Online Bingo 'Complements Land-Based Game'

It has been suggested that a number of online bingo players have never played the game at a bingo hall.

Online bingo is a "complementary delivery channel" to the land-based version of the game, according to the Bingo Association.

The two mediums of the game are not competing for customers and there is some form of crossover, the organisation has said.

Steven Baldwin, communications manager at the trade association, claimed that between ten and 25 per cent of bingo hall players also get their eyes down for a game online.

Some online bingo players have apparently never been to a bingo club, though.

"People playing online bingo are clearly comfortable, confident and happy consuming their leisure products through a computer," said Mr Baldwin.

In 2006, GamCare reported that bingo made up 0.8 per cent of all gambling in the UK. It also found that the over-56s were more likely to play the numbers game than any other age group.