Bingo (British version)

 Bingo (British version)

Bingo is a game of chance in which players mark numbers on their cards. A caller draws the numbers randomly. The winner is the one who has marked all their numbers. [1] After the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, bingo became more popular in the UK. There were more bingo halls built every year up until 2005. [2] Bingo halls have seen a decline in revenues, and many have closed since 2005. [3] Since 2005, there has been a marked decline in the number of bingo rooms in Britain. It was nearly 600. As of January 2014, it had fallen to less than 400. [4][5] This decline is attributed to high taxes and the ban on smoking, as well as the rise of online gambling. [6]

Because the tickets and calling are slightly different, bingo in the UK (90 ball bingo) cannot be confused with American bingo (75 ball bingo).

History

It is believed that the game, which was not originally called bingo at all, originated in Italy in 16th century. This was around 1530. [7] Bingo originates from the Italian lottery, Il Gioco del Lotto d'Italia. The game originated in Italy and spread to France where it was called Le Lotto. Le Lotto was a French game played by the aristocracy. The game may have then migrated to Great Britain or other parts of Europe during the 18th century. [5] In order to win a winning combination, players must mark off numbers on their tickets as they are drawn randomly. A similar Tombola was used to teach multiplication tables, spelling, history and more in nineteenth-century Germany. [8]

The origins of modern bingo and the current name are not known. Bingo was first described in British slang as "A customs officer’s term, the triumphal song being used on a successful hunt". The first modern version of bingo was introduced to the public at fairs and carnivals in the 1920s. It is believed that Hugh J. created it. Ward, who probably borrowed the name from preexisting slang for marketing reasons. Erwin S. Lowe received the 1942 patent for a modern bingo-card design.

Large cash prizes were legalized with the introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act 1960, which was enacted on January 1, 1961. The launch of Mecca Bingo, by Mecca Leisure Group, was led by Eric Morley. Eric Morley owned a large number of dancehalls and had introduced bingo to 60 of them, including the Lyceum Ballroom. Circuit Management Association was the other major operator. It managed The Rank Organisation's cinemas as well as their dancehalls. The Blackpool Odeon, their largest cinema, hosted bingo. How to Be Lucky at a Game Called Bingo