How bingo became part of UK culture
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Bingo has been popularised in Europe and the UK since the early 1900s. It was an underground pastime for the first half of the 20th century. New betting legislation in the 1960s sparked a boom in bingo. The industry hit the buffers around the turn of millennium. Technology has helped to reinvent the game online.
Commercial bingo was popular in the UK during the early 1900s. It was played in working men's clubs and ex-services clubs. The Metropolitan Police tried to clamp down on bingos in run-up to World War II. After the war binging became even more popular.
The Betting and Gaming Act 1960 was the catalyst for a boom in the number of land-based bingo venues across the UK. Many cinemas and dance halls were converted to cash in a public thirst for bingos. Every town and city across UK had at least one brick-and-mortar binging venue.
Technology has helped bingo to regain its status as a cultural icon in the UK. Tax issues and the smoking ban forced hundreds of land-based venues to close their doors.
Mobile phones are a big part of daily life in the UK. People use their smartphones an average of 4 hours per day. Bingo operators are targeting their marketing activities towards mobile users. This has attracted a new demographic to online bingo.
Bingo's popularity during the second half of the 20th century was due to its social aspect. Online bingo operators have used this to their advantage by incorporating chatroom facilities alongside all the games on their sites.
Bingo is well-placed to continue its upward trajectory over the coming years. Game combinations such as Bingo Roulette and Slingo have already made their mark. Virtual reality (VR) technology is expected to have a major impact on bingo.
