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The Changing Face of Bingo
Our hobbies are activities we turn to no matter how we feel, or whatever state the world might find itself in. Naturally we hope that we derive pleasure from them, in which case they become something of a support. Hobbies then are a steadying and reliable influence on our lives, so provoking strong feelings amongst those who favour a given passion. In this, bingo is not just no different, but the very definition of reassuringly familiar.
Given the specificity of bingo – its central place within a cultural tradition and its association with a particular demographic – any unnecessary changes to the game would likely meet with resistance from its devotees. This is understandable though, particularly in times of turmoil, whether personal or social, as it is in such times especially that a hobby means more to us than it ordinarily would. However, time does not stand still, as change is the normal order of things.
For all its emphasis on tradition and simplicity, bingo is not immune to change. It has had to adapt, if not in the fundamental rules of the game, then certainly in the manner of our participation. In the case of the elderly, Â the presence of bingo remains a constant to those who have spent a lifetime enjoying the game, and it can continue playing an important role in their lives even when they might need to enter care. There are some rules and regulations to be mindful of though when a game takes place outside of a bricks and mortar hall, but not being able to make it to such a venue is no barrier to remaining bingo active.
Being able to still take part in the game, regardless of whatever age a player happens to be, is a crucial aspect of what makes bingo distinct in the wider gambling arena, as it really does remove the barrier between young and old. Whatever number your age falls on, it’s almost certain to be included in the spread of numbers on the bingo card, as it too does not discriminate. There is no doubt though that the internet has forever changed how players of a certain age participate in the game, which has done wonders for its popularity. Bingo no longer has the image problem it once did, as a new generation of operators and gamers have given it a new lease of life.
This new lease of life though, one based on the remoteness of participating in online gaming, thankfully hasn’t banished the traditional bingo hall to the margins of the game’s history. The old halls were stuck in an old way of doing things, and had become so predictable and stuffy over time that they have to shoulder some of the blame for how bingo came to be viewed as a relic of the past. Many of us would prefer to see those gathered in a physical hall being encouraged to let themselves go and create a lively atmosphere, to no longer feel inhibited, as people need to simply let off some steam. As one tired old hall resembled another, so too did bingo fall into disrepair.
The idea of spending time in another tired old hall had lost most of its appeal, but happily the good people of Bingo Academy are all too keen to put an end to all that. Unlike the majority of recent entrants into the bingo arena, their service does not take place online, as they prefer for people to mingle in the real world when playing, believing correctly that this vital social aspect of bingo, or any hobby really, cannot be replicated in the online rooms, regardless of their prevalence and convenience. The community aspect of bingo has always been one of its biggest draws, as the literal coming together of diverse people around a common theme is something our current age is in desperate need of.
A former founder of Rebel Bingo started Bingo Academy, another outfit whose shaking up of the bingo establishment caused the mainstream press to notice them. Their events became famous for their party atmosphere and their refusal to take either themselves or bingo too seriously, but while managing not to poke fun at the game. Instead. they had realised that a younger generation who had become seduced by online bingo might still want to venture into a building and let their hair down for an evening. By catering to their needs, the game was reinvigorated by returning to is roots, if not quite still abiding by its former customs.
Bingo Academy are now diversifying even further though, as their most recent round of games are taking place away from the bingo halls they have breathed new life into. Throughout September-November 2018, they will be hosting a series of evenings at London’s The Kitty Hawk pub, which couldn’t be a more different venue in a more different area than bingo is customarily held in. But its potential for crossover appeal is one of the most interesting things about bingo. You’ll find the pub in the City of London, a district so distinct from the rest of the capital that it has its own police force.
Not only that, but Her Majesty needs to seek permission from the Lord Mayor of London – who is not to be confused with the Mayor of London, as the holder of that office does not have jurisdiction over the City of London – before she enters the area. The Square Mile, as it is also known, has long been fussy about who it admits, so bingo can count itself fortunate that it now has the right credentials. Normally the City is flooded with investment bankers, lawyers and other professionals during the day, before largely falling silent in the evenings and weekends, as its reputation is for work, rather than play.
That will change if Bingo Academy live up to their previous form. With their latest events happening on certain Friday and Saturday evenings, the usually sedate City of London is in for a rude awakening. You can buy tickets here, but I don’t know whether the Queen might drop in. If she does though, she’ll definitely be having a gin and tonic.
Author Bio: Pavlos Sideris is Co-founder of BestBingoWebsites, home to the UK’s best bingo sites, bonus codes and no wagering bingo.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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iGaming software studio, Pragmatic Play, has unveiled its latest online slot, Spellmaster.
With its wizard-themed gameplay and 40,000x maximum jackpot, it will likely appeal to a broad audience, including big prize hunters and lovers of arcane fantasy.
Launched on August 18, the game is played on a 5Ă—3 grid with 50 paylines. Reels are filled with card ranks as well as magical sceptres, spell books, potion bottles and wise owls.
Wild symbols feature the eponymous spellmaster wizard. Wilds can land at any time during the base game and feature in all but the far left reel.
The base game offers relatively standard fare. Basic symbols like the card symbols pay low prizes, which are enough to keep you in the game. Matching five premium symbols returns up to four times the original bet.
Respins And Jackpots
Players have the opportunity to win big prizes during respins. The game has different types of respin bonuses, depending on which of the three bonus orbs triggered the event. These bonuses are applied to money symbols that land during the spins.
Golden orb respins are played on a 5Ă—6 grid. Golden orbs that land on the grid reveal one of five random jackpot names, and if the player matches three of the same jackpots, they win that prize.
Prizes range from the 12.5x Mini to the 1,875x Grand Jackpot. With red orbs, players receive multipliers between 2x and 10x any money symbols that hit, and the money symbols can be multiplied up to four times each.
Blue orbs multiply the value of randomly selected money symbols on the grid.
During the respins feature, if the entire grid is filled with money symbols, the player wins the impressive 40,000x jackpot.
Spellmaster offers bets ranging from 10p to £5 in the UK, although higher maximum bets up to €250 are available in other jurisdictions.
The game has a high volatility level, and RTP options include 94.5%, 95.5% and 96.5%. Interested bettors can play a demo of the Spellmaster game on the Pragmatic Play website.
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Endorphina, a leading B2B iGaming provider, has announced the release of its newest electrifying title, Thunder Crown, which will be available to players in online casinos starting on 21 August.
Featuring a dynamic 5Ă—5 grid, 50 fixed paylines, and a suite of powerful features, the new slot is designed to deliver a captivating and full-sensory gaming experience.
The game invites players into a realm where the legendary Thunder Crown awaits. As lightning strikes charge its crystals, the very reels and symbols are infused with the storm’s raw power, creating an electrifying atmosphere that builds with every spin.
Thunder Crown combines classic slot mechanics with lightning-charged features, including Free Games with a guaranteed Wild symbol, a Thunder Hold Bonus Game with multipliers up to x30, Column Jackpots from 50x to 1000x total bets, and Endorphina’s Classic Risk Game to double winnings up to 10x.
The release of Thunder Crown reinforces Endorphina’s commitment to crafting memorable and visually stunning games that appeal to a wide range of players.
Will you be the one to unlock the Crown’s full power? Try the Thunder Crown demo: demo.endorphina.network.
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The post Endorphina Releases Electrifying New Title – Thunder Crown appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
NODWIN Gaming Acquires Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Stake in Evo; Becomes Majority Holder
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EVO ANNOUNCES NEXT PHASE OF INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
Multi-year partnerships with Qiddiya and Sony Interactive Entertainment, and new ownership of Evo by NODWIN Gaming alongside existing shareholder RTS, will fuel the global growth of events, content, and experiences
The future for Evolution Championship Series (Evo) takes a major step forward today as the world’s largest and longest-running fighting game festival enters new ownership and multi-year partnerships. Strategic agreements with NODWIN Gaming, Qiddiya, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), and RTS will drive Evo’s international expansion, engaging content, and immersive experiences through 2028 and beyond.
SIE has sold its stake in Evo to NODWIN Gaming, a company backed by SIE’s parent, Sony Group Corporation. SIE will become a new global sponsor of Evo through 2028, and will continue its commitment to the fighting game community through the PlayStation Tournaments platform and key products currently in development that appeal to fighting game players.
“When SIE acquired Evo alongside RTS in 2021, our goal was to help the Evo community grow and spotlight the skills and passion of fighting game fans on a global stage,” said Phil Rosenberg, SVP and Head of Global Partner Development & Relations at Sony Interactive Entertainment. “As SIE transitions to become an Evo sponsor, the momentum for Evo has never been stronger, following a successful Las Vegas event and upcoming expansion to new regions. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of Evo globally.”
New co-owner NODWIN Gaming is a leading name in the South Asian gaming, esports, and youth entertainment industries, with Evo complementing its wide range of properties.
“Evo was built by a team whose authenticity and passion for the fighting game community are unmatched,” said NODWIN Gaming Co-Founder and Managing Director Akshat Rathee. “We will continue SIE’s great work and honor the legacy of everyone who has made it what it is today, while opening the door for a new generation to experience the spirit of Evo.”
Qiddiya, which became a global partner of Evo in 2024, announced today that the company is investing in RTS, co-owner and operator of Evo, and will extend its global partnership with Evo through 2027.
“Teaming up with Qiddiya strengthens the future of RTS and what we’re building with Evo, an event that lives up to its name by driving real transformation in the fighting game community through new opportunities, deeper connections, and meaningful growth,” said Stuart Saw, CEO of RTS.
The realignment and new partnerships will also support Evo’s vision for more original content to engage the community and continue to push the boundaries of creating more profound immersive experiences during the live events.
The popularity and global presence of Evo has continued to grow. Most recently, Evo’s flagship event in Las Vegas attracted fans and competitors from more than 60 countries and crowned champions across 16 fighting game titles. The festival show floor covered 14 acres, featuring major brand activations from Chipotle as the presenting sponsor, alongside AT&T, PlayStation®, Qiddiya, Nacon, Zenni, Red Bull, White Claw Zero Proof, Under Armour, Voodoo Ranger IPA, and Grand Archive TCG.
Beyond the US, Evo returned to Japan at Tokyo Big Sight and became the largest in-person tournament in the country’s history, with approximately 30,000 attendees. Evo will make its European debut at the Palais des Expos in Nice, France, on October 10-12, which has already broken a record for registrations. The event series is expanding to Singapore in 2027.
“In recent years, Evo hosted record-setting events in the USA and Japan, and our upcoming premiere in France is already breaking European records,” said Rick Thiher, General Manager of Evo. “These latest partnerships join the ongoing support from our global and regional partners in accelerating Evo’s expansion from hosting renowned live events to serving as a nexus point for fighting game culture worldwide.”
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The post NODWIN Gaming Acquires Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Stake in Evo; Becomes Majority Holder appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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