Bingo might be one of the most uncomplicated games around. After all, it’s pretty easy. Numbers get called by a caller or appear on the screen, and players dab off the number.   Dab off a line first? Line! Dab off two lines? Great! Dab off all numbers first? House!    Bingo has moved from church halls and dedicated bingo halls to online play, with countless websites and some of the best mobile bingo sites attracting millions of players. It is just that simplicity of play has secured bingo as a part of the British tapestry. Let’s look at the origin, popularity and future of bingo.  

History of Bingo

One of the oldest and most cherished games in the world, bingo has been played for more than 500 years. Online bingo is so spectacular that it is as close to the original as possible. And all of the incarnations of bingo have left a mark on the country it arrived at.  

Some key timelines and facts:

• Bingo was originally called Gioco del Lotto D’Italia and is still played today
• BEANO was what bingo was called in 1929, as beans were used for marking numbers
• In France, bingo was called Le Lotto and was played around 1778
• The UK legalised bingo and some other betting in 1960 with the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960
• In 1963 it was estimated that there were 14 million active bingo club memberships in the UK

  Bingo spread throughout the world via troops and landed on American and UK soil pretty quickly. During a game of the then-called BEANO, one player was so excited that instead of calling BEANO when she won, she yelled BINGO – and the name stuck.   Bingo has been popular for hundreds of years now, and despite a decline in bingo halls and the switch to online and even on mobile, it still reigns supreme in the UK as one of the best games around.  

Online bingo

Technology has opened up new opportunities for bingo. Advances in technology meant that it was possible for people to play online. This means those 14 thousand active bingo club memberships would take a hit. Initially, the older demographic stayed within the bingo halls, while younger people played online via their favourite bingo websites.   Millions of UK women used bingo night as a reason to socialise from before the 1960s to the modern day. Some people resisted playing online, but the bingo halls started advertising their apps and websites – to get people playing in person and online – and it started to work.   In the early moments of online bingo, it wasn’t as vibrant as playing the game in person; you could even call it a bit boring. Game development companies realised that to compete with the thriving land-based bingo, they needed to create something as close to the UK scene as possible – but online.   It started with some of the game’s most integral parts: the calls. All the 8’s 88, Knock at The Door Number 4, and Between The Sticks 86. These might seem small, but they are entertaining, and something bingo players enjoy.   Fun ‘fact’: Bingo lingo originated in London, and the rhymes used were originally used in the mid-20th century to pass secret messages. The rhymes aren’t just fun, though; they serve an important purpose 13 and 30 can sound very similar until… Unlucky for Some 13, or Dirty Gertie 30.    What has made online bingo grow so quickly in the UK? The UK took to bingo from the very early moments and has been a leader in the bingo market for years. But a couple of factors have made bingo what it is today and will be why it keeps growing in the future too.  

Mobile compatibility

It is tough to find a game that isn’t mobile compatible, but bingo managed to move from UK land-based bingo halls to stunning mobile bingo apps. Mobile compatibility increased the audience for bingo and changed public opinion too.   For many, bingo was seen as something reserved for the slightly older lady. But bingo started to become popular with more age ranges – and mobile apps further increased that.   Bingo is now played by people from 18- the 90s and over, and 3.5 million UK players enjoy online bingo, with the largest percentage of players playing via mobile.  

Variety

In most UK bingo halls, you’ll get a set of books to play on for the evening. Some of the main games, extras for the progressive jackpots or national games, and smaller bingo cards for the in-between games… but they’re probably all 90s, with no difference in how you play them in what you win.   But online and bingo gaming apps gave the UK public a treat. You name a type of bingo, and you can find it online – because not everyone wants to play 90-ball bingo. Here are just a couple of things that you can find when you play online or on a bingo app:

• 1-2p tickets
• Theme games like Rainbow Riches, The Chase and No Deal (the latter two based on smash-hit UK TV shows)
• regional, national and international progressive jackpots
• Free bingo rooms
• Online bingo events

Free bingo

What is better than cheap? Free! Free bingo has been an incredible tool for people who want to play online bingo without spending any cash. Every bingo website has some free rooms and special events meaning all players can play and enjoy.   Sometimes the games are directly free; instead, they will have a range of offers that make them more attractive.

• Games with bonuses and promotions
• Cheaper or free VIP bingo games for regular players
• Cashback choices
• Free spins on slots machines and scratch cards while you play
• Gifts for birthdays and special occasions
• Promotions that ask for a minimal investment but double or triple the total
• Loyalty schemes that allow users to accumulate play points and purchase bingo tickets

  While there are more factors, those are just three that have significantly impacted how bingo is played today and how it will be played in the future.   Bingo has a long-standing 500-year history. With that in mind, introducing new technology, better internet, and things like AR & VR mean bingo could see some incredible features and improvements.