Bingo is a load of old beans

Although a form of bingo existed in the Europeduring the middle ages, its modern form started out as a humble game called Beano. In 1929, the game had made it across the Atlantic to America, where a travelling toy salesman by the name of Edwin S Lowe spotted it been played at a country fair. He heard a player accidentally shout BINGO instead of ‘beano’ and an idea began to grow.

He created his own version of the game with beans, cardboard and a rubber stamp and invited his friends around his apartment to play. He saw how popular it was, and immediately recognised the financial potential of it. He then enlisted the help of a maths professor who set about devising many more unique card combinations.

From there, the game went on to sweep the world, and in 1996, it hit the Internet. Since those humble beginnings, there are now hundreds of online bingo sites, and lucky bingo players can choose from dozens of which offer free online bingo. Also important to players is no deposit bonus, which means they can trial a site without any risk to their own pocket.

If only Mr Lowe had known what a sensation he was creating. On his behalf, we would like to thank him for refining the game we love so much, after all, wouldn't life be a poorer place without it?