As much as we’re sure that Bingo is a firm favourite in your household, we’d bet there’s still a lot that you don’t know about the game. Strike up a game at https://bingo.paddypower.com/ and your thoughts are bound to wander, and if that’s the case, keep reading, as we take you on a tour of some of the most interesting facts around!
- Who invented the Bingo cards?
Edwin S. Lowe, a toy salesman from New York, hired a mathematics professor called Carl Leffler, from the University of Columbia. Together they invented over 6,000 combinations of Bingo cards, paving the way for what we know today! Prior to this, the concept of the game was developed around 1530 in Italy, being referred to as Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia.
- Educational impact
Bingo cards used to be used by Germans as an educational tool, back in the 1800s, helping to teach people how to multiply and learn times tables!
- Crazy inventor
Allegedly, the co-creator of the Bingo cards, Carl Leffler eventually went insane after becoming obsessed with the creation of the 6,000 combinations and ensuring none were repeating. Have a day off, Leffler!
- Statistics
According to statistics, Americans spend well over $90 million on their Bingo cards/games alone, per week! Now, that’s a pretty penny or two!
- Number combinations
There are approximately 552, 446,474,061,128,648,601,600,00 possible number arrangements that could come up on each Bingo card. Still fancy your chances?
- Regular players
48% of regular bingo players indulge in a game or two of their favourite game every single day, as a part of their routine. For a lot of people, playing Bingo has become as normal as their morning coffee, or brushing their teeth.
- UK hotspots
Out of all the different areas in the United Kingdom, Bingo is most popular in Scotland. A whopping one in five Scots regularly play Bingo, whereas, compared to the South of England, only one in 20 people play. Quite a difference, eh?
- Famous faces
Bingo is played, and endorsed, by a lot of well-known celebrities, such as:
- Kylie Minogue
- Cher Lloyd
- Denise Van Outen
- Elle MacPherson
- Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow actually used to work as a Bingo caller in his younger years, before he found his fame. His love of the game has remained strong, as he also incorporates the game into his tours, as a way to entertain his crew!
- Respect your elders
Bingo is one of the oldest gaming classics in our history, years ahead of our other favourites. In fact, Bingo is an astonishing 365 years older than the first mechanical slot machine – the Liberty Bell, which was developed in 1895.
- World records
In 2006, a huge Bingo event was held in Bogota, Colombia, by the Guinness World Records. An incredible 70,080 people took part in this online event – impressive!
Now, if these facts haven’t piqued your interest, then we don’t know what will! Get your game on and become a part of the statistics, or maybe even a record!
