Around the World in 80 Numbers: Online Bingo across the Globe

Although you may be aware that online bingo is a popular pastime in the UK, it is a lesser known fact that the game also has a huge following around the world. There are a number of reasons for this, as it is fun, social and easy to understand for players of all ages and demographics.

The global popularity of bingo has also been secured by its versatility, as there are a wide range of formats that remain unique to specific regions of the world. These games offer depth and variety, while they are also tailored to suit specific cultural needs.

Bingo Around the World: The Many Faces of the World’s most Popular Games

Let’s start in Italy, which is widely acknowledged as the home of bingo. Originating in 1530 as ‘Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’ Italia’ (which translates loosely into ‘The Clearance of The Lot of Italy’), the game involved five numbers being drawn from a lot of 90 from specifically designed wheels. This version of the game bears more than a passing resemblance to the National Lottery experience in the UK, and it remains popular to this day. In fact, it is still played every Saturday in Italy, while more traditional forms of bingo have also been made legal throughout the country.

While bingo arrived in Germany a little later in 1880, the game played by our Bavarian cousins is remarkably similar to our own. Originally labelled as ‘der Lottospiel’, it now goes by the more commonly renowned name of Bingo and players are required to exclaim ‘volltreffer’ when the game is won. There is a fascinating feature that distinguishes the German version of the game, however, as it has historically been used to teach the fundamental principles of mathematics to children in a fun and ultimately engaging manner. The success of this has been so pronounced that this teaching method is now widely adopted throughout the rest of Europe!

The Last Word

While bingo in the UK and the U.S. is relatively similar, a version of the game has also recently being adopted in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. This has been introduced through the online market, meaning that this is one of the first instances of a playing demographic that has only ever experienced virtual bingo. The accessibility of online bingo will certainly lend itself to new markets around the world, especially those that have no previous experienced or understanding of the game.

Last updated: Jan 24, 2023