Online Bingo is still a relatively new industry, yet it seems to be coping well in the modern day economic climate. Traditionally bingo was played in halls by middle or old aged women, acting as a cheap weekly leisure activity. Many visited their local hall with the hope of winning some extra cash or just to socialize with friends.

However, the recent decline in visitors numbers has moved bingo online. Internet games are cheaper, easier to access and the jackpots and social sides are just as good as playing in a hall.

This has resulted in the online industry growing rapidly, attracting over 3 million players a year. The question for many in the gaming industry, is whether this growth will be effected by the recent economic recession.

Online Bingo comparison site, Bingo Alerts, has reported that player numbers are rising but people are spending less whilst playing.

The comparison site said in a statement, "Bingo Alerts has seen a dramatic increase in visitors over the last few months, proving that people are still interested in online bingo, even in the current economic turmoil.

"From what we are seeing and from what operators are telling us, players are still playing and numbers of depositing players is rising, but people are just spending less each session, so in real terms there is little change in overall revenue"

Many industry experts claim how the current 'staying in is the new going out' attitude is benefiting online gaming companies, especially bingo. Other factors explain the growth include the national smoking ban and increased internet access amongst homeowners in the UK.

source:gamingalerts.co.uk

Cashcade is one of the UK's largest online gaming companies owning several popular internet bingo sites. Their latest project, Cheekybingo.com has been making headlines throughout the bingo community and has already attracted large numbers of players.

The site offers players free bingo games with the chance to win small jackpots, or large cash games where players must pay for cards. This new site has already proved its popularity with thousands in the online bingo community signing up and to try out the games.

The main reason for its popularity is the free Jackpot events which take place throughout the day. These act as a perfect introduction for those who haven't played online bingo before. Customers then have the option to pay for bingo tickets in games with higher Jackpots.

The cost of cards ranges from 5p through to 50p, and players have the chance to win up to £5000 in guaranteed Jackpot games. Cheeky Bingo also has several special promotions including party nights, progressive Jackpot games and reward points.

It's expected to partner industry leader Foxy in increasing Cashcade's online bingo market share.

source:- gamingalerts.co.uk

In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, online bingo room BlindDateBingo.com is sharing the love and giving players the chance to win a cash prize of $1,000 in its Queen Of Bingo Hearts promotion.

From now until February 13, the internet bingo room stated that players getting bingo on one of its special Valentines Heart Pattern games would be entered to win the grand prize.

BlindDateBingo.com offers a variety of games including slots, 75 and 90-ball bingo, scratch cards, video poker and keno and revealed that the special games would run every hour until next Saturday. The site will then reveal the player that won the most times on its Valentines Heart Pattern bingo game on February 14.

In addition to $1,000 for the player occupying the top spot, $500 will go to the runner-up while $250 will be given to the third-placed player. The competitor finishing fourth will receive $150 while $100 has been allocated for the fifth and last collector of the Valentines Heart Pattern games.

BlindDateBingo.com stated that its rooms have absolutely no wagering requirements with all games running directly from the browser with no download required.

The staff at premier online bingo site Platinum Play Bingo should be very pleased with themselves after the site made an impressive run in not one but two awards at the WhichBingo.co.uk awards.

WhichBingo gave out the awards for Site of the Year 2008 and New Site of the Year 2008 recently. In the latter, Platinum Play came an impressive fourth; in the former they secured an even more impressive runner-up spot.

Although they were pipped to the post by Jackpot Joy in the Site of the Year category the results speak for themselves. For a site that has been running for less than a year this is a remarkable achievement as 23 new free bingo sites were competing for the honour.

source:onlinecasinonews.com

Gibraltar-based online gaming titans 888 have announced the imminent launch of three all-new bingo networks for third parties. This comes in conjunction with the official announcement of six white label partners to the new bingo movement.

Online free bingo has recently been going from strength to strength and the movements of 888, a major player in online gaming, confirms that the rapidly-heating market for online bingo shows no signs of cooling.

Gigi Levy, CEO of the 888 said: said: “These agreements and new initiatives represent an acceleration in 888's bingo activity, the fastest growing segment in the online gaming industry. They are set to make a significant addition to our bingo game business not only in revenues but also in geographic presence.”

No official dates were announced for the new expansions but they are likely to occur in the first quarter of 2009.