The Evolution of Bingo
Commonly regarded as a staple at church and community functions, bingo is a complex game with a rich and multifaceted history. Many modern bingo players are surprised to learn that the roots of this simple game of chance lie in ancient Europe, in the age of the Renaissance.
Beginnings
Although little is known about the precise origins of bingo, its roots can be traced to Italy, in the beginning of the 16th century. Records of a game called “Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia” bear a striking resemblance to the modern game of bingo. From its beginnings in Italy, bingo traveled to Germany and France. In Germany, the game became popular as an educational aid, and was used for many years in classrooms to teach mathematics, vocabulary, and other concepts.
Bingo in the New World
After traveling across the continent of Europe, the game of bingo found a receptive home in the growing country of America. Bingo as we know it today was popularized at community fairs and carnivals along the eastern seaboard. The rules of the game were standardized in 1933, when Hugh J. Ward authored a now-famous book on the subject. Bingo’s portability and wide appeal ensured that the game found an important place in American popular culture. Played with buttons and bean seeds, the game had spread to every corner of the country by the mid 1900′s.
Bingo in the Age of Technology
Following the lead of many other popular community games such as chess and poker, bingo has developed a significant following among online players. Gaming websites such as Bingo Hollywood and Bingo Giving have popularized the game, introducing bingo to a whole new generation of players. Through the use of technological aids such as bingocams, bingo can now be played simultaneously in every corner of the globe. Particularly notable is the surge in interest in the game in eastern European countries.
