each of us about games of chance: the opportunity to win a prize coveted by others.
Below, we’ll explore the issue of who plays online bingo by taking a closer look at available statistics. To be sure, the numbers only provide a guideline since the online bingo industry is largely hampered by legislation in the U.S.
Who Plays Online Bingo In The UK?
The popularity of bingo in the UK is a good proxy for the industry as a whole. Legislation against online gambling is limited, so numbers are compiled and published with less concern regarding possible repercussions.
According to the Gala Coral Group (the UK’s largest bingo operator), bingo ranks at the top of a list of leisure activities enjoyed within a group. Moreover, the game ranks second for activities enjoyed as an individual. Overall, bingo is the most popular way to spend leisure time among women aged 20 to 25. In the context of who plays online bingo, this age group likely comprises the majority.
In the UK, online bingo has become so popular that the industry has attracted the notice of multinational, billion dollar companies. MSN, Virgin, and Yahoo are among the contenders. This too, can be used as a general barometer of who plays online bingo. Because these companies cater largely to a younger, net-savvy demographic, it’s safe to assume their target market for online bingo matches a similar profile.
Who Plays Online Bingo In The USA?
Determining who plays online bingo in the United States is more problematic. A pivotal piece of legislation called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed in 2006. It targeted U.S. banks and financial institutions, and prohibited them from transferring funds to online casinos. Because online bingo is included within the UIGEA’s definition of internet gambling, many bingo sites closed their doors to players in the U.S.
That said, there are several bingo sites that still accept USA players. However, because they operate on the fringe, just beyond the UIGEA’s reach, they are understandably loathe to release any statistics about their players. Here again, the UK audience offers a useful gauge. While bingo is enjoyed by all age groups and both genders, women between the ages of 20 and 25 make up a significant portion of active players.
Let’s dig into the numbers more deeply…
General Stats Regarding Who Plays Online Bingo
According to Wikipedia, there are 3 million regular bingo players. Of that group, 50,000 are believed to play bingo online. Of this latter group, nine of ten players are under 50 years of age. What’s more, 85% are believed to be female, which is why many online bingo sites seem to target a female audience.
In August 2009, the results of a survey were released by Bingo Hideout. Of the 2,167 online bingo players who participated in the survey, the following age group trends emerged…
- 18 to 25 years of age = 11.5% of the online bingo population
- 26 to 35 = 23.5%
- 36 to 45 = 28.8%
- 46 to 55 = 24.1%
- 56 to 65 = 9.8%
- Above 65 years of age = 2.3%
These numbers seem to contradict the notion that online bingo is played primarily by senior citizens. That said, given that 50,000 people play online bingo, a survey of only 2,167 offers a guideline rather than conclusive numbers.
Where To Meet Other Online Bingo Players
If you are a bingo enthusiast and would like to meet others who play online bingo, visit Cyber Bingo (for US players) or Foxy Bingo (for UK players). Cyber Bingo has a constant 100% match bonus on any first time deposit you make up to $300! Foxy Bingo will give you a free £20 bonus. In both cases, the only requirement is to register an account.
Both Cyber Bingo and Foxy Bingo maintain vibrant communities that are filled with online bingo players. You can enjoy multiple bingo halls, chat games, and more while mingling with other bingo fans. Even better, you can take advantage of the free trial bonuses, generous deposit bonuses, and a host of exciting prizes and jackpots. Take a moment to visit Cyber Bingo and Foxy Bingo to claim your free-play bonuses and start enjoying the company of other bingo enthusiasts.