Bingo – Pillar Of The Community
Politicians routinely bang on about the downfall of the community and community values. In reality this is just yet more political hot air masquerading as the safeguard of our core values. In truth, these same politicians would not have to look further than online bingo forums to find that sharing communities do exist, but far, far away from the stuffiness of the House of Commons.
The rise of online bingo itself has been something of a phenomenon. The slump in attendances to traditional bingo halls brought about a flurry of predictions that the game was on its way out. However, this decline was merely a moratorium for the game as it searched for the format that would allow it to make the leap into the twenty-first century. As sites began to offer online bingo, it was quickly discovered that not only was there a new format ripe for fertilisation but also the popularism that could ensure the longevity of the game.
Without doubt the key factor in the new-found popularity of bingo was that of community. As social networking sites like Facebook sprang up and proliferated, the general public warmed to the idea of social networking online. The web began to take the place of the pub and the playground, and people realised that not only could they keep up with the gossip in their immediate social circle, but also that they could “meet” and engage with others outside their immediate circle. This broadening of horizons has actually led to an increased level of social awareness and acceptance, helping people to find common ground upon which they can forge lasting relationships. This in itself is a key proponent for the success of online dating sites that allow people to check the likes and dislikes – and therefore suitability – of potential partners. In such terms it is no surprise that online bingo communities have created and nurtured relationships of their own, offering special events to run alongside games of bingo such as “flirt bingo” and “kinky bingo”.
The very fact that these bingo communities exist not only allows players to catch up to swap hot gossip or philosophical musings, but also to swap hints and tips about the game itself. A regular occurrence in bingo forums is the posting of a feature about a particular game (the arrival of 80-ball bingo, for example) and the opportunity to discuss such events. Thus, the administrators of the communities can obtain feedback from their regulars to gauge the effect (or lack thereof) of any new ideas.
All in all, online bingo communities are not only an opportunity for players to improve their skills regarding the game, but also a chance for them to meet and converse with not only with people of like-mind but also with the very people who make these games possible. In these terms online bingo communities are as much as a cooperative as the game could enjoy. The next time the subject of community arises within the realm of politics, those engaged in the debate should log on to a bingo community site before they decry the decline of traditional friendship.