I’m a huge fan of bingo and have been ever since I first tried it when I was young. I enjoy playing at the local bingo hall but also love the convenience of playing online from my Wi-Fi/internet-connected smartphone or desktop computer on a handful of fully licensed and regulated sites.
One thing I have noticed about bingo is that it’s popular with people of all ages and backgrounds. There’s something about this retro classic that seems to resonate with broader audiences than most other lottery-style entertainment activities.
I grew up and still live in the United Kingdom, where bingo is hugely popular, and after doing a little bit of digging, I discovered that, according to the history books, bingo was actually invented in Italy, where it’s also still popular.
I’ve also since learned that bingo is a staple of entertainment in many other countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, Russia, and Denmark, to name a few.
Here is a closer look at some of the main reasons why bingo is still popular today.
Why is Bingo so Popular Today?
After talking to many other bingo enthusiasts like me, I’ve found that in most places where bingo is played, it’s just as popular today as it was when it was first introduced to the public as a form of light entertainment all those years ago.
However, I think the main reason for its popularity surge in recent years is since its successful leap to the digital realm.
For example, today, there are hundreds of trusted bingo sites with a broad range of 75, 80, and 90-ball bingo variants to choose from, and people can play from as little as $/€/£0.05 or $/€/£0.10.
Computer-generated bingo and highly sophisticated live dealer bingo tech innovations from a handful of industry-award-winning software providers have made bingo more accessible and entertaining than ever.
I strongly believe that the digitization of bingo has also helped this retro classic favourite appeal to broader and younger audiences and remain relevant.
Here are several other reasons why I feel that bingo is still so popular today:
- It’s easy to learn and simple to play, which is why I believe most people who try bingo enjoy it.
- Bingo fosters a sense of community and brings people together, which is quite unlike most other retro/classic titles (apart from maybe craps or roulette, which also have the ability to bring people together)
- It’s fun to play and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Unlike baccarat, poker, and other classics, bingo is far less serious and more entertaining to play.
- Today, there are hundreds of computer-generated and live dealer bingo varieties to suit all types of bingo enthusiasts, meaning there’s something for all skill levels.
- Online bingo (computer-generated content, not live dealer bingo) is also usually available in the free-play demo mode, meaning you can practice until you get good or continue playing when your bankroll gets too low.
- Online bingo from the market-leading software providers, such as Relax, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution, to name a few, have high or above average RTP% (return to player) payout rates, typically around 93.00% to 98.00%
- Unlike playing bingo at land-based venues, which close at certain times, online bingo sites are open 24/7, meaning you can play at any time.
- Online bingo websites are free to join. They can be accessed from pretty much any Wi-Fi/internet-connected desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet and usually have a welcome bonus for all newly registered members.
Bingo will likely remain a favorite form of entertainment for many years. I also think it will have no difficulty attracting a newer and younger generation of people to try it out, especially if it remains widely accessible online at legally permitted sites.
Bingo Varieties you Might Like to Try
If you enjoy playing bingo at land-based bingo halls and want to see what it’s like in the digital realm, I recommend checking out some of these hit titles before trying any others.
To get the most realistic online bingo experience that closely mimics real life, you may want to start by trying Evolution’s Live Mega Ball or Live Monopoly Big Baller hit titles.
If you enjoy playing any of these cutting-edge live dealer bingo variants, you may also like to try Live Vegas Ball Bonanza, another of my favorites. This one was made by Pragmatic Play, not Evolution.
Final Thoughts
If you want to play any of my top suggestions, then it’s important that you start by finding a fully licensed and regulated bingo site that’s controlled by a reputable company.
Make sure the site has positive reviews and above-average ranking scores and that it accepts real cash wagers from people in your country.
Before depositing, I would always advise setting a reasonable budget, and then if the website you have joined has any safer gambling tools available, such as session time reminders or deposit limits, use them. Setting limits keeps things fun and, more importantly, will ensure you don’t go over budget.
