When it comes to adopting cutting-edge tech, bingo has always been one of the big industries leading the way. When the Internet took off in the late twentieth century for instance, bingo and other gaming platforms swiftly created their own online domains and continue to flourish to this day.
Due to the success of online bingo, you may assume that companies would stick to what they know and continue to focus on their websites. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth as more bingo brands than ever are branching out into even more cutting-edge areas. So, we thought we’d take a look at three of online bingo’s most intriguing partnerships with technology and see where the game may be heading in the future.
Smartphone Bingo
When smartphones first hit the market, online bingo sites were usually only accessible on mobile browsers. Unfortunately, websites often didn’t translate perfectly from desktop screens to the significantly smaller mobile displays, so bingo brands had to rethink their mobile platforms. Now players can easily find bingo sites that are optimised for mobile and a number of brands have created their own exclusive apps as well.
mFortune, one of these leading mobile phone casinos, has gone a step further by developing numerous bingo, slots and casino-based apps that are free to download on the App Store and Google Play. Of course, this doesn’t mean their desktop clientele is neglected, as both mobile and desktop customers are offered a £5 no deposit bonus just for registering, clear evidence that their forward-thinking method is working.
Tablet Bingo
Soon after bingo sites claimed their place on smartphones, the industry began to offer their customers an entirely new experience on tablet computers. As many of you may recall, tablets were a bit of an odd phenomenon when Apple first released the iPad in late 2010, but over the years their uses and functions have become abundantly clear. Smaller and more portable than a desktop yet more robust and interactive than a smartphone, tablets are a match made in heaven for online bingo players.
The main selling point of tablet bingo games is the touchscreen element, as it allows players to truly get easily involved through swiping, tapping and stroking gestures instead of just clicking buttons. Plus, you can take a tablet with you almost anywhere you want to go and as long as you have an Internet connection you can play bingo to your heart’s content.
Augmented Reality Bingo
Augmented reality has been around for a few years now, but since the release and success of Pokémon Go earlier this year, more developers are getting in on the augmented action. The innovative technology adds digital or virtual elements to your physical surroundings through your smartphone or head-mounted display, so it’s easy to see why the iGaming industry is interested in the technology.
One piece of tech that is thought to change the way bingo is played in the future is Microsoft’s HoloLens, an advanced gaming headset. Whilst games developed for the platform are mostly puzzle or action titles right now, many believe that casual gamers who enjoy online bingo and slots will soon use it. All it would take is a little mechanic manipulation and soon bingo players could be interacting with symbols and other players through augmented reality, leading to an even more immersive experience.
It is clear that bingo will continue to develop hand-in-hand with technology, so we cannot wait to see where it will go next. Perhaps we will be able to project interactive bingo games onto our walls or digitally teleport ourselves into huge bingo halls in the future. We don’t know, but we’re definitely excited.