A large proportion of the online bingo audience is made up of housewives, mothers and people on benefits, according to one industry representative.

Phil Fraser, owner of WhichBingo.co.uk, states that it is "a big generalisation", but these people on a "fixed income" are regular players.

The bingo employee also suggests that the numbers game continues to grow online partly because of its target market.

"The credit crunch isn’t affecting them whatsoever," explains Mr Fraser. "If they already know they’ve got £50 to spend on online bingo then they will still have £50 to spend on online bingo."

So despite the global recession, online bingo goes from strength to strength.

Indeed, research and statistics group Screen Digest revealed recently that online active player numbers, across all games, increased by 80 per cent between June and December 2008.

The organisation also claimed that five per cent of the leading 150 bingo sites are operated by retail brands and this is expected to grow to 13 per cent by next year as airlines, magazines, retailers and travel companies enter the numbers game market.

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