Why do women love playing online bingo?
Why do women love playing online bingo?
Have you ever heard of the prevailing stereotype that it’s the ‘little old ladies’ that love playing bingo? It was most probably true — until now, that is.
With the rise of online bingo, the bingo-playing demographic has decidedly steered in a whole new direction. In fact, international research data and analytics group YouGov found that, as early as 2018, 62% of online bingo players were women, and those aged between 25-34 were the most active.
So, why the sudden shift in demographic? More women are seeking new gaming and casino experiences
In the past few years, experts have noted a sudden rise in women playing casino games, with their playing behaviour being notably different from men’s. While men are drawn to the games for that rush they feel when they win, women play them to relax.
Before, entering an arcade or casino — places seen as male-dominated realms — was something women avoided. But now that these games are available online, women can play much more easily.
Women find bingo unique
However, women can be seen to prefer bingo to other casino games. This may be because, unlike high-adrenaline games like poker and speed roulette, it’s played in a casual, friendly environment. That’s why, for many women, bingo is more than just a game: It lets you sit back, relax, and interact with others.
More than that, though, you don’t need a specific skill set to play. All you need are cards, numbers, a caller, players and, if you’re playing online, a device with an internet connection. It’s so simple that you can play it anywhere, anytime, and with whomever you want.
Bingo’s branding fits their style
Marketers have been quick to notice these feminine preferences for bingo, and have acted accordingly. For years, in fact, bingo adverts have been largely colourful and exciting, working hard to attract a younger playing audience and dispel the stereotype that bingo is a game for the elderly. Other adverts make use of largely purple or pink colour schemes, making it quite clear who their target audience is.
And this branding goes beyond advertisements and into the design of online bingo rooms, as well. The bingo lobbies on Gala Bingo greatly exemplify this with their bright colours and eye-catching special effects. The site even has a room called ‘Bingo Beats,’ where players can play bingo while listening to techno — a popular music genre among women. In fact, some of the best EDM DJs, like
The Blessed Madonna and Peggy Gou, are women.
And with features like chat rooms and the automated filling-out of bingo cards, players can even replicate those social bonds they look forward to making when playing bingo face-to-face.
Bingo is going mobile
Bingo is just one of the thousands of games that are staying competitive by entering the booming mobile gaming industry. As early as 2017, mobile games were already outpacing its PC and console counterparts in terms of revenue, and the market will be worth nearly €234 billion by 2023.
Last year, an estimated 80 billion games were downloaded by over 2.69 billion gamers from all over the world, and 51% of these players were women. And when women play, their sessions last 25% longer than men’s.
With women’s gaming preferences becoming overwhelmingly mobile, bingo is more accessible than ever before. And with the user interface (UI) of these apps being very intuitive, even those shifting from playing in bingo halls to playing online have a shallow learning curve and shorter adjustment period. More importantly, women can conveniently relax and interact with other player — all from the comfort of their living room couch.