Bingo is one of the UK’s most established and best-loved pastimes, but it’s fair to say that it’s always attracted an older audience.

From bingo halls in towns and cities across the country, to seaside promenades, the main people with dabbers in hand has certainly been those aged 60+. However, that is beginning to change as bingo is seeing a resurgence, attracting a younger audience than ever before.

But why is that?

There are a number of reasons why bingo has been on the rise the last few years among the younger generation, and it comes from a mixture of both the rise of online bingo and the fun, new offline variants that are sweeping the nation.

The Rise of Online Bingo

Research has shown that the rise of online bingo has been significant over the past few years and that is only forecasted to grow too. Lockdown has boosted that tremendously, with more people seeking thrills online while the likes of bingo halls are closed.

However, the arrival of younger players isn’t a trend that began six months ago, but rather one that has been coming since around 2016.

The rise of online bingo, and other areas of gambling such as slots and sports betting, has helped attract a whole new audience. The ability to play on-the-go, spontaneously and quicker than ever before suits a generation that is used to having everything at the touch of a button. Offline bingo can’t do that, it needs to be organised and scheduled in.

Which perhaps put younger people off. Online bingo has managed to capture them though, exposing new, younger players to the more traditional forms of bingo as well as newer variants designed specifically to suit their needs. For example, speed bingo has proven hugely popular with a younger audience, while reputable slingo sites are taking the industry to entirely new levels.

That’s Seeping into Offline Gaming

That’s then seeping into offline bingo. While the online world of bingo has helped secure bingo as a hobby for thousands, if not millions of players, it’s helping change the attitudes towards the offline game.

No longer are local bingo halls being tarnished with a brush that deems them old, run-down or not cool enough, they’re being seen as the next step to an enjoyable hobby. And the stats are proving that.

As bingo halls began to re-open following the easing of lockdown restrictions, the younger players have flocked back in their numbers and have helped keen many halls afloat.

What is also aiding the arrival of younger players at more traditional bingo halls is a new type of bingo night that has become a cultural phenomenon.

Brands such as Bongos Bingo has taken the trend of younger players playing bingo to an entirely new level, with funky nights that target 18-30 year olds specifically. They sell out evenings across the country and even internationally as bingo continues to cement itself in the minds of the younger generation.

These are usually monthly nights though, and while they are much more than just bingo, with DJs and dancing accompanying it, bingo is at its very core, and it leaves people wanting their fix much more frequently. That’s seeing more players playing online and at local bingo halls.

Not long ago bingo was considered to be a dying game. However, today that couldn’t be further from the truth and the combination of online and mobile bingo, coupled with new fun offline evenings and variations is helping the game reestablish itself and become a British institution once again.

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