Bingo: The Social Game of Choice
24th October, 2007
In a recent study conducted by Britain’s Bingo Association, 48% of the general population said they view bingo as an important tool for social interaction. In the BBA’s report entitled ‘Social Impact of Bingo Club Closures’, an estimated 3.8 million adults in the UK are reported as regular bingo players. The report also notes there has been a 16% increase in the past six years of bingo players under the age of 41.
Chief executive Paul Talboys of the BBA believes the research has uncovered how traditional community activities and social goals are changing.
“Bingo players feel very strongly about their local clubs and the role that these clubs play is very important in terms of ensuring people retain a sense of belonging in their local community. Whilst bingo is a very popular game, the industry has been heavily impacted by recent regulation which could limit its ability to adapt quickly to the changing shape of local communities and nature of social interaction,” Talboys comments.
Bingo has always been a social tradition for Britain, and although the game is still quite popular, the shift in recent years towards technological social interaction as opposed to face-to-face interaction could mean that the game needs to find a new social venue, online.
