Online bingo is a mecca for British middle classes

ENGLAND -- As reported by The Telegraph: "It is a guilty pleasure among thousands of middle-class, well-off women, once the children are packed off to school and the chores are done. They take their place in front of the computer, top up their account balance and wait for the bingo host to call the first number.

"...In the past year, the bingo club industry has been beset with closures caused by the smoking ban, restrictions on £500 slot machines and the double whammy of having to pay both gross profits tax and VAT.

"But the £600m online sector has never been so competitive - nor so lucrative.

"This week, gaming group 888 Holdings said revenue from its "ladies' bingo" was up fourfold on the previous quarter...

"...According to the Gambling Commission, the number of online bingo players doubled in the past year from 250,000 to 500,000 across 243 registered websites..."