How Bingo Gained A Whole New Fanbase

Twenty years ago, bingo was generally thought of as a game for old ladies in wrinkly stockings. Today, it’s one of the most popular games in the country, loved by women of all ages. What happened? How did it recapture its cool just at the point when people feared it was doomed? Bingo has a long history, which has seen it reinvented again and again, and it has always shown that it has staying power and as we know, there is always a place to play Bingo.

A Short History Of Bingo

Bingo began as a lotto-type game in Italy in the early 16th century. There were many rival lotto games around at that time, so the organizers of one decided to introduce a scorecard to make it more exciting. The trick worked and soon they had many new customers. What’s more, the game spread across Europe like wildfire, changing the way until several distinct versions emerged. It was when it reached England that it developed into its modern form. Bingo halls developed to provide entertainment for factory workers, and it soon became a favorite game for women.

The Modern Bingo Revolution

At the end of the 20th century, most bingo players were over 50 and many people thought that the game was in decline. They could not have predicted what would happen next. Although there are around half as many bingo halls in Britain today as there were a decade ago, many of those halls are much, much bigger than their predecessors. They have glitter balls, staff in sparkly costumes, music, and bright lights – they have captured a new energy that has brought the game back with a bang. Together with online bingo, they have grabbed the attention of a new generation.

Who Plays Bingo?

There are around 3.5 million bingo players in Britain, mostly between the ages of 30 and 50, but quite a few are younger. Most are female, and bingo halls tend to be very female-friendly spaces – in fact, more than one in ten of all women in the country play bingo. Because you don’t need much money to play – even though you can sometimes win big prizes – it’s a very accessible game that anybody can join in with.

Getting Into The Game

If you’d like to join in the fun and play bingo with your friends, where should you start? If you want to be a winner, you’ll need to be quick to respond, so you’ll have to learn the lingo. A good bingo dictionary, such as the one at Wink Bingo can save you a lot of time. You might want to go along to a small local bingo club or play online before you attend one of the big clubs. It also helps to stay sober the first time! Then, when you’ve found your feet, you can get together with your best pals and enjoy the full experience.

Bingo isn’t what it used to be – it’s now more fun than ever. Join the revolution and look forward to playing a game that will always leave you feeling great.

Bingo – The History, The Now & The Future

IMAGES: SLOTGUARD / GRAND CASINO NM