There’s no doubt about it – bingo’s back! This time, matching numbered bouncing balls to random numbers printed on a card is being driven by the smartphone generation, and some clever marketers who have found a bundle of new ways to make online casino games fun, entertaining, and a whole lot of cool. How did this happen, and though bingo is back right now, is it here to stay?
Bingo, American-style
The US has a proud bingo tradition, even though the game started out in the 1920s as “Beano” because, for some reason lost to history, players had a habit of covering the numbered squares on their bingo cards with rows of beans. There are two schools of thought on how beano ended up becoming the call we all know and love today. The first is that individuals would mistakenly call out “bingo” in their excitement instead of “beano,” and the other theorizes that “bingo!” was adopted because the word sounded similar to a ringing bell, which appealed to participants at the time.
The widespread adoption of the bingo game in the US was largely thanks to Edwin S Lowe, the toy salesman and entrepreneur who brought the world games like Yahtzee, miniature chess and checker sets, and plastic toys that could be mass-produced for everyone’s enjoyment. It was Lowe who got a math professor to develop different combinations of winning rows on cards, then built a Las Vegas casino and hotel where he could showcase the joys of the game. It didn’t take long for the numbers game to go mainstream throughout the US.
As time went by, bingo became a popular way for churches and charities to raise money for special projects, which could be the reason for its traditional popularity with the elderly and middle-aged women. But since the 1990s, the game’s demographic and reputation have been changing.
Attracting new devotees
About 30 years ago, different versions of the game started to pop up across the US in bars, nightclubs, and social events. Venues also started to hold bingo events to attract customers to their businesses at off-peak times, like weeknights and Sundays. To make these events as entertaining as possible, they added cabaret shows and themed activities, and customers were encouraged to play for cash and prizes.
By 2017, there was one bingo hall for every 6,800 residents in Cheektowaga in Erie County, New York. Variations of the game have continued to emerge, including U-Pik-Em, Shotgun, Quick Shot, Buzzword, and Bonanza Bingo.
Taking bingo online
The relative popularity of new bingo variants, special events and themed nights, helped fuel the launch of online bingo (thought to have happened around 1996,) and the industry took off like wildfire. By 2010, its global revenue was estimated to be $1 billion.
According to YouGov, an international research data and analytics group, people aged 25 to 34 years old are most likely to play online bingo. The second age bracket that the game is most popular with is 35 to 44-year-olds.
There’s good reason to believe that the game’s popularity will keep growing now that it’s so easy for anyone to play bingo online on laptops and PCs, smartphones, and tablets, from almost anywhere and at any time.
High-resolution graphics, a huge array of titles to choose from, and promotions, bonuses, and loyalty programs are all driving bingo’s popularity with a younger audience. Casino websites are also more in tune with fresh and exciting ways to reach new customers. These include social media marketing and finding original game variations that appeal to a more youthful age demographic.
A bright future for bingo
The evolution of online bingo will be limited only by the latest technological advances. There is still virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to look forward to. These technologies would allow individuals to experience the excitement of being in a bingo hall or create their own bingo-hall reality.
The beautiful numbers game will probably always be popular with an older crowd, particularly with those who enjoy not only its ability to benefit memory and concentration, but also appreciate its quintessentially social side. These days, most reputable online casino sites offer moderated online chat rooms that allow game devotees to exchange tips, engage in conversations and even share their favorite recipes for success!
Play the best online bingo games at Borgata Bingo
At Borgata Bingo, New Jersey residents can try their luck on a range of exciting games, including the classic 75-ball and 90-ball bingo games, as well as jackpot slots, Slingo, and many more exciting titles. See what incredible gameplay is on offer when you play online bingo. Download the app via iOS or Android or register online to join the party at Borgata Bingo.