Few games have stood the test of time like bingo. Simple, social, and endlessly adaptable, bingo has entertained people for centuries, from aristocratic courts in Renaissance Italy to packed community halls, and now, to the digital world where millions play online. Its story is not only a history of a game, but a reflection of how societies gather, entertain themselves, and adapt to new technologies.
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating journey of bingo; how it started in Italy, spread across Europe, crossed the Atlantic to America, and evolved into the online experience enjoyed today.
From Italy With Numbers: The 16th-Century Origins
The roots of bingo stretch back to Italy in the 1500s, when a national lottery game called Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia was introduced. It worked much like today’s lotteries: numbered tickets were drawn at random, and players matched them against their own cards.
This early form of the game was hugely popular across the country. It wasn’t just about entertainment, it also raised money for the state, funding public projects and adding excitement to everyday life. In many ways, Il Gioco del Lotto established the template for number-based games that followed.
The idea of matching numbers and waiting for the winning combination proved irresistible. From here, the concept spread into neighbouring countries.
The French Connection: Le Lotto
By the 18th century, the game had made its way to France, where it evolved into Le Lotto. Unlike the Italian lottery, Le Lotto was played primarily by the French elite. Aristocrats and wealthy citizens gathered to play with specially designed cards, each divided into rows and columns of numbers.
This French version of bingo added an important development: structured playing cards with organised number grids. It was less about chance and more about how numbers were arranged, making the game slightly more strategic and varied.
Le Lotto became a staple of high-society entertainment, but it was also the stepping stone that allowed bingo to evolve into the accessible game we know today.
Across the Channel: Bingo in Britain
The game soon crossed into Britain, where it began to resemble modern bingo more closely. By the 19th century, Britain had developed its own form of number games, particularly tied to the working-class culture.
In seaside towns and local fairs, variations of the game were played under different names including “Housey-Housey,” a precursor to modern British bingo. Players would listen for the numbers, mark them off on their cards, and call out when they had completed a line.
Bingo became more than a pastime. In Britain, it was often tied to community gatherings and fundraising events, particularly during the 20th century. Churches, charities, and local halls used bingo nights to bring people together and raise money for good causes.
The American Revolution: Beano to Bingo
Bingo truly exploded in popularity when it arrived in the United States in the early 20th century.
In 1929, a toy salesman named Edwin S. Lowe encountered a game called “Beano” at a carnival in Georgia. The setup was simple: players had cards with numbers, beans were used to mark them off, and someone would shout “Beano!” when they won.
Lowe saw the potential. He took the game home, refined it, and began producing bingo sets. The story goes that during one of his game nights, a player accidentally shouted “Bingo!” instead of “Beano”, and the name stuck.
The Birth of Mass-Market Bingo
With Lowe’s influence, bingo spread like wildfire across the U.S. But what really propelled its popularity was its adoption by churches as a fundraising tool. Bingo nights became a cornerstone of community life, providing both entertainment and much-needed revenue for local organisations.
To keep the game fresh, Lowe is said to have worked with a math professor, Carl Leffler, to develop thousands of unique card combinations. This innovation ensured that large groups could play together without constant ties, a critical step in making bingo scalable.
By the mid-20th century, bingo was firmly cemented as a cultural phenomenon in America.
Bingo Halls: Community, Culture, and Fun
From the 1950s to the 1980s, bingo halls were at their peak. Across the UK, the U.S., and beyond, dedicated venues drew in huge crowds.
- Community: Bingo halls weren’t just about the game — they were social hubs. People came to meet friends, enjoy an evening out, and feel part of a group.
- Entertainment: Many halls combined bingo with music, food, and drinks, creating a full night’s experience.
- Accessibility: With low entry costs and simple rules, bingo welcomed players from all walks of life.
In the UK, the 1960 Betting and Gaming Act was passed, coming into force in 1961. This legalised commercial bingo halls, fueling a boom that saw the game become a staple of British leisure culture. At its height, millions played weekly.
Bingo was more than a pastime – it was an institution.
Modern Shifts: Decline and Reinvention
By the 1990s, bingo halls began to decline. New forms of entertainment, changes in leisure habits, and the rise of online gaming reduced footfall.
Yet bingo refused to disappear. Instead, it reinvented itself:
- Themed events: “Bongo’s Bingo” and other modern variations turned bingo into a party, blending DJs, dancing, and prizes with traditional number calls.
- Hybrid venues: Pubs and clubs hosted bingo nights, appealing to younger audiences.
- Nostalgia factor: Many people saw bingo as a beloved link to family traditions, keeping it alive in smaller community spaces.
This adaptability paved the way for bingo’s biggest transformation: its move online.
Bingo Goes Digital: The Online Era
The arrival of the internet revolutionised bingo. In the early 2000s, bingo websites began to appear, offering virtual cards and digital number calls. For the first time, players didn’t need to attend a hall — they could play from their living rooms.
Why Online Bingo Took Off
- Accessibility: Available 24/7, from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Variety: Countless themes, game modes, and prize structures beyond traditional 75-ball and 90-ball formats.
- Social interaction: Chat rooms and communities recreated the social side of halls.
- Mobile play: Smartphones and apps brought bingo literally into players’ pockets.
Online bingo not only preserved the game but introduced it to a new, younger audience. Today, it’s a thriving part of online entertainment, blending tradition with innovation.
From Italy to Your Living Room: Why Bingo Endures
So why has bingo survived for over 500 years when countless other games have faded away?
- Simplicity: The rules are easy to learn, making it accessible to all ages.
- Suspense: The thrill of waiting for the next number never gets old.
- Community: Whether in a hall or online, bingo is a shared experience.
- Adaptability: From beans to smartphones, bingo has always evolved with the times.
Bingo is more than just numbers on a card. It’s a reflection of culture, community, and human connection. From Italian lotteries to online apps, the game continues to adapt while keeping its essence intact.
Conclusion
The journey of bingo is a remarkable one. Born in the lotteries of Renaissance Italy, shaped by French aristocrats, embraced by British communities, and popularised by American entrepreneurs, it has transformed into a global pastime that thrives both offline and online.
Today, when you open an app or join an online bingo room, you’re not just playing a game, you’re participating in a tradition that spans centuries. From Italy to your living room, bingo remains one of the most enduring and fascinating games in history.