A brief history of bingo in Britain
Bingo is an intriguing game. A lot of people think that it’s a recent phenomenon, with the bingo halls once seen all over town in the ‘90s now replaced by a plethora of online bingo sites. However, the real story goes back much further than just a couple of decades.
Bingo originated in Italy but arrived in Britain by the 1800s, even though lotteries and other types of gambling had likely been around for centuries before that. Whether you’re a fan of the local bingo hall or thinking of joining an online bingo game, it’s always worth knowing what made bingo so popular in the first place – and why thousands of Brits still play it every day!
Where did bingo start?
No one knows how bingo truly emerged in the UK.
In Britain, the earliest form of lottery is estimated to have taken place in the early 1600s, during Elizabeth I’s reign. Generally, only wealthy individuals and members of the aristocracy would take part in formal games, but different types of gambling, always in private, were popular everywhere else.
It wasn’t until the 1800s that bingo became widely acknowledged as a betting game, amongst both men and women. It snowballed in the 1960s, with bingo halls appearing across the country and big names becoming part of everyday chatter.
In the years leading up to the pandemic, there were about 330 bingo halls across Britain. Bingo’s popularity soared and, over time, bingo halls have solidified their place in contemporary culture. For many people living in Britain now, online bingo games are the most accessible way to win prizes and engage with the lively bingo community.
Bingo across the pond: Beano!
When the game reached the shores of North America in 1929, it became known locally as ‘beano’. It was played as a country fair game, whereby a dealer would take numbered discs out of a cigar box - and then players would mark their cards using beans. If they won, they would shout beano!
In 1929, a salesman named Edwin S. Lowe renamed the game to bingo.
Perhaps surprisingly, bingo’s popularity took off in the USA when it started to be played in churches. It was used as a means of raising money for church funds, and by 1930, up to ten thousand games of bingo were played in churches every week.
In modern times, it’s unlikely that you’ll be playing bingo in church. Instead, the game is likely to be found in casinos, especially on the Las Vegas Strip.
Bingo today
It’s no secret that bingo has taken the world by storm. In countries where gambling is legally regulated, bingo makes a brilliant way for players to catch up with friends and enjoy the thrills of the game. Thousands of prizes are won every week, so as long as you’re in control of your spending, why not get started with your next game today?
