The Commercialisation of UK Bingo
The origins of UK bingo stretch back so far that no one is quite sure how bingo got started in the UK. It has been played in some form or another since the 1600s when British sailors learnt the game from the Maltese people whilst stationed there. Around about the same time travellers to Italy brought back a very similar game, so UK bingo has been around for centuries.
Right up to the 1960s UK bingo was not heavily commercialised it was a community game that was organised and played by groups of workers or friends. A change in gambling laws allowed the commercialisation of bingo and bingo halls began to be opened.
The Loss of UK Bingo Traditions
For the most part the commercialisation of UK bingo had a very positive effect. It made bingo popular and allowed people to play the game on a regular basis. However, recently the need to make money has started to erode some bingo traditions. One example of this is that to get more games in per night callers (where they are still used) are no longer allowed to take the time to use number phrases like two fat ladies, 88.