Shifting online gaming industry statistics

Online gaming has become big business, with poker, bingo and the Lottery, amongst others, regularly being advertised on television. New and ever more sophisticated technology is making it easier than ever for a person to play a game wherever they happen to be, whether that is at home, waiting for a bus, or having dinner in a restaurant.

It’s so easy to game

One reason for the take-up of online gaming is the fact that it is so easy to do, and it seems that almost every week a new gaming website is launched. Bingo is one such prime mover. Once the preserve of the elderly, online bingo, such as that available at 32redbingo, is now played and enjoyed by a wide demographic, and people are enticed to join and play at 32red, for example, with offers of credit to fund their initial stake and the promise of big jackpots. Back in 2008, approximately 50,000 people played online bingo. During 2014, that number rose to over 3,000,000.

Statistics for 2014

There has certainly been a shift in the number and type of people getting into online gaming. Women have for many years been a minority group on the gaming scene, but they are increasingly playing games online with a 5% increase from 2012. Another minority group, mature and senior citizens are exhibiting almost fanatical gaming habits, with 29% of people playing games being aged 50 and above.

The gamer’s image has also changed. Once thought of as a lonely geek sitting in front of a computer, gamers are far more likely these days to be part of a network or family. More than 33% of adults play online games with their children at least once a week, while 40% of children play games with their friends.

Why the increase in online gaming?

There is a very simple answer to this question and that is mobile technology. Most people these days have a smartphone or a tablet computer, or even both, and research has shown that most people view the internet on a mobile device, eschewing their more traditional desktop computer. Mobile devices have evolved to become just as powerful as desktop computers and offer more flexibility to the user. A user does not have to sit in their home to play a game but can be practically anywhere there is Wi-Fi.

No longer does the long commute have to be boring – a person can use their smartphone or tablet to access a game and pass the time in that way. It is not necessary for a person to have to endure the television their partner wants to watch. They can still keep each other company, side by side on the sofa, but one can watch the TV while the other plays a game on their mobile device.

Online gaming does not only offer entertainment opportunities but also the opportunity to perhaps make a little money, so it is no wonder that the number of people getting into online gaming is rapidly increasing.