When you think of Bingo, history might not be the first thing that springs to mind. But the game has a long and proud one. This started in Renaissance Italy and continues to this day, encompassing many variants, including online Bingo and even Slingo games. So, let’s take a look at this fascinating topic.
Where did Bingo originate from?
Pinpointing the exact birthdate of our beloved Bingo is like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, scholars fancy the idea that the roots lie in 16th-century Italy, in a game called Lo Giuoco Del Lotto D’Italia – the Italian Lotto game.
This Italian export made its way to France by the 18th century, donning the name Le Lotto. Surprisingly, historical records suggest this was the modern British (90-ball) Bingo that we all know and love today.
In the 19th century, Bingo arrived in Germany, where it went by the name Tombola. But Tombola wasn’t just about winning a bit of cash; it doubled as an educational tool, helping kids master the art of mathematics.
When did Bingo start in the UK?
Now, when Bingo hit the shores of the UK, it was like a match made in heaven. From the 1880s onward, it became a staple at church socials and other events.
The Gambling Act of 1960 paved the way for dedicated Bingo halls, which popped up all over the country. Before that, you’d find folks dabbing away in pubs, especially in the East End of London. This influenced the unique bingo calls in the UK, sprinkling them with cockney rhyming slang – a Monkey’s Cousin for twelve (one dozen), anyone?
When did Bingo start in the US?
While it’s tricky to pinpoint Bingo’s exact arrival date, it’s safe to say the game set foot on American soil in the early 20th century, a time when there was a large influx of immigrants from the UK, Ireland and other parts of Europe. Naturally, they continued to play their favourite game in all its variants, and under all its names, in their new homeland.
Who popularised Bingo in the US?
The title of the Bingo pioneer in the US goes to Edwin S. Lowe, a toy merchandiser who stumbled upon the game at a carnival in Georgia in 1929. Captivated by its appeal, Lowe decided to bring it to a broader audience. He named it “Bingo” after overhearing a player mistakenly shout it instead of the correct term, “Beano”, which was used because the markers at the time were, you guessed it, beans. This chance encounter catapulted Bingo into the hearts of Americans and established it as a beloved pastime.
Is Bingo British or American?
This is a question that gets Bingo enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic hot under the collar, but the truth is, it is neither. As we’ve already discussed, Bingo had a long history on the European mainland before it made its way to the English-speaking world. But there are slight differences between the US and the UK versions.
The American Version of Bingo
In the US, the popular choice is 75-ball Bingo. Played on cards with a 5×5 grid, the key difference lies in the letters B-I-N-G-O at the card’s top and the fact that the numbers, in ascending groups of 15 will fall under one of these letters, starting at numbers 1 to 15 under B and working up. Winning patterns will include vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, as well as other shapes depending on the specific game.
The British Version of Bingo
The most popular UK version uses 90 balls, and the ticket has 15 numbers and three rows. You have to mark all the numbers on a horizontal line to win.
FAQs
Bingo holds a Guinness World Record for the largest game ever played. In 2006, nearly 70,000 people participated in a colossal Bingo game at an event in Bogotá, Colombia.
In the UK, Bingo was initially known as “Housey-Housey” before adopting the more universally recognised term.
Bingo is popular everywhere because of its simple rules and exciting gameplay, but it holds a special place in the hearts because it played a critical role all through World War II as a means to boost morale during air raids, providing a source of entertainment and camaraderie in community shelters.
Bingo acquired its name when a toy merchandiser named Edwin S. Lowe popularised the game in the 1920s. Upon hearing someone mistakenly shout “Bingo” instead of “Beano,” the name stuck and became synonymous with the game we know today.
