Few gambling games boast such a lasting presence as the game we call bingo at Xgtiger Casino. According to legend, bingo is an offshoot of an old lottery game in Italy, known as Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia. This chance-based game was popular in the 1500s, later moving to other European countries such as France in the 1700s, where it went by the name Le Lotto. As one might expect, this gambling game for centuries was originally the staple of the well-heeled; aristocracy, nobility, and even royalty.

The original bingo-style game played in France underwent several changes as the game was introduced to other European countries, such as Germany in the 19th century. One of the earliest forms of bingo featured a 9 x 3 grid format and 27 squares. This 90-ball bingo game features the numbers 1 through 90, randomly. In fact, it is the same bingo variant that survives today, albeit in a slightly different format. Back then, the chosen bingo caller would pick wooden bingo numbers at random from a container or a drum. The bingo host picks numbers, one at a time, announcing them to successive players.

Then, and now, they were covered by bingo players matching the so-called numbers to the numbers on their bingo cards. Depending on the rules of play, the winner is determined by the player who completes the combination first. This can include horizontal lines, vertical lines, diagonal lines, shapes, patterns, and so on. The player who completes the winning pattern first and calls BINGO! will be reviewed before a winner is verified. The same is true today of land-based bingo halls. Bingo’s big break came in the 1920s when it crossed the Atlantic Ocean and entered the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!

When bingo arrived on American soil, it soon became known as the Beano. A toy maker named Edwin Lowe is having a grand old time at the Georgian Carnival when he comes across a group of people playing Beano. As its name suggests, beans are used to cover the called numbers that match the numbers on a player’s card. The toymaker was so intrigued by Beano’s runaway success that he cut his Georgia trip short and went to New York, his home state. There he created his variant of this popular chance-based game. He used a rubberstamp, desiccated beans, and cardboard. Such was the popularity of this board game among his friends, that it quickly blossomed into the world-famous wunderkind we know today.

The word Bingo came from the respected toy manufacturer Edwin Lowe and his friends. Rumor has it that one of the contestants in one game was so enthralled about forming a winning combination that he shouted, ‘Bingo!’ rather than the traditional ‘Beano’. Almost 2 decades later, in the 1940s, the game was enjoying unprecedented success across the United States. But bingo’s hurray was yet to come… the game’s transatlantic journey back to Europe was met with great fanfare when it arrived in the United Kingdom. It happened during the swinging 60s – a time of unprecedented love, happiness and ‘feel good’ times. Would you believe that around 3 million+ players across the United Kingdom now enjoy bingo online, or in person?

Let’s take a look at how technology has accelerated the popularity of bingo over the past 100 years. It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride as we introduce you to all the advances made by Kelly’s Eye, One Little Duck, Garden Gate, Valentine’s Day, Dancing Queen, Rise, and Shine, Christmas Cake, Straight on Through, Between the Sticks , and Top of the Shop options are a reality for an estimated 100 million+ players worldwide. The fascinating history of bingo is as much about the study of a game as it is about anthropology. Bingo is part and parcel of our cultural zeitgeist; an entertainment ensemble designed to excite the senses, and stir our spirits. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the incredible advancements in bingo through technology.

How Technology Shaped Bingo Evolution

From primitive, mechanical-style devices to modern digital innovations, the game of bingo has never been new to development. Today, we tend to view traditional drums or baskets as outdated in terms of how we use them to pick bingo numbers. Much the same can be said for physical bingo cards printed on sheets of paper, or boards. Land-based bingo remains the domain of tactile bingo gaming.

We see the cards, touch the cards, touch the cards, and even smell the cards. We can hold bingo daubers in our hands, or circular chips, as we mark the so-called bingo numbers on our cards. Otherwise known as dabbers, there is something very appealing about holding a bingo marker in your hands and dabbing bingo numbers onto your paper bingo cards. You can choose the ink color you want to play with and make wet marks on your cards until you come up with a winning combination.

But land-based bingo has not been without dramatic advances. Consider that today’s land-based bingo venues also use digital renderings of bingo cards with randomly generated bingo numbers courtesy of sophisticated computing devices. That’s true! Just because you’re sitting in a brick-and-mortar bingo room doesn’t mean the technology is far away. Indeed, across Britain, you’re likely to encounter high-octane, technologically advanced bingo fit for the modern age.

Many bingo rooms still like to provide paper bingo cards to players, in addition to providing bingo daubers for sale. These types of accouterments are readily available at informal bingo gatherings such as community bingo at the clubhouse, church bingo raffles, or Sunday bingo games with friends. But if you’re visiting an established bingo hall in the United Kingdom, expect a major upgrade to your bingo game.

Here in the UK, there are hundreds of land-based bingo venues – a testament to the growing popularity of this gambling game. It is the social aspect of bingo that drives its success. Whether you’re sitting down with friends, family, and strangers playing bingo at home or on the go, bingo is the most popular social gambling game in the world. According to reports from the GBGC, 2018 online bingo and online casino revenues topped £3 billion, with a large portion coming from land-based bingo.

Now, let’s start the technology engine as we look at how online bingo has leapfrogged land-based bingo as the fastest growing bingo medium.

The Online Bingo Boom – A Record Success Story

Consider the following bingo statistic: Between April 2019 and May 2020, traditional bingo rooms and online bingo rooms generated a Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) of £910 million in the UK alone. Now, of that figure, around £635.9 million is generated in land-based bingo, with live bingo games. The balance – £275 million – was generated by UK online bingo rooms. Trends show that the growth of online bingo is rapidly outpacing land-based bingo play. During this period in question, brick and mortar bingo halls and casinos witnessed a 5.7% decrease in total bets, while online casinos and online bingo rooms had a 0.9% uptick.

There is a direct link between these numbers and technology. If it weren’t for technology, computer systems, software, and Internet accessibility, online bingo would not be as dominant as it is. The transition to electronic bingo, digital bingo, and mobile bingo has been very groundbreaking. Today, it is completely possible to register in an online bingo room and play 75-ball bingo, 80-ball bingo, or 90-ball bingo on PC, Mac, or mobile. Internet-based bingo games with exceptional HTML 5 functionality are the X factor in the gaming arena.

The developed world, and the developing world, are moving towards personalized entertainment. While the social element of brick-and-mortar bingo games certainly remains intact, more is desired. There is something inherently attractive about being able to play from the comfort of wherever you want, whenever you want. Beyond convenience and comfort, online bingo also offers another major benefit to players in terms of technology – cost effectiveness. Believe it or not, when you play bingo games online, you get the best prices for your bingo games. As a new player or a seasoned bingo head, you can enjoy free bingo games online, penny bingo games, and BOGOF bingo games too.

One would be hard-pressed to find comparable offers at land-based bingo venues. Nowadays, reservations are required at the top brick and mortar bingo clubs, and they also cost a pretty penny. The beauty of licensed bingo rooms is in the numbers. There are a large number of players who can log in from anywhere in a regulated jurisdiction at the same time. Increased player capacity also allows for higher payout potential, especially in progressive jackpot bingo games. When you play online bingo, the servers can accommodate thousands of players at any one time – it’s the equivalent of a bingo stadium full of players. Otherwise, everyone is comfortably seated, enjoying bingo on mobile devices, desktops, or MacBooks.

Technology Makes Online Bingo a Safer Alternative

SSL encryption (secure socket layer) technology, ID verification, account verification, and multifactor authentication are just a few of the many security protocols in effect in online bingo rooms. From that perspective, it is 100% safe and secure to play bingo games online with licensed operators. Of course, due diligence is still required to ensure that your username/password combination is not leaked, or hacked. It is important to keep your computer/game device updated with the latest software to eliminate any risk of hacks on your account.

From a physical safety standpoint, online bingo is a proven winner. Since you don’t need to gather in large crowds to play bingo games online, there is no risk of bacterial or viral infection. From this perspective, technology has certainly paved the way for the runaway popularity of online bingo games. The caveat is that we are only as safe as the protocols we follow. Stay up-to-date with your antivirus software, adware blockers, malware protection programs and more. Always play online bingo games with fully licensed regulators – they value their players and their operations.

Everyone Wants to Get on the Online Bingo Train

We already know that software developers can create new and improved versions of bingo games, slot games, and instant win games at top online bingo rooms. These games are stable and safe, and many of them are available to players at affordable prices from as little as a penny a pop. Reference was made to the tech-driven renaissance of bingo and the gaming industry in general.

Most of the changes that have taken place are causing a renaissance for the game of bingo – and technology has helped shape their change. Because the younger generation is into the technological advancements that are taking place, marketers have been able to rebrand bingo and make it attractive to online players. Facebook bingo games are an example. Although these are free games, they are very popular.

The cultural reawakening of online bingo is gaining scores of players in the gaming arena. Once upon a time, 75-ball bingo and 90-ball bingo games reigned supreme. Today, we have many more bingo games to play such as Roulette Bingo, Fast Fives Bingo, 80 Ball Bingo, Progressive Jackpot Bingo, Swedish Bingo, and many more. Bingo is combined with other online casino games for great effect.

Today, you won’t find an online bingo room that only offers bingo games to its players – it’s always instant win games like slots, Slingo, blackjack, roulette, scratchcards, and more. More than ever, today’s bingo player is a social animal. We all love multiplayer gaming and social style gaming. That’s exactly what Bingo offers with immersive gameplay, chat room functionality, and mobile-inspired gaming systems.

The evolution of technology has even made virtual reality bingo games quickly come into their own. Sophisticated headsets are now being developed, allowing players to interact with the playing field as if they were physically there in person. There are endless possibilities ahead, and the future of online bingo is just beginning. Imagine being able to play bingo at the Eiffel Tower, from the comfort of home.

Or perhaps playing space-game bingo on the moon, or Mars, with a virtual reality helmet? These are just a few of the many out-of-this-world innovations coming to the online bingo gaming arena. We know how popular blockchain-based systems are for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and Stellar, but did you know that blockchain-based bingo keeps online bingo rooms financially secure for players and operator? Now, unlimited bingo without licensing or regulation is possible.

Looking into the crystal ball, we can safely say that the best is yet to come for online bingo. Today, this gambling game has evolved at the speed of knots. The massive democratization of bingo from the aristocracy to the masses has sparked massive and unprecedented interest in the game. Where we go from here is anyone’s guess – let your imagination run wild!

Conclusion

Are you an avid gaming fan and wondering how to bet on online casino games? At Xgtiger Casino, you will get the latest information on this year’s best casino games and a variety of gaming options, all in one place.

To start your online gambling journey, all you need to do is create an account on the site, deposit funds and you will be ready to bet on the best and most anticipated casino games.

Frequently Asked Questions