Bingo’s Rising Popularity across the World

Bingo is a popular game of chance played in many parts of the world. In this, each player gets cards with pre-printed numbers not in any order. The host calls out numbers by drawing out number tiles at random and places the respective tile on the matching number. If he calls out a number that is present on the player’s card he crosses it out. When a player can cross out all numbers in a row, he or she shouts “bingo”. After verification by the host, if the numbers are all correct, the designated prize money is handed out.

Roots of bingo!

The popular game of chance – Bingo- is has its origins in Italy when a lottery game called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italiawas played for the first time in 1530!  The game later spread to other European countries including France, Germany and to U.S. In the U.S. the game was originally known as “beano” but when someone accidentally shouted “bingo” when they finished, the game got a new name which has stuck!

In the United Kingdom, bingo is believed to have become popular around the 18th century influenced by its popularity in other European countries and is the most popular online game for women between 20 and 25 years old.

The rising popularity of bingo and other forms of gambling can be evidenced in the number of websites like www.bestbingosites.co.uk that offer comparisons and information on game formats and so on. There are mobile based and hard copy magazines also on bingo. Those looking for reliable information on bingo including latest gaming equipment and technology, trends, insights and comparison of best websites for bingo games can find it all in such websites. 

Will bingo enter China?

While Hong Kong and Macau are buzzing with casinos and card based games, bingo has still not taken off in China. Online gambling is banned and considered illegal in China. In Hong Kong and Macau, there are state run lotteries and legal modes of gambling that are popular much like the Western countries. In fact, Macau generated more revenue in gambling than Las Vegas Strip in 2007. Both Macau and Hong Kong were previously ruled by the British and the Portuguese and this probably explains why gambling and casinos are legal in these regions.

Although not officially considered gambling, two lottery games called China Welfare Lottery and China Sports Lottery are run by the government of China. But unofficial casinos and betting are other forms of gambling that does go on in China despite the ban.

In 2010, the government approved Hainan which is a southern island province in China as a "testing ground” for gambling industry in China possibly in an effort to curb illegal gambling and introduce legal and approved ways of gambling in China.

Given the Chinese flair for numbers and predictions and their strong beliefs on lucky and unlucky numbers, the days may not be far off when gambling and casinos find their foothold in China.