| Bingo ? It?s Birth and Beginning |
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John C. Thorenssen
The true origin of bingo dates back as far as the mid 16th century and is connected, strangely enough to the unification of Italy in 1530. This unification saw the introduction of a National lottery system, known as ?Lo Giuoco del Lotto d?Italia? held each week. Interestingly, this lottery is today a major source of income to the government, contributing over 75 million dollars each year to the budget. It was the French who developed a passion for ?Le Lotto?, as it became known and they adapted their own version of the game that strikes a strong resemblance with today?s version of bingo. Three horizontal and nine vertical rows formed the basis of the card and players would cover their numbers as they were drawn until an entire horizontal row was covered ? hence the winner. Lotto continued to flourish throughout Europe. It was used as an educational tool in Germany to teach children their multiplication tables and even formed the basis of many other games and toys still noticeable in toy stores today. But where and when did Lotto somehow morph into Bingo Well, the answer lies in what could be described as a compromise ? Beano! ... |