We know there are many reasons why you will be visiting this site, you might be completely new to online bingo and are looking for the basics of how to play, or you might have been playing for years and you are looking for new ideas and insights.
Our articles are therefore aimed at a wide spectrum of bingo players, and we aim to give you genuine and objective information whether you are a newbie or a professional. Covering aspects ranging from how various different bingo games work to how networks run, what white-labels are and how games are made and profit margins calculated.
These pages are written for you to help you understand how and why the industry works the way it does. We also write them because we love bingo and are interested in finding out answers to these questions ourselves. We do not to sell posts or links, as is the case on so many other sites, and therefore we are not at cross-purposes, nobody pays us to write these and we do not use these pages to make money from.
Bingo Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Find out everything you need to know about playing bingo for real and online on our bingo FAQ’s page.
How To Play 90-Ball Bingo
It’s still the most popular bingo game in the UK both online and in bingo halls. There are 90 balls (obviously) with opportunities to win a line, two lines, a full house as well as special wins in themed game variations.
How To Play 75-Ball Bingo
Often called American bingo given the fact it emerged there in the 1920’s and is more popular state-side. The game works with 75 balls in a grid-bases system which gives more varieties and themes compared to 90-ball.
How To Play 30-Ball Bingo
Often termed ‘speed bingo’ this game is similar to 75-ball in that it is played on a grid but in this case with only 3×3 squares requiring you to get 9 numbers for a house or 3 for a line. One of the simplest forms of bingo you can play.
How To Play 50-Ball Bingo
50-Ball bingo is one of the more recent additions to the bingo games list and was born online. The game has a lot of similarities to the 90-ball version but is quicker and simpler with 5 columns of numbers in two rows to find.
How To Play 80-Ball Bingo
Similar in style to 75-ball bingo the 80-ball version of the game originated in bingo halls in the UK and was known as ‘shutterboard’ on account that you needed to close shutter windows on the board. Since moving online the game has really taken off.
How To Play Bingo Side Games? Are They Worth It?
Every bingo room has side games. These are casino themed games presented in a more simple version than if playing the stand alone game. The side games are available all the time you are within the bingo room. They provide a different form of gaming for you to either play in between your chosen bingo games, or if you are good at multi-tasking, at the same time.
What Are Bingo Jackpots? Fixed, Progressive, Escalator & Community Jackpots
Bingo is a fairly low stakes game but there are jackpot prizes that can pay out huge amounts. These games vary and can be classed as fixed, progressive, escalator and community jackpots. Read about the differences and relative merits of each along with how to play.
White Label Apocalypse: Why Are So Many Bingo White Labels Closing In The UK?
Online bingo has historically been dominated by white labels, these are sites where the brand is run on behalf of the owner by a third party (e.g. Jumpman or 888). White labels have been closing rapidly in recent years, we look at the reasons why.
Why Do Bingo Sites Move Networks and Change Games & Rooms?
The bingo network a site runs on dictates the games, rooms and community; pretty much then everything that is essential to a bingo site. Sites, however, change networks all the time meaning new games & room and often requiring users to sign up again, so why do they do it?
How To Play Mega Ball Live
Mega Ball is a live game from the leading studio for live games, Evolution Gaming. The game is designed with a bingo/lottery theme that means it is naturally liked by traditional bingo game players. The idea is you buy cards, numbers are drawn and you win money for completing lines.
Bingo Game Variations - A Twist On Classic Bingo? 52 Ball, 5 Line, Cash Cubes & More
Bingo is a beautifully versatile game and while most of the games fall into three or four major categories there are whole host of different variations within that. On this page we look at the most popular game variations, such as 52-ball, 5-line and cash cubes as well as some more unusual lesser well known games.
How To Play Slingo
Slingo is a hydrid bingo slots game that has gained quite a following among both bingo and casino players. The idea is, like bingo, to complete lines of numbers or a full house but rather than numbers being drawn they are generated form spins and that is the slots element. There are many different variants of slingo.
How To Buy Online Bingo Tickets
Buying bingo tickets is very straight forward, even easier than buying books in bingo halls. There are still steps to go through to open and use an account and lots of considerations when it comes to the type of ticket and amount you want to buy. Read this guide for more.
Bingo Cheating Scandals - Bingo's Biggest Known Crooks
Unfortunately whenever there is a game of chance there is someone around who wants to try to cheat it and despite being seen as a more innocent form of gambling bingo is by no means immune to scandals. We look at some of the biggest cheating scandals and best known crooks in bingo.
Bingo Robberies, Theft and Crime
A night out in a bingo hall is a simple pleasure for many. A generally low stakes game with a more relaxed atmosphere people do not expect someone to burst in with a gun and rob the place. It is not very common but it does happen, here we cover some of bigger robberies and thefts in modern times.
Can You Play Bingo With A Credit Card?
The use of credit cards for gambling was banned in the UK in April 2020 due to disproportional use by problem gamblers. This naturally will also apply to bingo, although strangely National Lottery is excluded. The ban is for all forms of credit not just credit cards.
Making The Most Of Online Bingo Chat Rooms
Online bingo chat rooms are great places to enjoy playing bingo with fellow players. They are there to mimic that social feeling you get if you play bingo in real life. With these helpful tips, you can make the most out of participating in all kinds of fun in online bingo chat rooms.
Is It Safe To Leave Money In An Online Bingo Account?
Bingo sites, and gambling sites in general, are not banks and this means your money is not necessarily safe should a company go bust. The best advice is to not leave significant amounts in a bingo account but if you do you would be better looking for a company with medium or high deposit protection. Read more.
What Is The Bingo Association and What Does It Do?
The Bingo Association can be seen as the bingo hall sectors wise grand parents. A body of industry professionals formed in 1998 to provide a voice for operators in the face of the media and regulatory matters.
Why Do You Need To Provide ID To Play Bingo Online?
Bingo is a form of gambling and that means it is subject to the same rules as casino and sports betting. This means companies are legally obliged to verify your age and identity before allowing you to deposit and play. In most cases this is automatic but for some you need to send documents. Find out why.
Can You Mark Off Your Own Bingo Numbers Online?
Playing bingo online is of course very different to real world bingo, largely because games are driven by random number generators and effectively run themselves online. Still, for those that want to you can set games to allow you to manually dab, although it doesn’t affect the overall result.
Lights, Camera, Bingo - Bingo On The Big And Small Screen
Bingo may be a niche game but it has seen more than its fair share of coverage in the bright lights of Hollywood and in various popular TV shows. If anything bingo is becoming more common on TV and that is testament to its popularity and fun vibe. Read this article to find the best films and TV featuring bingo.
When Is The Best Time To Play Bingo?
There is no definitive answer to the best time to play bingo as it depends what type of bingo player you are. Do you play bingo for lots of little wins or do you play it because you want to win a big jackpot and try and make a profit? That matters a lot when it comes to when to play. Read our guide for more about finding a time to play bingo that suits you best.
What Happens If A Bingo Game Crashes?
The beauty of online bingo is you can play wherever you have an internet connection, the difficulty, unlike with real-world bingo, is on rare occasion games can crash. Most of the time it is due to a connectivity issue and in those instances games simply continue on the server and you don’t lose out. For other errors you often need to get in touch with your ticket ID’s.
What Are Online Bingo Chat Room Games?
Chat room games are additional games within a bingo room that are run by the chat host. The idea behind it is to get more people involved in chatting and in exchange you can often win small prizes. These games often involve getting a certain lucky number, guessing a missing word, playing a small quiz, etc.
Is It Legal To Host A Bingo Night?
Playing bingo for money is generally classed as gambling, however, there are exceptions. If bingo games are run as non-for-profit games or with proceeds given for charity and ticket costs and prize pools are low then you do not need a gambling license to host a bingo night. If, however, you plan to make money from hosting a bingo game then it is gambling and you would need permission from the UKGC.
Church and Charity Bingo For Fundraising: Is It Gambling?
Bingo is often seen as a more friendly form of gambling but is still gambling. Churches and charities have been running bingo nights, raffles and lotteries to raise money for centuries and it is generally seen as OK if that cause is just. Here we look at the relationship between bingo and religious groups and charities as well as the legal rules around the topic.
How To Deposit To Bingo Sites Using Pay By Phone
Pay By Phone is a payment system that lets you deposit to some bingo sites via your mobile phone, which is then added to your phone bill or taken off your credit balance. This is designed for small deposits and can be more flexible than other methods. On occasion it can carry fees and there is no direct withdrawal option so make sure you know what you are doing before you get started by reading this guide.
Does Playing Online Bingo Affect My Credit Rating?
You can no longer deposit to a bingo site using credit directly (e.g. a credit card) but there are still ways in which regular deposits to a bingo site could have a negative effect on your ability to borrow.
Is Bingo Classed As Gambling?
The short answer to this question is yes, bingo is gambling. It is often seen as a 'softer' form of gambling but ultimately it is still gambling and is regulated in exactly the same way as casinos, lotteries and sportsbooks. You need to be 18 to play, the products can be addictive and most sites are hybrids, i.e. they offer slot games, which can be more harmful. Find out more.
Is There Any Skill To Bingo?
Bingo is simple. It is universal and speaks all languages. Being one of the most accessible games in the world is the reason why it is loved by many. With games of any type, the consideration of skill involved will always crop up. Is there skill involved in playing bingo? This article explores the 'skills' involved when playing bingo with and based and online bingo operators.
Britain's Best Bingo Halls
Often, bingo halls establish themselves in characterful buildings that have a lot of history that not only encompasses the bingo world, but also other avenues of the entertainment world. This guide looks at a few of the famous halls across the UK and shares some interesting history and facts about what they are today.
The Changing Face Of Bingo: How The Game Of Bingo Has Evolved
Bingo has transcended through history. It has evolved as society does. Here is a potted history of the beautiful game covering bingo and its origins, the move from land based to online and bingo from around the world.
Are Online Bingo Games The Same As Slot Games?
When looking into online gaming there is just so much choice. When paying for anything, you want to know what you are getting. Here we look at and compare playing online bingo with playing online slots, looking at the similarities and differences to help new players consider carefully what type of gaming they might prefer. (bingo always...shhhh!)
Britain’s Oldest Bingo Winners
Bingo is typically popular with the older generation, however play profile age is lowering as year pass by and with the vast choice of online bingo now available. Here we take a look at a handful of some of the most recent big money winners.
Bingo Jokes & The Ten Bingo Commandments
Like anything enjoyed (or even loathed) by many people, bingo has its fair share of jokes and hilarities. As bingo has evolved over the years, so have its jokes. We capture some of the traditional and more modern and unusual jokes here. Try not to laugh your socks off too much, we don't want your feet getting cold!
What Countries Play Bingo?
We often think of bingo as a very British thing but in actuality it is played all across the world thanks to the fact it is a simple game that is easy to understand and play. Indeed, bingo wasn't even first invented in the UK, it was seen in Italy in the 1500's and different variations have been independently created around the globe.
What Is The Return To Player (RTP) For Online Bingo
Whenever participating in online games that involve you depositing money, it is sensible and worthwhile to have some understanding of the likelihood of winning. This is known as the return to player percentage, or more commonly written as RTP. Here we explain the RTP for the various formats of online bingo and compare this to playing online slots as well.
Bingo Without Numbers Using Pictures And Symbols
What if you could play bingo without using numbers at all? Well, there is no need to wonder whether or not this is possible. Because bingo games without numbers have actually been available for a number of years now. You can find bingo cards online that utilise alternatives to numbers on them for you to mark off, and some of them can be quite quirky and alternatively fun. Here you can find out more about these games and find out the procedure of how to get access to the cards and play the games.
Can You Play Online Bingo With Friends?
Unlike many online gambling games bingo is social and you can chat to friends online as you play the game. You don't even always need to be on the exact same site as them as long as the site is on the same bingo network.
Famous People Who Love Bingo
Famous people are people like you and me, so it makes sense that some of them would like the beautiful game, that is bingo. Which famous people have a love for getting involved in the game and trying to dab off all their numbers. This article shares some facts about just how much bingo is really loved by the rich and famous.
Haunted Bingo Halls & Spooky Bingo Encounters
Interestingly, studies suggest that people see bingo halls being within the top ten types of haunted buildings in the UK. We can see why, often being old and busy buildings with bags of history and human activity. Even today, there are many bingo halls that stand empty, waiting for new investment and new life. However, ghost hunters see these as a gem, in the hope to make contact with the other side. Although its not just the empty bingo halls with frequent spiritual visitors...
What Happens To Old Bingo Halls?
With some bingo halls closing over the last few years , there leaves a gaping hole in town centre community. What was once a busy building full of excitement and joy, simply stands empty, derelict. Or, waiting for new use. Here we look at what empty bingo halls plan to be used for across the country.
What Are The Most Popular Bingo Halls In The UK?
Interested to know where in the UK you can visit one of the most popular bingo halls? This article tells you about the luckiest, biggest and even a bingo hall holding a Guinness World Record. Be sure to make a visit to one of these soon!
Support Available For Gambling Addiction
All bingo websites have links and help sections listed in case playing online bingo or any other form of online gambling becomes a problem. We see many logos for the different organisations and charities that are out their to help and support. Here we summarise what they offer, in order to help you to determine if any of them might be just what you or a loved one need.
Is It Important to Preserve Bingo Halls?
Bingo Halls and clubs are still open up and down the country. Certainly not as many as in the 1980's but you don't have to travel too far to find your local one. All towns and cities have them. But the question is, if we fast forward 10-20 years are we still going to see these hubs of social culture? Or are the signs of the times sadly forcing closures or change of use? In our eyes, bingo halls need preserving, here we explain why.
What Can You Earn Working In A Bingo Hall?
Many people don't think about bingo halls and the people working inside them. These halls usually have a sole focus on providing entertaining games of bingo to people. The games and the people visiting are what most of us think about when considering bingo halls. You may also give a bit of consideration to the bingo caller as well. Yet there are many more people active inside a bingo hall than this. Here we look at the roles to keep the hall or club running.
What Do You Do Working In A Bingo Hall?
As you can probably imagine, there are plenty of different jobs associated with working in a bingo hall. Some of them, such as working behind the bar or cleaning, are quite generic and the sort of work that you’d be expected to do is no different to any other bar or cleaning jobs. Other roles, however, can be unique to the world of bingo, which means that they are worth looking at in a little bit more detail.
The National Bingo Game: What is it and Can You Play Online?
The National Bingo Game is played every day of the year except Christmas Day, linking bingo clubs across the country and offering the biggest cash prize available at any bingo club anywhere in the UK. Understandably then, it is a popular event. This article explains what it is, how it works, and if it is also possible to play online.
Do You Have to be 18 to Play Bingo?
Now clearly, bingo is gambling and gambling is an over 18s only activity by law. That doesn't mean under 18s can't play bingo though, they just can't gamble. If that sounds a bit too confusing don't worry, it's all explained in this article.
What Are The Fastest and Slowest Bingo Games?
Just because we love bingo, it doesn't mean we all want each individual game to last forever. It's fine to want to smash through more games more quickly and enjoy more of that excitement at the start, or that one to go feeling. This is where knowing which are the fastest and slowest bingo games could come in handy, so I have laid it all out for you in this article.
Missed Claims: What Happens if You Don't Call Bingo?
Imagine winning a full house but not shouting bingo in time, and missing out on your prize money. The pain, the anguish! Thankfully, it's rare, but when it does happen it's a case of 'tough luck' for the person who missed the claim.