If you’ve ever been to a live, land-based bingo event, have you noticed people there with their pets? On many occasions when I frequented Bingo Halls in the 70s and beyond, both as a junior (with my parents), a punter, and later as a caller, I noticed people smuggled in their pets. I say smuggled, but I think in those days there was no laws about having pets in at Bingo sessions, even though there was food and drink being served. In fact, I would say that people welcomed pets more than they welcomed people bringing children. That’s because the general experience was that unruly, noisy children running about and firing cap guns or popping balloons was less desirable than a Chihuahua asleep sitting on someone’s lap.  That’s not to say that on occasions, two dogs would occasionally either take a dislike to each other and start fighting, or worse still take a fancy to one another in full view of the whole Hall...!! Mothers were hiding their children’s eyes!

Later, when I was a Bingo caller, I often asked people why they brought their pets into the games. Unsurprisingly, I got a variety of answers. Some people, especially the older players, brought their dog for their own companionship, both for the journey to and from the Bingo Hall, and also during the game itself. However there was always so much banter and chatting between the players themselves, that sometimes the pets appeared neglected! Others didn’t want their pet to be lonely at home while they were away Bingoing, and so brought them along. And finally there were a third set of people, who brought along their pets for luck. Yes, they were real living lucky charms! In fact one lady allowed her dog to choose her Bingo cards for the evening! I think that would make them a bit chewed up for the game itself, no?

As for the pets themselves, they were 95% canines, of various shapes, sizes and temperaments. There were one or two cats in cat baskets, and a hamster.  But the most bizarre of all was at a Bingo event in Waterloo, London, where a group of full-blooded Goths turned up, in total black leather n studs regalia. No problem with that, except one girl had a live rat on a leash curled round her neck! There was pandemonium, screams, and almost an assault from the Bingo Old Guard. They were politely asked to leave the rat outside, or leave the premises. They left, grumbling about us being “old fogies”.

Now, that’s one thing you can do with online Bingo... have your pet on your lap for good luck without disturbing anyone around you! In fact you could always go totally electronic and have one of those virtual pets. No food or vets bills!

Whether you have a pet or not, good luck at your next Bingo session!