Bingo is a game with truly global appeal. While its roots can be traced back to 16th century Italy, today it is enjoyed on every continent, both in traditional halls and on digital platforms. What makes bingo particularly interesting is how each country has put its own cultural spin on the game. From the large halls of the United Kingdom to the classroom activities of Mexico, bingo is a pastime that adapts to different audiences while keeping its core principles the same.
In this article, we take a look at how bingo is played in different countries, the unique rules and traditions that define local variations, and how online bingo has helped bring these styles together.
Italy: The Origins of Bingo
The first recognised version of bingo was Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia, a lottery-style game that began in the 1500s. Tickets featured numbers arranged in a grid, and players matched them against those drawn at random. Although the game has changed significantly over the centuries, Italy’s role as the birthplace of bingo is undisputed.
Even today, the Italian state lottery retains links to this history, and many Italians continue to enjoy number-based games that reflect this early tradition.
France: The Aristocratic Le Lotto
In the 18th century, bingo evolved into Le Lotto in France. This version was especially popular among the aristocracy. Cards were divided into three rows and nine columns, with numbers between one and ninety distributed across the spaces.
This structure influenced what would later become British 90-ball bingo. The French version emphasised neat organisation and provided a template that shaped many modern formats.
United Kingdom: The Home of 90-Ball Bingo
In the UK, bingo became firmly established after the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960 legalised commercial bingo clubs. The British style is 90-ball bingo, played on tickets with three rows and nine columns.
- A win is achieved by completing one line, two lines, or a full house.
- The game is closely linked to the community spirit of local halls.
- Number calls often come with rhymes, such as “two little ducks” for 22.
Although the number of bingo halls has declined since their peak in the 1970s and 1980s, the format remains the most popular in the UK. Online bingo has also kept 90-ball at the forefront, ensuring it continues to be the standard style for British players.
United States: The Rise of 75-Ball Bingo
In the United States, bingo developed along a slightly different path. Edwin S. Lowe popularised the game in the 1920s after seeing it played at a carnival under the name “Beano”. The version that took hold became known as 75-ball bingo.
- Cards are arranged in a 5×5 grid, with the word BINGO at the top.
- The centre square is usually a free space.
- Winning patterns include lines, corners, and special shapes.
Churches and charities in the US used bingo extensively as a fundraising tool, and it became deeply associated with community gatherings. The variation in winning patterns adds a different layer of excitement compared to the UK’s focus on lines and full houses.
Spain: Community Bingo and Online Growth
Spain has a strong bingo culture, with dedicated bingo halls particularly common in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Spanish bingo often uses 90-ball rules, similar to the UK, but with its own traditions and local prize structures.
Since the regulation of online gambling in 2012, bingo has also grown significantly online in Spain. Licensed operators provide both classic 90-ball games and hybrid formats, making it a popular choice among Spanish players looking for familiar entertainment in a digital space.
Mexico: Lotería and the Cultural Twist
Mexico is home to Lotería, a game often referred to as “Mexican bingo”. Instead of numbers, it uses illustrated cards with images such as animals, objects, and characters. A caller announces the cards, and players mark them on their boards.
- The boards usually contain a 4×4 or 5×5 grid of images.
- Winning patterns vary, with lines or full boards both being common.
- The illustrations are colourful and steeped in cultural meaning.
While Lotería is not bingo in the strict sense, it shares the same principles of matching symbols and calling out wins. It is especially popular during family gatherings and holidays.
Japan: A Party Favourite
In Japan, bingo is less tied to halls or online platforms and more commonly used as a party game. Japanese bingo cards are similar to the American 75-ball style, with numbers under the BINGO heading.
Bingo is often played at weddings, corporate events, and end-of-year parties, where prizes are a central feature. The emphasis is on fun, group activity, and entertainment rather than large cash prizes.
Brazil: A Growing Market
Brazil has a long history of informal bingo games, but commercial bingo halls faced legal restrictions in the early 2000s. Despite this, bingo remains popular in smaller community settings and online.
Online bingo has seen strong growth in Brazil, thanks to international operators offering accessible platforms. The most common format is 90-ball, reflecting the European influence.
Online Bingo: Bringing the World Together
One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the rise of online bingo, which has brought together these different formats on one global stage.
- UK players can log in to play 75-ball bingo, once exclusive to the US.
- Spanish players can enjoy hybrid formats alongside traditional 90-ball rooms.
- International sites sometimes even feature themed Lotería-style games.
Online bingo platforms allow players to explore variations they might never encounter locally, helping to unify global bingo traditions while keeping each country’s unique style alive.
What These Differences Reveal
Bingo’s global variations highlight some important truths about the game:
- Flexibility: Bingo can adapt to any culture, whether it uses numbers, pictures, or themed formats.
- Community: No matter the country, bingo remains tied to social gatherings.
- Longevity: From 16th century Italy to modern online platforms, bingo continues to reinvent itself while holding onto its essence.
Bingo may have started as a lottery game in Italy, but today it exists in countless forms around the world. The UK treasures 90-ball halls, the US thrives on 75-ball patterns, Mexico celebrates Lotería, and Japan enjoys bingo as a party game. Online bingo has connected these traditions, offering players the chance to experience them all in one place.
Wherever you play, bingo remains a simple yet powerful way to bring people together. Its adaptability across cultures proves why it continues to be one of the most beloved games on the planet.