The Surprising History Of Bingo

Whether you’ve played it at a smoky bingo hall, a casino, or on your phone while you’re waiting for your food to arrive, bingo has a way of sneaking into our lives. But don’t let its simplicity fool you – the history of bingo is as colorful as a bingo hall on a Saturday night.

From its humble beginnings at 1920s carnivals to its modern-day glow-up as an online sensation, bingo has rolled with the punches (and the numbers). It’s been a cash cow for churches, a math teacher’s learning tool, and a jackpot boon for modern players in online bingo. Who knew a game of chance could have so much chance to reinvent itself?

Let’s see where it all began.

Where did bingo originate from?

While bingo might feel as American as apple pie, its roots are decidedly more… molto italiano.

The game’s earliest ancestor, Il Gioco del Lotto, debuted in 16th-century Italy as a state-run lottery. The concept was simple: numbers were drawn from a sack, and players matched them to pre-printed cards. Sound familiar? As they always say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

From Italy, it sashayed into 18th-century France, where it became Le Lotto, which was a le lovely favorite among the aristocracy. Apparently, even Marie Antoinette needed a break from sipping wine and making cake-related decisions.

The game evolved further in Germany, where it was stripped of its gambling flair and repurposed as an educational tool.

By the time it reached the UK in the 19th century, bingo had become a beloved pastime, though it still hadn’t adopted its iconic name. That fine detail arrives a bit later. But first, how did it reach the bustling shores of the U.S. of A.?

When did bingo come to America?

Let’s roll out some numbers: 1, 9, 2, and 0 – that’s 1920, folks, the year bingo crossed the pond to America.

In its early American days, bingo was a hit at carnivals in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Back then, it wasn’t even called bingo; it was “beano” – yes, like the medication you take after a questionable bowl of chili, although it likely stemmed from the beans you use to mark off squares. Minor details.

Word broke wind (excuse us), and soon, crowds were clamoring to match numbers and shout “Beano!” in hopes of winning a prize. (If you’re wishing someone would change the name already, don’t worry – that part’s next).

The real turning point came in 1929 when a toy salesman named Edwin S. Lowe stumbled upon a beano tent at a carnival. After some tweaking, Lowe mass-produced the game, and it exploded in popularity. By the 1930s, bingo was everywhere, from church fundraisers to community halls. Even the Catholic Church embraced it as a way to raise funds.

Where does the word bingo come from?

So, how did bingo graduate from its early days as “beano” into the name we know and love to shout? Believe it or not, it was a happy accident.

Legend has it that during a fateful game in 1929, a player got so excited about winning that they accidentally yelled “Bingo!” instead of “Beano.” Lowe, who was watching the game unfold, thought, “Ya know what? That’s catchy.” He ran with it, mass-produced the game under its new name, and officially tooted the horn of modern bingo (Sorry, that was a Lowe blow and, admittedly, a gas-tly pun.)

The word itself is thought to mimic the sudden joy of winning. It’s short, punchy, and impossible to say without grinning. Soon after, the numbers in bingo would follow suit, with players in the UK popularizing funny bingo calls for each number.

History of Bingo Cards in the U.S.

When bingo first arrived in America in the 1920s, the cards were hand-drawn and wildly inconsistent, leading to multiple winners in a single game. It was basically chaos. That’s when our favorite beano-to-bingo game namer, Edwin S. Lowe, came to the rescue yet again.

Lowe hired mathematician Carl Leffler to help standardize the cards, ensuring each one had a unique combination of numbers. By 1930, Leffler had created 6,000 distinct bingo cards, reportedly driving himself nearly mad in the process, as many would do if they had to stare at numbers all day.

Folks loved the new, standardized cards, and Lowe patented and distributed them, turning bingo into a nationwide sensation.

Casino Bonus for Bingo in the U.S.

To be the latest sensation in your friend group, try this out: Grab that classmate from college who used to play Wonderwall at parties, the regular from the bar down the street with the red flannel, and your coworker who always shares their potato chips (bless them), and give them a sign-up link for Cafe Casino.

When you refer a friend, you receive a cash bonus for each one who signs up, and they gain access to a $2,500 Welcome Bonus. It’s like your own “free space” on the bingo card of life.

Speaking of…

Why is there a free space in bingo cards?

…ah, the free space – bingo’s little gift to players, sitting smack in the center of the card like a tiny oasis of hope. But why is it there?

The beloved free space was introduced as the wild card of bingo. Giving everyone one guaranteed mark helps claim a winner sooner, keeping the game lively and the daubers busy (not to be confused with the “dabbers,” that’s another trend entirely).

These days, when you play bingo online, the center square is marked with a number, but with up to four cards in play and multiple winning patterns, you have room for more elaborate bingo strategies to help you win. That brings us to the final phase of the history of bingo: playing the game online.

The Advent of Online Bingo

While bingo had been a beloved pastime for decades, it was slow to make the leap to the digital world. Unlike flashy casino games like poker or slots, developers initially overlooked bingo’s potential. But once it went online, it exploded in popularity, proving that you can’t keep a classic down.

By the early 2000s, online bingo sites began popping up, offering players the chance to shout “Bingo!” from the comfort of their couch. No more hauling yourself to a bingo hall or fighting over the last dauber; online bingo is just you, your laptop, and maybe a refreshing Aperol Spritz.

Initially, the UK led the charge, with millions logging on to play, but the trend quickly went global. Today, online bingo is a multi-billion-dollar industry, complete with chat rooms, themed games, multiple winning patterns, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots. It’s bingo but with quicker rounds, bigger prizes, and proof that sometimes, the oldies really are the goodies.

Playing With Crypto

Just like bingo evolved to fit the digital age, so have payment methods. You used to have to pay with cash in hand and then online with a debit card. But these days, you can deposit with crypto for a smoother experience. Playing bingo via Bitcoin gambling is faster and more reliable, plus you’ll still play in familiar USD, so nothing changes there.

From its humble beginnings as Il Gioco del Lotto to its modern-day glow-up online, bingo has proven itself as a cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re shouting “Bingo!” in a hall or daubing on your phone, the game has a special place in your heart. If you’re ready to mark your card, head to Cafe Casino and let the good times roll with the numbers – no beans required.