Although the aim of the game is the same whether playing bingo online or in a bingo hall, playing online bingo will naturally bring many new factors to the table.
There are lots of different styles of bingo for a start, plus you’ll have to sign up to a site and learn about payment options, promotions, community hubs and more.
There’s also the addition of chat rooms and casino pages to contend with, and these factors can bring up many questions along the way.
If you’re new to the world of online bingo, then first and foremost don’t panic. This is a fantastic community to get involved with, and there really is so much on offer once you’ve mastered the basics. Once you’ve played a few games you’ll fit right in, and soon be joining in with all the bingo lingo.
Here at bingowebsites.org.uk we want to make the experience of online bingo much more familiar to you, so here are a few answers to some questions that you may have during the process.
Common Questions
This website has dedicated articles for each of these common questions, going into detail and exploring the topic more widely.
Not everyone wants that level of detail, so for the time poor, here is a list of quick fire questions and answers to everything you could possibly want to know about online bingo.
If you want to read more about any of the questions below, click on the headings.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Play Online Bingo?
Bingo is classed as gambling, so you need to be at least 18 years old to sign up and play at an online bingo site.
Under 18s can play real world bingo in certain settings and scenarios, but to play online for money, the minimum age is 18.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements are rules set by the bingo site, dictating how many times bonus money must be played through before being withdrawn as cash. This stops players immediately withdrawing bonus funds.
So if you got a £10 bonus with 35x wagering, you would need to play £350 worth of bingo before any winnings became available to withdraw.
What if I get Disconnected?
Since online bingo is automated and everything is digitally recorded, disconnection does not impact your game.
When you buy a ticket, the system knows what numbers you have. So even if your internet cuts out just before a win, you will still get your money.
How to Deposit and Withdraw Money
There are various different payment methods at online bingo sites. You need to register a debit card or ewallet to your account, then the site can debit money from your bank whenever you ask it to.
In order to withdraw winnings, you need to request a withdrawal from your account. Then the site will process the withdrawal, and sent the money back to your bank account.
Are my Card Details Safe?
Yes. Online bingo sites use the same security features as online shops and banks.
Everything is encrypted and protected.
Are Online Games Fair?
Yes. The games are run using a random number generator. This is an algorithm that is constantly cycling through numbers, before selecting one at random. It all happens at lightning speed.
The bingo sites are not actually the ones running the games, so they don’t and can’t control this. The network provider is responsible for running the games, which are then hosted on the different bingo sites. So it is not possible for a bingo site to ‘cheat’ even if they wanted to.
What are Online Bingo Chat Rooms?
A regular online chat room but one built into the bingo interface.
Anyone playing the game can strike up a conversation, but they are usually led by a chat host who works for the bingo company. They will get the conversation going and run mini chat games too, often with small prizes attached.
What are Online Bingo Progressive Jackpots?
Built into many regular online bingo games, are jackpots that increase as time goes on. These keep growing until someone wins them, so the amounts can become very large.
A tiny portion of every ticket bought goes towards progressive jackpots, and they are won most often by getting a full house in under a certain number of calls.
Can I Pick my Own Tickets?
Yes you can. Most bingo interfaces allow players to buy up to 200 tickets at a time, so there are lots to choose from.
You can click on the tickets you want to select or de-select if you spot a lucky number.
Do You Mark Off Your Own Numbers?
By default, the game will mark your cards for you. However, you can change the settings to allow you to mark the cards yourself.
If you do this, the system will catch you up on any that you miss. Online games move quite quickly, but you won’t lose out if you fall behind.
How do the Games Work?
A bingo network develops the bingo games then supplies them to different bingo sites. So the network runs the games, the sites just host them. It’s a bit like buying branded products from a supermarket: the supermarket doesn’t make them, they just sell them.
The games run automatically using a random number generator (RNG) which controls the numbers being drawn, and the game is setup to run without the need for human involvement other than the act of actually buying the tickets.
This means players can jump in and out at will and have total control over when they play and how many tickets they buy.
Can I Play More than One Card at Once?
Most sites allow up to 200 bingo cards to be bought for each game, so you can play significantly more than one card at once.
What are Sign Up Bonuses?
These are deals to attract new customers to sign up to bingo sites. Typically, a site will offer a deposit matched bonus and maybe some free spins on a side game too. So the player might deposit £10 and be given an extra £10 in bonus funds.
The sites are not giving away money though, these deals come with terms and conditions such as wagering requirements. Think of it more like fun money, enabling you to try the games without spending your own money on them.
Is Bingo Gambling?
It is 100% gambling. You are putting down money as a stake in the hope of winning more. This is why all online bingo sites need a gambling license.
Bingo is seen as a softer form of gambling because of the sort of game it is, and the comparatively low stakes. But in the same way that reduced fat cheese still has fat in it, gambling at small stakes is still gambling.
Can You Play On Your Mobile?
Yes. All bingo sites have mobile optimised sites now, if not dedicated mobile apps. In fact, more people are playing online bingo via mobile than ever before.
Why Does a Bingo Site Want my ID?
In order to operate legally in the UK, bingo sites need a gambling license. One of the conditions of this license, is that the sites verify the identity of their customers.
This is to stop criminals using gambling sites as a way to launder money, as well as to stop underage or vulnerable people from accessing gambling products. Asking for ID is part of this process.
What is a Bingo Network?
A bingo network is a bit like an online bingo supplier. Many sites will use the same network, so people on different sites are actually all playing together in the same bingo rooms.
If you play at two sites on the same network, then you can log into Site A one day and Site B another, but you will be accessing the same games.
What are Side Games?
Online slots and instant win games that are built into the bingo interface.
They can be played independently of the bingo, but most bingo players use them to fill the time between bingo games.
What are Bingo Patterns?
When playing 75 ball bingo, the layout of the ticket allows for patterns to be made, such as a cross, a T, and many more.
Some games play to patterns rather than a line or a full house. It’s a fun twist on the usual way of doing things.
Why is it Called Bingo?
The story goes that the man who popularised the game first called it Beano.
However, when he was showing the game to his friends, one of them became so excited that he shouted ‘Bingo’ when he won by mistake. It stuck.
What Happens if Two People Win?
It is possible for this to happen, it’s actually quite common. When it does, the game knows who wins and who doesn’t and instantly pays out any winnings that are due.
If two or more people win a line or a full house, the prize is split between them equally, and immediately.
What is a White Label Bingo Site?
It is very expensive to set up an online bingo site, not to mention labour intensive. In order to get started cheapy and quickly, many brands employ the services of a white label provider instead.
They buy a pre-prepared site with all of the necessary licensing and payment provider connections set up behind the scenes, and then brand and market it themselves. The White label company gets a fee for their services and a cut of any profits, and the company which owns the brand keeps the rest.
Is Online Bingo Safe?
Playing online bingo is generally very safe and secure. It’s incredibly rare for any problems to arise. Every online bingo site is licensed and regulated by a governing body, and all online gambling should abide by the law and the terms of their license.
This means monitoring customers to protect them from problem gambling, and keeping their personal information under lock and key. They even have rules and regulations regarding their chat room policy so no one is bullied or harassed.
Can Two People In The Same House Have An Account At The Same Bingo Site?
The answer is yes, but it does depend on the site. It doesn’t matter how many adults live at the same address, everyone is eligible to open an account at the same online bingo site.
Each person must have a separate account of their own however, and individual payment methods should be used to fund them. You may need to go through stricter checks too.
Can I Claim An Online Bingo Welcome Bonus Twice?
The initial welcome bonus is a one off deal, designed to attract and welcome you to the site. You can’t claim it twice, as that would defeat the purpose.
However, most online bingo sites will offer further bonuses down the line, but they will rarely be as valuable as the welcome bonus.
Can A Bingo Bonus Be Used For Side Games?
This will depend entirely on the bingo site. Each bingo bonus will come with its own terms, decided by the site itself, so it’s up to them. Read the terms to find out.
Some sites will state that the funds are just for bingo games, or some sites will split the funds between bingo and casino games. You often see free spins as part of the welcome offer.
How Much Does It Cost To Play Online Bingo?
There is no definitive answer to this. Ticket prices vary between sites and even games. Most games cost between 1p and £1 a ticket, and generally the higher the ticket price the bigger the jackpot.
The answer to this question also depends on how many tickets you buy, how long you play, and how much you can afford to deposit. Online bingo can cost as little or as much as you want it to.
How Much Money Can You Win?
This is another question with no answer. In a quiet room with no jackpot and only a handful of people playing, prizes can be as low as a few pounds. The again, most sites have special rooms with huge prizes and hundreds of players.
That’s not to mention the progressive jackpots built in to some games which can pay out tens of thousands of pounds.
Why Do People Play Online Bingo?
People love to play online bingo as it’s fun, convenient, and with plenty of big prizes up for grabs. It’s also a good way to relax and keep your brain engaged.
That chat rooms make it a social activity too, albeit not as social as going to a bingo hall with your friends. However, it is cheaper than a bingo hall, and is available 24/7.
Do Men Play Online Bingo?
Absolutely. In fact, bingo is on its way to being just as popular with men as it is women.
It is true that a lot of online bingo sites are geared slightly more towards the female market, but this doesn’t necessarily deter men from playing.
Can I Play Online Bingo Whilst I’m On Holiday Abroad?
his can vary from site to site, and could completely depend upon some the following factors:
- The website/brand itself.
- Where you are travelling to.
- Your status in each country.
Generally the answer will be ‘not very easily’, but there are ways around it. It’s all to do with license conditions and and the terms and conditions of the site you are playing at.
When Is The Best time To Play Online Bingo?
Online bingo sites operate 24/7, so it comes down to personal choice. When is good for you?
You may prefer to play late when most people are asleep so there are fewer players, and thus higher chances of winning; or you might prefer the peak time games which have much larger jackpots and loads of players.
Want to Learn More About Bingo?
I hope this page has answered any questions you may have, but if you still want to learn more about the game then do have a read of the other articles available on this site.
I have covered everything from history, game mechanics, online vs offline statistics, trivia, and even bingo themed jokes.
If you have decided you want to give online bingo a try, I also have reviews of lots of sites I have used personally. These review pages go into a lot more detail on what each site has to offer, to help you decide which one would suit you best.
Have fun!