online bingo vs tv-bingo

I will be very interested to see how ITV’s new bingo show (called Bingo Night Live) performs.

For those of you that do not know about this, ITV has employed the services of former glam model Melinda Messenger to front its latest foray into the nation’s favourite game. The show begins tomorrow night and plays out Tuesdays to Saturdays every week.

While you couldn’t call this online bingo, there is an online element to the show in that players can buy their bingo cards online at the shows website.

Here’s my take on the whole TV bingo thing: Why play for only one hour each night at a time you have no choice about when you can play at one of the Bingo Street-rated online bingo halls like Wink Bingo any time you want?

In a nutshell: You can win just as much when you play bingo online and there’s no time restriction in going after those juicy online bingo games jackpots!

I’ll be interested in seeing how Melinda does (wink, wink!), but I don’t see a very long-term future for this type of bingo over free online bingo, if you know what I mean!

Written by Bingo Lady

Tv commercialism a sing online bingo is alright

There is no doubt that we are seeing increasing amounts of bingo adverts appearing on UK television screens. With the relaxing of advertising rules allowing gambling to be promoted on TV, it was inevitable that the fastest growing niche in online gaming, online bingo, would take to the airwaves to promote its message.

It actually goes all the way back to Think Bingo’s original online bingo ad in September of 2005 – ancient history now! Since then we’ve seen the likes of Jackpotjoy advertise its ‘The Price is Right’ game followed by efforts from the Sun newspaper to use TV to promote its bingo site.

For those of us who play online bingo via a trip down Bingo Street, the Foxy Bingo advert is probably the most memorable of the bingo online related TV commercials. Remember how the site’s mascot ‘Foxy’ leading a crowd of people down a street as a few famous bingo calls are made, complete with two fat ladies (88), a knock on the door (number four) and two little ducks (22).

Then there’s the celebrity factor appearing on TV with online bingo halls. Vic Reeves’ made an appearance in 888 Ladies bingo’s TV commercial. He is seen gettingup in drag complete with a pink wig and pint of beer to play bingo online.

What this all points to is that the online bingo industry is positively humming. The cost of placing a TV ad is not insignificant, and only an industry on the move can contemplate such promotions. Is online bingo taking over TV? Maybe it will be the next big thing after the reality TV trend has finally done its dash.

Written by Bingo Lady

Anyone for celebrity TV bingo?

Over the last 6 months or so I’ve noticed a distinct trend in the marketing policies of various online bingo halls that is taking them away from celebrity endorsements. We’ve seen Foxy Bingo can its association with Katie Price, Sharon Osbourne no longer fronts Mecca Bingo and Kerry Katona’s ongoing real life troubles has seen her online bingo profile diminished.

There is now a debate amongst online bingo games operators as to the benefits of shelling out for a celebrity endorsement and, as things get tough in the real economy, some are content to simply market their services via more traditional service to customer models.

However, in the world of TV bingo celebrities such as Greg Scott, Jim Bowen and comedians Cannon and Ball have been signed up as presenters in the upcoming Celebrity TV Bingo program that will air daily on Sky Channel 847 in the UK as part of the www.bingos.com brand.

It will be interesting to see how this develops and if celebrity power will attract a significant proportion of the free online bingo playing market. It will be even more interesting to see if celebrities really know their bingo.

Written by Bingo Lady