How Old Is Bingo? Exploring Bingo History and Origins

Bingo isn’t a new game by any means, but the way it's played has changed over the centuries. When we look closely at the full bingo history, we can see that it was originally mainly played as a kind of lottery game. 

How did it make the switch to the card-based game, where we mark off the numbers as they get called out? As we follow bingo’s journey, we can see how it has become a globally loved game that exists in many different versions and continues to be adapted to our lifestyles.

The History of Bingo and Early Versions of the Game 

The earliest games that mark the history of bingo include an Italian 16th-century lottery called Il Gioco del Lotto d'Italia. It wasn’t identical to bingo, but it was a clear starting point. 

This was followed by other lottery-style games that slowly edged towards the gameplay that modern players enjoy. The history of bingo passed through versions like Le Loto in France and the German Tombola as it swept across Europe and was adapted to local tastes. 

Where Did Bingo Originate? 

To understand the modern origin of bingo, we need to take into account those early games in Europe that we just looked at. But if we want to define the exact moment when a game called bingo existed, we need to move into the 20th century and cross the Atlantic.

The game took a massive leap towards the current gameplay in the 1920s, when it was introduced to the US. Initially played as a carnival attraction under the name of Beano, the story goes that it was changed to bingo when someone accidentally called out this name to announce a full house.   

Therefore, we could say that Beano is the original name of bingo. However, we also need to accept that Il Gioco del Lotto d'Italia, a few centuries earlier, was also a big part of the bingo origin story.

Who Invented Bingo and When Did Bingo Start?

The names of many of the key figures involved in the early history of bingo have been lost to time. However, when we look at the game’s journey from Italy, across Europe, and to the US, there are some important names that stand out.

Edwin S. Lowe stands apart as the single most important person and is often called the person who created bingo. He was said to be travelling in Georgia in the US in 1929 when he saw Beano being played at a travelling carnival.

Having seen how the players loved it, he realised that the game had huge commercial potential. He took it back to New York and refined the gameplay, leading to it becoming popular across the US.  

Carl Leffler was another key figure, as this mathematics professor at Columbia University was hired by Lowe to ensure that large-scale games could be played without the risk of too many players getting the same numbers on the same game.  

We also need to mention Hugh J. Ward, who helped to standardise the game of bingo in the 1930s. He was a key figure due to his role in creating formal rules that meant that the game could be played virtually anywhere in exactly the same way.   

As the game returned to Europe, the American version using 75 balls was adapted to become a 90-ball game. The ways of winning also changed, moving away from the pattern-based approach to a game where we simply need to complete lines of numbers. 

From Traditional Bingo Halls to Online Bingo 

The game was a huge success when it reached the UK, with bingo halls appearing across the country. Empty or underused theatres and cinemas were transformed into vibrant bingo halls in the 1960s, often becoming an important part of the local social scene.

As technology advanced and our lifestyles changed, a new way of playing bingo emerged at the start of the 21st century. Online bingo play has added a new element by letting us join bingo games conveniently, no matter our location or the time of day.  

A new format has been added to this, with live bingo now an increasingly popular way of playing. This makes it the point in the history of bingo where the latest technology is used to provide a live setting with a human dealer that players can access on smartphones or laptops. 

When you look at our guide to play bingo [link - how to play bingo], you’ll see that the game retains all of the simplicity and fast-paced gameplay that has made it such a global favourite over so many years. The recent introduction of the live format has been another in a long line of steps that make it easier to access and enjoy.

FAQs About Bingo History and Origins

When Did the History of Bingo in the UK Begin?

While an early form of bingo is believed to have existed in the country in the 19th century, bingo here is most closely linked to the mid-20th century boom. This is when bingo halls sprang up across the UK, and it became arguably the nation’s best-loved game. 

How Did Bingo Become Popular All Over the World?

As we saw by looking closely at bingo history, early lottery-style games were popular in many parts of Europe. Bingo was then refined into a modern, convenient game in the US, meaning that this new way of playing could be used virtually anywhere.

What Is the Next Step in the History of Bingo?

With the arrival of innovations such as live bingo games with a human presenter, it’s clear that the game continues to evolve. While it’s impossible to know what happens next, it seems certain that the simple gameplay will remain in place while new technology changes aspects like presentation and accessibility.