How A Simple Game Has Changed Into An Internet Phenomenon... The History Of Bingo
73Bingo Goes Viral Online
Home Based Card Board Games
|
Amazing Black Card Sorting Tray New Board Game
Current Bid: $13.74
|
|
Illuminati Deluxe Edition Card Strategy Game NEW
Current Bid: $24.49
|
|
Cage Cards Balls Complete Bingo Game Kit NEW NEW FREE SHIPPING! ! ! ! !
Current Bid: $18.39
|
|
1930S' BLACK BOX MONOPOLY W DOUBLE GAME PEICES WOOD HOUSES OLD MONEY CARDS AND
Current Bid: $9.99
|
|
The Long Dark - Lord of the Rings LotR Living Card Game Adventure Pack LCG
Current Bid: $13.50
|
|
VINTAGE MYSTERY DATE GAME BOARD WITH THE 48 CARDS ONLY 3 LADIES PARTS ? ISSUES
Current Bid: $5.00
|
The History Of Bingo
This hub is intended as an introduction to the changes that have occurred in the game of bingo and the effect it has had on the social lives of players.
This hub is not condoning or encouraging gambling.
A Brief History Of Bingo.
Bingo! Is a game of chance and has been around in some form or another for a very long time.
It is generally accepted that the game has it's origins in the Italian game Lo Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia the literal translation of which is.
'The Game of Lotto in Italy' according to the Google translator.
A more accurate translation is:- The Game of Lots as played in Italy.
As we know lots were cast by Roman soldiers for the clothes of Jesus Christ below the cross. This tells us the history of bingo is well over 2000 years old.
The modern game developed after the unification of Italy. Circa 1530's AD.
The Technological Revolution Hits Bingo Into The Modern World.
For years Bingo was played in church halls and community centres only later becoming big business in many countries with huge theaters built to host these ever popular games.
What is often overlooked by the non-bingo player, are the 'social aspects' of this game.
Many people would meet family members or friends in these bingo halls and spend the afternoon or evening playing this game.
What many non-bingo players may not fully understand is that many people were just happy to be in each others company.
The act of, or effort to make conversation was not necessary. Just to be together was enough.
The History Of Bingo... The Bingo Halls Of A Bygone Age?
Baseball Cards
|
Dads old baseball cards. Unopened packs from 20 years ago. Huge Lot!
Current Bid: $6.65
|
The Changing Social Aspects Of Bingo
In recent years Bingo has undergone a major transformation.
With the introduction of smoking bans in public places.
Gone are the huge smoke filled Bingo halls and theaters to be replaced by these online bingo games. Mostly played from home and solitary.
Online Bingo is one of the fastest growing trends in online business.
It seems like anyone with a little finance and a few basic web design skills can set up a profitable Bingo site? There are 1000's of them already!
While online Bingo allows people all over the world to have a shared experience and meet new people. What impact has this had on the experience?
Online Bingo some facts.
Online Bingo is working very hard to be seen as a social activity.
If you ask people that play Bingo online, they will tell you that they, in many cases do not even consider it, as a form of gambling.
The opportunity to meet friends and family, was always the driving force behind traditional Bingo halls.
They formed an integral part of many communities. The online game is trying to replicate this aspect but not very successfully yet.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the game has lost a lot of it's attraction.
As usually now online you are playing with strangers.
So the social dimension and dynamic has changed.
One of the key reasons for 'going' to bingo, was to see and be with family and friends.
The online game can offer this facility, but it has been slow to extend or exploit this feature of the experience.
Many people still attend the local church Bingo, where the 'prizes' can be anything from a tin of beans to a packet of biscuits.
These games are obviously purely for the social dimensions that the game brings to the group.
All profits from these church games, usually go into a fund, for the benefit of the club members.
Looking Your Best For Those Family Social Occasions
|
Bare Escentuals Minerals essentuals medium tan 8g XL
Current Bid: $19.95
|
|
BARE id MINERALS BARE ESSENTUALS/ESCENTUALS MEDIUM FOUNDATION
Current Bid: $13.99
|
|
BARE id MINERALS BARE ESSENTUALS MINERAL VEIL SPF 25 NEW SEALED
Current Bid: $10.89
|
|
BARE id MINERALS BARE ESSENTUALS/ESCENTUALS FAIR FOUNDATION
Current Bid: $9.99
|
|
BARE id MINERALS BARE ESSENTUALS ALL OVER FACE COLOR TRUE BEAUTY TRAVEL SIZE NEW
Current Bid: $7.99
|
|
Bare Escentials Essentuals W15 Original Light Foundation Makeup Anniversary Jar
Current Bid: $24.97
|
These Social Aspects Will Determine Success Or failure
The true test will be time.
Will people adapt to this solitary version of the game or will it go the way of the dodo? like so many other things that have been attempted online.
Do you remember go.com from Disney? the web search engine where only family friendly sites would be indexed or searchable.
A colossal $790 million mistake! The site still exists but is a shadow of it's expected potential.
Many online bingo companies, are now offering to set you up as your own bingo site owner.
You get the site and all your friends and family sign up to your site and so you form a little network.
Where you can use the chat functions and talk to your friends and family.
These small networks are aggregated to other little networks and suddenly you are playing with 1000's of other players regionally, nationally or even globally.
Some could see this as a cynical ploy to get people playing while another view could be that the Bingo site owners have realised, like every other big player on the net.
It's all about social. The history of bingo tell's us one thing. It is a survivor, it adapts to survive.
No social, no future.
Family Games On Amazon
 | Amazon Price: $10.71 |
 | Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $14.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.84 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
Real Bingo's Last Call
It can be argued that the social aspects of this group game will never be replicated on the internet.
Indeed, if you have ever been to a social bingo club, and listened to the banter between the staff, the bingo caller and the players you will know that this was a totally social game.
The cheeky chirps and double entendres, fly thick and fast. It is a totally social experience with the added thrill that you may win anything from a tin of beans to a day trip to the seaside.
Whether people win or not is missing the point.
They had fun and they saw their family and friends, maybe the only time they saw them that week, what with the busy lives everyone has these days.
Technological change is almost always inevitable, but with those changes sometimes we lose something precious.
The simple game of bingo has it's last bastion, in the place where it started. The churches and community halls. The history of bingo has seen many changes.
These places will never adopt the internet game, as it has nothing to do with the reason that the game is played and enjoyed.
The reason is simple. It is for people to get together, have some fun and maybe win a tin of beans.
Your Chance To Vote
Do You Think Online Bingo Will Succeed?
See results without votingCallers Championships
Party Games To Play
 | Amazon Price: $16.14 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $6.75 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.49 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.85 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.99 List Price: $26.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.61 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.35 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $10.91 List Price: $23.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.99 List Price: $23.99 |
Top Rated Hubs By Molometer
- The British Weather Is So Changeable It Has Become A...
What Is The Weather Going To Be Like Tomorrow. Nothing Is more Interesting To Most True Brits Than What The Weather Is Doing. We Are A Nation Obsessed With The Stuff. And Every Year We Get Hammered By The Snow Or The Wrong Leaves.Why Is That? - The Victoria & Albert Museum Of Childhood Bethnal Gr...
Opening Times Map How To Find This Little Gem In The East End. The V&A Museum Of Childhood. Definitely Worth A Visit.It Contains The Largest Collection Of Children's Artifacts In Britain. - Wondering Where To Go On A Day Out In London? Try Mu...
The River Thames Is A Great Place To Find Treasures From The Past. Mostly You Will Find Old Clay Pipes But Occasionally You May Find Real Treasure. Memories Of Great Days Out. - London Places To Stay Things To Do The 2012 Olympics...
London Is The Greatest City On Earth. It Is A Series Of Small Villages That Just Happen To Be Very Close To Each Other. - Explain Dreams! Good luck
What do your dream's really mean.'what does a steamer trunk symbolize in our dreams' These are questions we all ask. Is it something that we need to understand to help us in waking life? Explain Dreams? Good luck
Italy Home Of The Game
Rome,Italy - vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful
- Interesting (9)
CommentsLoading...
lol at jabez
BINGO!!! I use this word from time to time...interesting; anyhow...Not very good at this game.
good one, molometer. I thank god that I have not yet started playing it online. In person, it is very addictive :) voted up as useful
Hi Michael ~ I found this quite interesting. I have liked playing bingo even back in my 20's when friends thought it was strange at that age. I have never played on line and think I will stay away from it since I am on the computer way too many hours every day as it is. Plus, when I do go to play bingo in person, which is rare, I love the whole "people watching" thing. Very entertaining!
Sharyn
i've never done online bingo, but I won $100 at the fair once playing bingo... only had one board too!
Thank you Theresa for your great comments. I am suffering from connection issues so will come back to these comments when it is more stable.
Michael -
Glad you were careful about the links; we wouldn't want you encouraging gambling, or even worse calling down the wrath of HPdom upon yourself. :) This was a fun Hub and brought back so many "really, really old" memories. :)
I never actually played BINGO, but I had friends that did, some older aunts and cousins who played BINGO religiously, and I occasionally went with them.
It is an interesting sub-culture all its own. Now that I think about it, many of these women were die-hard Southern Baptist Christians who stringently opposed smoking, alcohol, and gambling! How did they rationalize BINGO? I will never know as they are all, as my non-Bingo playing grandmother's pastor used to say, "resting in the bosom of Abraham."
Theresa
Thanks Trsmd,
I think you may have a point. It is turning up everywhere. All the TV ads are about Bingo this and Bingo that now kids snacks? whatever next
Thanks for SHARING.
Bingo is an addictive game and has really the value of it has increased a lot in such a way that kids snack items have been branded with the name Bingo.. Well covered about Bingo. thanks for SHARING:)
Hi Brett,
It used to be a massive game, but since all the changes like the smoking ban, they have lost a so much market share, that many older clubs have closed down. The trend is now definitely towards, the online version of the game.
Thanks for SHARING
Hi R9139,
Thanks for popping in.
It is probably a good way to pass the time while at home, but the social groups will continue to meet. Before I set off traveling, the UK had a mass boom of this game, with large centers offering HUGE prizes and roll overs. My aunts used to like it, as it was fun and sometimes they would win a decent prize!
Thanks for SHARING.
Very interesting read, pal. Never tried Bingo myself
Hi everyone, I have disabled the ads in this hub as the automated ads program, kept putting inappropriate ads on it?
Hope you like it.
lol overdone it with the sugar, in the tea?
I remember many years ago visiting the casino's in Las Vegas. Seeing rows of people, just pulling the arms on those on armed bandits. I never saw the attraction myself. They would still be sitting there, when I left a few hours later. I don't gamble so I really don't get the point. I suppose it gives them a buzz?
Bingo always stuck me as different, as it was much more social. I have been a few times but it always gave me a headache.
Yes, the online games are addictive. Kind of like slot machines. Something about interfacing with a machine and making repetitive motions or something and winning as the payoff.
Forgot to add that on Bingo night at the senior apartments, a meal in the cafeteria was always served, prepared by the resident hosting the evening. Talk about some delicious southern cooking. First time I ever drank "sweet tea." It was so sweet I almost spit it out when I took my first sip.
Hi femmeflashpoint,
I think this may be true. That it is a certain generation that prefer the real game.
Many people stopped going to bingo halls, when they banned smoking.
These new online games, are trying very hard, to get the social element into their games, so they must see it as important too.
Pinterest was interesting. Thanks BTW
Hi PWalker281,
I agree it is a social game first and foremost. Mostly in these community centres it's the local padre calling the numbers.
Seems like all of these games you mention, have an addictive aspect to them?
How odd!
Thanks for commenting.
Hi always exploring,
I have heard of spider solitaire but I've never played it.
Hi Jen,
I agree the call in bingo requires finesse'.
The calling of 'bingo' is a vocal artform all in itself.
Ranging from a subdued laid back attitude of 'I knew I was going to win anyway' a lazy 'ere are'
To the over excitable shouting person who has never won anything 'BINGO!!' Bingo! Bingo. The sound dropping off as they realise that they really shouted out load ha ha
To the old faithful. House! Or Housie housie!
Hi Seeker7,
So glad it gave you some good memories. Bingo as you say is a completely social activity.
People even bring their sandwiches and flasks of tea and have a mini picnic with their bingo friends.
I have also heard of these superstition's. The unlucky bingo caller, seat, table, club, dabbers and even the cards themselves.
This is why you have to be careful where you sit! lol
Thanks for the vote up.
Michael,
I am so outclassed in a Bingo Hall, it's truly pathetic. I like the game to a certain extent, but I get impatient with it, and I seldom win. To win, I'd have to shout and attract attention to myself, which would throw me into an emotional crisis. (Grin!)
My little-bit-of-love for it aside, I have friends, younger and older who LOVE the game, but I'm unsure if they'd enjoy it online because they're "personally" competitive with one another. Part of their thrill in playing is seeing the triumph and defeat one one anothers' faces during the games.
Maybe the online games will catch on with the younger population, but I'd think they'd enjoy oneline games more akin to poker (Texas Hold 'Em is hugely popular, online and offline), but I think the crowd of late 30s and up are still going to prefer the sort of Bingo games that are up close and personal. :)
Great hub!
femme
When my daughter and I lived on the US east coast, we would play bingo with her grandmother at the senior apartments where she lived. And as many have said, it was definitely a social event. Grandma had her purple troll dolls and her bingo bag filled will all the necessary tools of the game. I actually enjoyed playing. And these seniors played for money - small change though it was, if you had a lot of people playing multiple cards, you could win a nice sum.
Online game playing can be tricky. I had to delete the Solitaire software on my computer because I'd gotten so addicted, playing well into the wee hours of the morning. I've never tried online bingo and don't think I will, but I now am hooked on Words With Friends on FB. I try to limit my play to the evenings, but I'm not always successful.
Excellent hub, MM! Rated up and interesting.
I used to love to play bingo at our VFW hall. I did not know it was on line. I am addicted to Spider Solitaire. I must play it every night before retiring. Very interesting article..Thank you..
And what is with the troll dolls?! Not to mention the "bingo bags" that they carry. Oh yes there is a schematics to the seating arrangement here too.
I have to admit there is a rush with yelling BINGO, be advised this is not the place to do the touchdown dance or yell in your face. LOL
What a fantastic hub and one that brought back so many memories!
My Mum used to play bingo on the 'Women's Guild' night at the local hall - they called the game 'housie' then. When I was older Mum and me used to go the local bingo and yes it was a great social occasion. Our local hall, which was an old cinema that had shut down, even introduced a bar. One night I got 'very happy' just playing bingo, it was a wonder I could see the numbers!! After that I stuck to cola or a shandy!
One thing that Mum and the rest of us would talk about was the unlucky bingo callers and unlucky bingo halls. When a particular caller went up to shout the numbers you would hear a few groans and some of the players muttering that they wouldn't win anything now since 'such and such' was shouting the numbers. Also some halls many of us felt were unlucky. At our local miners club, Mum and I would literally never get a number on. Yet, when we went to visit my Dad's family in Coventry, Mum and I would go to the local Mecca Bingo and we honestly never failed to at least get a line! It was so odd!
Anyway, sorry about the novel - but your hub did bring back so many memories and fun times! Voted up + awesome!
Hello Jen,
You sure are 'on the money' when you say that it's all about the social and who can out-do each other on the number of cards and they are playing.
There is a strict hierarchy in every bingo hall. Try sitting in 'someones' seat? OMW you will be told in no uncertain terms 'that is so and so's seat'!?
And don't come back with a smart remark like.
'I thought the seat belonged to the bingo hall'!?
You better be running when you say it lol
It is totally social, the actual gaming is just an excuse to get together.
lucky trolls ha ha they have them here to.
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for reading. It is a generational thing I agree. New kids on the block want everything online.
Hi cebutouristspot,
You are right, seems like everything ends up online. When they fail to make money they are dropped quickly. So another traditional pastime is almost destroyed and the internet just ploughs on.
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Hi Just Ask Susan,
I have come to the same conclusion as you. These online games and some other contributing factors have totally changed many aspects of social life.
The bingo game still survives in Britain. The huge bingo halls have had to adapt and bring other forms of gambling to stay afloat.
Totally changing the dynamics.
Hello alocsin,
I had to write this hub very carefully, with no outbound links to real bingo sites, as that would breach the hubpages TOS. Encouraging gambling etc.
Theses online bingo sites are huge in Britain. The traditional game, were you actually sit with other people is dying off fast. Thanks for SHARING
Over here in the back country, we got a few Bingo halls, and you write exactly how it is...
True Bingo -ers are in it for the social aspect, and the show all vibe of mastering 20 bingo cards with 5 different blobbers in hand with the array of troll dolls anchoring their bingo karma....
I loved your article, this is a very popular activity among the older generation where I live and I don't see any of them turning to the web for their weekly bingo regimen.
I like to play the game in person, and let me tell it gets ugly when us yougins' yell out bingo with a mere 5 cards and idol dolls in front of us...
Very cool! I have never played outside of birthday parties but it could be a fun investment. I think it will take off online in certain groups. I think the elderly will always want to get dressed up and go outfor an evening. This is a great hub!
I notice that more and more traditional games are finding their way to the internet. It dont surprise me that Bingo have also made the transition. Thanks for Sharing
molometer, Your hub relates to more than bingo. On line poker is pretty popular as well. I think the internet has hurt us socially in so many ways. I used to look forward to playing scrabble, risk, backgammon, cribbage and poker with friends and family. Now I can sit at my computer and play all of them. I haven't tried bingo online yet.
So, where do we play this game? Didn't know they had this online, though can't say I'm surprised. Voting this Up and Interesting. Thanks for SHARING.
Hi gqgirl,
Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. I really would like to know what you think.
I was wondering if you ever played the regular game, and if you found any differences between playing with real people and the virtual version?
I would be very interested in your views on the matter!
Loved this hub. I actually myself play bingo online as a source of entertainment. Bingo Blitz on Facebook to be exact. LOL it is very addicting and I've seen my share of others getting overly "excited" and people actually spend their money on it. I just do it for fun.
Hi Cindy,
thanks for dropping in.You have the honour of being the first to comment on this hub. I do not know how long it will be available to read as the 'bots' were telling me it was about gambling lol. They really have a long way to go to understand humans.:) Glad you liked it.
What a great hub! I love to play Bingo but have never played it on the computer, in fact I have not played it in years, but it is fun. I did not know all this history and it was interesting to read the history, and looking at how it is changing now.
molometer Hub Author 2 months ago
Ha ha @ jabez, Bingo!