Bingo is a game that feels like it’s been around forever. Though it was not originally called Bingo, the game can be dated back to the 1530s in Italy, where it was called Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia. The game then spread to France, where it was called Le Lotto. Then, it spread to the UK and other parts of Europe in the 18th century. The origin of the modern version of the game is unknown, but it was first played in Bingo halls. In recent years, the game has evolved as technology has improved.
The invention of the internet saw bingo move from Bingo halls to online Bingo games in the early 2000s. Then, in more recent years, the development of smartphones and tablets has seen Bingo move to apps and mobile games. This has given a new level of flexibility to the game as you can play a single game on the internet when you have a spare bit of time, for example on your daily commute or while you’re sitting on the sofa in the evening.
You may think that the online version of the game won’t be the same as hearing someone shouting about ‘two fat ladies’ or ‘droopy drawers’, but the traditional features of the game are still the same. And with online Bingo sites, there are so many versions of the game to choose from – with games even based on your favourite TV shows and games. So, with the online version, you can enjoy all the traditional features with a more modern twist.
Social media has also had an impact on the Bingo world, with the game being available to play on platforms such as Facebook. One of the most appealing aspects of Bingo is the social aspect and this is still relevant in the online version of the game. Playing online Bingo games on social media keeps this aspect alive as you can play with all your Facebook friends!
The development of the game to become more accessible for those who want to play at home and on-the-go has allowed Bingo to withstand the test of time. As is the case with many other brick-and-mortar establishments, such as high street shops, people are choosing the convenience of the internet and much prefer online. In the case of Bingo, not going to play in Bingo halls as frequently. So if bingo wasn’t as easy to play online, the game surely would have died a death years ago. It is also more likely to be played by younger people online, so Bingo should still be around for years to come, yet!
As you can tell, Bingo has developed a lot in recent years and it will be interesting to see how it evolves in years to come. The gaming world has seen many advances in recent years, including HD, 4K gaming and virtual reality. So, it’ll be interesting to see if Bingo will also be impacted by these advances. Could we see Bingo fans putting on their VR headsets and being transported to a Bingo hall to get the full Bingo experience from the comfort of their own home? Watch this space!
