When online bingo first launched back in the earlier part of the decade, playing online games was viewed as the love of a few. On top of this,many households did not have an internet connection and those that did only had a dial up service, which held up games. Since the roll out of broadband across the nation however there are so many players bingo online is often cited as one of the few industries to beat the recession during these hard times.
Oh how times have changed
We are constantly reading reports that the stereotypically acknowledged gamer image is no longer applicable, since so many women play online bingo. The image of a pale male sitting in his parent's bedroom bathed only in the light of his computer monitor has long been on the slide, and it is now widely acknowledged that a woman of any age might just as well as be basking in the glow of the same monitor while smiling and playing bingo online!
Broadband means a broader audience
So,what is it that has changed so that playing games is not only acceptable but hugely popular? First and foremost the availability of internet games has revolutionised the audience. This combined with targeted TV advertising such as that used recently by Foxy Bingo and Wink Bingo has made more players aware of the different sites and their promos than ever before.
The first time we witnessed Foxy dancing down the street followed by a brood of excited women for example may well have been the first time most people became aware of online bingo. It's safe to say however that things have moved on since then, and that advertising campaigns have become more sophisticated as the game has grown.
It's now possible to see banners on web sites, an ad in the paper, a sponsorship ad opening a TV show break and an ad in the break all in one day! Although this approach may at first appear to be flooding the market, new players are signing up all the time in response to these big name brands.
Where you win it doesn't matter
With the huge publicity that also accompanies big wins in both live and online bingo, there is also more of a wider awareness of 'what is out there' in the world of bingo in terms of jackpots and promos than ever. Combined with the idea of freebie money as incentive to new players to try out new sites, operators seem to be onto a win-win situation in the current climate. After all, who wouldn't appreciate a few extra spondoolies in their account at the end of a long day?