Why More Men are turning to the Game of Bingo.
A game formerly monopolized by mid-adult women, bingo is expanding its horizons to welcome the men as well. Men are increasingly opting for a game of bingo rather than a night at the bar with buddies, and why shouldn't they? Bingo is becoming one of the most popular games to play online, and is rapidly catching up to its popular gambling sibling, poker.
One reporter named Grant Woodward took it upon himself to find out why. After interviewing 43-year-old Jeff Taylor, we have a bit of insight as to what the new appeal is for these men. Jeff Taylor, a roofer from Swarcliffe, Britain, says he started playing bingo at the tender age of 17 with his mother. Now he says, there are more men going than there used to be, as they realize they can have a good night playing bingo. "Some play because their partners enjoy it, but others just like playing bingo. Here you can enjoy yourself, have a few drinks and maybe win some money."
Jeff goes five times a week with his wife Jeanette to the Mecca bingo hall on Balm Road in Hunslet, Britain. The most he has ever won is £1,000.00 a couple of years ago, but that doesn't put him off. "I enjoy playing but it's a social thing as well," he says. "We've made a lot of friends through bingo. In a lot of pubs you can't even hear yourself think. But if anyone starts shouting in here and getting drunk they wouldn't get away with it because people want to hear the numbers.
"We have a laugh and that. It's just relaxing, you don't worry about stuff, you just go and play. Plus you never know if you're going to win. You can go with your last bit of money and come home a winner."
Whether it's the tempting jackpots of up to £200,000 in a national game or the search for an alternative to another night in the pub, bingo appears to be catching on with men.
And, like any good hobby, it has its fair share of celebrity fans. Prince William recently spent a night with friends at a bingo club near Sandhurst military academy, while Robbie Williams and U2's Bono are also known to enjoy a game.
