Published: 11 Jul 2025 | Updated: 26 Dec 2025
For most people, especially non-players, the humble game of bingo would be among the last things they would associate with technology. After all, bingo is a game that lives in community halls, with lively calls and people marking numbers on paper tickets. However it turns out that’s no longer really the case. Any modern bingo player can tell you technology has well and truly reached the game - from electronic boards in bingo halls to online apps for a mobile experience.
Technology has helped bingo reach new heights, from unique styles of play to new demographics eager to enjoy this classic. This blog post will explore how new additions have transformed our favourite game, and how you can benefit from them.
From Calling Out Numbers to Electronic Systems
We’re all familiar with how traditional bingo is played. The game’s host picks one of the numbered balls using either a cage or, if this session is really fancy, a blower, before calling the number out loud for all to hear. The players then proceed to mark the numbers on their tickets. This style of game has an undeniable charm, but it’s admittedly rather dated, right? Think about the potential errors as one might mishear the called out numbers, or the time wasted to actually verify the winners.
Enter the full variety of electronic systems currently found in modern bingo venues. The first of these is the electronic board which, as you might expect, shows the chosen number. This saves both time and the risk of any errors, as these boards are large enough to be clearly seen even in bigger halls.
Even paper is going the way of the dodo bird in bingo halls, as venues are replacing them with tablets. These cut waste while making the game even easier to play, as some tablet-based systems can even mark the numbers automatically off the ticket as soon as they are called. Convenience is truly the name of the game here, as sessions are speedier while players with physical impediments get an electronic helping hand.
Enter the Random Number Generator
Number calls and tickets are not the only elements of the bingo game that have been replaced by electronic systems, as the actual picking of numbers can also be done through technology. As mentioned earlier, the traditional way to pick numbers in bingo involves either a cage or a blower. These are mechanical means to shuffle through all the numbers used in the game before one is picked at random, and while they generally work pretty well this process can be done better and more efficiently through a Random Number Generator (RNG).
An RNG is an algorithm that can randomly pick a number from the available pool. This algorithm is complex, and designed to pick numbers in a truly unpredictable, and as such fair, manner. Serious bingo halls will go an extra step to assure players of their RNG’s fairness by having it audited by specialised third party agencies, bringing further transparency to their games.
RNGs are widely used in games and gambling, both in the physical and online worlds. Online casinos are the pioneers of RNG use in gambling, but these systems have also been adopted in bingo halls running on electronic systems. Such systems can run thousands of games simultaneously all over the world and allow for innovative bingo variants that aren’t possible using traditional cages or blowers. The RNG is truly the backbone of the modern bingo industry, bringing fun games that are truly fair for the players.
The Impact of Internet Connectivity on Bingo Accessibility
There’s no doubt that the internet has brought one of the biggest shifts in our lifetimes. Be it how we work or play, the internet affects every aspect of our lives, and that includes how we play bingo. Online bingo sites started showing up in the mid-1990s, bringing the game straight to our homes. One no longer needs to leave the house for a bingo game - instead they can log into their favourite site and find a session running at any time.
Online bingo means anyone, regardless of physical capability, can enjoy a game of bingo whenever they want. Early players did express concern that the online version eliminated the community aspect of bingo, but this was quickly rectified through the addition of chat rooms allowing players to, well, chat as they play. This allowed for the creation of digital communities where players can make friends and share experiences both during and between sessions. Some bingo sites even add multiplayer minigames into the mix! The result is that community becomes as important as winning, if not more so, while the global nature of the internet means players from all over the world can potentially join the same bingo session for even more fun.
Mobile Technology and the Expansion of Bingo
Smartphones represent the second biggest shift in our digital lives after the introduction of the internet in the 1990s. Where previously you needed to sit at your desk and switch on your computer to get online now the internet, and the world of entertainment it can bring, are available at any time right in your pocket. This also meant further global bingo growth, as providers quickly adapted their online games to fit smaller smartphone displays for quick sessions that can take place whenever and wherever one might happen to be.
As well as mobile-friendly bingo sites providers have also gotten busy creating dedicated bingo apps. These promise to enhance the mobile bingo experience even further with touch-optimised controls, smooth visuals, and push notifications letting one know of events and special promotions. Payments are also covered, as both mobile sites and apps allow for transactions that are both convenient and secure to ensure peace of mind.
Mobile devices did a lot to expand the appeal of bingo. After all, this game has been long associated with an older crowd that shuffles to the community hall on Sunday afternoons. This is no longer the case, thanks to bingo being available at any time on smart devices. Bingo apps are fully gamified, with vibrant graphics and side activities making for a more engaging experience and regular updates ensuring the game remains relevant throughout. There are also free-to-play bingo apps that help the curious get into the game without taking a financial risk.
Technology and Bingo Go Hand in Hand!
Technology has helped bring about a new age for bingo - from a game of stuffy community halls and older players to a global digital pastime enjoyed by all! As current UK bingo trends show, new advances have helped improve the game both off and online, as bingo halls are now decked out with electronic screens and tablets while bingo sites get app versions and minigame enhancements.
Each stage in the technological advancement of bingo has brought about a game that is more accessible and fair while broadening its appeal to a new generation of players. The core of the game has, crucially, remained the same, but it’s now easier than ever for more people to learn why this truly social game is so fun.
All of this said, as fun as bingo is, it's important to enjoy it responsibly. Set a bankroll for playing bingo, whether it’s at the local hall or online, and stick to it. Make smaller bets so your bankroll lasts longer and never chase your losses - this is a game of chance, after all! As technology continues to improve it’s worth keeping in mind that games should be enjoyed safely and with peace of mind. So have fun playing bingo wherever you prefer to do so!
