Written By: Matt Laud
Caption: Bingo Loco shares more similarities to raves than to old-school bingo halls.
Bingo used to be one of the most popular pastimes in the world, but its dominance of the entertainment industry began to fade in the mid-2000s as a number of bingo halls were forced to close down because of the smoking ban across the UK and Ireland. But just as those brick-and-mortar locations were shutting up shop, a new type of bingo began to emerge online. Now, the game is completely revitalized and new forms are beginning to crop up. One of these is Bingo Loco, which is coming to Letterkenny at the end of December. In anticipation of this awesome party, here’s everything you need to know about Bingo Loco.
What is Bingo Loco?
Caption: Bingo Loco is an epic party geared up for younger crowds.
Bingo Loco is a brand-new way of playing bingo which is tapping into the younger crowd of modern bingo players. The travelling event is designed to spruce up the traditional form of the game and add new elements to make it fun and exciting. It is geared towards university crowds, and different events take place up and down the UK and Ireland over the course of the year. It has also recently expanded to take on dates across Australia and the USA. There is no doubt that the format is taking the world by storm.
So what actually happens at a Bingo Loco rave? Well, the question should probably be; what doesn’t happen at a Bingo Loco rave? Along with actual games of bingo, the event encompasses everything from conga lines to lip-sync battles. There are also rave rounds, dance offs and glow sticks. Players have the opportunity to win loads of prizes, from trips abroad to gardening tools. While the special event is predominantly designed to appeal to youngsters, there are also corporate bookings available. It could be an excellent way for business people to entertain clients, as it is something which may be completely unexpected.
The fact that Bingo Loco has spread to various continents and continues to expand shows just how hungry for these types of alternative event people are. The concept takes ideas from nightclubs, bars, and student nights, and combines them all. The fact that bingo is enjoying a renaissance at the moment is helping the idea succeed.
Is bingo now more popular than ever?
With the resurgence of bingo as an online pastime, it’s arguably more popular now than it has ever been. In the past, bingo was renowned for attracting middle-aged women and elderly people, while ignoring other demographics. This has changed, though, and modern bingo sites are trying to bring in as many players as possible from all walks of life.
Bingo sites have incorporated a number of various techniques in order to do this. For instance, branding has become less feminine and more neutral colours are being used on the pages. This, along with the fact that there is more anonymity online, has helped to attract a greater number of male players than before. This new balance between the sexes has also led players to realise that bingo sites are a great place to meet new people.
Another major change that has come about with online bingo is the age of the people playing. It has been found that the most common age range is 25-34 nowadays, which doesn’t fit with the outdated image of bingo being played in old people’s homes. This is because the modern game has become more fast-paced and diverse on the internet. There are multiple variants of the traditional random ball draw, along with scratch cards and contemporary slot games with diverse themes.
Perhaps the main draw of online bingo sites is the types of offers available to players. The fact that getting bingo bonus is so easy has led to this resurgence online, where there are deposit bonuses, games bonuses, weekend bonuses, loyalty points, and much more. These special offers have come about because competition in the industry is so fierce, and sites need to try and outdo their rivals by providing better promotions. When bingo existed in real-world locations, the spots were unable to give players all this free playing money to enjoy.
What are the details of the Letterkenny event?
The Bingo Loco events happen up and down the country, but the next one in Letterkenny is scheduled for the 30th of December this year. This will be a special festive event which will be even more jam-packed with activities than usual. The Bingo Loco event organisers traditionally encourage the madness, and the only recommendation they have before turning up is that you have your best dancing shoes on.
The self-professed “runaway child of traditional bingo” claims that conventional bingo players of old don’t like what they do. This is because the event managers have taken the stale form of quiet, sit-down games and turned them into crazy parties. Not only is it a great place to have fun and wind down, eventgoers can also meet potential partners.
The Letterkenny event is taking place at the Clanree Hotel & Leisure Centre, with doors opening at 6:30pm. The hotel is a great location, renowned for hosting dances and parties in the past. This event is strictly for over 18s, so it is important to bring some identification to show the door attendants. The first game starts at 8pm, and these parties have been known to go on long into the night. It is strongly advised to get your tickets in advance, because these events are known to sell out. They don’t allow table bookings either, so it is important to get there early to secure a place to sit with your friends.
You only need to have a slight interest in bingo to enjoy a Bingo Loco event. If you are looking for an exhilarating event which has numerous activities and gives you the chance to meet people, this one is for you. Don’t forget to book your tickets early to avoid missing out.
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