The topic of today’s post has a lot to do with the increasing popularity of online bingo-rooms vs. the lagging appeal of traditional land-based bingo halls. I have likened the contrasts between these gaming variants to a sonic boom effect.
Back in the day when I was a kid, the Internet wasn’t even an idea in my mind (or most peoples’ minds I imagine). But before long, this communication superhighway opened up the frontiers of knowledge and opinion like never before. Indeed this boon to society spurned new realities on the ground and revolutionized the way we all live our lives. On the gaming front, the Internet could not have had a more stunning effect. Bingo – the mainstay of bricks and mortar venues – was rapidly being challenged by the rapid pace of technological development.
One might suggest that the popularity of the archetypal bingo hall is being outstripped by the pace of development in online gaming. The image conjured up in my mind is one of a fighter jet blazing a trail across the stratosphere and leaving everything behind it with nothing but an awesome sonic boom. Metaphorically that’s what I imagine best describes what’s happened to live bingo halls. Or is it? Let’s take a look and find out more, shall we?
Jeremy and the brains trust get together
This whole concept of technology making tradition redundant got me thinking. Is this really the case? Has the traditional hall model been replaced by the surging popularity of today’s online bingo rooms? My mates and I put our ‘collective thinking caps’ on and found out more. Indeed the numbers are in: bingo halls have recorded significant drops in revenue, player participation and general interest since online bingo’s popularity soared.
Might we call this malaise? I sure hope not because I feel that there is a lot of good to come from Bingo Halls. For one thing they provide a real-life venue where players can get together and play bingo. It makes for an outing and it is fun-filled entertainment. This stands in contrast – to a degree – to online bingo where players needn’t be physically in one another’s presence to enjoy the game. Sadly the trend is continuing. There are reportedly only 70 remaining bingo halls in Canada (from a tally of over 200). And to think that many worthwhile charities depend on hall revenues is also a little heartbreaking.
Move with the times, don’t slumber in backward isolation
Traditional bingo has been given a wake-up call. It’s high time that these venues look to ways of modernizing their product offerings. Luckily all is not lost because traditional bingo will always have a faithful following. The trick however is how to spur growth. Whether e-Bingo will derail the popularity of live bingo halls remains to be seen. For now, the success of one is the PR agent of the other. My sincerest hope – alongside the hopes of many bingo-gaming aficionados – is that both variants will enjoy growth and prosperity, because both clearly have a role to play in society. On that rather lacklustre note, I’d very much like to invite your feedback on this issue.
Image Credit: raysto
That’s so – rawrly Jermy, I quite like that ‘un. Those there bingo halls are sooooo totally grand – and so like funny at times too.
My goal is to play in the hall for a cruise vacation Jerry – that’s what I want.
I am a exotic dancer and most of my clients are really into bingo gaming – I’ve had a particular affinity to it myself. This is a most fabulous idea to have it in grandiose halls and spectacular show-stopping venues. Its much like a Vegas atmosphere. Thanks.
Thanks Kirly E.
That’s a nice comment.
Keep up your bingo-gaming interests.
JS
What i’ve always wanted to know is how do you get to join these clubs? Is it by invitation only? I know in the UK you need to give like 24 hours advance notice before you game at a casino style haven – is this true for bingo too?
Is that a fact???????? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Here in Oz we don’t have anything vaguely similar to the 24-hour notice period. Where does that come from? Anyway- good article – I found this on FB. nice.
That’s like royal palace – where is that. I never played bingo in nice joint lke that one.