Bingo fans are about to have the time of their lives. If you thought that accessing bingo online was the glass ceiling, the future trends in online bingo are sure to leave it shattered. That’s because most online sites have realized that the online bingo audience wants and deserves more than plain online access to what could arguably be the best game ever invented. And these sites have thus embraced more digital trends to make gaming much more accessible, livelier, and cost-effective. Let’s look at what these sites have been up to and how these moves will shape the online bingo industry for decades to come:
Mobile Gaming
Did you know that an incredible 50% of people spend at least 4 hours on their phones daily? And that does not even account for the time spent checking emails or making work calls. All this time is attributed to social activities like chatting and catching up with people on social media! So, the next step for any bingo site that wants to tap into this market would be to access its audience using mobile gameplay. That is why sites like Mint Bingo are now fully mobile compatible, allowing players to load bingo games using their web browsers. Thus, bingo players can pretty much do anything they would do on desktops using their handy mobile gadgets. All they need is stable internet, and they are good to go!
Live Bingo Games
When bingo first began, it was played in group settings, including when soldiers played it in World War 2. But when it went online, it lost some of that social appeal because players would barely engage with each other. Instead, they logged into the sites, played several games, and logged out without a semblance of human interaction. And over time, this became a pain point for many players who wanted the chance to interact with other players. So, how did online sites respond to this need?
- Live chats: Most sites now feature a live chat section where players can talk to each other as they game. So, players keen on getting to know others can engage on these forums, creating a sense of community. This live chat is also mutable such that if a player does not want to interact, they do not have to do so and can instead enjoy solo gameplay. This flexibility is vital as not all players go online with the hope of talking to others – some want to destress and enjoy a simple game,
- Online communities: One of the key reasons people would leave their homes and travel to bingo halls was the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. Even if they lost, they would head home feeling happy about having interacted with other people. And online bingo sites want to bring this back by offering players the chance to be part of communities where they can access various resources and make more friends. Players can even organize competitions among themselves, share tips, and delve into a hoard of other activities, which makes the forums quite integral to the popularity of any online bingo site, and
- Social media forums: In this digital age, not having an online presence is almost akin to not existing. And bingo sites know this all too well and have thus created forums where they can engage with their audience, building on their parasocial interactions. Moreover, players use these sites to interact and form bonds based on their shared love of bingo.
Thus, online bingo no longer feels like a lonely venture. And players can have just as good a time as they would in the traditional halls.
Virtual Reality
This point augurs well with the need for social interaction. While bingo players do not need to commute or even dress up to play online games, they often experience some FOMO (fear of missing out) when they play at home. So, how can they enjoy the convenience of playing at home while interacting with other players? Virtual reality! All players need to do is to wear a headset, and they are soon transported into a virtual world where their avatar can act on their behalf. So, they can play in bingo halls surrounded by other avatars. And if they would like to strike up conversations with the other players or even share some moments with them, this is possible. This option works great for players who enjoy interactive experiences that live chats cannot offer. More sites are now offering this option, which will soon become a feature on most reputable sites.
Digital Currencies
How many people are comfortable making card payments or wire transfers to casinos? While many still do so, they are open to any other transaction where they do not need to be so open about their finances. And that is the beauty of virtual currencies, which rely on blockchain technology. This technology has opened the door to financial transactions that are:
- Safer: In the past, many online players have been hacked, which has led to significant losses on their part,
- More confidential: Players can enjoy their bingo experiences without running the risk of having their banks throw out their loan applications, and
- Faster: Instead of waiting days to weeks for a response, players can process their deposits and withdrawals within a day.
So, as far as convenience goes, using virtual currencies is a good bet for both the sites and players.
Of course, we cannot discuss the trends shaping the online bingo industry without touching on the metaverse, which blends all these aspects. But as we wait for this realm to take shape, we can explore each unique part of virtual gaming.