Bingo can be traced back to an Italian game c.1530 called “Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia”. Over the centuries the game had grown throughout Europe for example in France; playing cards, tokens and reading out the numbers had been added to the game. In Germany the game was widely used for educational purposes to teach children. Since then the game has grown in popularity and you can find the game everywhere including bingo online.
Bingo, as we know it today, originated at United States carnivals by Hugh J. Ward in the early 1920’s. Later he copyrighted the word ‘Bingo’ and wrote a rule book on it. The word Bingo has various theories on the origin of the name according to here. It is said that one of the players yelled ‘Bingo’ instead of Beano. Another theory is that the word Bingo was used in Great Britain since the 1770’s and was taken from that.
Bingo has become a worldwide game and particularly online it is very popular. These games can offer higher prizes than local games. Young or old, the game can be played by all, with the very easy game rules that can be both enjoyable and competitive. I remember my first time playing the game on holiday with my parents when I was a child. While I myself did not win, my parents won and treated me to an ice cream afterwards.
Some years have passed since my first time playing the game but it still remains a Christmas favourite when all the family are around as everyone can play without having to take turns or there are too many people playing. We take turns in being the announcer and create alternative calling names for a bit of fun. It is great fun and no Christmas would be without it.
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