Recent findings by the UK Gambling Commission have shown a sales increase for bingo games online – despite the recession that is still making a dent in many people’s pockets. Yearly sales have increased by 4.9% over 2009, even in today’s current economic climate.

This shows that players will still find a way to enjoy their favourite past-time, either online or at their local hall. While bingo websites have decreased from 2224 last year to 2166 in 2009, bingo halls have also shown a decrease – dropping from 675 in 2008 to 641 in 2009. In spite of this, players are continuing to play; with sales on the up and alluring offers such as free bingo bringing more players to the online versions.

With a number of challenges rocking the UK bingo industry, not least including the rapid hike in taxes from 15% to a massive 22%, plus smoking bans in halls across the UK, crime waves hitting halls and clubs, as well as the recession causing many to choose alternative hobbies, 2009 has certainly been a challenging year. Many smaller websites and halls have been forced to close their doors. Despite this, players continue to enjoy bingo – and with a range of sites offering excellent promotions and sign-on specials, now has never been as good a time to take advantage of ridiculously cheap games and to of course, play bingo online.