Bingo - the next big thing ?

ozim · #1 () 12-17-2005, 04:23 PM

I heard someone saying, I guess it was Sportingbet's CEO Nigel Payne, that Bingo will be the next big thing in online gaming. Until then I didn't know much about bingo so I decided to find out a little more. I visited some sites, learned the rules, opened a bingo account and deposited $10. Obviously, the first time I played I won. My bankroll went up to $18. The next few games was a bit of fun as well as the whole thing was new to me. But from then on it seemed like the most stupid and boring game in the universe. In the real world bingo someone may get some thrill from marking the numbers on their cards. In online bingo, computer marks the numbers for you and you can play as many as 50 cards at the same time - computer does everything for you and you are just watching. And since you know that the site has an advantege you are actually watching your money slip away... So how can someone play this game for more than 15 minutes? How can it be the next big thing? Or am I missing something and there is something in this game that I didn't see ? :blink:

And if you agree with me that bingo is stupid and don't want to talk about it then you can share your view on what the next big thing is going to be :P

coxquinn · #2 () 12-17-2005, 05:24 PM

Jeremy just posted that he thought the top 2 affiliate programs in the world right now are dating and porn. I think bingo has a lot of qualities that make me consider it more in that vein as well.

I think people play bingo because they are bored and it's an excuse to chat with pepole.

My 2 cents, take it or leave it.

#3 () 12-17-2005, 09:12 PM

When I think of an online bingo player I think of an 85 year old woman sitting behind her commodore 64 smoking a pack of winstons.........oh yea with an oxygen bottle next to her also. :huh:

Bingo just doesn't seem very hip and if you look at the demographics I just don't see how it could be "the next big thing". Speaking of demographics, here's the way I see it regarding our audiences.

Online Poker - Any person between the ages of 18 - 100. Especially college kids who think they can beat the game after playing for 6 months. And even better the people who genuinely do play full-time, regardless if their a winning player or not. Poker is so trendy right now that it is "cool" to play. Plus unlike bingo, casino, and sports betting there is a social aspect that makes it just like a chat room for some. Poker has exploded so much in the past year that literaly everyone is playing.

Sportsbook Players - Generally the same as above but mostly males, a good percentage are between 18-30. Most sports betters are action junkies and the type of poker players that if not experienced in the game will be your maniacs........hence why some people swear by Bodog. Likewise you get a few degenerates of all ages that bet way too much on sports. You can make a killing promoting sportsbooks but there is also a much greater risk factor if your based in the U.S.

Online Casino Players - With the exception of blackjack..............probably mostly degenerates :P I really want to say I'm kidding but I'm not sure if I am :huh: What type of person really plays slots and roulette online. Nonetheless it's a booming industry.

Bingo Players - Probably mostly old folks in nursing homes that have a broadband connection in the community room.

I suppose if you can rank really well in the SE's for bingo terms or if you have a killer bingo niche site you would do well. I'm just not seeing bingo as "the next big thing". Maybe some of you guys that promote bingo or online casinos can chime in.

Kyle · #4 () 12-17-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ozim@Dec 17 2005, 04:23 PM
I heard someone saying, I guess it was Sportingbet's CEO Nigel Payne, that Bingo will be the next big thing in online gaming. Until then I didn't know much about bingo so I decided to find out a little more. I visited some sites, learned the rules, opened a bingo account and deposited $10. Obviously, the first time I played I won. My bankroll went up to $18. The next few games was a bit of fun as well as the whole thing was new to me. But from then on it seemed like the most stupid and boring game in the universe. In the real world bingo someone may get some thrill from marking the numbers on their cards. In online bingo, computer marks the numbers for you and you can play as many as 50 cards at the same time - computer does everything for you and you are just watching. And since you know that the site has an advantege you are actually watching your money slip away... So how can someone play this game for more than 15 minutes? How can it be the next big thing? Or am I missing something and there is something in this game that I didn't see ? :blink:

And if you agree with me that bingo is stupid and don't want to talk about it then you can share your view on what the next big thing is going to be :P

Quote:

And since you know that the site has an advantege you are actually watching your money slip away... So how can someone play this game for more than 15 minutes?

Cuz people are sick :lol:

hoursurfing · #5 () 12-17-2005, 10:01 PM

I dont understand why people play online casinos. I've tried but it is awful. Cant even imagine Bingo. Im sure in 20 years our kids and grandkids will say the same thing about poker.

Going to the pokerroom again Gramps :blink:

Later

coxquinn · #6 () 12-17-2005, 10:08 PM

I still gotta disagree a little on your views of the bingo demographic. I think some "kids" (maybe even under 18) are playing more bingo these days hence talk of it being the "next big thing"---although that I do not agree with. while chatting on AOL might as well also play some $1 bingo games for kicks.

Could be way off base, but just my gut. If I am right, could be a nice niche

PokerMaster · #7 () 12-18-2005, 08:11 PM

I think bingo could be really big in the future. Loads of people play bingo, not just old people, people have bingo at work, holiday camps, schools , the only reason stopping me to go to a real bingo hall in fact is that Id feel silly being the youngest person there. Im already planning a bingo site in fact. I have come up against the problem of what to base the site on though. There seem to already be 100's of bingo sites on the net to choose from, so reviewing them would be very time consuming, and where to start more to the point. Also, what would people discuss in a bingo forum? Not much I think, also what bingo content could you write about, strategy articles? I don't think so. I think someone could do well by developing some sort of online bingo software. Other than that I guess you could just make a basic portal and target some niche terms.

coxquinn · #8 () 12-19-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

the only reason stopping me to go to a real bingo hall in fact is that Id feel silly being the youngest person there.

That's not an issue when you are hiding behind a computer...

dbirider · #9 () 12-19-2005, 01:46 AM

Will we be seeing a WSOB on espn one day? :lol:

#10 () 12-19-2005, 03:53 AM

I don't think that bingo is the "next big thing". They've been saying that for the entire 2 years I've been in this industry.

That being said, there's money to be made promoting online bingo.

And there was a World Series of Bingo at some point in the last year or two. Obviously it's not a skill-based game, but it did get some kind of minimal coverage in the media, IIRC.