Bingo History - UK

If you’re wondering where the United Kingdom is in all of this then you’ll be pleased to hear that Bingo was regulated under the Gaming Act of 1968. This allowed bingo to be played in members-only clubs, which were previously used as dance halls and accordingly well presented. You were expected to dress up to visit these clubs, as it was a real evening out. The game of bingo was also dressed up to suit the occasion, with numbers being given nicknames such as “legs” 11 and “two little ducks” 22.

The game continued to be developed in the UK, and machines were introduced to select numbers randomly. Then, in 1986, bingo exploded in a big way with the introduction of a national game. For the first time, this allowed players in clubs across the country to participate in the same game, resulting in bigger prize payouts than ever before.

In 2003, bingo sites were set up on the internet, creating what we now refer to as “online bingo”. The following year, many sites were upgraded so that players could talk to one another via an on-screen chat facility, and this is something that makes the online game so special for us today.

So there you have it – our whirlwind tour of bingo through the ages. After all of that, we think we’re about ready to go and enjoy a quick game right now. How about you?

History 1 - Early beginnings • History 2 - Bingo in the UK

30th January 2008