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Bingo is a highly popular and extensively played game in the United States, owing to its widespread availability at bingo halls, community gatherings, fundraisers, religious institutions, bars, and casinos.
Bingo’s popularity extends far and wide, but the specific rules, regulations, and accessibility of the game, including online versions, differ across states due to variations in gambling laws and the classification of bingo as either a form of gambling or a charitable activity.
Since its introduction, bingo has been played legally at numerous venues throughout New York.
While bingo halls are a common sight in New York, the state has not yet legalized online bingo games. In contrast, neighboring New Jersey permits regulated online gambling sites to host these games.
Online bingo is revolutionizing the traditional image of senior citizens passionately marking their bingo cards in bingo halls. This modern twist on the game is attracting a younger demographic who are more adept at technology.
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Bingo history in the US
During the 1930s, Edwin Lowe, a toy salesman hailing from Brooklyn, introduced the version of bingo that is widely enjoyed today.
At a fair in Georgia, Lowe’s interest was piqued by a game called “Beano” that involved using dried beans to mark numbers on game cards. This particular game adhered to the rules created and copyrighted by Hugh Ward for a carnival game in Pennsylvania.
After taking the game concept to New York, Lowe introduced it to his circle of friends. As the story goes, one of his friends burst into excitement upon winning and enthusiastically exclaimed, “bingo!” This catchy term quickly gained popularity, prompting Lowe to adopt it as the official name for his game.
Lowe initially created 24 bingo game cards and subsequently enlisted the services of a mathematician to craft an impressive collection of 6,000 distinct bingo game cards. Following this, Lowe introduced his game to the market, and by the 1940s, bingo had gained widespread popularity across the United States.
Playing bingo
Lowe’s innovative creation of bingo cards involved a 5×5 number grid, which has remained the prevailing format in American bingo venues. In this 75-ball game, numbers are selected at random from a tumbler and vocally announced by a designated announcer.
To play, participants use a dauber pen to mark the numbers on their bingo cards. The individual who achieves a winning combination on their card is required to shout “bingo.” Once the winning card has been confirmed, the victorious player can claim their prize.
Bingo halls: land-based bingo games
With the exception of an ongoing bingo game, bingo halls are generally known for their sociable atmosphere.
In a bingo game, players usually refrain from chatting much as they concentrate on marking their game cards.
When playing bingo, it is essential for players to remain attentive and vigilant with their calls and cards. Failure to mark a called number or announce a winning bingo card allows another player to potentially claim a bingo win before them. Therefore, it is crucial for players to stay focused and on top of their game to secure a victory.
Bingo hall pros:
- There is a bingo caller hosting the game live.
- A unique atmosphere.
- The venue organizes and holds various community and social gatherings.
- This is a game designed to raise funds for churches, schools, and charities.
- There is food and beverage service provided.
- Bingo is an activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
- Ideal for special promotions and events.
- Depending on the venue, there are various game and room options available.
Bingo halls in New York state
Within the diverse communities of New York, there is a strong and vibrant tradition of bingo culture.
Bingo games can be found all over the Empire State, with the highest number of them located in Western New York. Players have the option to enjoy bingo at land-based casinos in Upstate New York, community bingo halls spread across the state, as well as several bars and restaurants.
Bingo at New York casinos
World-class bingo halls are operated by multiple land-based casinos in New York.
After the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988, numerous bingo halls situated on Indian reservation land transformed into comprehensive casinos. This legislation granted Indian tribes legitimate independence from state gaming regulations, authorizing them to provide casino games in states where gambling was otherwise prohibited or tightly controlled.
These Indian casinos include:
- Located near the Canadian border, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in Hogansburg offers a remarkable bingo palace that can accommodate up to 500 players. With cutting-edge technology, this bingo hall presents a vibrant bingo calendar filled with exciting promotions and events. These include the thrilling bingo after dark, intriguing mystery games, and the exciting triple chance games.
- Located in Verona, New York, Turning Stone Casino Resort is home to a prestigious bingo hall that is highly regarded worldwide. Situated conveniently near the Thruway between Syracuse and Utica, this casino boasts an impressive Oneida Indian high-stakes bingo experience, recognized as the third best in the world. With both smoking and nonsmoking rooms available, Turning Stone offers a variety of specialty games and promotions throughout the week. From discounted games to unique experiences like glow-in-the-dark, disco, and mystery bingo, there is something for everyone at Turning Stone’s renowned bingo hall.
- The Seneca Casinos in Western New York offer bingo games at the Irving and Salamanca locations. In these bingo halls, there are separate smoking and nonsmoking rooms and a wide range of bingo games available all week long, including special games, matinee sessions, and evening sessions.
New York’s community bingo halls
In various locations across the state, organizations such as:
- VFW
- American Legion
- Elks Lodges
- Churches
- Independent bingo halls
Bingo games are available seven days a week at several bingo halls, including Fifth Avenue Bingo Hall in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and the Schenectady Bingo Palace in Schenectady.
Bingo at bars
Bingo nights at trendy bars like Standard Grill, located at the Standard, High Line, cater to a younger and stylish crowd. The Standard’s “Not Your Standard Bingo Night” offers a lively atmosphere with DJs, exhilarating festivities, and the occasional glimpse of a famous face.
In Greenwich Village, you can also find drag queen bingo nights available. Popular venues such as the well-known Stonewall bar host these events, where drag queens not only host engaging bingo games but also provide entertainment and offer drink specials to enhance the lively atmosphere.
Bingo hall legislation in New York
In 2017, a law was passed in New York prohibiting individuals under the age of 18 from participating in bingo games. However, minors aged 18 and below are still allowed to be present at bingo halls, but they are not permitted to join in the activities.
In order to align the regulations for bingo with other gambling activities in the state, the New York State Gaming Commission implemented a rule in 2017 that required children to be of a minimum age to participate in bingo, whereas previously, they were allowed to play when accompanied by an adult.
The legislation caused significant backlash as the bingo community saw the state’s actions as obstructing their ability to engage in safe family activities with their children.
In the past, it was customary for older individuals who enjoyed playing bingo to bring along their grandchildren to the bingo halls. However, they were disappointed to discover that their beloved grandchildren were no longer able to participate in the game with them.
The new restrictions raised concerns among bingo halls regarding the potential impact on their business.
State Senator Timothy Kennedy took action in March 2019 by introducing a bill that would permit minors to engage in bingo activities under adult supervision, following public demand. The bill successfully gained approval from the state Senate and is currently progressing towards the state Assembly for further evaluation.
Online bingo
Online bingo operators and developers have made significant efforts to replicate the authentic bingo hall experience as faithfully as they can.
Although it may be challenging to replicate the energetic atmosphere of a bingo hall with a live caller in an online setting where a random number generator (RNG) selects the balls, online bingo provides players with alternative advantages such as automated gameplay.
In contrast to bingo halls, online bingo games allow players to chat while playing, thanks to the software’s automatic card marking and flagging of winning cards. This enables players to engage in conversations or multitask without missing out on any winning numbers or bingo cards.
Online bingo pros:
- The auto-dab and auto-win functionalities.
- Community chat features.
- Side gameplay.
- Welcome bonuses and promotions.
- Playing from home or on a mobile device offers convenient gameplay.
- There are various options available, including different variations of bingo games, rooms to play in, and choices for game cards.
- Bingo card prices are lower in comparison to those charged at bingo halls.
- The jackpots are larger in comparison to those offered in bingo halls.
- Progressive jackpot options.
- Free online bingo games.
Social online bingo
Bingo enthusiasts from New York can enjoy engaging in lively community conversations using the chat features available on online bingo platforms.
Players actively participate in conversations with fellow players using bingo lingo to discuss their games, strategies, and provide mutual support. The interactive community and engagement elements of online bingo contribute to the players’ continuous return for more gaming sessions.
Online bingo side games
Besides chatting, online bingo games allow players to multitask by playing side games such as online slots, scratch cards, and mini-table games, which are commonly found on bingo sites. These side games provide entertainment and give players extra opportunities to win.
Progressive online bingo
Just like with progressive online slot machine games, a fraction of each purchase of a progressive game bingo card contributes to a growing jackpot prize pool.
Online bingo sites can offer larger jackpots due to their ability to accommodate more players compared to traditional land-based bingo halls.
Online bingo players
Finding statistics on online bingo can be challenging, but like in traditional bingo halls, the majority of online bingo players are women.
Bingo is highly regarded as a gentle form of gambling or charitable game, offering a laid-back environment and social elements that particularly appeal to female players.
Traditional bingo hall games are being outshined by online bingo, attracting a younger and tech-savvy crowd. Online bingo players tend to be notably younger, and even millennials are showing a strong interest in this form of entertainment.
Online bingo in New York
Currently, in New York, online gambling, including online bingo, remains illegal. The only authorized form of online betting in the state is daily fantasy sports.
Efforts to legalize online poker and New York sports betting through legislation have consistently been unsuccessful. Although there was a possibility of incorporating online sports betting in the 2019 fiscal budget to assist in addressing the state’s budget deficit, this idea was eventually left out of the final budget proposal.
Online bingo in New Jersey
There are New Yorkers who can conveniently play online bingo at legal, US-based online casinos without having to travel far.
Several regulated online casinos in New Jersey offer 90 ball bingo games, but there is a condition: New Yorkers can only participate in online bingo at New Jersey’s online casinos if they are physically present in the Garden State.
Both the online casino sites, Virgin and Tropicana, offer 90 ball bingo games that come with chat features, community jackpots, and complimentary daily games.
In addition to its regular offerings, the Pala bingo site in New Jersey provides scheduled live 90 ball online bingo games.
90 ball online bingo
Instead of the traditional 75-ball game with a 5×5 bingo card, 90 ball bingo introduces a strip of six tickets for each game. Each ticket contains three lines of numbers, and winning is achieved by marking all numbers on a single line. Each ticket allows for up to three potential wins: one line, two lines, or a full house (all three lines).
Online bingo in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is set to launch its first regulated online gambling sites in mid-2019, occurring on the southern border with New York.
At present, none of the bingo casino sites operating in New Jersey have expressed intentions to expand into the Pennsylvania market. It remains to be seen whether upcoming online betting platforms in Pennsylvania will incorporate online bingo games.