Photos by Peter Paul Duran
Filipinos have a penchant for games whatever the occasion may be. Who could forget playing cards with loved ones during sunny afternoons, or planning strategies in board games like sungka or Game of the Generals?
Bingo is no exception. Those who want to try their luck and spend time with more people often participate in this worldwide favorite. Since the game can accommodate numerous players, it has long been enshrined as a communal activity that families can do at home. Regardless of a Filipino family’s class, background, or income, it’s sure that they have at least once brought up bingo during their social gatherings.
Bingo often comes with prizes, either money or goods. Regardless, it’s a favorite game among Filipinos. Before the pandemic, bingo halls in malls would be flocked by players of all backgrounds. These people patiently listen to the announcer—who calls out the letters and numbers on the balls drawn—until they achieve a specific pattern on their respective cards.
Yet when the pandemic struck, these once-bustling halls became silent.
Fortunately, people were quick to leverage the power of modern technology to access essential services, get their tasks done, or find a worthy past-time. Eventually, they found their way back to bingo.
Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC) was among those who found several opportunities in the online space.
As the pioneer of Bingo Bonanza, the bingo parlors established by LRWC’s subsidiary AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. (ABLE), the leisure and entertainment company eagerly embraced change through BingoPlus.
It officially launched last January 2022 and is the first live-streaming bingo platform in the country, even securing a license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
The live streaming bingo platform is accessible as players can participate anytime, anywhere. Even with only P1, a player can have the chance to become a millionaire. The highest jackpot prizes an individual won via BingoPlus is over P54M, while the lowest is around P500,000.
“BingoPlus was developed because of the pandemic. During the peak of the pandemic, the management saw the opportunity in e-commerce and decided to transform how it’s played, from the bingo halls to online,” said LRWC president Andy Tsui.
Earning the public’s trust
Despite BingoPlus’ legitimacy, the public was skeptical toward the live stream bingo platform at first. As one of the first challenges LWRC encountered, the company fought hard to prove that BingoPlus deserved its trust and recognition.
Tsui shared that LWRC persisted in promoting the validity of BingoPlus. One of the steps the company took was utilizing its social media accounts and appealing to the public’s interest.
Every month, BingoPlus stages Jackpot Awarding Ceremonies. The team behind the platform also highlights heir lucky players—interviewing them andposting their profiles online to raise awareness and and invite more participantss
“LRWC was very supportive of BingoPlus when it comes to sponsorship, brand awareness activity, and media exposures,” Tsui said.
Jasper Vicencio, the president of BingoPlus, assisted in furthering the initiative by finding endorsers with suitable backgrounds and platforms to raise awareness about the brand. Notable celebrities Luis Manzano and Maine Mendoza are BingoPlus’ first celebrity endorsers.
According to Vicencio, they chose Manzano because of his background as a game show host, just like his father, Edu Manzano. Meanwhile, Mendoza has significant followers on her social media platforms, making her an effective endorser. With both celebrities supporting BingoPlus, the brand has since grown
“Right now, we have 150 branches in the Philippines, and we’re hoping to grow it more,” Vicencio said.
He added that the public’s perception of the game has also changed. Before, people didn’t want any association with BingoPlus. But now, they look forward to it, and even have their photos taken at the platform’s production sites.
Tsui and Vicencio spent several years in the leisure and gaming industry in the Philippines. They know the local market’s potential in social gaming activities, and their innovative minds encourage modern developments that allow BingoPlus and LWRC to meet the demands of an ever-changing landscape.
A game that gives back
Vicencio, who also has fond memories of playing traditional bingo with his family during the holidays, knows there’s more to BingoPlus than just being an online social game. With BingoPlus, LWRC is bringing the well-loved game to younger generations, which signifies the preservation of Filipino culture from one generation to the next.
“It’s more than just a leisure game. It’s a shared activity for people of all backgrounds—an innately Filipino experience where they can bond, make friends, catch up, during and after the game” the BingoPlus President said.
However, as a PAGCOR-licensed company, BingoPlus can only accommodate players aged 21 and above. Nonetheless, this age specification still allows them to encourage young adults to participate in a well-loved game.
BingoPlus also values its players’ privacy, especially since text scams are abundant in the country. Tsui and Vicencio ensure that the bingo platform keeps all user information confidential.
They designated an official team of professionals to provide 24/7 customer service to address players’ problems and queries. Moreover, BingoPlus deals with player concerns with utmost priority to resolve issues efficiently. Different teams have been coordinating to build a better user environment for all players, allowing BingoPlus to answer the public’s demands and continue their innovation for longevity.
Tsui and Vicencio proudly partnered with other agencies and organizations as sponsorships also boosted brand awareness. BingoPlus is the official bingo partner of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the official gaming partner of the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL).
BingoPlus also sponsored several entertainment events in the country, including Luv-Anne: The Comeback Concert, Miss Philippines Earth 2022, Beks2beks2beks, MassKara Festival, BlogFest, and more.
Another BingoPlus initiative worth mentioning is how it gave back to the Filipino community by sponsoring a P6M scholarship for iACADEMY through FutureSmart Scholarship 2022. It is one of the corporate social responsibilities of BingoPlus Foundation to support education and technology as drivers of nation-building.
Playing bingo has come a long way from the usual environments and occasions. Through BingoPlus, Filipinos can play the well-loved game that has become an integral part of their culture with the help of technology. As Filipinos continue to demand new opportunities, they can expect more from BingoPlus in the following years.
BingoPlus is available via www.bingoplus.com, the App Store, and Google Play.