Ever since the 16th century the game of bingo, or variations on its theme, have been very popular. The principle has always been the same. A caller pulls numbers out of a hat, or from a machine, and players who have been pre-issued with cards have to cross them off as they are called out.
The winners are people who complete a line, a row or even the whole card.
As well as being a gambling game, it has also always been an exceptionally social one in which the players are often there not just to play but to meet up for an enjoyable time.
So in the 1990s when online bingo started to be a "thing" there were some doubts about whether this aspect of the game could be captured. As we shall see, it has been and this is just one of the reasons for its success.
Easy to play
One of the first things that anyone learning how to play bingo online will pick up on is just how easy it is. As each game begins and the numbers are called out there isn't even the need to mark them off on the card. That's because most sites have a device called an auto dabber. This marks off the numbers automatically, so there's no chance of missing one in all the excitement.
Added to this, all good bingo sites also have comprehensive and easy to follow instructions about how to play the various games.
Accessible
In the old days when bingo was played in halls you could only play when they were open, generally in the afternoons and evenings. But, like everything on the internet, online bingo means that it's there to be played round the clock, whenever the fancy takes you. All you need is a mobile phone, tablet or PC and a reliable internet connection and away you go.
Lots of online bingo operators even have free aps that you can download, making play even more straightforward without the need to go on their website.
Choice of different games
Just as online casinos now offer many different variations of games like roulette and blackjack, the same is true of bingo. As well as the traditional 75 and 90 ball versions there are ones that are combined with slots games. These go by the general name of slingo and the numbers are delivered through a set of spinning reels.
This version of the game also included the sorts of features that you'll find on slots games like free spins, wilds that can stand in for any number as well as win bonuses.
There is also a special accelerated version of online bingo that uses only 30 balls, perfect for players who just want to dip in and out of a game quickly.
The social aspect
We've already mentioned that bingo has always been a very social kind of game, and this is equally true of its online version. People can't actually meet up, but they can get together in the chat rooms that all good sites include.
Whether arranging to play at the same time as friends or using it as a forum to meet new ones, these are great places to share news, congratulate winners and generally interact with other players.
Games to suit every budget
Perhaps the biggest appeal of bingo for many people is that it's a game that can be played for pennies as well as pounds. All sites have games with a wide range of stakes and you can choose to play with just one card per game or several.
Some sites even offer free games that can be played just for fun "“ and these can be especially helpful to play for complete bingo novices just starting to get to grips with the game. Then, once you're well versed in the ins and outs of online bingo it can be time to start playing for real money.
Innovative developments
As with online casinos that have always tried to innovate to offer players more, the same is true of bingo. That's what is behind the ever-increasing number of games on offer as well as features like the auto dabber.
It's likely that this development is set to accelerate over the coming years as new technologies like virtual reality come of age. This is set to make playing the game an even more immersive and sociable experience.
There's also the question of how AI will affect the game. Increased personalisation is a near certainty as online bingo sites are able to analyse an individual player's preferences and start to offer more of the same.
So while online bingo has become a hugely successful phenomenon, there's a real feeling in the air that this could just be the beginning.