Far from fading into obscurity as some feared, the game of Bingo has thrived since it made the jump online. Thanks to fresh innovations and updates, Bingo feels as fresh and engaging to play as it ever has.
These days you can even enjoy free Bingo wherever you have a solid internet connection. But how did it go from a staple of physical Bingo halls to a game played on a computer screen or mobile phone by thousands around the world? Join us for a short guide to Bingo’s journey online and find out just how much this classic has changed in the process.
Where it all started for digital Bingo
From humble beginnings in 16th century Italy, the game of Bingo grew significantly in popularity during the last century in both the US and the UK. At its peak, the UK had almost 600 Bingo halls around the country.
But with the digital revolution of the 80s and 90s, the game saw its player count starting to drop. This prompted developers to experiment with translating the interactive game into something that could be played on a computer instead.
After some finetuning and the rise of the internet, we began to see dedicated Bingo websites cropping up and start attracting players. During the early 2000s improved internet connections helped to push Bingo sites to even greater heights.
An age of innovation
Thanks to the move online developers started to experiment more with the core Bingo formula. Now players on both sides of the Atlantic had access to 90-ball or 75-ball Bingo, but why stop there?
Variants such as speed Bingo began to take off, with such a small ball count allowing for games that moved at an even faster pace than the formats players were more used to. With fewer balls and a selection of smaller cards to play from, players could enjoy a round of Bingo during a quick break.
Online platforms also allowed for a greater variety in theming, setting games apart through colourful graphics, musical effects and detailed themes. Rather than being limited to the games on offer, a land-based Bingo hall, people could seek out whichever version of Bingo appealed to them more.
It was here that the fusion game Slingo took off, matching the basic gameplay of Bingo with the random nature of spinning Slots. This took the greatest strengths of the two different games and fused them to create something new. Now Slingo is one of the most popular games played in online casinos.
Looking to the future
Technology continues to evolve and it’s unlikely that Bingo is going to be left behind any time soon. From its move to the internet and then onto mobile apps, this game has shown that it can adapt to keep up with the times.
The only remaining question is what new developments might be in store for the future. Virtual reality (VR) tech could be the next frontier for gaming, especially as headsets have started to come down in price.
Perhaps, in a few years we’ll be able to play Bingo in simulated 3D environments that call back to the original Bingo halls?
Wherever Bingo goes next, it’s already come a long way to become one of the most popular games in the world. Whatever form of Bingo you’re looking for there’s a game online for you.
