It’s believed that the game we know and love today as Bingo, first originated in Italy in the 1500s. Here, it was known as “Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia”, which later evolved to “Le Lotto” in France.
This version of the game changed some more as it traveled across Europe, but the concept remained the same – to cross off numbers that were randomly arranged in boxes as they get called out.
The game of chance would commonly be found at fairgrounds and was even used as a way to fundraise for the British army during World War II.
In the modern-day, millions of Brits enjoy playing Paddy Power Bingo games online, for example, where plenty of unique variations of the classic game can be explored alongside the standard 75-ball and 90-ball games.
On the other hand, millions of other players enjoy visiting their local land-based Bingo hall, surrounded by the buzzing atmosphere, daubers at the ready.
With this in mind, join us as we take a look at the best bits of playing both Bingo online, and at a land-based venue, so you can decide which is best for you…
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Online Bingo
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Accessibility
Arguably, one of the greatest things about playing Bingo online is how accessible and convenient the games are. You can play from anywhere you have internet access, on any device, at any time you’d like. You don’t even have to get out of your pyjamas.
That’s right – live Bingo games online are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so trying your chances just got even easier.
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Casino promotions
On top of this, playing online can reveal some handy promotions and bonuses offered by your chosen site. These could vary from free spins on selected slot games, to a percentage of your funds added to your deposit.
You might get these from signing up, reaching milestones within the casino, or as a ‘thank you’ for being a loyal customer. Either way, you should always read the terms and conditions to see whether your chosen promotion can be applied and whether there are any wagering requirements involved.
Also, when signing up to play Bingo online, you’ll likely find the jackpots and prizes are generally larger than those up for grabs at a land-based venue.
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Variety of games
Another perk of playing Bingo online is the variety of games you’ll have available to you. Not only can you play the classic 75 and 90-ball games, as previously mentioned, but you’ll find themed Bingo variations like Deal or No Deal Bingo, or Rainbow Riches Bingo, just waiting to be explored.
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Random Number Generator
Despite being played in real-time, online games are not hosted by a caller. They are, in fact, kept fair and unpredictable thanks to the use of a Random Number Generator (RNG). An RNG is computer software that creates random combinations of numbers every single second.
Not only does this keep gameplay authentic, but it means you never know what the outcome could be when playing online!
And that’s not all – you never have to worry about missing a number again, as they can be automatically crossed off for you. Therefore, online games are generally much quicker than land-based games, as there’s no waiting around for anyone to find the number that’s just been drawn on their card.
Land-based Bingo
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Socialising
On the other hand, is land-based Bingo, where one of the main highlights is without a doubt the social aspect of the game.
You can’t quite beat meeting up with friends, or sitting next to strangers and meeting new people as you all wait in anticipation, hoping for your numbers to be called. Bingo halls are a great place to catch-up, with the added joy of playing the game – of course!
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Atmosphere
The buzzing atmosphere of a Bingo hall is only recreated by the graphics and animations online, making land-based venues stand out as a memorable experience. Holding your Bingo card in your hands and physically daubing off the numbers is something that online gameplay just can’t replicate.
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Food and drink
You’ll also find food and drink available at Bingo halls, making your trip out even better than simply just playing Bingo – if that’s even possible! In addition to this, some Bingo halls will also have slot machine lobbies, so you could really make the most of your day out and try your chances on the spinning reels.
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A real-life host
Unlike when you play online Bingo at your favorite casino site, land-based venues will see real-life hosts, otherwise known as callers, calling out the numbers as the corresponding balls roll out from the cage.
In doing this, they will add some humor to the game, shouting out familiar Bingo calls like “Two fat ladies, 88!”, for example.
Which is best?
There are many positives to playing Bingo online and at a land-based venue.
If you’re more of a social butterfly and enjoy face-to-face gaming that enables you to catch up with friends whilst racing to find the called numbers on your Bingo cards, then we recommend visiting your local land-based Bingo hall. Here, you can make the most of all the food and drinks on offer, whilst soaking up the atmosphere.
However, you could still somewhat replicate this social experience online, thanks to the live Bingo chat that’s available as you play. For a convenient way to play, at a venue that doesn’t shut, with the added potential for casino promotions and bonuses to boost your gameplay, then online Bingo is probably for you.
Gone are the days of traveling to your local gaming venue and waiting for the next game to start. When playing online, Bingo is available right at your fingertips, with themed games, unlike anything you’d find anywhere else.
Despite all this, the best way to play ultimately comes down to your personal gaming preferences. With so many different ways to play, do you think your next game of Bingo will be online, or at your local land-based venue?