The History of Jackpotjoy Bingo

At Jackpotjoy, we're proud to say we've been bringing the fun of online bingo to British players for over two decades. But how did it all begin? If you're curious to discover the history of Jackpotjoy Bingo, find out how we became a household name, and even answer that all-important question, "who invented bingo?", you're in the right place. 

Pour yourself a cuppa, get comfy, and join us as we take a stroll down memory lane!

Who invented bingo? 

Before we dive into our own story, let's go back to where the game of bingo all began. 

Bingo's roots stretch way back to the 16th century Italy, where a lottery game called Il Gioco del Lotto d'Italia was all the rage. From there, it hopped over to France in the 18th century as Le Lotto, and by the 20th century, it had made its way to Britain and the U.S., picking up the catchy name "bingo", which is thought to be  thanks to an American carnival caller who misheard a player shout "beano" when they won! 

Here in Britain, bingo halls became a fixture of social life in the 1960s and 70s - with families and friends heading down to try their chances at landing a winning moment and have a good old chinwag while they were at it. So, you could say that the spirit of bingo - bringing people together for a bit of fun and excitement - has always been at the heart of the game. 

And that's exactly the spirit Jackpotjoy set out to capture when we launched online.

The birth of Jackpotjoy Bingo 

Fast-forward a few hundred years from those Italian roots, and we arrive at 2001, the year Jackpotjoy first burst onto the scene. 

Back then, the internet was still in its early days, and online bingo was a pretty novel idea. But we saw an opportunity to bring the fun of the bingo hall into people's homes, giving players the chance to enjoy their favourite games anytime, anywhere. 

We launched our online bingo site in the UK with a handful of games and a big idea: to make online bingo more than just a game, but an experience full of joy, community and of course, winning moments - one every minute, in fact! 

It didn't take long for players to join the fun. Our lively bingo chat rooms, friendly hosts, and exciting bingo jackpot prizes made Jackpotjoy stand out from the crowd - and before long, we'd become one of the UK's favourite online bingo sites.

Growing bigger and better 

Over the years, we've gone from strength to strength, always looking for ways to make your time with us even more entertaining. 

We introduced a wide range of online bingo games, from classic 90-ball bingo to speedy 75-ball games, plus joyful chat rooms that add an extra bit of fun to your sessions.  

We also added hundreds of slots and instant win games, so there’s something for everyone to play online; whether you fancy a quick spin, a scratchcard, or sticking with the good old bingo balls. 

Along the way, we've been proud to pick up a few awards and accolades, and even prouder to see so many players keep coming back to play, chat, and share a laugh with us and other bingo fans. We like to think it's because we've stayed true to our roots, keeping things simple, friendly, and always a little bit of fun. 

Jackpotjoy is a community at heart 

Of course, the real stars of Jackpotjoy have always been our players. From the very beginning, we wanted to create a welcoming, sociable space where everyone felt right at home. 

Our chat hosts and roomies have helped make that happen, turning our bingo rooms into little online communities where there's always someone to have a natter with. Whether you're celebrating a big win or just playing for the sheer joy of it, there's nothing quite like the feeling of being part of it all. 

We've also made sure our players can feel safe and supported, with plenty of tools and resources to help everyone play responsibly and stay in control of their gaming. After all, it's all about the fun. 

And in line with the Gambling Act 2005, Jackpotjoy is licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission, giving you peace of mind that you’re playing in a secure, fair, and properly run environment.

Today and tomorrow 

Now, more than 20 years on, we're still as passionate about bingo as we were on day one. The site has had a few upgrades over the years (and more than a lick of paint!), but our mission remains the same: to bring joy to your gaming experience. 

We've kept up with the times, launching a slick mobile bingo app and making sure our games work beautifully on whatever device you're using. And we've got plenty more up our sleeve too, so keep your eyes peeled for new online games, new features, and plenty more ways to have a flutter and a giggle with Jackpotjoy. 

So, there you have it, from humble beginnings in 2001 to becoming one of the most beloved bingo sites around, we've certainly come a long way. But we couldn't have done it without you, our players, who make Jackpotjoy what it is: a friendly, entertaining, and fabulous place to play and connect. 

Whether you're here for the bingo, the slots, or just to share a laugh in the chat, we’re excited to have you with us. Here's to the next chapter in the Jackpotjoy story and to many more full houses to come. 

Fancy a game? Pop into one of our bingo games today and join the fun! 

Sign up at Jackpotjoy today to enjoy our friendly bingo rooms and games! Or visit our blog for more stories, guides, and bingo fun.