Our language is littered with phrases and sayings that we get from games and sports, some of which have clear origins, such as ‘own goal’ and others that have been lost in the mists of time. The game of bingo has given us a wide variety of popular phrases and sayings, including its own name, not least because it has been such a popular game for such a long time.
The simplicity of bingo is part of its charm – crossing off numbers or symbols on a sheet in response to a random draw and things haven’t changed much even with the wide variety of bingo games online nowadays. Bingo has been played all around the world, using a variety of different materials and systems, but the essence of the game is the same however it is played, which makes it a hugely popular and universally understandable game.
Bingo is thought to date back as far as 16th century Italy, with the earliest reports coming from 1530 when it was first adapted from the Italian lottery. The game spread across the border into France, where it was called Le Lotto, and was the exclusive preserve of the aristocracy.
It was from France that the game then migrated across the channel to Great Britain and out into other areas of Europe by the 18th century, with new names being acquired in almost every country it reached. The Germans used their game, known as ‘tombola’ as a way to teach children about numbers, but also spelling and historical facts.
In the UK, the word ‘Bingo’ already existed as an expression of surprise and triumph and the game that we now know as bingo was originally called ‘Housey-housey’ to its British players. However, a man named Hugh J Ward introduced the game to fairs and public events in the 1920s, calling it bingo and the name stuck as it allowed winners to convey their victory quickly in order to claim their prize.
Modern bingo
A change to gambling laws in the 1960s made it possible to win big at bingo for the first time, and the heyday of the game began in earnest. Bingo halls began appearing all over the country in dancehalls and cinemas and the games’ popularity led to enough income to build bingo halls in most major cities and towns.
A whole culture built up around bingo, with many of the most popular sayings, such as ‘eyes down’ and ‘full house’ finding their way into everyday speech. Callers would make the game more interesting by using humorous descriptions of each number and bingo became a thriving social scene as well as a fun way to have a relatively low-risk flutter.
As the technology evolved, so did bingo, moving almost seamlessly towards the electronic version of the game which allowed players to manage more cards and increase their chances of winning big. Prizes were managed digitally as well, so when the advent of online gaming came about, bingo fans were already at the forefront of the tech revolution.
Online bingo
While the essence of the game remains the same, online bingo has provided the means to shake things up from a player’s perspective. As the physical space of bingo halls became less important, online bingo attracted a wide variety of new players that prefer the immediate nature of being able to play on their mobiles or other devices.
Transition of Bingo going online has sparked even further growth.
While bingo halls still exist and attract a loyal core of players, online bingo has maintained a relatively steady fan base over recent years and the game generates an annual income of more than £600 million. Many offline bingo providers have expanded their remit to offer online games which follow the familiar format and have the same branding and look as their physical bingo halls.
The popularity of bingo has also attracted a number of new operators in the sector and game designers and developers have come up with plenty of ways to give this traditional game a complete makeover without changing the rules. From bonuses and extra rewards, to themed games and special offers, online bingo is keeping up with its fans by offering them the excitement they want in the game they love.
The new generation
Perks of online bingo have increased due to players being able to exchange knowledge and tips at any time and anywhere.
Although the face of bingo has changed significantly over recent years, the essence remains the same. Even in online bingo games, the community aspect is still important as players can meet in chat forums to share hints and tips, and play online with friends, even when they aren’t physically together.
The elements that made offline bingo such an appealing game have been carefully translated into the online game. Those who may have had to miss out, due to location or other commitments, can now join their friends and family online and play wherever they are.
Fans of online gaming that may never have played physical bingo are also getting a chance to learn about the game and hone their skills. The gameplay is fast and fun and the various versions of the game available means that there is always one to suit any players’ style.
While modern bingo may, on the surface, appear unrecognizable from its 16th-century origins, the feeling of excitement and the enthusiasm that it gives people for playing together is still the same, nearly half a century later.
