When you think of bingo, what comes to mind? Do you picture a large hall full of senior citizens, who are listening to someone call numbers? If so, you’re not alone, as that’s the stereotypical game format we’ve all seen in movies and on TV shows.
Thankfully though, nowadays, online casinos offer topnotch, easy to use and most importantly, a good time! If you enjoy slots or other fast-paced casino games, you might want to check out some online bingo sites too!
Bingo 101:
If you’re interested in bingo, you’ll probably want to know what’s involved with it and how to play before you sign up to play. Bingo can either be played in a bingo hall or online in a chatroom. In both versions, you have a play card, which is a square card that consists of boxes. In each box there is a number written down. The bingo caller (equivalent to a dealer) picks a numbered ball at random and tells the players the number on the ball.
The goal of the game is for you to cross off the numbers on your play card before anyone else and yell out ‘Bingo!’ Thankfully, not all of the numbers on your card need to be crossed off to win; players are able to win by having boxes covered in vertical, diagonal, or horizontal lines. Seems easy enough, right?
Bingo Games:
Bingo is a very easy game to learn, but just like other casino games, there are many different variations of it. The main variation between these games is the number of boxes on each card and how many balls are called. Changing these two factors affects the speed of the game.
- 30-ball: The fastest version of bingo, 30-ball bingo is played with a small card and only 30 balls are pulled. The cards are 3×3, which really expedites the game. Players who enjoy 30-ball bingo like fast-paced games and a lot of them. In 30-ball, you can easily play several games within an hour. Obviously, the more you play, your odds of winning increases.
- 75-ball: Perhaps the most common bingo game in North America, 75-ball bingo is played with 75 balls and a card with 25 squares. This version gives players an automatic free space to help them get started too. So players simply have to get 5 in a row in any direction (or 4 if they’re utilising the free space). The numbers can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.
- 80-ball: A bit different than the other versions, 80-ball bingo doesn’t require the scratched off numbers to be in a row. While it still uses the number of balls in its title (80), the way the card works is different. In fact, the players just need to match the winning card that the game provides in the beginning. This card has a random pattern on it, which is not always in a straight line.
- 90-ball: One of the most popular versions of bingo in the UK, 90-ball bingo is played with 90 balls and cards that have fifteen numbers, divided into three rows of five. In order to win, the player must have a row completely scratched off. The next person to win has to have two rows completely scratched off.
There are many more variations of the game, however, these four are hands-down the most popular, which means they’re featured at most casinos. The only exception to this is the 30-ball game, which can only be found at selection casinos.
Tickets & Prices:
So now that you have a better idea of what games are available, knowing how much they cost is the next step to getting ready to play.
In order to play, you must buy a ticket to enter the game, also known as the Bingo Room. Every casino has different prices for each game and casino, but the prices only range from 1p to £1. While this seems cheap, and is cheap compared to most casino games, buying multiple tickets can add up.
There is also a limit as to how many tickets you can buy at a time too. Normally you can buy anywhere between 1 and 96 tickets at a time. Just like the price, this ticket limit differs depending on the casino. Be sure to set limits for yourself though, especially if you’re buying £1 tickets, because that adds up a lot quicker than it seems.
Bingo Rooms:
When playing bingo, you don’t remain on the casino’s main website. Instead you’re transferred to what’s known as a bingo room. These rooms are only accessible to the players who have purchased tickets and allows people to play against each other.
Since there are breaks in between games, many casinos also offer their player the chance to play their slot games in these rooms. In addition to playing games, you can also chat with other players in the chat rooms provided.
Factors in Choosing Your Site:
Since there are so many different variations of bingo, choosing the best site can be rather difficult. When trying to decide, there are 8 factors you should keep in mind before choosing:
- The bingo tickets & prices: Since prices range and some casinos put limits on their tickets, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the typical cost for your game and find the casinos who have the best ticket to price ratio for you.
- The game selection given: As we’ve seen, there is more than one type of bingo. As this is the case, not everyone enjoys all different games, but playing on a site that gives you a larger game selection is always nice, as you can experiment with other variations and try out other casino games.
- Types of bonuses and promotions offered: Websites that offer players, both new and returning ones, more bonus are more likely to retain their existing customers. Giving the players more chances to redeem bonuses is a great reason for them to continue playing.
- Availability of their mobile sites: One of the appeals of online gambling is that you can play anywhere, anytime. This isn’t possible though if the casino you choose isn’t mobile compatible. Not all casinos have apps, or even need to have them, but it’s essential that any casino we mention has the ability to be used on a mobile device.
- Different payment methods: Since not all forms of payments (namely credit cards) are accepted, it’s important to check and see which ones are available on the website in question. While many of them accept several different forms, it’s best to see and then weigh your options to make the best decision for you. Many options only let you either deposit or withdraw your money. So when looking, to make it easier on you, choose a method that allows you to both.
- Have an idea of what their bingo rooms are like: Some casinos have several bingo rooms, but others don’t. Sometimes these rooms include different features, like the ability to play slots in between games, but not all do. Be sure to check out reviews of the websites and the website itself to see what kind of great elements their bingo rooms have (or are missing).
- The atmosphere within their communities: On the same page as their bingo rooms, you always want to play with good sports, who won’t be sore losers, or sore winners for that matter. In addition to the chat rooms available, the chats between players and the casino support is also the best for the casinos below. Available 24/7, they want to make you, the player, feel as welcome as possible and help out in any way that they can.
- The software platform used: If you’re new to the online gaming community, you might not realise why this matters. Different software developers pair with different online casinos and gaming platforms to help them create games. These providers control everything about the game, from the sounds to the game’s graphics. Not only do they control the audio and visual aspects, but they also control the game’s RTP rate and the house edge. Because this can alter the players’ winnings, it’s important to familiarise yourself with different platforms and know which ones give players better RTPs.
- The website’s safety and security: When online gaming in any capacity, it’s crucial that you make sure it’s verified and monitored by the UKGC and/or one of the UK’s other gambling authorities. Their approval is the only true way to verify that a casino is legal and legit.
- Whether or not the casino has any type of loyalty or VIP Program: Choosing a casino with any kind of rewards program is beneficial for the player. Some of these casinos give their loyal players extremely high-end gifts, like weekend getaways, birthday gifts, and other wonderful winnings that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a casino. Even if you don’t get these kinds of prizes, bingo casinos are constantly giving players the chance to win some bonuses. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the bonuses that best fit your gambing interests so you can save and win big!
These factors mean different things to different people, so put emphasis on the qualities that mean the most to you. All of these factors were also taken into account with the casinos mentioned in the paragraph below, so keep your eyes peeled for something that sparks your interest.
RTP in Bingo:
Unfortunately for bingo lovers, the RTP for players isn’t as high as it is for most other popular casino games. While it’s still well over 50% (it’s usually between 70-80%), it can be rather difficult to calculate. This is because there are several different factors that go into the game, such as number of players, the number of tickets you buy, and the game you choose to play.
Top Ten Best Bingo Sites:
Keeping the eight different factors in mind when looking for a casino, here is a compiled list of the best bingo sites in the UK:
- Mecca Bingo: This bingo site is fantastic for all types of players, whether you’re a novice or a bingo expert. Mecca Bingo has a massive selection of bingo games that players can choose from. Even though they have many to choose from, players are only able to play 90-, 75-, and 80-ball. On top of their huge game selection, the
When you sign up and deposit £10, new players get £60 in their account. Unlike most other casinos, this money is separated into different amounts for different specific uses. £20 goes towards slots, £30 is a designated bingo bonus, and the last £10 is a club voucher.
- BGO Bingo: Offering a mobile app that’s compatible with both Apple and Android phones, players can enjoy BGO Bingo anywhere, anytime. This top-of-the-line casino is most well-known for its large selection of bingo rooms. In these bingo games, be ready to meet new people, as you’re encouraged to enter chat rooms and converse with your competitors. This sense of community is what attracts so many players to BGO in the first place.
Also offering more than just bingo to they’re customers, new players will get the chance to win up to 500 free spins for one of BGO’s slot games with just a £10 deposit.
- Gala Bingo: With the largest bingo room selection, Gala Bingo offers more than 30 rooms for it’s players! Not only do they have an enormous bingo library, they also have over 350 slots for you to choose from too! So if you enjoy playing lots of games instantly, this is the casino for you. Players can easily access and use either Gala’s website or mobile app, as it is known for being extremely user-friendly.
Offering their players tp to £50 when they make their first deposit of £10, Gala has some other great offers. If this sounds like the casino for you, be sure to check them out and look into their stellar VIP club.
- The Sun Bingo: With a lot of focus on the mobile application, Sun Bingo is great for playing on the go. With dozens of options of bingo rooms, players have an extensive list to choose from. In addition to this great selection, players also have the opportunity to free-play in two different rooms. This is great if you’re just wanting a quick, casual game or if you’re wanting to familiarise yourself with the game, in general.
It’s no wonder The Sun is one of the UK’s most popular bingo sites. When you play here, you can also enjoy a multitude of slots. New players here will also enjoy £50 worth of free bingo when they deposit £10. Stay in the loop with other offers by checking out their website.
- 888 Ladies: A casino within the 888Casino family, the 888 Ladies Casino definitely has a lot to offer, just as it’s affiliate casinos. Exclusively designed by Dragonfish Gaming, this casino has a user-friendly and top-notch website that is also mobile compatible. Dragonfish is also known for being a leading software developer who specialises in graphics. So not only will you be able to choose from a large game library, but also you will know that they are going to look incredible.
With over 3 dozen rooms to choose from 888 Ladies is a great choice for any and all bingo fanatics. Deposit £10 now and enjoy £50 of bonus money to play with!
- Buzz Bingo: Mainly known for its selection of bingo games, Buzz Bingo several other great features that make it stand out. Actually, there is one unique game that they offer, which is 36-ball bingo. Since this isn’t a common variation, players are practically lining up to try it. While this is a great game, they also have a wide variety of slots and other instant games.
Another competitive edge that sets them apart is the fact that they offer a loyalty program. Not only do they have this, but also they continuously offer bonuses and promotions for their players. One of their current offers now is that when new players deposit £10, they receive £30 in bonus money to play with!
- Coral: Also known for sports betting, Coral is one of the leading online bingo sites in the UK. Offering cheap tickets, this is a great place for players who like purchasing a large amount of tickets at once. With it’s bingo rooms being open almost all the time, day and night, they offer their guests a wide range of playing options. Some of their games have less than 10 people, while others have dozens!
New customers will receive a £40 welcome bonus when they make their first deposit of £10.
- Red Bus Bingo: A daughter company of 888 Casino, the Red Bus Casino has been well-equipped to rival the other top bingo sites in the UK. With an extensive selection of bingo and slot titles, the Red Bus is most well-known for its diverse choices of bingo games. In fact, it was even voted ‘Best Bingo Casino!”
This casino is also well-equipped to handle different types of payment. This gives players more flexibility when it comes to topping up or withdrawing their money. Speaking of money, now when you sign-up with Red Bus, you will receive £30 to play with for only just a £10 deposit!
- Robin Hood Bingo: Living up to its namesake, Robin Hood Bingo gives and gives to their players. Offering unbeatable bonuses weekly, players here will never have a shortage of new bonuses and chances to win big. In addition to their great bonuses and bingo games, they also offer scratch cards, slots, blackjack, and other live casino games.
One thing to note at this casino is that the bingo room times are strict. This is simply because the hosts are on a break, so be sure to plan accordingly!
New members are no exception to the fantastic bonuses Robin Hood offers! With your first deposit of £10, you will receive £50 of bonus cash and 50 free spins! In addition to this generous offer, you will also be able to play for the first three days without a deposit! Talk about a steal!
- Tip Top Bingo: With 7 different bingo rooms, Tip Top Bingo is well-known for this feature. While this is a great feature, there are also some other great ones that aren’t always offered by casinos. Another one is the ability to buy up to 96 tickets at once! This allows players to maximize their time at your casino, which is exactly what players at Tip Top do.
Interested in checking them out? Tip Top is offering up to a 200% bonus plus up to £30 and 30 free spins! Now that’s a deal that’s hard to pass up.
Playing on the Go:
Love bingo but can’t be by a desktop all the time? Not to worry! Many of the top bingo casinos are also offered in formats that are also compatible on mobile devices. While the ones listed above are all mobile compatible, these five have received rewards in regards to their websites, interfaces, and overall great customer experiences on their sites.
New Bingo Sites:
Still looking for more options? The list of available bingo sites seems almost endless, so we have some more choices for you. Here are three of the best new casino sites that are available in the UK now:
- Dinky Bingo: Another casino under the 888Casino umbrella, this website has lots to offer. With a great game selection and it’s unbeatable new player offers, Dinky Bingo truly does earn the title of ‘Best New Casino Site.” At the moment Dinky is offering it’s new players a few different bonuses. When you make a deposit of £10, you will get 5 free bingo tickets, £10 for bingo bonuses, and 20 free spins!
- Umbingo: An extremely user-friendly website, Umbingo provides players with everything they need to know. With detailed descriptions of the games they offer, Umbingo has something for every player! While they don’t have an exclusive welcome bonus, they haven a whole page dedicated to other bonuses that they’re running. Instead, they’re offering players the chance to spin their Mega Wheel to win larger than life prizes!
- Zeus Bingo: Even though ‘bingo’ is in their name, Zeus Bingo is so much more. Offering dozens of table games, slots, and casino games on top of their bingo selection, this casino is definitely worthy of the god’s approval. Similarly to Umbingo, they also offer an extensive list of bonuses and promotions. When you sign up with them, you’ll receive free spins and some bingo tickets!
Bingo Bonuses:
As we’ve seen, there are many fantastic bonuses that are offered at bingo sites. While these bonuses might not be as glamorous or as profitable as other online casino games, bingo bonuses can still make playing worth your while.
Not only are these bonuses fantastic, they’re also given out quite a bit. Some casinos are better known for their bonuses and promotions, but the best is Coral bingo.
Why Bingo?
Clearly there are many different games you can play at online casinos nowadays, so why should you choose bingo? What are some of the advantages of it? Are there any disadvantages that might deter me from choosing a bingo site?
To answer those questions, yes, there are both pros and cons to playing on a bingo site. Here is a breakdown of them:
Pros:
- You can play at your own speed – some game variations are fast, while others take a bit more time. If you’re interested in playing faster games, you can play a few within an hour. Enjoy the slower things in life? Not to worry, you can take your time and limit the amount of games you play.
- There’s a great community involved! While it’s closely monitored, chatting with people in your bingo rooms is a great way to meet other players and feel more like you’re in a land-casino.
Not only are the players awesome, but also so are the staff members! Whether they’re the host or a customer service agent, those involved in the online bingo experience are there to make sure your experience is nothing short of amazing.
- Probably the biggest reason people love playing bingo is because it’s fun and easy! You don’t have to worry about skill or keep track of rules. But rather, it’s a fun way to kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself easily.
Cons:
- Even though it’s a cheaper game compared to most other online games, bingo can be sneaky and end up costing you more in the end. Since the tickets are so cheap, it’s easy to buy them in bulk and lose track of how much you’ve spent if you’re not careful.
- Not all sites have all of the casino games you may want. Filtering through casinos to find the one(s) who do have your preferred game can take time and this process can be tedious and frustrating. To make things easier look on websites like GamblingCity. These review sites can help you better filter your searches.
- The RTP rate isn’t that high for bingo. Even though the RTP rate is dependent on a few different factors, the rate for bingo still isn’t very high. In fact, it’s one of the lowest out of all the online casino games.
Clearly there are good things about playing bingo and there are not so great things about it. Regardless, it’s your decision whether or not you want to spend your time playing this game. If you’re still not sure it’s right for you, it wouldn’t hurt to check out any of the free-play games that are available at some casinos, like Jackpot.com.
Safety:
When playing any kind of game online, especially one that requires your personal details and money, be sure to check to make sure it’s a valid and legal operator. All of the casinos mentioned in this article are of course, legitimate and trustworthy sites for you to use. To see if the site you’re interested in is verified, always look for the UKGC logo. This, or another UKGC partner, should be somewhere on the page, stating that it’s a verified and legal UK gambling site. If their logo doesn’t appear on the site, it’s not trustworthy and you should find another site.
In addition to finding a genuine gambling site, it’s always good to be mindful of how much you’re playing. Of course, playing can be harmless, however, it can be a fine line between harmless and harmful. All of the sites above, and all UKGC promote responsible gaming. Not only do they advocate for it, they also encourage players to seek help or get help for others who are suffering from gambling problems.
Conclusion:
There is a huge selection of bingo sites in the UK for you to choose from and no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find something you enjoy. When looking, be sure to keep the eight factors in mind, so you can really choose the casino that best fits your needs. Feel free to check out these casinos mentioned, as well as the others that weren’t. We hope that this was an informative guide in helping you choose the best online casino for you.