Players vs. Profit in online bingo – who really wins?!

Now, don’t get us wrong – as online bingo fans, there is no way that we’d ever go dissing our favourite pastime. But it seems some online bingo players are becoming a little peeved with some online bingo operators, with many feeling the emphasis has shifted from players to profits. Take a look around the Internet, and you may just even hear the murmurs of a teensy online bingo backlash. But is there really a good reason for players to be bogged off with bingo? Read on for our special report!

It seems almost inevitable that at some point, the honeymoon period would be over between players and online bingo operators. The industry has found massive success in a really short space of time – with online bingo’s worth growing to an estimated $1billion in 2010. Bingo sites have ballooned from a handful to well over the 400 mark, with no fewer than six new additions to the online bingo scene in May 2011 alone. At the same time, many online bingo operators can currently benefit from being based offshore – which means they do not have to be regulated by the UK as such.

So what does this mean?! Well, simply put – too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Whilst more online bingo sites are arriving to compensate for the growing number of players, it’s incredible to see the astounding lack of choice out there. Carbon copies of other bingo sites seem to appear all too frequently, leading to plenty of bad reviews and cries of “we’ve seen it all before”.

And at the same time, the lack of regulation surrounding the online industry means that some less scrupulous operators can sell players short. An emphasis on confusing bonus terms, deposit rules and encouraging players to “max out” has meant some players are starting to get seriously annoyed with the way online bingo sites treat them. One site has even drafted a “Player Charter”, which encourages players to demand more from online bingo sites that seem to have their mind on their money more than their roomies.

But it’s a tricky situation. The reason these operators can offer such crazy bonuses and huge jackpots is due to the huge profits they make. Offers like free bingo games would not be possible without an operator turning a huge profit from their other games. It’s become a situation where both players and operators are more focused on making money than perhaps creating the best bingo experience out there.

So what’s a player to do?! Well, it’s important to remember not to tar all bingo sites with the same brush. Whilst there are plenty of bingo sites that may seem more focused on profits, there are tons who also ensure you have a good time playing online bingo. But at the same time, these shows of “player power” are important, as no one should feel cheated by a bingo site that they play at. Sharing your bad experiences is important to help raise awareness of the real bingo duds. After all, you can vote with your wallet – and with a bit of player power, it will soon be harder for the worst online bingo offenders to get away with it.

Got to get something off your chest?? We’d love to hear your thoughts on your favourite bingo sites, as well as your top bingo turn offs.