The Popularity of Bingo
It is estimated that over 1.5 billion people play bingo every year, making it one of the most popular gambling games in the world. This is likely due to the fact that the game can be played by users of all ages, with the gambling element in no way essential or important to the thrill of the game.
And while the game has long been a fixture of retirement homes and gatherings among older Americans, recent studies have shown that the game has been exploding in popularity with Gen Z. In the USA, it’s estimated that roughly half of the nation plays at least once a month.
Furthermore, many began to play during the pandemic lockdowns, with interest yet to wane. It’s clear that this timeless game has a long and interesting future ahead of it. But despite its popularity, many have no idea that bingo history is almost five hundred years old.
Bingo Today: What is It?
Before we get too far into this guide, we want to outline what bingo is to those who have not yet played it. If you’re well aware, keep scrolling to the next section. Traditionally, bingo is similar to a lottery. Players are given different tickets that contain three rows of nine columns, with each column containing five numbers and four blank spaces.
These numbers will appear between one and 90. Often, tickets are given in groups of six so that all 90 numbers will appear across the six tickets. The game is run by a caller, who often shouts fun bingo calls. When playing in person, this caller will begin the draw by either using a draw machine, pulling numbers from a bag, or using a random number generator machine.
As each number is called, players check if they have the number on the sheet and mark it off. The game is essentially a race to mark off all numbers on one ticket. The first person to do so will win a prize, whether it be cash or a gift. When a player has marked off a whole ticket, they often shout, “Bingo!”
There are several common variants of bingo with differing numbers of balls, including:
- 30 ball bingo
- 75 ball bingo
- 80 ball bingo
- 90 ball bingo
The Origins of Bingo: The Italian Lottery
The bingo game origin can be dated as far back as 1530 with the Italian lottery. Titled the Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia, which roughly translates to “the clearance of the lot.” This is where the term “lottery” comes from. This lottery is still played today, making it one of the world’s oldest lotteries.
After more than two centuries, the game was introduced in France as Le Lotto in the 1770s. However, it didn’t have the same wide appeal as the Italian lottery and was instead played by the French aristocracy. In the following years, the game began to spread throughout Europe, and eventually, to Britain.
Bingo remains as popular as ever, both in person and online.
Bingo Comes to Britain
One of the greatest advancements in the history of bingo came when it was introduced to Britain in the late 1800s. Within years, the game was widely played in towns and cities across the Isles. It is likely here that the term bingo was applied to the game here, with the term previously being used as an exclaimed cry after a successful search.
The game continued to evolve in the UK into the 20th Century. This was when the British 90-ball bingo card was invented, which is still the same format that is widely used today. This saw wooden balls inscribed with numbers between one and 90 placed into a bag and called.
It quickly became a popular carnival attraction whereby participants would win prizes when successful. By the 1960s, large bingo halls were legalized and cash prizes could be awarded to lucky winners. There are now more than 600 bingo halls across the UK.
Bingo in the USA
Around the same time that bingo was exploding in popularity in the UK, bingo was gaining a strong following in the USA. In fact, some historians argue that the name bingo was an American invention. The story goes that when Edwin S. Lowe, a Long Island toymaker, first played the game, it was known as Beano.
He brought back the game to his friends, and it became a staple of their meetings. One day, after winning, he became so excited that he called “Bingo!” instead of the game’s name, “Beano.” Later, Lowe began to produce bingo kits including cards and balls.
His kits started with 24-card sets, but the variations were later increased to more than 6,000. This increased the game’s popularity, and by the late 1930s, the game was a huge success. The game was embraced by US troops as a form of entertainment during World War II.
In many US states, charity raffles and bingo were the first legalized forms of gambling. In fact, the game played a huge role in the advancement of Native American casinos. When the Florida Seminoles began large bingo halls were shut down in 1979, this led to a Supreme Court case that paved the way for tribal gaming.
Online Bingo
Ever since online casinos were invented in the 1990s, bingo has been a staple feature. The first online bingo site was called Bingo Zone and launched in 1996. Within 10 years, it was estimated that over $500 million was wagered annually on online bingo in the USA in 2005.
As smartphone adoption increased, so did the demand for online bingo. Many free-to-play games were offered in apps, while more sophisticated gambling games began appearing online in the UK. There are now plenty of legal online bingo options in the USA, with some state lotteries hosting these games with large cash prizes.
Slingo: A Bingo Revolution
One of the biggest changes to the bingo format came with the introduction of Slingo in 1994. This game was invented by Sal Falciglia Sr., a New Jersey native, and as the name suggests, is a unique blend of slot machines and bingo. The game is now widely available in UK and US online casinos.
Essentially, players have a bingo card and must spin the reels to reveal five numbers. If these numbers are on the card, they are marked off. The game includes Wilds which can mark off the number in the column it appears. The appeal of Slingo is that there are endless themes, with many popular slots adapted to Slingo.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope you have learned a lot from this guide to the history of bingo. If you didn’t read the whole article but are looking for answers to commonly asked questions about bingo, keep reading. Otherwise, we recommend you read more of our interesting online gambling articles to learn more about online and land-based gambling around the world.
What is the history of the game bingo?
The complete history of bingo can be traced back to the 1500s, when Italy introduced a lottery game called, Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia. Within two centuries, the game had been adopted by the French aristocracy, before finding its way to the UK and the USA.
Can I play bingo online?
Yes, you can play bingo online in many states of the USA. However, some states may only permit free–to-play games. Other states may have special online casino versions of the game, while other states may offer it through the state lottery. We suggest you brush up on some bingo strategies before playing.
What type of bingo games are there?
There are several types of bingo games with their own unique bingo rules. The common variations will come in the form of different amount numbers featured on tickets. There is also a special variant of the game called Slingo, which essentially combines the simplicity of bingo with the random spins of slot machines.
