Who doesn’t know it? The game with its iconic numbered cards and enthusiasts calling out: “Bingo!” with mighty passion? It’s evolved into a belovew game enjoyed by many of us in the UK today – but what exactly has its evolved from? The history of the game is quite a fascinating journey that indeed spans centuries, blending cultural influences and evolving gameplay alike.
Bingo’s early beginnings
The roots of the game can be tracked back to the early 16th century (we weren’t lying when we said it’s old!), where a very similar game called “Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia” (“the Italian Lotto game”) was played in Italy. And still is, by the way, every Saturday. Even almost 500 years later. Over time, variations of this game spread across Europe, eventually reaching our British shores, too. By the 18th century, a popular game known as “Le Lotto” emerged in France, featuring numbered cards and tokens.
Modernisation, popularisation, and standardisation
Those were still quite different to how our modern games look like, however. Bingo as we recognise it today started to take shape in the early 20th century over in America – driven by Edwin S. Lowe, a toy salesman. That’s the same man who created Yahzee, as a little piece of trivia! In 1929 he discovered a similar game called “Beano” being played at a carnival in Georgia. The fine gentleman adapted the game and renamed it to the familiar name “Bingo”, after he shouted it by accident instead of the original name. The best things always come from little mistakes, don’t they.
Lowe’s version gained popularity in the US during the Great Depression, as it was a simple, affordable form of entertainment for communities. This success set the framework for standardised rules and formats – including the iconic 5×5 grid and lettered columns (B-I-N-G-O).
How bingo crossed the pond
This version of the game, basically the one we know today, crossed the Atlantic to the UK in the early 1960s and rapidly gained a very devoted following. It was (and still is) initially player in traditional bingo halls and became a mainstay of our British culture. It’s love affair still continues to flourish, with various adaptions and innovations to cater to evolving preferences. Today, there are themes, challenges, colourful variations and even game adaptations, such as the beloved Deal or no Deal Bingo.
Technological advancements aiding continued evolution
And even though we long since entered the digital age, Bingo shows no signs of slowing down. Quite the opposite, actually, allowing it to be more accessible to a wider audience. The advent of online gaming platforms in the late 20thcentury brought Bingo into the virtual realm and today’s Online Bintro introduced exciting features like chat rooms, themed variations, and progressive jackpots. This allowed it to keep its communal aspect – no matter if it’s oplayed in a physical hall or online.
