Tracing its roots back more than 500 years to the Italian lottery, Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia, bingo is today firmly established as one of the UK’s favourite pastimes. Whether it be online or in physical halls, bingo is played by an estimated 1.9m people a week on these shores.

For many, it’s the buzz of winning big that appeals, while for others it’s the simplicity of the game that sets it apart from other pastimes. Bingo also provides a great opportunity to socialise, spend time with friends – and make new ones – and in many towns and villages, bingo halls are true hubs of the community.

The game is typically associated with an older audience and its role in this community is important, but it may surprise you to learn that the game is increasingly being enjoyed by players of all ages, with twists and tweaks helping make the game more appealing to different audiences.

One such example is ‘bongo’s bingo’, which can be fairly described as the traditional game interspersed with a rave. The game of bingo is played and the rules of the game are largely the same as they are in traditional bingo halls, but in between rounds there is much more going on.

The show tours the country and features entertainment that includes dance-offs, live performances, and even celebrity appearances. The concept has exploded in popularity during the last 12 months to the extent that many shows are total sell-outs.

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Another twist on the traditional bingo concept is drag bingo. As the name suggests, drag bingo sees the traditional bingo caller replaced by a drag queen and guests are often encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

The popularity of shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race has helped push drag further into mainstream culture and bingo is helping to popularise the scene even further. The banter is sharp and the action is fast-paced and many companies offer you the chance to ‘hire’ your own drag bingo event for your workplace or next party.

Another concept helping to get the bingo party started is musical bingo. As the name suggests, musical bingo is designed to get players dancing and some versions of the game even include a karaoke round, where players are handed the microphone for the chance to win prizes.

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Meanwhile, bingo’s popularity online shows no signs of dwindling, with players of all ages and backgrounds enjoying the game at the click of a button or the tap of a screen. Many seasoned bingo players carr out their hobby online and Play Bingo at Paddy Power, for example, where the library of different bingo games and slots is quite immense.

Online bingo sites offer a range of games at the tap of a button without the restrictions of opening and closing times, with many websites also allowing you to play for as little as a penny. There’s also the opportunity to socialise in chat rooms and get to know other players.

So, whether it’s partying on the tables, enjoying a quiet game in your local bingo hall, or playing from the comfort of your own home, Britain’s obsession with bingo shows no signs of fading.