No one is 100% sure how bingo got started, but it is thought to have its origins in the Italian lotto games of the mid 1500s. Bingo evolved in several places at the same time and today it is played across the globe.
The game first became popular in Europe and it was the Europeans that spread bingo throughout their colonies. The British were the most avid players and this is reflected in the fact that the countries where bingo is most popular today are for the most part ex-British colonies like Australia and New Zealand. However, the game is also very popular in the US.
The Future of Bingo Around the World
The recent growth in the popularity and reach of bingo suggests that its future is secure. In the past few decades the game has seen a new audience in the biggest population centre on earth, China. The Chinese love gambling using number games, so bingo is perfect for them.
Online bingo will also ensure that the game continues to find new audiences. As more and more people across the globe become connected to the World Wide Web, so the potential new audience for online bingo grows.