Bingo has been enjoyed for many years by people all over the world. It is still one of the most popular games played today, but you’re now more likely to find in on a mobile phone than in a bingo hall!
Bingo wasn’t always called bingo, it was known by “Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia”, which will indicate where the game originates from – Italy!
It became a hit with the aristocracy in France, who re-named it to Le Lotto before the popular game hit the UK shores.
In the 18th century, it became one of the most beloved games in the UK. However, it is said that a toymaker called Edwin S. Lowe in Long Island gave bingo it’s new moniker, Beano.
During a game of Beano with the toymakers friends, someone got so excited by a win they yelled “Bingo!”.
And so, bingo was born.
From dabbers to mice
From community centres to large dedicated glitzy building, bingo was everywhere.
You arrive, queue up, get your tickets, hear about the specials from the reception, and go and find the best seat.
Live bingo and UK bingo halls were bold, flashy, and packed with other entertainment too.
Of course, there have always been bingo evenings to suit all tastes, but by the ’80s there were over 1600 bingo halls in the UK. From senior citizen nights to themed club bingo nights, there was something for everyone.
Live bingo halls were a popular venue for entertainment in the 1960’s-1980’s.
And although bingo was still popular, online bingo was rising rapidly. But what made online bingo so enticing?
Why is online bingo so popular?
The UK online gaming market is one of the safest in the world. It’s one of the safest because when creating and modifying gaming rules, the UK incorporated requirements for the online gaming world too.
The Gambling Commission published statistics in March 2020 that showed an increase across the board for the gross gambling yield, and a massive 8.1% growth between April 2018 and March 2020.
This was a GGY of £1.5 billion.
Online bingo is growing, and when you look at the perks, it’s not hard to see why.
Casual bingo players
Online bingo is perfect for casual players. You can set up a range of bingo cards across multiple different styles (90,75 and/or specials) and go back to other tasks in the real world. Letting your cards play automatically.
You can choose to sit with a mug of tea or coffee and play for a few hours. And, should you need to leave immediately, you can. You simply close the lid of your laptop, and you are done.
You can choose to take the bingo game with you, with many mobile phone applications giving easy access anywhere, anytime.
Online bingo sites give people who might otherwise find it difficult to travel to a bingo hall to enjoy the same enjoyment from the game you can get from the bingo hall.
Casual players and bingo enthusiasts can enjoy a game of bingo, knowing that the regulations protect them.
It costs less
Online bingo costs less, and the odds can be better too. If you haven’t played bingo before you can start out with some free games and get to know people in the lobbys (chatrooms) first – and get a feel for the online world.
Bingo games with 1p and 2p cards mean you can spend a lot less and still get the same enjoyment from the game.
Online bingo also helps you to save on travel, drinks, food and extra slot games you might play impulsively on the night.
Socialise in comfort
Bingo is and always will be a social game. When you are sitting in the bingo hall, you can chat to those around you, and you get used to seeing the regulars.
Over time this begins to happen online too. Most people find one or two bingo websites that they enjoy playing on and will build a social circle there.
Even if you are playing on the sofa in your dressing gown, you can be social and speak to people you ‘know’.
Loyalty
Points win prizes! There are so many variations of how loyalty to a specific bingo site can get your extra rewards. Here are a few of the more common ones:
- When you put your first deposit the bingo site match or double your deposit amount.
- You accrue points that can be built up and use it to play free games
- You earn access to VIP bingo games
- You can earn free slot spins
- Cashback options
- Exclusive bonus codes and promotions
- Birthday gifts
Some offers might be obvious when you sign up; others might be in newsletters or announcements the longer that you play.
You may be able to ask the chat moderators about any daily deals.
Some bingo providers reward players for their loyalty by providing them with discount codes, even on the players birthday too!
Variety
Variety is the spice of life, and it certainly is in the bingo world too. Online bingo has a wide range of options. You can play themed games, global games, private games and even high-roller big spend games too.
Bingo is now more accessible to all ages too. Younger generations are used to playing games via their mobile phone or on a console, and online bingo has a similar look and feel. The only difference is that some of the prizes are actually tangible.
From £5 to £500,000 and more, it is all up for grabs.
Staying in is the new going out, and when you can socialise and play your favourite games all on your mobile device, it’s not hard to see why online bingo has skyrocketed in popularity.
With more innovation, bigger prizes and more choice the future of online bingo looks like it’s a full house of perks for players.