Bingo is a beloved staple in the UK. Discover how technology has driven its development this century and brought the nation’s favourite game from the halls to homes.
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The roots of British bingo
When it was brought to the UK from America in the early 1900s, bingo was an instant hit. Filtering in through travelling fairs, it was adopted by men’s social clubs in the ‘20s and became a regular feature of fêtes and local events. Following the two world wars dedicated bingo halls were established, and from the outset were seen as valuable social spaces within communities.
Bingo remained widely played throughout the rest of the century, peaking in popularity in the ‘70s and ‘80s. To this day it is a national staple – although the introduction of the World Wide Web in 1993 changed the nature of the game, it didn’t diminish our love for it.
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The digital shift
The internet brought the world to our fingertips, and in the case of bingo enabled us to access the excitement of the halls in our homes. There are specialist websites exclusively for online bingo which seek to recreate the physical format in the digital space and elevate it with unique features in the process.
Players are still equipped with tickets and a game host leads the rounds, but the numbers flash up on the screen and you can take advantage of ‘auto-daubing’ functions to make it easier to follow your progress. Live chat rooms allow you to interact with other players in real time, keeping alive the much-loved social aspect of the game.
Many measures are in place to ensure player safety during online bingo games. Providers use limits to control the time and money spent on each session such as maximum deposit amounts, enforced pauses and ‘reality check’ reminders popping up frequently during games. Personal details are protected from prying eyes, and chat rooms are monitored for cybercrime attempts such as identity theft and fraud.
Reputable companies ensure monetary transactions are also safeguarded. Check the website you’re using has a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, evidenced by the ‘s’ in ‘https’ at the beginning of the URL. This indicates encrypted communication and suggests that the site is trustworthy. You should also check for proof of an official licence.
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The rise of mobile gaming
Bingo was further revolutionised this century by the introduction of smartphones. Quick to take off and rapidly developing each year, the majority of adults in the UK own a smartphone which provides instant internet access wherever you are.
With battery, storage and graphics capabilities improving each year, smartphones are a common and convenient way to game on the go. You can download a bingo app directly to your device and explore modern variations of this classic activity, such as pop culture-themed versions like Deal or No Deal bingo.