Bingo Myths Uncovered

We all know the bingo stereotype: a bunch of old people hunched over in a church basement attempting to win miniscule prizes. Unfortunately, this stereotype is no joke either as many people actually believe that this is the reality of bingo. The truth is though that bingo is a constantly evolving game complete with people of all ages trying to win monster bingo prizes. So since we all know the stereotype of bingo being dominated by old people is a myth, let’s explore how it got started as well as what the facts of the situation are.

How the myth of old people playing bingo got started

It’s easy to understand the myth that bingo is primarily a church-based game since its history is rooted deep within churches. The father of modern bingo, Edwin Lowe, earned his biggest break when he was approached by an American Catholic priest with proposition of making numerous bingo cards for church fundraisers. Once Lowe started making cards for churches across America, the game became entrenched as a church fundraiser.

However, explaining the myth of why bingo is looked at as an old person’s game is a little tougher than the church stereotype. While little definitive research has been done on the subject, it is known that bingo was heavily used as a way for people to bond when the game really started taking off in the 60’s and 70’s. Not only did churches use bingo as a source of entertainment and bonding, but small towns used bingo halls as a way to bring their communities together. Gossip was shared and many friends were made in these small bingo halls which only increased their popularity. 

But as time went by, many younger people found new sources of online gambling entertainment while the older generations continued playing their favorite game. And although some younger people still found their way to bingo halls and chuches, the large percentage of older people at these venues gave bingo its stereotype as a game in which only the elderly played.

The development of online bingo – a huge turning point

The stereotype of bingo being an older person’s game really took off during the 1990’s. Bingo was looked at as uncool during these times, and it had earned the reputation as a boring game. Seeing as how this was the case, most young people were reluctant to visit bingo halls and so the stereotype was only furthered.

However, the turn of the millennium saw the advent of online bingo which became an attractive prospect for the youth. Online bingo was not only easy to play in the comfort of one’s own home, but it also offered players the chance to win unbelievable jackpots that just weren’t available in halls and churches. Heavy marketing campaigns by hundreds of online bingo rooms helped the game draw an even bigger audience as Internet usage become commonplace during the 2000’s.

The reality of today’s bingo game

While there may have initially been some truth to the myth that only old people played bingo, the advent of online bingo has blown this myth away. In fact, a study done by a huge software provider by the name of Parlay Entertainment has shown that 58% of the online bingo market is comprised of people under the age of 45. And out of these people, 29% of online bingo players are between the ages of 18 and 34. Perhaps the most telling statistic is that only 2% of Internet bingo players are ages 65 and up which shows that the game has definitely evolved. 

Basically this research just goes to show that bingo is in no way only a game for the elderly, and is enjoyed by people of all ages.