Bingo is a hugely popular game today, and it has come along the way before we could play it on the go. The game is considered to be quite old, with its roots going back to the 16th century.
Today, bingo has evolved immensely, especially with the online version's introduction, which made its popularity skyrocket.
With the industry’s worth estimated at £1.3billion in the UK alone, the game is a serious business. And the history of one of the world’s most famous pastimes is undoubtedly a rich one!
How It All Started
It is believed that the true origin of the game dates back to 1500 Italy, where it was a universal activity played by people from all classes and backgrounds. It descended from an old Italian lottery game.
In the late 1700s, it moved to France, where it was reserved for aristocracy and wealthy man.
Sometimes, the game was even used as an educational tool, helping children learn spelling, history, and animal names, like in 19th century Germany.
The Transition to America
In the 1920s, the game traveled to North America and changed its name to “Beano”. The participants would shout this word if they found all the numbers in the row. The game was usually played at America’s country fairs.
Legend has it that during a Georgia carnival, a participant mistakenly yelled, “Bingo.”
A toy manufacturer from New York, Edwin S. Lowe, was mesmerized by the game. When he heard this, he realized the word’s catchiness, so he renamed the game and started to stage his own bingo games.
And by the 1940s, the game was a hit, played by people across the country.
The Invention of Online Bingo
If you are wondering who invented bingo online, according to some of the sources, a free bingo game called “BingiZone” is considered to be the origin of this popular game.
The game was launched back in 1996 in America, and believe it or not, and it can still be played today! Of course, the game went through a few modifications since the nineties, and its style is pretty basic.
Virtual bingo made a name for itself in 2003 when many dedicated sites were released. 2013’s move into the mobile gaming market was a massive milestone for the game too.
It has only seen an increase in revenues since.
The Thrill of the Online Bingo
Online bingo has spiced up things a bit. It has evolved to keep up with trends and technology-driven demand. Still, the core principles are similar to the traditional version of the game.
This conversion into an online game has revived bingo and added even more excitement to it.
How does an online bingo event look like? There are usually different rooms that players can enter. You can see the countdown on the side, so you know when the first number will be drawn.
To enter these rooms, you have to buy a ticket. The price is usually relatively small, and sometimes players can count on huge jackpots, up to almost $80,000.
And even more, many gaming sites offer various freebies, bonuses, and lucrative deals to attract players, like this one https://www.boomtownbingo.com/lovehearts-bingo-review/ that specializes in bingo.
Earning a Prize
Both online and traditional bingo can be a rewarding game. There are four ways for a player to earn its prize – one line, two lines, a house, or bingo. The numbers are all in columns, and usually, a ticket has 15 numbers in 3 rows.
When all the numbers on one or two horizontal lines have been called, you get either one or two lines.
When all the numbers of a single ticket have been called, a participant has earned a house or bingo.
Conclusion: Online Bingo Gives More
The game has definitely changed dramatically since its beginnings in 16th century Italy. Bingo venues manage to attract younger audiences with a nightclub environment, music and dance, and of course, inexpensive food and drinks.
And sometimes the rewards are amusing and fun, just like the game is!
But for all of the avid bingo players out there – the online version of this game offers innovation, sparks, fireworks, and what’s more important – a more versatile playing experience. There are simply more options, more freedom, and yes, more prizes.