The History of Bingo

Learn about one of the most misunderstood games in the casino.

Suppose you are a fan of trivia, Bingo, or even both. In that case, we invite you to learn a little more about the origins of Bingo and its evolution through this article dedicated to the discovery of this game.

The origins and first rule of Bingo

Bingo's origins can be traced to Italy, where it was discovered in the 16th century, sometime in the 1530s. 

Played in a weekly tournament called 'Lo Giuoco del Lotto del D'Italia', matches were played every Saturday. The tradition, however, has not changed nowadays.

The original version was very similar to today's Bingo, with wooden chips numbered 1-90. Participants were only allowed one card numbered 1-90, divided into three horizontal rows and nine vertical rows. Each horizontal row consisted of five numbered boxes and four spaces arranged randomly.

The vertical lines carried 10 numbers. Players could also check to ensure that no card was identical to another. During the game, a speaker would pull numbered balls out of a bag to shout the numbers out loud.

The Italians used corn kernels to cover a called number at that time. The first to cover their five numbered spaces in an entire horizontal row would win the game and then the pot money.

Beginning of its spread throughout Europe

Bingo has been modified over the centuries to become the game we know today. From Italy, it was introduced to France in 1778, where it was called "Le Lotto".

Bingo was first played only by wealthy aristocrats on a card with three horizontal columns and nine vertical rows. Another version was also played in Germany in the 1850s.

The Germans used it mainly to help students learn math, spelling and history. When the game reached North America in 1929, gamers named it "Beano".

Moreover, it was Edwin S. Lowe, a New York toy seller, who gave his name to "Bingo". The idea came to him after hearing a player accidentally shout "bingo" instead of "beano" during a carnival.

Lowe then developed the game adopting the new phrase, and the phenomenon was born. Later, he hired a Columbia University math professor named Carl Leffler.

This will help him increase the number of bingo card combinations. In 1930, they invented 6,000 different cards.

Bingo becomes famous

The game gained momentum after a Catholic priest in Pennsylvania used a variation called "trivia" to raise funds for the church, which he successfully did.

Besides, regular religious games have also become a popular form of entertainment and helpful fundraising events. Lowe then began selling the sets of bingo cards to his own toy company.

Unfortunately, without legal protection due to its popular origins, other companies quickly adapted them to their products. At Lowe's request, the Revolutionaries called their games "bingo," and each paid him a dollar a year as a thank you.

Seeing his work attract more players, the inventor then published a manual to help operators set up their games. His writings were followed by a monthly newsletter, garnering 37,000 new subscribers.

In 1934, there were approximately 10,000 games taking place each week in each city. An essential part of Bingo's history is that it has been used to raise funds for many different organizations, including churches and charity galas. Thus, Bingo was called "the gambling phenomenon of the 20th century".

An important part of Bingo's history is that it has been used to raise funds for many organizations, including churches and charity galas. Thus, Bingo was called "the gambling phenomenon of the 20th century". A crucial part of Bingo's history is that it has been used to raise funds for many organizations, including churches and charity galas. Thus, Bingo was called "the gambling phenomenon of the 20th century".

Modern Day Bingo

In the 21st century, Bingo is finally played in halls dedicated to online casino games and on any mobile device that can receive a signal practically on a global scale.

In its physical form, it is played worldwide, especially in communities and countries with missionaries and Catholic and Christian churches.

It is played with several cards in various variants, of which the most played are those with 75 and 90 balls.

Currently, Bingo continues to be not only a popular game among citizens. It also occupies a large part of the government's annual budget of around $75 million.

Since the 1960s, the legalization of social games by British law has allowed the adoption of "Bingo" in Europe.