There are many indoor games we enjoy playing during a get-together, or any other occasions. Bingo is one such game that is fun to play. Numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards. It is a prize game, played mostly in halls or any other place. The bingo play cards are designed with numbers on them in a 5x5 grid matching to the five letters of the word BINGO. It is also called a game of chance, where players are awarded prizes for being the first to complete a specified arrangement of numbers on the bingo card, based on numbers selected at random.

Bingo is a derivative of lotto, a lottery game which was first started in 1530 in Italy. Later, in 1778, it grabbed the interest of people in France. The playing card used here was divided into three horizontal and nine vertical rows. Each horizontal row had five numbered and four blank squares. No two lotto cards were alike, and the chips were numbered from 1 to 90. The caller would call out a number while drawing a numbered token. The player who completed the horizontal was declared the winner.

In US this game is primarily staged in churches or charity organizations. In some states these games are conducted in bingo halls which are rented by sponsoring organizations. Commercial bingo games in the US are primarily offered by casinos. In the 1800s educational lotto games became popular. The German lotto was designed to teach tables to children.

This game was once considered the game of old ladies, but nowadays it attracting people of both sexes and all ages. In the early 20th century this game became popular in Australia. It was called Housie, and before conducting it in halls it was held in large canopies. The winner of the game was called House.

Now this game is so popular that whenever you have a gathering or a get-together, people would opt for Bingo as the best way to pass the time.