Today, bingo remains one of the most popular games and types of gambling. It is believed to be approximately 490 years old, so it is some astounding longevity.
Bingo’s popularity gradually declined throughout the 1990s after having a big boom era in post-World War II Britain. However, its latest transformation into an online game has given this gambling tradition new life and excitement.
Bingo’s Origins
Bingo, which is Italian for “I get it,” originated in the 1500s in this sunny peninsula as a version of the traditional Italian lottery, “Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia.” Many people believe that bingo’s appeal stems from the game’s simplicity and financial accessibility.
From then, you can roughly follow its route as a favorite of the French aristocracy, where it was called ‘Le Lotto,’ before reaching the British shores.
When bingo first came to France, it is thought to have developed into something resembling the game of chance we know and love today. By 1778, it had become very popular.
By the 18th century, the game had found a permanent home in Britain. It was frequently played throughout industrial towns and cities before spreading to other countries, including the United States.
The Evolution of Online Bingo
Gambling and gaming are two industries that have enthusiastically embraced the online world. With only a touch of their keyboard or a swipe of their touchscreen, players can now access a wide selection of games online.
As a result, it’s clear to understand how technology has revived once-popular games that were on the verge of extinction. One such game is bingo.
Bingo is an enormous business in the UK, with the sector worth an estimated £1.3 billion. Online Bingo also has a major influence.
Cyberbingo.com is said to be the earliest online bingo site, having launched in 1996.
But it wasn’t until 2003, when, in conjunction with the massive online poker craze, virtual bingo really took off, with a slew of dedicated sites springing up.
Another major milestone happened in 2013, when the 15 Network, an online bingo players’ network, launched, allowing the game to enter the lucrative mobile gaming industry.
It hasn’t looked back since, with year-on-year revenue growth.
Consider yourself a 90-ball player (larger rewards) or a 75-ball player (smaller prizes but a greater chance to win). The list could go on and on. Let’s have a look at the many bingo games available and see how far this game has progressed.
90-Ball Bingo
The name may give it away, but 90-ball bingo is bingo played with 90 balls. There are three rows of numbers on each card. You might even get a full house if your bingo skills are up to par. This is your garden-variety bingo, and it has been popular for years, with a small variation on the original game. It is known in the community as the “classic” type of bingo. The online version of 90-ball bingo lends itself ideally to this format, which has been entertaining players at Wink Bingo with a maximum prize of £3000.
75-Ball Bingo
Wink Bingo’s rewards vary from mystery prizes to a part of a massive £10k prize pool. 75-bingo, which originated in the United States, has quickly gained popularity among British players. With this innovative variation on the 90-ball game, 75-ball bingo offers enough patterns to keep every player happy.