Don’t think church social halls and the local pastor calling out the numbers. Bingo is a big business these days. Modern day bingo is played in casinos on machines that look a lot like slot machines and dole out the winnings in the same fast paced manner that slots players expect. Players are demanding and knowledgeable. The game also has heavy appeal for the female market, a market that casinos and gaming institutions want to reach.
Because of the big business around Bingo, the 2010 Bingo World Conference and Expo might be a different world than people would expect. The event was just held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi, Mississippi as part of the Southern Gaming Summit. This event brought in some of the top business people in the Bingo world for a trade show and exhibition showcasing the newest and greatest in the Bingo world.
Although online Bingo is well known for its popularity in England, the American South is actually one of the largest casino or brick and mortar markets in the world. Ironically, current legislation is placing that market in danger in parts of the South. But it is also a growing market in Mexico and Latin American markets where it is often still available when other casino games might be forbidden.
The trade show featured popular presentations including “Sellin’ Paper and Callin’ Balls” a workshop aimed toward customer service and a Bingo University focused on marketing bingo venues. Convention attendees also found sessions on gambling regulations, technology and marketing.