Worldwide

Bingo may seem like a quintessentially British pastime, but its roots stretch back much further and far wider than the cosy halls and seaside piers we often picture. The story begins in 16th-century Italy with a lottery game called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia. Hugely popular with all classes, it was simple, social and affordable, traits that would stick with the game as it travelled across Europe.

By the 17th century, France had adopted its own variation, Le Lotto, using printed cards with numbered rows. In the 19th century, Germany gave bingo a different twist altogether, employing it in classrooms to teach spelling, times tables and even history. The basic draw-from-a-drum format remained, but the educational spin showed just how adaptable the game could be.

Across the Atlantic, bingo's modern identity began to take shape. In the 1920s, American carnival stalls offered a game known as “Beano”. When a player in New York accidentally shouted “bingo” instead of “beano”, the name stuck. Edwin Lowe, the man who brought the game to a mass audience, also secured unique card combinations to keep it fresh and fair. Soon, it was being played everywhere from church fundraisers to military recreation rooms.

Britain's relationship with bingo blossomed in the post-war years, though seeds had been sown earlier. British soldiers had played “house” during the First World War, and by the 1940s, civilian games were well-established. The real explosion came after the Gaming Act of 1960, which opened the door for public cash-prize games. Large venues were suddenly in demand, and many cinemas were converted into bingo clubs almost overnight.

By the mid-1960s, bingo halls were thriving. Linked jackpots between venues meant bigger prizes, while the lively atmosphere kept players coming back. Callers added personality and humour to proceedings, and the game became as much about community as it was about winning. The launch of the National Bingo Game in 1986, linking licensed clubs nationwide, only strengthened its appeal.

The 1990s brought changes. Ageing venues were replaced by purpose-built halls, often just outside town centres, with better facilities and parking. Yet even as halls evolved, technology was beginning to reshape the way bingo was played. Electronic ticket machines started to appear, streamlining play while keeping the social spirit alive.

The early 2000s marked another revolution. Microgaming and other developers created online bingo games that mirrored the live experience, complete with chat rooms and themed variants. From the first basic site, Bingo Zone, in 1996, the market grew rapidly. By 2013, the UK's online bingo industry was worth hundreds of millions, and today it continues to thrive, reaching players through mobile apps and social media.

From its Italian lottery beginnings to the thriving mix of physical halls and digital platforms today, bingo has proved remarkably adaptable. Whether shouted across a crowded club or tapped quietly on a smartphone screen, the thrill of marking off those numbers and the sense of community that comes with it ensure bingo remains one of the world's most enduring games.

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