Bingo looked to be a dying game not so long ago, but the death knell never rang out and the game now thrives online. It’s an immensely popular game and has proved to be an unexpected and wildly profitable hit for online casinos.
In this article, we look at what the game looks like today, its history and what bingo aficionados can expect in the future.
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Bingo today
Bingo has been on a wild ride but is now very much an established game with a dedicated fanbase in the libraries of online casinos. The popularity of bingo games can be attributed to a number of the same elements that have made online blackjack, poker, roulette and baccarat successful. Briefly, these include convenience, payment methods, mobile optimisation, game variety, and promotions and bonuses. All are beneficial factors, but the variety of bingo games produced by game developers has been a key component in attracting online bingo punters. There are now so many bingo games available at online casinos that the game appeals to a wide range of players.
Slingo is a hybrid of bingo and slots that attracts fans of both. Heavy investment has gone into creating Slingo games and a quick glance at the library of a major online casino will reveal tie-ins such as Slingo Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Deal or No Deal Slingo. It’s clear that demand for bingo games is high, spawning innovation and spin-offs.
Bingo arrives
Bingo originated from the Italian lottery before becoming widely popular in other areas of Europe in the 18th century. How bingo got its name is a little disputed, though. According to some, it was a British slang word that customs officers used when they made a discovery. Yet, others declare that the call was originally ‘Beano!’ and that it was changed to ‘Bingo!’ after someone accidentally yelled it and New York toy salesperson Edwin S. Lowe preferred the title.
Conceivably brought back to the UK by soldiers fighting in WWI, the game was called ‘Housey-Housey’ for a long time. It wasn’t long before bingo halls became a part of the landscape in major cities and UK holiday venues. While bingo halls still exist, the shift to online casinos has rejuvenated this classic game, and it’s no longer thought of it as a game for just the elderly.
“Man playing games with VR goggles” (CC BY 2.0) by TwinPeaks99
Future bingo
The short-term future of bingo seems to be in more tie-ins, with features from popular game shows adding a unique twist to the traditional game. Just like slots, we’d expect to see hit movies and TV shows lend their characters, music, sound effects and general branding to make bingo games appeal to fans of the media. While bingo will always have a future, it appears that Slingo is better placed to take advantage of people’s desire to play spin-off games from movies and TV shows.
Longer-term, it’s hard to look beyond AR and VR being utilised to make all casino games more engaging, including bingo. Big tech has invested heavily in the upcoming metaverse and it wouldn’t be surprising if we’re strapping a VR headset to our faces and stepping into a virtual bingo hall soon.
Whatever the future, bingo will likely always exist in one form or another and thankfully, right now, it’s never been easier to find a game.
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