Bingo is a hugely popular social game that has a long and interesting history. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century in Italy, where a game called “Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia” was played by the nobility.

The game would later be introduced to France, where it was known as “Le Lotto,” and subsequently to Germany, where it was simply called “Lotto.” The modern version of bingo that we know and love today emerged from late 19th century New York City.

A Polish born traveling toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe was introduced to the game while on a trip to Georgia, and after witnessing it being played at a carnival, he was inspired to create his own version of the game that he thought could be marketed to the masses. He called his game “Bingo” – it is thought from a mishearing of “Beano,” since beans were being used to cover the numbers on players’ cards – and it quickly became popular in the United States.

Bingo has since evolved into a multi billion dollar industry with thousands of halls operating across the country. In the 1960s and 1970s, the game became popular as a fundraising tool for churches and other charities. Today, bingo continues to be a popular game enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

In recent years, online bingo has revolutionized and truly globalized the game. Players can log on to a trusted bingo site, like Jackpotjoy, and find lobbies of virtual bingo games to enjoy from the comfort of their own home.

Online bingo providers have sought to preserve the social aspect that bingo is loved for by including accompanying chat rooms and forums, where players can communicate and interact with one another. The future of bingo might also include virtual reality adaptations where players’ avatars can view one another within a digitally rendered bingo hall.

Thankfully, the PC specifications required to access and enjoy online bingo are modest – practically anyone with a laptop or smart device will be able to play – but there are some modifications and upgrades that can be made to your setup to get the most from your bingo experience. We explore what the best PC setup to play at a bingo site looks like.

Operating System

The vast majority of computer users will have Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS installed on their machines. They dominate the market in the same way Android and iOS dominate the smartphone world.

There are several alternatives, however, and many of them are free. They include:

Linux – Linux is a well-established open source OS that is completely free. It’s hugely stable, reliable and secure and comes with stacks of online guidance for new users. Because of its open source format, there are many flavors of Linux available, Linux Mint and Ubuntu being among the most popular.

Chromium OS – the open source and free version of ChromeOS is an OS designed for surfing the web and running web applications.

FreeBSD – a complete OS solution that comes with no GUI as default. FuryBSD solves that problem and makes the Unix based program much more user friendly.

One drawback to any alternative OS is that none of them can compete with the number of applications that are written for Windows. However, all of the operating systems on this list can support browsers, which is all you need to enjoy your favorite bingo site.

Browser

The other piece of software required to surf the web is a browser. Each offers a slightly different user experience and functionality, and whichever you choose is largely down to personal preference. Some of the most popular browsers are:

• Apple Safari
• Google Chrome
• Firefox
• Chromium
• Opera
• Brave
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge

Internal Hardware

A graphics card which includes your computer’s GPU is essential for generating images and transmitting them to your monitor. The MSI GeForce RTX 4090 is considered the pinnacle of graphics technology at the minute.

A CPU or central processing unit is the brains of your setup and is mounted onto the motherboard inside your machine. The Intel Core i9-13900K has a total of 24 cores and a max frequency of 5.8GHz and is capable of performing the most demanding tasks.

Monitor

For the most immersive experience, some gamers will have multiple monitors set up in an array. Having more screen real estate allows users to have more windows open and visible at any one time, so you could enjoy your bingo game at the same time as catching up on your emails.

Other Peripherals

To complete the setup, input devices like mice and keyboards are required. Bluetooth has become the norm for a clutter free, wireless desktop.

For sound, you can opt for a full frequency sound system or a high quality gaming headset – or both. The open back design of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and velour earpads provide comfort and immersive sound for long gaming sessions.

The Right Chair and Desk

The right gaming chair will have a significant impact on your comfort and posture while at the computer. Look for one with good cushioning and support, especially for the lower back, neck and head and one that has good adjustability. Pair this with a sturdy desk with sufficient space for your monitors and peripheral devices.

As a bingo enthusiast you’ll be pleased to know you can have a stellar experience at your chosen site with very modest PC specifications. If, however, you’re looking for the best of the best, there’s no limit to how many upgrades you can make to your gaming setup.