So online bingo is clearly still growing, and obviously is not going anywhere in terms of players. But where is it going in terms of technology? Over the last few years, the game of online bingo has grown from humble beginnings to an increasingly slicker and smarter style of play. But what can the future hold in terms of making the online bingo experience even better?
Over the years, there have been several key developments in the way online bingo has been played. And despite technology being one of the furthest things from many jackpot hungry, bonus hunting, online bingo roomies, believe us, it’s meant big things to the way we play online bingo! First up was a move from downloadable software to flash games. Meaning? A change from having to download a clunky application to playing direct on sites, bringing an altogether more cohesive bingo experience.
At the same time, software deals and innovations led many to introduce side games on their sites, originally conceived as a means of keeping players amused in between games of bingo. Resulting in? Some of the biggest wins at online bingo sites including Posh Bingo (£45k) and Wink Bingo (£50k) , and a notable shift in player habits, with women becoming one of the key growth areas for casino style sites such as Foxy Flutter.
And then there have been developments in the social side. From Wink Bingo‘s “WinkMe” network, to the appearance of chat rooms, chat moderators, chat games and tons of bonus points, technology has meant with online bingo, it’s good (and profitable) to talk! And that’s not forgetting the private chat functions available at online bingo websites, which have surely led to a few well documented online bingo romances!
So it’s clear that technology is actually more important than you’d first believe in online bingo. Which is why the news that Parlay Entertainment has developed ‘live presenter bingo’ gives some serious food for thought. In partnership with Atac Media and Beast Gaming, the software will mean video streaming will be used to give an altogether more “lifelike” feel to the online bingo experience. It’ll make online bingo games feel closer to their offline cousin, which clearly reflects the desire of online bingo to provide more of a community feel when it comes to it’s games. Video content will mean players can feel like they are in a local bingo hall, and all from the comfort of their own home.
Another big thing is the possibility of taking bingo on the move. As much as the “comfort of your own home” has given online bingo a huge advantage over offline bingo by capitalising on the smoking ban, the idea of mobile bingo looks set for considerable development and growth. Whilst there are some formats which bingo has not translated to so well – such as TV bingo – the increasing popularity of large screen touch phones and 3G capabilities, plus the popularisation of apps through the iPhone has, in theory, made the mobile phone perfect. In terms of the future of online bingo, it seems like things can only get bigger – and better!
