How is Bingo becoming a huge part of the UK entertainment industry?

Bingo has been around since the 16th century, and while it has seen many countries add their own spin on it, the UK has adopted it as one of the biggest games played in UK culture.

Played in Italy and called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia, and France as Le Lotto, to once being called BEANO, as it was played with beans, to entertain the troops as they travelled the world – bingo has had a long life.

What is perhaps most spectacular is that bingo seamlessly transitions from a game played in bingo halls to online gaming found at top online bingo sites.

Bingo is a mainstay of the UK entertainment industry. You’ll find bingo at weddings, sell-out events, and even massive jackpots playable both online and in the bingo halls. As a game, it is showing no signs of slowing down, either.

But why is bingo so popular now? And what does the future look like?

A Short History of Bingo in the UK

There are some rumblings of a game that looked and played similarly to bingo back in 1716, and before that, games of chance (gambling) were already popular. Although it was made illegal, players found a way around this, and by 1795 this bingo-esque game was still being played, and there were search warrants for those who had been reported as playing. What is the similarity between that game and modern bingo?

They were predominantly played by women, and through the 1800s, games were played underground. The New World game, often referred to as a Lotto (found in France and Italy), was gaining popularity. And by 1914, the military was playing it.

From 1900 to 1945, bingo was played to raise funds for servicemen, and there were notes that a game called housey-housey was played. Another form of bingo!

Completely legal commercial bingo burst onto the scene between 1945 and 1961 and marked a change in how people approached the game. Working men’s clubs started to see a profit from hosting bingo games.

By the 1960s, the UK formed the Betting and Gaming Act to help legitimise the game and others of its kind. The UK now still has one of the most robust and integral sets of regulations and rules for companies who host bingo and those who play it too.

The Golden Age of Bingo was coined by Dr Carolyn Downs and was deemed between 1961-1668. During this time, when the Home Office and others were concerned about bingo playing, the Gaming Bill gave this quote:

“The fact is that linked bingo is being played and is enjoyed by millions of people… We ought to be very careful before we put a stop to something that seems to be enjoyed.” (“A History Of Bingo In The UK – Playing Bingo”)

And that cemented bingo to be played often, and at this time, 60% or more of players were women.

Why is bingo still so popular in the UK?

Bingo is part of British culture.

From long before bingo was legalised, it has been played in the UK, and people fell in love with the game. It offered a chance for working-class people to win a little bit of money and gave women a chance to socialise regularly with others.

This was at a time when men worked out the house, and women mostly stayed home and cleaned. Bingo opened up the possibility for socialisation that wasn’t otherwise possible.

However, since then, it has seen its popularity online – which is where it cemented itself further into the hearts of the UK.

Bingo halls

There has been a significant decline in the number of UK bingo halls since the 60s, but there is still much spread throughout the UK. They offer food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere. Those who have always played, and don’t want to play online, can meet their friends and head to the bingo.

Not to mention that aside from dedicated big-name bingo halls, bingo is also played in smaller pubs and other venues too.

Internet

Many say that the move online reinvigorated bingo and delivered all of the game’s best aspects to new players. In 1963 over 14 million played bingo in the UK, which decreased significantly.

The UK leads the global market for online bingo players now, with 3.5-4 million players, and while that might not sound like a lot, online bingo generates more than £900 million in revenue.

Playing on the move

Almost everyone has a smartphone and data, meaning they can play their favourite games no matter where they are. The developers created bingo to work perfectly on mobile – and, for many, offers the best way to play. It is estimated that the average UK bingo player spends just under three hours a day on their mobile phones.

Bingo has managed to transition and include a wider age range. You will find people playing at ages 18, right up to and beyond 90 years old. Truly a game that spans generations thanks to adopting the right technology at the right time and expanding its offerings to a wider audience.

Events

Bingo is no longer reserved for Friday and Saturday nights at the bingo hall. You’ll find speciality bingo nights like Movie Nights Bingo – where people dress up as their favourite movie characters, and the bingo calls all include some movie trivia – and not just cash prizes are on offer.

Bottomless brunch bingo is incredibly popular too! There are so many options; one thing they all have in common is that they all sell out. Bingo is also commonly used to raise money too, including for some of the world’s biggest charities.

The bingo halls of all have had a revamp, and from there, new life has been breathed into what bingo can be, from drag bingo to spooky bingo nights at Halloween.

From early and modest starts to a game that is firmly part of the entertainment landscape in the UK.