The difference between lottery and bingo, and the connections between the two
Gaming operators know a good thing when they see it. The lottery is a great way to make lots and lots of money. So is running card games and slot machines in a casino. And one seemingly little type of game that resided in church basements and service club dance halls was and still is another great way to make money from the gaming public.
Bingo and the Lottery
Bingo! Who doesn’t remember being in a bingo hall, putting your chips on the paper cards, and waiting for that one number over ten calls and then someone else yells “bingo” which just makes you mad? Yes bingo has always been an accepted and enjoyed type of gambling. Even your great grandma regales you with stories of her bingo days way back when.
As a quick history lesson, bingo is thought to have originated in Italy in the 1500s, derived form a lottery game called “Il Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia.” From Italy it made its way over to France in the late 1700’s and was called “Le Lotto.” The game eventually made it’s way to North America in the 1920’s and was called “BEANO” as players would cover their card numbers with beans and shout “BEANO” if they had a winning line. The story is that one player became so enthusiastic and excited that he won, that he yelled “bingo” instead of “beano.” The name stuck and the bingo game has been with us ever since.
There are many differences between bingo and the lottery. In bingo, there is always a guaranteed winner, as the game keeps going until a player gets bingo. In the lottery, there is no guaranteed winner. In bingo, it is usually a localized event for local players. For the lottery, it can be spread over an entire country. The lottery can have uncapped progressive jackpots. Bingo wins are usually capped except for some special progressive games. Bingo games are usually played in a bingo hall, while the lottery can be played from home. Bingo is a more social gambling environment than the lottery, which can be relatively solitary.
As for the similarities, both the lottery and bingo are played with either balls and a blower, or a Random Number Generator on a computer system. Modern technology governs both the lottery and bingo. The lottery ticket is printed on paper, and the only thing you need to do is match the numbers that are drawn. The bingo card now has the ability to be digital. Digital bingo allows you to sit back and read a book or chat with other people at the table while a machine plays the bingo for you and notifies you if you have a win. You have to be of legal gambling age in your state or province to play either the lottery or bingo.
The Evolution of the Games
Today’s bingo games are modern and computerized compared to the church bingo or bingo hall games that were more leisurely and social. Back then, everybody either did a pot luck, or brought their own food. The games were played slower and the atmosphere was more of a party than a chance to win five or ten dollars. Today, bingo games are quick, players have to buy their food and coffee, and an entire session is over in less than ninety minutes. Prizes are larger and players a bit more short-tempered.
However, the lottery and bingo have both evolved into popular and successful business gambling models. Both make money for the operator and charities. The games may be played differently, but both provide an entertaining and exciting opportunity to win a bit of money and have some really good fun.