The Modern History of Bingo

Bingo, in the U.S. at least, was originally called ‘beano’, and was a game played at country fairs. The dealer would pull out numbered discs from a box, and players would mark the numbers off on their cards with beans. They were supposed to yell ‘beano’ if they won.

In 1929, the game became known as Bingo when the toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe overheard someone call out ‘bingo’, instead of ‘beano’. He hired Carl Leffler, a math professor from Columbia University, to help him increase the number of combinations possible in bingo cards. By 1930, he had invented 6,000 different cards. According to some sources, he later went insane!

This game was rapidly taken off – by 1934 it is estimated that 10,000 games were played each week! Today, Americans spend more than $90 million dollars a week on this number game, and that’s just the paid versions! Games like saints and sinners bingo, bridal bingo, and even baby-shower games are very popular ‘just for fun’ variations too.

Today, bingo halls are a common sight in most towns, and are full of people of all ages looking for a fun alternative to a night out at a pub or club. There are also online bingo games, which can be enjoyed by people who do not wish to travel, or who want to play with friends from around the world.

Bingo has evolved over the years, and there are now many new game types, card game, and prize variations, but the classic bingo gaming experience can still be enjoyed, both at bingo halls, and via online bingo.