As the demographics of bingo players change towards a younger generation (bingo has previously been a game frequented by older and usually female players), bingo sites are offering more products than ever before, which is a hit with players, especially slot enthusiasts, but why are slot games, in particular, proving so popular with bingo players?
Demographic change of bingo players
The largest demographic of bingo players used to be those aged 55+; this group made up 32% in 2015. Just two years later, this figure had fallen to 21% and has continued to drop. Instead, according to YouGov, the most likely age group playing bingo is 25-34-year-olds.
The same YouGov report also found that the new generation of online bingo players is more “disposed to gambling in other forms”, betting on the lottery, in-person bingo, scratch cards, and other casino games like roulette, poker, blackjack and slot machines. Research has also shown that bingo players tend to be casual spenders, with 39% of online players spending less than £20 in the last year and only 7% spending over £140.
Slots and other games at bingo sites
Bingo sites have come a long way in the last ten years. The market has expanded to offer more bingo choices (90, 75 and 30 ball options), and they’ve also begun listing more products to satisfy the younger demographic of players looking for more fun and gambling opportunities. Many bingo sites now offer slots, instant win games, tables and even live dealer casino software and games; slots have proved particularly popular.
However, every bingo site stocks different games and software choices. For players looking to play slots and other games alongside bingo, the best option is to use an online bingo comparison site to compare the options and find out which sites offer a good selection.
Some sites will be more suitable for slot fans than others, and bingo review sites are where you’ll find out how each site differs and what’s in the games lobby before signing up as a player.
Why do slots hit the sweet spot with bingo players?
Slot games are the most popular casino product, both online and land-based, in the UK, so it’s no big surprise that keen bingo players love them too. But what is it about slots that make them so appealing to fans of the numbers game?
Change of pace
Slot games offer a much faster pace of play than most bingo games. Unlike bingo, where a round can take up to 10 minutes, slot spins take just 2.5 seconds. Physically, they present a change of pace for bingo players, who might even be playing alongside their main bingo game.
Due to the shortened spin speeds, slots also offer the chance to dip in and out of playing, have a few spins then take a break before continuing.
Simple gameplay with great design
Like bingo, slot games are easy to play and based on luck, which makes them popular with bingo fans. There are no complex rules to learn, so they are ideal for playing without prior experience.
At the same time, you can also find complex slots with differing numbers of reels, paylines and filled with bonuses and special rounds. There’s a huge range of choices regarding slots, and not just over the style; you can also find hundreds of online themes that provide a whole world of different playing opportunities.
Low stakes and great fun
Slots also offer a range of stakes, with most starting from 1-10p. Bingo sites tend to offer slots that have the lowest starting stakes, matching the spending habits of bingo players, who tend to be casual gamblers, buying bingo cards for pennies. Hence, playing slots isn’t expensive at bingo sites and provides the same opportunity to win real money prizes, while enjoying a flutter.
Moreover, as the new government white paper has suggested implementing slot stake limits from players (cutting them off at £15 per spin for those over 25, and suggesting 18-24s should be limited to a maximum of £2 per spin), bingo sites are well placed to expand, capitalising on the low stakes trend.
Not every bingo player like slots
As well as sharing similarities that appeal to bingo players, slots differ from bingo in many ways. For example, they are considered a harder form of gambling, whereas bingo is primarily viewed as a social gaming activity. Slots cost more to play and are less social (unless playing a Live Spins game), and they are also fundamentally different in design and mechanics, which due to their engrossing nature, leads to longer playing sessions and, for some players, the risk of dissociation.
For these reasons, or potentially a lack of appeal, slots don’t work for everyone. This is why players can also find sports-themed games, slingo, keno, scratch cards and many other real money games at bingo sites.
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