History of Bingo – The Most Popular Game in America

Bingo is one of the most well-known games in the US. From fairs to casinos and even charity events, it is a game enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. To truly appreciate the popularity of this game, it is essential to know the history of bingo and how it became so widespread. I will also cover its present state and differences with the UK version.

Article contents:

• Origins of bingo
• Early bingo history
• Rules of US bingo
• Modern bingo history
• Differences with UK bingo
• Future of US bingo

About the Author:

The author has years of experience with various casino games, including bingo. That includes casual bingo games for fun and various online casino bingo games. Aside from those, he has experience with many other gambling games, which include sports betting and poker. The author is also highly interested in the history and origins of casino games and has experience in the history of casinos and slot games.

The History of Bingo – Origins and Creation

An interesting part of bingo history is its origins, which date back to 16th century Italy.^[1] The game was known as Lo Giuco del Lotto D’Italia, or the Italian Lottery, and featured rectangular cards with 27 numbered squares. Players would bet on specific combinations, such as Ambata and Terno, and win prizes if the numbers matched.

After that, the game would spread across Europe, appearing first in France as Le Lotto. It functioned similarly to the Italian Lottery, with numbers from 1 to 90 being drawn from a small sack. The game was played primarily by nobles. Meanwhile, Naples had developed a spin-off called Tombola, which is still played today among families on Christmas.

The history of bingo also extends to the UK, where the game gained significant fame in the 18th century. Meanwhile, Germany began using its spin-off Tombola for educational purposes, such as teaching multiplication tables. With its rapidly growing popularity, bingo would eventually find its way to the US.

Early US Bingo History

The American bingo history began in the 1920s when Hugh J. Ward started implementing it in carnivals nationwide. It was initially named “Beano”, as players would mark their cards with beans while a Caller called the numbers by pulling discs from a cigar box.

While Hugh J. Ward created the rules for US bingo, the game was popularized by Edwin Lowe. After discovering the game at a carnival in Atlanta, he returned to New York and shared it with his friends. Lowe was a famous toy maker and would begin producing tools and cards for the game, selling them as 12-card or 24-card Bingo sets.

Lowe would also work with a Columbia University mathematician to develop 6,000 unique card combinations. Soon, the game exploded in popularity and even attracted the attention of Catholic priests. After receiving permission, various organizations, including churches, began organizing charity bingo games to raise funds. These factors were important to bingo game history and solidifed the game’s presence.

Rules of US Bingo Games

Throughout the history of bingo, the rules have not changed much. Players use cards with 25 squares, five columns, and five rows featuring numbers from 1 to 75. Each column is also designated with a letter spelling B-I-N-G-O. They also contain a specific set of numbers, such as the B column, with only numbers from 1 to 15.

Most modern games use computers with RNG programs to generate numbers, but American bingo history has shnown you can also use cards, ball blowers, or rotating cages. Once a ball is called, players must look for their number and mark it with a stamp. To win, you must form a pattern, such as a horizontal line, and shout “Bingo” to have your card checked.

Throughout bingo history, many new variants of the game were created. Each has its rules, so reading them carefully before playing is essential. For example, U-Pick Bingo uses three cards and requires choosing numbers beforehand.

Modern History of Bingo

These days, bingo continues to be a trendy game, so bingo game history continues to grow. Players can find many bingo halls nationwide for social bingo alongside various charity events. Even retirement homes and bars will sometimes host bingo games. Some events even have progressive jackpot games.

However, bingo is also considered a gambling game in the US, and each state has its regulations. Most allow social and charity games but forbid casino games for real money. Currently, the only places where players can find casino bingo games are operators in Nevada and bingo halls in Native American reserves.

Online bingo is also dependent on the state. Only New Jersey provides legal online bingo, so players have limited options. However, the laws are constantly changing and being updated, so bingo may be legalized in the future. The history of bingo has shown that it is a popular game type.

Differences between US and UK bingo

As the game has been around for centuries, the US history of bingo differs from the UK version. For example, while US bingo typically uses 75 numbers, UK bingo uses 90 numbers for their cards. Additionally, UK bingo cards have 27 squares instead of 25, which is needed to accommodate all the numbers.

Another major difference is that while the legality of US bingo depends on the state, UK bingo is entirely legal. There is even a national bingo game played across all clubs in the country. Part of the game’s popularity is due to the numerous bingo clubs in the UK during the 50s.

Regardless of their differences, both variants can be played in either country, so players can easily compare them and find their favorite. Additionally, according to bingo game history, both countries popularized bingo through charity events.

The Future of US Bingo

The game’s popularity has helped it grow beyond a social game. Currently, players can find both land-based and online bingo games, which is a significant development in bingo game history. However, each state is responsible for bingo laws within its territory, so you should see if any games are available.

Nevertheless, with the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, there is hope for casino bingo to become more widespread. Some operators have even launched online bingo apps.^[2] Bingo history continues to grow, and it will be interesting to see how the game develops in the future.

References

1. Cabral, Lauren, December 8, 2020, The History of Bingo, Back Then History, Retrieved on January 9, 2024
2. O’Boyle, Daniel, December 15th, 2021, Betmgm Debuts Borgata Bingo App in New Jersey, iGaming Business, Retrieved on January 9, 2024