History of Bingo

Bingo has been a massive hit on the web - but its magic has been thrilling people for centuries! In fact, according historical records, the roots of bingo has a definite Italian taste.....going back to the Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Itallia in 1530 (otherwise known as the Italian Lottery!).

Similar lotto games were equally popular at the famous medieval fairs, past down from showman to showman and never losing their unique appeal.

However, the big break for the game we now know as Bingo emerged from the concept of Beno - another lotto game offered by a carnival showman during the 1900’s. Beno games consisted of small numbered cards and beans - and it became tradition to shout ‘BENO’ whenever anyone won! Winning Beno cards were rewarded with a cute Kewpie Doll, a far cry from the cash jackpots on offer online today!

However - one down on his luck toy entrepreneur, called Ed Lowe was about to strike it lucky! Lowe was amazed by the game of Beno and was equally shocked by the magnetism it seemed to possess. With his brain working overtime, Lowe took the game home with him and shared it with his friends during Christmas, 1929.

The exhilaration and smiles soon filled the Lowe household, and when the winning players completed their cards, they got so excited that instead of shouting ‘BENO’ - they yelped ‘BINGO’! And as funny as it may seem.....that’s where the game of Bingo got it’s name from!

Lowe soon took Bingo to the mainstream market, and while he couldn’t patent the game - he grew rich from competitors pledge to pay him $1 and call the game Bingo. For the next 70 years, Bingo developed into the world’s most popular lotto - until the web brought a whole new gaming revolution and turned bingo in a 21st century leisure sensation.