History of Bingo

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has never heard of the game Bingo. It’s a beloved game that has been around for a long time, since the 1500s, to be exact. But as adored as the game is, odds are few of us have ever given much thought to where it came from or who invented it.

But given the game’s popularity and how it continues to draw new players in, it’s worth shedding a little light on bingo’s history. It may just make you appreciate the game a little more, and if nothing else, you’ll be equipped with some fun facts to share with others.

Bingo’s Early Origins

If you trace Bingo back through time, you will find its earliest version in 16^th century Italy, in the form of a game known as ‘Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia’. From Italy, the next major geographic region the game can be traced to is France in the 1700s. Here, it became a popular form of entertainment among Frances’ aristocrats and wealthy citizens. The game reached immense levels of popularity there by the late 1770s.

As with many things in human history, the game made its way through different geographic regions while simultaneously evolving into different versions and styles, an evolution seen over the game’s journey from Italy to France.

In France, the game became known as ‘Le Lotto’, and by the late 1700s, it started to resemble the game as we know it today: a card with 27 boxes arranged in three rows and nine columns. Each box was filled with random numbers between 1 and 90, and to win, you had to fill a complete row.

From France, the game made its way to other major populaces like the United Kingdom and Germany. Both countries put their own twist on the game, but Germany’s was the most unique. Rather than being a lottery and money-driven game, Germany primarily used the game as an educational tool for children. Their versions of the game supplemented lessons on spelling, history, and math.

The game found a foothold across many European countries, but its true transformation happened when it crossed the ocean to America.

The Making of Bingo as We Know It

In the 1920s, an early version of Bingo was growing in popularity across the United States. It was a popular carnival game that went by the name Beano. The name came from the fact that players would mark their cards with beans.

An American toy maker named Edwin Lowe came across the game and saw its potential to grow and thrive in the States. He started developing his version of the game, working alongside a Columbia University professor to create as many unique cards as possible. Along the way, Lowe trademarked the game with the name Bingo.

As you’ve likely already guessed, Bingo quickly became a sensation and earned Lowe an impressive profit.

Where Did the Name Bingo Come From?

After hearing the game went by the name Beano, you may be wondering how the game’s name became Bingo. To answer this, you first need to know that the word ‘bingo’ was a slang term used in the 1920s when something good and surprising happened.

This common phrase led to someone who was surprised and delighted to have filled a row on their Beano card, exclaiming ‘Bingo’! Upon hearing this reaction, Lowe decided that Bingo had to be the game’s name – though there is a chance that this story is more legend than truth.

Bingo Today

Even after Bingo’s quick rise in popularity, the game has maintained people’s interest, so much so that it’s still a popular option for those seeking fun and entertainment nearly a hundred years later. Beyond offering just fun and games to those who gamble, Bingo has also become a popular way for charities to raise funds, and educational versions of the game are popular with parents and teachers.

The name Bingo caught on so well that it’s become the norm around the world, but it’s not the only phrase that’s been attached to the game. If you play a game of Bingo today, in person or online, you’ll discover “Bingo lingo.”

Bingo lingo refers to the phrases Bingo callers use to announce numbers for players. The phrases are quirky, a bit outlandish, and often create rhymes with their corresponding number. If you’ve never heard the terms before, you may have a hard time deciphering what the announcers are saying.

Online Bingo

No time was wasted in adapting Bingo to the rising trend of digital and online games: The first online Bingo game, dubbed Bingo Zone, was launched in 1996. The game has translated well to the online world, and its online presence has grown and thrived. This ability to play Bingo online is likely the reason for Bingo’s continued popularity, as it’s credited for introducing Bingo to younger generations. 

Online Bingo has become a game attracting millions of players and grossing £173.6 million in the UK this past fiscal year. This figure isn’t surprising, considering the game is readily available, with some online casinos even giving you the chance to enjoy free bonuses without depositing.

What Does the Future Hold for Bingo?

Given the longevity Bingo has displayed, it will likely continue being a popular form of entertainment that will evolve as our preferences do. And who knows, maybe it will undergo another name change and major transformation that will become as sensational and popular as it has been through different periods of history.