The History of Bingo

Bingo – it’s both a song about a farmer’s dog and a game of chance that dates back to 1530. Originating in Italy, the game has undergone numerous names and variations. It gained popularity in the United States in the 1920s when Hugh J. Ward created and standardized it for carnivals in Pennsylvania. The first version was called “Beano,” which followed Ward’s rules and used dried beans, a rubber stamp, and cardboard sheets. As for how “Bingo” got its name, no one knows for sure, but the story goes that an excited player accidentally yelled “Bingo” instead of “Beano,” and it stuck!

How does the game board work?
The board consists of 25 squares arranged in five vertical columns and five horizontal rows. Each square contains a number, except the center square, which is a free space. The numbers on the board are divided into groups of 15 by letter:

B = 1–15
I = 16–30
N = 31–45
G = 46–60
O = 61–75

A player wins by completing a full row, column, or diagonal. Players can choose to play with one card or multiple cards for a bigger challenge.

The MPI Chicago Area Chapter is excited to announce Shamrock Bingo Night on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Chicago Winery! Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, get ready for some fun and friendly competition with fellow members. A bit of Irish charm means warm smiles, plenty of wit (which will definitely come in handy), and lots of laughs. We all have a little Irish in us—let’s bring that spirit to the game of bingo!

Register now: Click Here