Is Bingo more popular than Tennis?
Oliver Jones reviews the growth and popularity of Bingo.
While it may be easy for pundits to speculate that Bingo is slowing down, figures have shown that it is getting popular. Many new players are coming out in full force to show that this hobby is still making waves. UK players cannot get enough of this game, with plenty logging in and playing in bingo halls.
How does it compare to other Hobbies?
Over the last few years, bingo's popularity has skyrocketed, overtaking even some of the most popular sports. If we class bingo as a sport, it is the sixth-largest pursuit within the UK. We are all about sports here, so let's look at how Bingo compares to other sporting events.
Compared to tennis, more people regularly play Bingo than Tennis. Around 1.7 million people in the UK pick up their racket regularly, but 1.9 million are playing Bingo. Many players opt to win their jackpots online, as this sector now accounts for more than the land-based side of the business.
Like other popular hobbies, Bingo gets busier at different times of the year. The bingo rooms have more members than any additional time in December. It can be an excellent way for gamers to start racking up jackpots and saving up cash for Christmas.
A Growing Industry
While other competitive sports may require expert equipment or advice, Bingo is a growing industry that does not need either. Bingo sites are experiencing an influx of new players, with millions in the UK playing on various sites. It starkly contrasts sports, with fewer people than ever enjoying an active hobby regularly.
It may be symptomatic of the UK as a whole, as fewer of us choose to go out in favour of indoor activities. While it is not always healthy to do so, opting for more sedentary hobbies in moderation is fine. With mobile bingo games, it is still possible to be active while playing, as they can be taken on the move. There has even been a point that Bingo could be classified as an Olympic sport, as it relies on quick reactions and a lot of skill.
Bingo has historically been very popular in the UK, and although we are changing how we play it, the game itself is primarily the same. It will likely remain a constant theme, with new technologies affecting the industry. If Bingo were classified slightly differently, it is interesting that it would be more popular than Tennis. We want to know if this will overtake another sport soon.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- JONES, O. (2017) Is Bingo more popular than Tennis? [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article262.htm [Accessed 10/5/2025]
About the Author
Oliver Jones is a freelance journalist.
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