Bingo has proven to be one of the British public’s favourite pastimes for decades, with the enduring image of brightly lit halls and air thick with smoke being the first thing many people will think of when the game is mentioned. Now, however, with the smoking ban in effect across Britain, many bingo enthusiasts prefer to stay at home and play online at any one of several gambling web sites, where they can enjoy a cigarette without interrupting their game or having to go and stand outside in the cold during the winter months.
Since the introduction to Scotland of the smoking ban in March 2006, ten bingo clubs have closed due to decreased revenue, with club owners across the country complaining of the smoking ban’s detrimental effect on traditional bingo playing habits. Nine clubs were closed in England as a precautionary measure before the smoking ban was even brought into effect in July 2007, due to many club owners anticipating a similar slide in business once the ban was in place, with a total of 200 clubs and halls estimated to face closure. Owner’s fears were well founded, as surveys revealed that 63% of smokers now played the majority of their bingo online with two million adults no longer going as regularly to bingo clubs as they did before the smoking ban was introduced
While this is bad news for traditional bingo clubs and halls, online bingo sites have seen a dramatic surge in popularity and profit, with the worldwide online bingo market now estimated to be worth $40 million a year, a figure that could be multiplied tenfold if 1% of the land-based Bingo halls convert from land to online. Huge brand names such as Virgin and Yahoo! are now associated with the online bingo market in the UK, clearly indicating just how much potential major companies see in online bingo.
All of this is a far cry from the “glory days” of bingo in 2003/04, where bingo halls and clubs saw a 24% increase in revenue across the country, an occurrence that many bingo commentators say is unlikely to ever happen again due, in no small part, to the smoking ban. While smaller, independent bingo halls are suffering the most and facing multiple closures from the impact of the ban, larger operators have managed to stay afloat by introducing their own online gambling sites, which saw a 34% rise in sales last year; an action that may have to be undertaken by more and more land based bingo companies to combat the effects of the smoking ban.
An unpredictable time lies ahead for bingo companies and players alike. With the land based bingo market set to drop a further 12% over the next twelve months the bingo halls and clubs across the country are set to be a thing of the past, with online bingo not only offering an alternative for smokers across Britain but also providing a lifeline for bingo companies willing to make the jump online.
Bingo is a very popular game all around the world. A few years ago bingo was associated with smoke-filled bingo halls and the elderly. Today this picture has changed dramatically. The new trend for old and young, male and female is to play online bingo.
All bingo lovers know that one of the essentials every player should have is their own bingo set. This bingo set can be used regularly on family vacations, visits with friends or even serve as an exhibition piece.
A typical bingo set will contain bingo cards, markers or chips, a cage with bingo balls, a bingo bag and a master board. But as the needs and demands of players change the contents of these sets change.
There are many types of bingo sets available, for example recreational, professional, home and double bingo sets. In short, there is a set to suit every player.
Before players buy bingo sets, they should decide whether they want to buy a 90 ball or a 75 ball game. The 90 ball game are played mostly in the United Kingdom and the 75 ball game in the United States.
The next step would be to choose between a set with bingo cards and markers, or shutter cards. If players prefer the bingo set with the markers, they will have to replace their cards regularly because players will mark off their numbers on the cards. There are many internet sites that allow players to create their own, randomly generated, cards. The other option is to buy sets with shutter cards or chips. This way all players have to do is simply slide the shutter or the chip over the number to mark it off and cards can be used again.
The two most popular types of bingo sets are sets with wooden balls and sets with plastic balls. Most sets contains a bingo cage in which the balls are placed. The cage is used to mix the balls and to randomly generate the next number for the caller to call.
Bingo sets are definitely not drab and boring. Many themed sets are available. The themes vary from Hello Kitty to Elvis, with pattern-printed cards and suitable markers.
Other popular bingo sets are bridal shower or baby shower bingo sets. Instead of numbers, these sets contain pictures and other baby or bridal items. Popular sets for children are maths, bible, animal and language bingo.
Playing bingo, whether it is playing on a website or in a hall or with a bingo set at home, is lots of fun. Not only is it a great form of relaxation, it is according to studies good for the mind!
Online Bingo is said to be the fastest growing bingo market. Today bingo enjoys huge popularity and according to a rough estimate, around 60 million Bingo players are present all over the world. Many bingo ballrooms are in operation and serving this ever growing number of bingo lovers. Bingo has been around for nearly 500 years and is one of the most popular online games. The elegant simplicity of the game along with uncomplicated rules and the generous doses of luck make an eclectic mix, which attracts bingo players of all age groups. If you wish to play online bingo, you should have information about some reliable online bingo sites with interesting offers. And where do you find this valuable information? The answer is Bingobase.
Bingobase is a one-stop shop that offers you bingo related information and comparative data of bingo playing sites. The site offers you a detailed and organized appraisal of all the best UK bingo sites. You can easily evaluate one online bingo site with another on similar parameters. You can get information such as free bingo game online or free bingo game cards offered at any site without even visiting the site. The site thus helps you to find the best bingo offers, jackpots, bonuses and prizes at one place. You have a dual advantage besides receiving the valuable information you also save your precious time.
Bingobase also provides bingo related information for the bingo amateurs who are new to the game. If you are still learning the ropes, you can explore the < and familiarize yourself with the game. All this information is available on the site along with miscellaneous tit bits such as celebrity gossip, real life stories and horoscopes. You even get a free entry to a £300 prize draw if you vote for your favorite bingo site. The site has an online bingo player wizard that creates your bingo profile and helps you to find the sites that suit your profile. The free bingo information available on the site help to increase your knowledge and the free games offered on the site help you to practice the game and win real cash. Once you know your game, you can try your luck with the bigger games and the bingo jackpots.
Bingobase is your passport to the fun filled world of unadulterated fun and entertainment. To Play Online Bingo, visit the site www.bingobase.com and start your journey today.
It’s custom to have themes and various games at baby showers, and a bingo baby shower is one of the best and most popular types. A bingo baby shower will combine the fun of a bingo game and the excitement of a baby shower. Bingo is not only a great game; it’s a great icebreaker, especially when the guests don’t know each other very well. Playing a bingo game, with the …
A bingo baby shower is a great idea for those who want something fun and different for their baby shower.
It’s custom to have themes and various games at baby showers, and a bingo baby shower is one of the best and most popular types. A bingo baby shower will combine the fun of a bingo game and the excitement of a baby shower. Bingo is not only a great game; it’s a great icebreaker, especially when the guests don’t know each other very well. Playing a bingo game, with the players divided into teams, will encourage the guests to interact and get to know each other.
Planning a bingo baby shower is really easy. All you need is bingo cards, markers, small prizes or awards and lots of snacks! The host can make the cards beforehand, and have the players make their own home made cards. Even normal bingo sets can be used with only a few slight adaptations. Many shops cater especially for baby shower games and various baby shower bingo game sets can be found.
Part of the fun of a bingo baby shower is to have all the guests make their own cards. All they need is colored paper, scissors, rulers and colored pens and/or markers. Depending on the type of game being played, they can write down the names of expected gifts or draw pictures of baby related items. The bingo baby shower card usually consists out of 25 (5X5) or 36 (9×9) blocks.
Playing a bingo baby shower game is quite simple. The guests or the host decides on the type of bingo game, the cards are then made based on the game chosen. Guests can draw pictures of baby related items and then write down the names of the items on separate cards. All the cards are thrown in a hat and mixed together. The host will then draw the cards and read out the name. Guests match the names to the pictures on their bingo cards. The first guest to fill their card wins a small prize. The same goes for the bingo game where guests write down the names of the gifts they think the mother to be will receive. As she opens her gifts, they mark off the gifts on their cards. The first guest to fill their card wins bingo!
Remember that guests should shout bingo at the top of their voices, this way playing baby shower bingo is a lot more fun!
Before organising a baby shower, the host should take the ages of the guests and their interests into consideration. Most of the time a bingo baby shower is the perfect option because everyone, young and old, enjoy playing bingo.
Having a bingo baby shower is the new trend. The games are fun to play, easy to organise and can keep guests busy for hours. Mothers-to-be should ensure they are the talk of the town having the best bingo baby shower of the year!
Today the focus has moved from land-based to online bingo. This leaves online bingo players with the problem of finding a good website to play on. Of course players can search in Google, or …
For years land-based bingo has been very popular, especially amongst older players. It was easy to find a good bingo hall – you just played where all your friends played! Many also played for charity, which meant that players assumed that the bingo hall hosting the game is a good hall.
Today the focus has moved from land-based to online bingo. This leaves online bingo players with the problem of finding a good website to play on. Of course players can search in Google, or any other search engine, but how can you determine whether it is a good website?
The first problem online bingo players are faced with is choosing between download or non-download games. Many online bingo players prefer non-download flash games because it hardly takes up space on their computers. Flash games usually offer high quality animation, as well as colourful and bold graphics.
Online bingo players should make sure they read the rules, terms and conditions of the website they want to play at. They should ensure they know how the bingo website’s cash out policy work, as well as whether the site places a charge on withdrawals.
When looking for a new online bingo website, players should play at sites that offer free money to try out the site. This ensures that the online bingo players know what the website and the players are like before they deposit their hard-earned money.
Another concern online bingo players have, is depositing money online. Usually new online bingo players do not feel comfortable depositing money online – what if someone steals their details or their money gets lost? When choosing a website, players have to make sure that the website guarantees to safe-keep all their confidential information.
Bingo players who want to deposit can use an e-wallet such as NETeller, which is completely safe and secure. Most online bingo websites encourage their players to use NETeller, as it is secure, convenient and transfers are instant.
Another quality to look for when looking for a good is whether the bingo website gives deposit bonuses. Deposit bonuses mean that online bingo players can earn between 50% – 300% on their deposits. This means players can more than double their money!
When choosing a new online bingo website, make sure they offer a good support service. There is nothing worse than having a problem with your account or with the game and you have to wait days before a response. Some websites offer 24 hour online support. Some websites even offer live call centre help.
After checking out the more technical side of the website, it is time to look at the fun side! Most online bingo games offer online chat. Bingo players should make sure that the websites they play at have special chat games. By playing special chat games, players can win bonus money that can help them win real money!
When looking at the chat games, online bingo players should make sure that they like the atmosphere in the chat room, as well as the chat hosts, or chat leaders. Chat hosts can make the games lots of fun and create a warm and friendly environment.
Finding a good bingo website is not that difficult. New online bingo players should take the time to check out the websites they are interested in. This way they can ensure they deposit at a website where they like the atmosphere, the roomies and the chat leaders. And, of course, they should like playing for hours – because the fun can be addictive!
Torn between playing bingo at the bingo hall and playing bingo online? There are many reasons to choose the latter as explained in the following piece.
Optimum Environment
If you’re using a desktop computer, online bingo can be accessed from the comfort of your own home. If you’re using a laptop computer, you can access online bingo halls from virtually anywhere! By taking advantage of this benefit, one does not need to travel, so more game time is enjoyed. Furthermore, if you are playing online you can save countless dollars that would otherwise be spent on food at the bingo hall! Another benefit is being able to have a familiar menu of snacks from your own fridge makes online bingo playing that much more enjoyable.
Socializing at your Fingertips
Another advantage of playing bingo in the comfort of your own home (or coffee shop, or wherever you happen to be) is that it will be a lot less crowded, noisy, and overbearing than the environment of a traditional bingo hall. You won’t have to shout to talk to your friends, and you can listen to your own music whilst effortlessly communicating with thousands of people through the chat features available on most bingo websites.
Instant Gratification
Playing bingo with multiple cards can be difficult for a normal person as the fast pace and unrelenting bingo calls can wear you down. However, while playing bingo online, most websites offer the auto-daub feature, which allows players to purchase and keep track of their card in amounts never before thought possible. The greater amount of cards you purchase increases your odds of winning, and thus one of the greatest parts of bingo is expanded – the winning! The auto-daub feature also leaves one free to chat, removing the awkward silence found in halls during bingo games.
Personality
If playing in a bingo hall, you don’t often get a chance to meet anyone, whereas in online bingo, the fun never stops. The online chat hosts keep the chat bouncing and you can play in special chat games for extra cash which give you even more opportunities to win it big! In bingo halls the caller can be monotonous and repetitive. Whereas with online bingo the variety of callers and the company of the chat hosts, you get the chance to thrive in a dynamic environment online.
Convenient Savings for yourself and the Environment
Bingo is a fun and inexpensive way to gamble. However, it’s the side costs that add up in the real world. Bingo cards cost money and paper to print, and this is reflected in the cost of cards as well as in the garbage that gets put out the back at most bingo halls. The cost of daubers can add up as well. And don’t forget about the precious fuel and time that are consumed on the way to the bingo hall. All of these problems can be easily alleviated by playing online bingo, where the cards are digitally created and disposed of with no more effort than the click of a mouse.
Fast-Paced Action
Online bingo has adapted to suit the pace of the modern world by keeping the games playing with greater alacrity than bingo halls. The auto-daub feature available on most online bingo games makes it easier to keep up with these fun and fast-paced games. This feature helps to eliminate much of the time problems caused by the distribution of real bingo cards, ball drawing, and ball calling. Now you can spend your time watching the numbers fall and chatting with your friends!
Bingo Nights in Modern Times
Ever wanted to host a bingo night/soiree in the comfort of your own home, but never had the resources? Thanks to the convenience of online bingo, every one of your friends with a portable computer can come over, and you could have a network game with just your best friends. Or get everyone to connect to your favorite site at an agreed upon time and you’ll all be chatting and playing the night away! Playing at home provides the additional incentive of selecting the music – always an important bingo component.
All in all, the benefits of playing online bingo far outweigh any of the negative attributes. The convenience, ease of play, and overall fun combined with the home-style atmosphere and comforts add up to a fantastic time whether alone or with friends. Online bingo is never a bad choice when you need a fun way to spend your day.
Bingo is a relatively cheat free game, but there are some really interesting stories of players cheating in this supposedly innocent game. The renowned author, John Scarne, writes about a few instances of players and casinos cheating at bingo. An almost unbelievable story is of an old lady in her seventies who…
Cheating is quite common in most online casinos, as well as land-based casinos. Many have realized that there is a lot of money to be made in the casino environment.
Bingo is a relatively cheat free game, but there are some really interesting stories of players cheating in this supposedly innocent game. The renowned author, John Scarne, writes about a few instances of players and casinos cheating at bingo. An almost unbelievable story is of an old lady in her seventies who walked away with more than $200,000 by cheating at a land-based hall!
There are dozens of cheating guides available, especially on internet, which can teach you the basic steps of cheating at almost any game you can think of. And the best part – many of them are for free.
The question then is, is gaming still safe? Most casinos have put in place strict safety measures. Players and games are closely watched. The same goes for online casinos. Most of these sites have security measures.
Although there are some dishonest players, cheating in Online Bingo is fortunately not that common, and the game is still relatively safe.
Why are online bingo games safer than land-based counterpart? Because players do not daub their own cards, cheating is relatively difficult. Some online bingo games have strict safety measures.
All you have to do is know how to find an honest and safe online bingo site. One of my favorites is http://www.bingodrome.com. Not only is it a safe and secure site, but dishonest players are scarce. The reason is strict safety measures.
When looking for a safe online bingo game, you have to look at the following:
1) Are players prohibited from having multiple accounts?
2) Are the rules concerning cash-outs strict and honest?
3) Do they keep your details safe?
You might wonder why these are the most important things to look at when looking for a safe online bingo game. The reasons are quite simple. It is important that players are allowed to have only on account; otherwise they will cheat you out of your money! Cash-outs should be strict and safe, so you can know that your money are in good hands and will be kept safe. Some online bingo sites sell player information, and therefore it is important to find a site that will guard your personal details.
There is something for everybody at Kiwi Bingo. All your favorite nickel and dime bingo games, a great selection of progressive slots, scratch-cards, video poker and keno! Their doors are open all day, every day, plus Kiwi Bingo has full 24 hour support and a great CM Team waiting to meet, greet and entertain you. You will feel like you have found a new home the minute you step into chat.
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Kiwi Bingo puts you in control;
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Kiwi Bingo also has one of the most advanced chat systems available;
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The game Bingo has been a popular game of chance since the early 1500′s. In 1530 a lottery type game called Lo Giuoco Code Loto was often played in Spain. It was similar to Bingo in that numbers were called out and the person holding those numbers won. The game was eventually evolved by the French who took many of the then common games and created parlour type versions of them that we now find in most casinos and gaming venues. The French created the familiar tablets of numbers and methods of marking called numbers that modern day Bingo players would find familiar. They used beans as a cheap way to place a marker on the square containing numbers and called the game Beano.
It wasn’t until the game found its way to the American shores however that the now famous cry of “Bingo” was heard. Legend has it that in 1929 Edwin Lowe saw the game being played at a travelling carnival using cardboard tablets with numbered squares, beans, and a rubber stamping device. When he saw how much the people loved the game he took it to New York with him and introduced it to a number of his friends who immediately fell in love with the game. In the excitement of a play one of those friends yelled out ‘Bingo’ by mistake and the name took root.
As time went on Bingo found its way from carnivals to churches where its popularity spread to the masses as a method of ‘legitimate’ gambling. While laws governing gambling varied from area to area many churches were exempt from gambling laws and Bingo was largely seen as an ‘innocent’ form of gambling.
Commercial forms of Bingo gambling in such places as casinos had quite a few ups and downs until it found its way into the gambling capital of the world – Las Vegas. It had stiff competition as a form of profitable gambling however and wasn’t as widely played by the serious gamblers as other forms of casino games were.
That didn’t stop Bingo from hitting it big when games of chance hit the internet. With the inception of gaming online came the biggest increase in gambling participation in history. Now it was possible to play worldwide without ever leaving your home. No travel expenses, no time off work, just the opportunity to play for fun, or profit at the click of a mouse.
Global Betting and Gaming Consultants estimate that 0.5 billion dollars USD per year are wagered on games of Bingo online and they expect that to increase to up to 1 billion USD by the year 2010. Online Bingo has many of the same attractions that Bingo parlour games have: the chance to win prizes that vary from small to large but most of all the chance to develop friendships. Online chatting with other players while playing the game is as much a part of the Bingo experience as the chance to yell out the famous call upon winning.
Worldwide it is figured that women spend 50% more time playing online Bingo and it is played most often between midnight and 5 am. The average amount spent at online Bingo by the average player is about $220.80 USD or £120 per month. The game with the worldwide history has made its mark in modern times as a fun and enjoyable way of socializing as much as a way to win money and shows no sign of losing its following any time soon.
Learn more about online bingo resources, please visit
http://www.gamblinghappy.com
Choosing between bingo websites can be compared to buying a new car. You have to find the right one, at the right price, in a color and model you like. And of course, the right salesman to make you feel at ease! Fortunately, finding good bingo websites are much easier than buying a car.
All potential players have to do is type a keyword in a search engine and hit enter. Thousands of search results will appear on their computer screens. Now players have the daunting task to pick a bingo website from thousands of bingo websites.
The first step would be to choose between free bingo websites and pay-to-play bingo websites. As with buying a new car, the best is to first try out the free websites. This way players get a feel and understanding for the game. Some pay-to-play sites have similar free sites where players can “test-drive” the site before depositing at the pay website.
Many pay-to-play bingo websites give players free or bonus money when they sign up. By using their sign-up bonuses, players have the opportunity to see if they like the room’s atmosphere, the other players and the game itself.
Most pay-to-play bingo websites offer players a main room and a high roller’s room. The high roller’s room is for players who want to play for higher stakes.
Some seasoned online bingo players suggest that potential players should make a list of all the bingo websites they liked. This way they can go back and have a second look and take their time to decide at which websites they want to play.
Potential players can also search internet for reviews on the bingo websites they’re interested in. Usually these websites give unbiased and honest reviews, mostly written by experienced bingo players. Another good way to find out more about certain sites is to visit message boards regularly.
The right bingo website will provide players with lots of fun, friends and prizes! Most bingo players love the community feel of some websites, the friendly players, chat rooms and of course all the prizes they can win! Some sites have themed rooms where people can choose a room to suit their taste or mood.
And of course, the greatest things about bingo websites are that you can play whenever and for as long as you want, from the comfort of your own home. Another advantage of playing online bingo is the opportunity to meet lots of people from other countries and backgrounds. And saving the best for last – you can spend lots of time having fun with your online friends and winning money!
